Best diesel engine for land cruiser

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Can I get a cupholder with these engines?

There, now this belongs in the 80's section.:)

Fascinating topic, btw.
 
The VW engine has a restrictive oil pan configuration, so it would be a difficult conversion. A Duramax can fit in an 80, but it's simply too much engine. I would do one just to say we did it, but it doesn't really have a conventional functionality. Yea you could do 0-60 with a 10k trailer on the back, but the 0-60 speed will be the same without a trailer. I'm personally not a fan of the cummins either, also too much engine for an 80. The 3.0 variety is a good option, especially the new 2.8l duramax coming out later this year.

I still think the 1HD is the best engine for an 80, until something cooler comes along ;-)
 
Isn't the 2.8 Duramax just an updated version of the VM 2.8 that was in the Liberty CRD and Wranglers overseas? I see conflicting reports. I enjoy driving my CRD but it is full of electronics. Personally I wouldn't want a newer diesel in a Land Cruiser due to electrical nightmare.
 
what are we seeing from OZ about the twin turbo V8?
if anyone can find a short coming in an engine, them boys can.
i had heard the V8 was a simesed C block with common crank. i know the C block had a weak head design ... anything like this happening to the V8?
 
5.0L Cummins V8, coming soon to Nissan and others... That could be interesting... while we are dreaming... :D
 
The Toyota engines are the most logical, but you're doing well if you can find one for $8-10K and when you're broken down in the middle of nowhere, you get to wait on the slow boat from Oz-Land for your part. The electronics of the newer engines are a nightmare and many of the newer EPA regulations have taken a toll on efficiency. I don't see guys making these swaps, so ask yourself why. The 6BT is a great engine, but I thinks it's just too heavy for the 80. The 4BT would otherwise be a great choice, but if the noise doesn't get you, the vibration will rattle the fillings out of your teeth. The 4BD is in the ballpark for performance of the 4BT, but a little more quit and significantly less vibration. After a year of reading these boards and asking stupid questions, I decided on the 4BD2T. There's no right answer, but make every effort to take a ride in the one you're considering.
 
"when you break down in the middle of nowhere"
ummm, IF you install a well maintained HDT / 1HZ / 1PZ then you DON'T break down in the middle of nowhere.
if you abuse your engine, if you neglect your engine or if you are stupid enough to put a poor quality engine into your truck then you have no one but yourself to blame.
one wire run engines are great for one thing ... reliability.

although, the isuzu i owned made me smile. I would be tempted to install one into a Cruiser.
 
They all have the potential to break down. We're just throwing our subjective experience in this game.
Modern diesels have a huge disadvantage due to the complexity of the newer emission control systems. They are prone to getting carbon build up which can affect anything from EGR valve, to turbos, to DPF and catalytic converters.

At least in my state, '97 MY cars and older don't have to go through smog check. That can be an asset the TLC 80 has when doing a diesel swap. In theory the engine should come with all the emission stuff the factory put on it. So, you decide what to do with that info.

Now, the 97-98 Mercedes 3.0 L6 turbo diesel is one sweet option. Direct injection (simplicity of not dealing with common rail) and has a ton of potential for power making. It comes with only 177 HP and 240 TQ, but with just a simple ECU update those numbers climb to 200/300.
When you look into new injectors, pump and turbo, those number go way up and the engine can take it without internal mods. Some people were able to squeeze about 400 HP out of them.
Being a smaller displacement engine, it is possible the overall physical dimension to be smaller too compared to other L6 engines of larger displacement and lighter weight too. And they are relatively cheap too, when compared to other options, maybe not 6bt/4bt, but run in the $2000-$3000 range.

Of course, this is just a theory as I have no idea how well it can mate to a transmission needed for our trucks.
 
4bd does sound interesting. Can u find them easily?
can u twin turbo a 6bt? Just curious bc i have seen that 1vd video b4 and my god what an engine
 
4bd does sound interesting. Can u find them easily?
can u twin turbo a 6bt? Just curious bc i have seen that 1vd video b4 and my god what an engine
Using the search can give you a lot of information. However, I would suggest reading up on 4BTSWAPS.com. You'll find a lot of information on many different diesels, and they have a search feature as well. Dragos80 makes a great case for the Mercedes diesel, especially those with cast iron heads, but you'll run into issues trying to find adapters. There are ways around, but my point is consider the more common swaps so you can learn from those build threads, adapters are easier to find, and you won't have to reinvent the wheel.
 
yea i probably should of searched first, I was on my cell at work and just am so interested in doing this I get ahead of myself :P
haha thats probably right, I do try to read all of the threads but theres so much I DONT know of cars and how they work that its basically like being thrown into a calc 4 class in college, just smile and nod :P
 
I think any swap is doable as long as you don't care about the cost. In my mind repowering anything does not make monetary sense. But, others may disagree because different folks have different needs, preferences, hobbies, etc...

As much as I would love to have a diesel engine on my 80, I don't see myself going through with a swap. But who knows, if my current daily driver diesel suffers a catastrophic failure (body wise) I will save that engine and give it another chance at beating inside my 80 (or a second 80 :) ).

What I really wish for is not power at the moment, but better brakes. I need a better stopping power then the 80 in it's original form can offer. Maybe a bigger brake kit with some 17-18" rims. I haven't found anything yet in this respect.

If 4 cylinder diesels are desirable for some of you, just wait for the new VW 2.0 TDI to get here. 268 hp and over 400 tq.
http://www.topgear.com/uk/car-news/volkswagen-diesel-engine-innovation-workshop-2014-11-11

or maybe one of those modern 2.8 with 200 hp as Jeep is selling in Europe.
 
I was curious and looked up a 6bd for s***s and giggles, cant find anything on a swap into a LC or LX, anyone know anything about a swap?
 
you buy a lot of gas for the $10K price tag of a diesel swap (or more)
 

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