Buy a half cut or engine separately (1 Viewer)

[outdoort]

Hey guys, sorry if this has been asked a few times before. I did a search, couldn't find anything.
I, like others want to do a diesel conversion to my 97 80. I know people usually buy a half cut imported with the diesel engine they want, and then do the swap. Problem is, half cuts seem to be extreemly expensive. Buying a 1 HDT with the manual trans. attached by its self seems to be way cheaper. (I'm not up to date on exact prices, so I could be wrong). Now, I know the purpose of buying the half cut is so you can have all the other parts you may need in order to do the swap. Is it super expensive buying the parts separate from japan? How many separate parts do you need besides the engine?
I did get a job offer from my local Toyota dealer a few days ago working as a wholesale parts driver/sales. I'm pretty excited and I accepted the position. I was told Id get 10% above cost on Toyota parts for my own vehicle. I'm wondering if I could get these parts for the diesel from my dealership?

So, what are the cost/benefit of buying a half cut or buying the engine and parts separate? Like I said before, I'm looking at doing a 1HDT, but I'm not stuck on it either.
Another thing I was thinking might be worth looking into: Onatio Canada isn't that far away from me. I could drive my 80 up there and try to get a shop/mud member to help me sorce the engine/parts and do the conversion up there, then trailer the 1fze back home. What you all thing about this idea?

 

[outdoort]

So no one? I think mud in inundated with too many people/threads.

 

[45Kevin]

I'm no expert but;

Half cuts are harder to transport. You can't do roro. That may account for the higher price.

You might be on the right track to drive to Ontario or Quebec and by the parts you need. Look on Ontario craiglist or autotrader.

You may find it cheaper to buy an H diesel and put a turbo on it. I'm not sure how well an H takes a turbo though. The 12HT is an awesome motor, but rare.

 

[Uncle Grumpy]

Post in the diesel section, you may get more replies. You can always drive a half-cut home. SOR half-cut

 

[SHREDwagon]

Awesome! You'll love the 1HDT, but not finding parts. The exchange rate sucks right now too.

Sheldon @ G&S Cruisers can point you in the right direction. Or, Wayne (on here) is in Ontario and does conversions.

You'll need a LHD wiring harness from Japan 4X4, regardless if you buy a half-cut or not. Unless you like wiring.

Sorry, I don't think your discount will help much with diesel specific parts, shipping from Oz, Japan or the Middle East. You'll learn to be creative finding parts.

Good luck!

 

[LINUS]

As to the base question, I'd sooner buy a half cut as you always undoubtedly need parts from the donor that the powertrain , no matter how complete - won't ever have.

I've swapped BMW motors from car to car (see my garage, the motor is a '97 M3 6 cyl in a '88 M3 that came as a 2.3 4 cyl) - and the Devil is always in the details - in this case the"Devil" turns into money & time spent finding obscure parts.

Half cuts all the way - mounts for the fuel lines, all the proper routing of differing stuff is all laid out to show you installation & after you take literally 200 pics of it all, then start stripping down the parts you will use in the swap you never knew you would have needed otherwise, and the routing it will show you is invaluable.

Half-cuts always when swapping to a differing motor.

 

[outdoort]

As to the base question, I'd sooner buy a half cut as you always undoubtedly need parts from the donor that the powertrain , no matter how complete - won't ever have.

I've swapped BMW motors from car to car (see my garage, the motor is a '97 M3 6 cyl in a '88 M3 that came as a 2.3 4 cyl) - and the Devil is always in the details - in this case the"Devil" turns into money & time spent finding obscure parts.

Half cuts all the way - mounts for the fuel lines, all the proper routing of differing stuff is all laid out to show you installation & after you take literally 200 pics of it all, then start stripping down the parts you will use in the swap you never knew you would have needed otherwise, and the routing it will show you is invaluable.

Half-cuts always when swapping to a differing motor.

Thanks for your opinion. Yes, I do see your point. I was hoping buying the engine separately would make the conversion a little cheaper, but, maybe not. Too bad these half cuts are so damn expensive!

 

[outdoort]

Post in the diesel section, you may get more replies. You can always drive a half-cut home. SOR half-cut

Didn't realize there was a diesel section. Mods, please move to appropriate section if you can.

 

[outdoort]

Hey so I know that the Canadian exchange rate kinda sucks for the U.S. right now, and 80s were never produced in Canada with diesel engines (as far as I know). So maybe driving up to Canada to get this diesel swap done isn't the best idea. What about taking a expedition down to central America somewhere and getting the swap performed at a mechanic shop down there. I'm not sure, but, were 80s sold down in Central America with factory Diesel engines?
If there is a country down there that has a good exchange rate, plus availability of a good Toyota diesel engine to throw in my 1997 80, I think that could be a nice little trip to take. I could sell the 1fze while down there, and drive home with my newly installed diesel. ???
Anyone think this might be a good idea?

 

[Douglas S]

Hey so I know that the Canadian exchange rate kinda sucks for the U.S. right now, and 80s were never produced in Canada with diesel engines (as far as I know). So maybe driving up to Canada to get this diesel swap done isn't the best idea. What about taking a expedition down to central America somewhere and getting the swap performed at a mechanic shop down there. I'm not sure, but, were 80s sold down in Central America with factory Diesel engines?
If there is a country down there that has a good exchange rate, plus availability of a good Toyota diesel engine to throw in my 1997 80, I think that could be a nice little trip to take. I could sell the 1fze while down there, and drive home with my newly installed diesel. ???
Anyone think this might be a good idea?

There are all kinds of factory diesel powered 80's, 70's, 60's in Canada.

 

[IanB]

There are all kinds of factory diesel powered 80's, 70's, 60's in Canada.

But I think only 60's were sold here new that way, and some BJ4X's, correct me if I'm wrong. Lots of imports though.

As for where to get the swap done, I'd trust a mechanic in Canada over one in insertcentralamericancountryhere, and if I was going to have issues and broke down on my way home, I'd rather that happen in North America as well.

There are lots of imported 1HD-T's in Canada, and a handful of shops capable of doing a nice clean install as well.

 

[Douglas S]

But I think only 60's were sold here new that way, and some BJ4X's, correct me if I'm wrong. Lots of imports though.

That's right, we also got BJ70's. Really though, if all he's after is an engine/transmission, it doesn't matter if it comes from a domestically sold or imported truck.

 

[IanB]

That's right, we also got BJ70's. Really though, if all he's after is an engine/transmission, it doesn't matter if it comes from a domestically sold or imported truck.

It would if he's looking for a 1HD-T, as I don't think those were ever sold here new.

 

[Douglas S]

It would if he's looking for a 1HD-T, as I don't think those were ever sold here new.

It doesn't matter if they were sold new here. They're here now.

 

[IanB]

It doesn't matter if they were sold new here. They're here now.

And thank goodness for that!

 

[SHREDwagon]

Hey so I know that the Canadian exchange rate kinda sucks for the U.S. right now, ........
Anyone think this might be a good idea?

Was talking about the Japanese exchange rate. The Yen is quite high right now. So half-cuts are $$$, at the moment.

 

[outdoort]

Was talking about the Japanese exchange rate. The Yen is quite high right now. So half-cuts are $$$, at the moment.

Oh, I gotcha. I thought you meant the U.S. : Canadian exchange rate, but, even that exchange rate isn't the best for us Americans anymore I'll have to do some more research on Canadian shops and there prices for a swap service.
The thing is: I'm trying to avoid a 10,000 dollar + cost for this swap to happen.
If anyone knows any good shops that can perform this swap/sell a half cut up in Ontario, Canada, or closest to New England, post their name/ number please.
Thanks for all the help and info on this venture, Tyler.

 

[IanB]

I'll have to do some more research on Canadian shops and there prices for a swap service.
The thing is: I'm trying to avoid a 10,000 dollar + cost for this swap to happen.

Unless you're doing the swap yourself, you have roughly a 0% chance of doing this swap for less than $10,000. 1/2 cuts are damn near than much, plus shipping, plus all the other bits needed.

 

[pathfinder_88]

Wait two years and buy a 1990 1HDT powered 80 from Canada for less than it would be to do the swap on your 80. There are many HDJ81's going for around $10k (will need some work) here.

OR

Come up and buy a rough one for under $10 and hack it up for parts.

 

[busmup808]

Wait two years and buy a 1990 1HDT powered 80 from Canada for less than it would be to do the swap on your 80. There are many HDJ81's going for around $10k (will need some work) here.

OR

Come up and buy a rough one for under $10 and hack it up for parts.

PROS:
1HDT
JDM ACCESSORIES
NO LABOR
GAS & GO
ROUGHLY $10K

CONS:
RIGHT HAND DRIVE
HARD GOING THREW DRIVE THRU
LABOR
NIGHTMARE WIRING
TIME CONSUMING
$$$$$
HALF CUT TO LEFT-HAND DRIVE ROUGHLY $20K

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