Completed 1KZ-TE swap into 2001 Tacoma (7 Viewers)

[RBxxx]

I’m swapping a 1KD into an 88 4runner and the bell housing on the R151 that I bought with the engine is significantly bigger/deeper than my R150 that mated to the 3VZ. Not sure if the KZ R-series transmissions are the same but I bet they may be since a popular swap is replacing the dual mass flywheel behind the KD and replace it with a solid mass from a KZ.
I have no information about the auto trans.

 

[Triplefat]

Does the 1KZ get a bad rap you think? I’m thinking about getting one in a Land Cruiser instead of the HZ and people keep trying to talk me out of it because of the electronic fuel injection... I don’t see what the big deal is though

 

[RBxxx]

I’ve read of head crack issues, but that might be guys abusing the kz. The HZ is going to give you more power for the LC as some complained the KZ isn’t enough for a Cruiser. I’m just telling you what I’ve read since we don’t get those mills here in the states.

 

[anothernord]

Does the 1KZ get a bad rap you think? I’m thinking about getting one in a Land Cruiser instead of the HZ and people keep trying to talk me out of it because of the electronic fuel injection... I don’t see what the big deal is though

They shouldn't be talking you out of it because of the electronics. That part is no big deal.

The bigger reason why you wouldn't want a 1KZ in an a 60 or 80 series is simply that it'll make for an pretty slow rig that's prone to overheating. The indirect injection is partly to blame for the extra heat generation but in the end it's just not a good fit for a larger truck because of the displacement. It worked fine for the Tacoma after the upgraded radiator came into play but, granted, life for diesels is pretty tough in Colorado going up I-70 at extreme altitude and highway speeds.

 

[GTSSportCoupe]

A healthy 1KZTE dyno's more whp than a healthy 1HZ. A little bit more boost and some tuning, and the 1KZTE becomes way more powerful than the stock 1HZ.

Put a turbo on the 1HZ and it'll crack it's cylinder head in about the same timeframe as the 1KZTE. Or maybe sooner. Also, the 1HZ only has a 10mm injection pump, where the 1KZ has a 12mm injection pump. So the 1HZ won't exceed the 1KZ power unless it has an upgraded (12mm) pump installed.

If you're familiar with EFI systems and swaps in general, the 1KZTE is a relatively simple engine.

In a nutshell, its the turbos that kill IDI diesel engines. This is why Toyota didn't put turbos on the heavy duty landcruiser IDI diesels (3B, 2H, 1HZ), and in turn why they last a long time. All the heavy duty landcruiser turbo diesel engines are DI (direct injection). Think 13BT, 12HT, 1HDT, etc.

So IMHO, I'd take a 1KZTE over a 1HZ. But ultimately I think all the direct injection turbo diesels are the way to go if you want a tough long lasting powerful diesel.

 

[Triplefat]

Sorry I should’ve been more clear I’m looking at getting 95 2 door kz71 so it’s a smaller truck

 

[roscoFJ73]

Does the 1KZ get a bad rap you think?

It doesn't deserve a bad rap. Its a very popular engine in most parts of the world. I think it would be ok in a 60 series as long as you respected it. A 1HZ would take a lot more of a beating.

 

[MoCoNative]

I have a real world performance comparison question on these engines.

I have a 96 T100 with the 5VZFE, I see 1KZ engines on ebay occasionally with the manual trans and everything with the passenger drop t-case that a T100 would need, looks like the oil pan is correct too. Which vintage are these engines? Are they desirable? They must come out of the earlier Hilux chassis, not sure when the Hilux adopted the Taco frame layout and the different engine cradle/front axle arrangement like anothernord used. FYI, the T100 retained the pickup/hilux frame and front axle arrangement till the end of its life.

Also my main question, in the mountains of western Colorado and beyond, would this engine give any real advantage towing compared to the V6. Presently towing a little over 4000 pounds of camper in the summer. I get knocked back pretty bad on the hills and such with a 275K mile 5VZFE with the camper on and my home range elevation range of 5000-7000 feet and up. I see all kinds of different opinions on these engines, looking for real world use at elevation.

anothernord, what was your impressions driving this combo in our part of the world. Most folks with these engines probably never saw a sustained pull at 6000 feet plus elevation, proabably always closer to 4000 to sea level. In other words, would I kill the 1KZ with the below load/combo, the 5VZFE was running hard on the hills and with the wind.

 

[GTSSportCoupe]

I have a real world performance comparison question on these engines.

I have a 96 T100 with the 5VZFE, I see 1KZ engines on ebay occasionally with the manual trans and everything with the passenger drop t-case that a T100 would need, looks like the oil pan is correct too. Which vintage are these engines? Are they desirable? They must come out of the earlier Hilux chassis, not sure when the Hilux adopted the Taco frame layout and the different engine cradle/front axle arrangement like anothernord used. FYI, the T100 retained the pickup/hilux frame and front axle arrangement till the end of its life.

Also my main question, in the mountains of western Colorado and beyond, would this engine give any real advantage towing compared to the V6. Presently towing a little over 4000 pounds of camper in the summer. I get knocked back pretty bad on the hills and such with a 275K mile 5VZFE with the camper on and my home range elevation range of 5000-7000 feet and up. I see all kinds of different opinions on these engines, looking for real world use at elevation.

anothernord, what was your impressions driving this combo in our part of the world. Most folks with these engines probably never saw a sustained pull at 6000 feet plus elevation, proabably always closer to 4000 to sea level. In other words, would I kill the 1KZ with the below load/combo, the 5VZFE was running hard on the hills and with the wind.

View attachment 2525493

I don't think a 1KZTE would be an improvement over the 5VZFE for your needs. In fact I think it would cause more grief than anything. It's not considered a good engine for heavy towing. The power can be tuned up fine on it, but it will always have challenges with running hot under load. This is because it's an indirect injection diesel.

If you want to go diesel, look at turbo direct injection motors. 1KDFTV might be an option that would fit in the T100. But wiring will be challenging.

Or look at newer 1/2 ton domestic pickups with ~3.0l diesels already in them?

 

[John in Utah]

I have a real world performance comparison question on these engines.

I have a 96 T100 with the 5VZFE, I see 1KZ engines on ebay occasionally with the manual trans and everything with the passenger drop t-case that a T100 would need, looks like the oil pan is correct too. Which vintage are these engines? Are they desirable? They must come out of the earlier Hilux chassis, not sure when the Hilux adopted the Taco frame layout and the different engine cradle/front axle arrangement like anothernord used. FYI, the T100 retained the pickup/hilux frame and front axle arrangement till the end of its life.

Also my main question, in the mountains of western Colorado and beyond, would this engine give any real advantage towing compared to the V6. Presently towing a little over 4000 pounds of camper in the summer. I get knocked back pretty bad on the hills and such with a 275K mile 5VZFE with the camper on and my home range elevation range of 5000-7000 feet and up. I see all kinds of different opinions on these engines, looking for real world use at elevation.

anothernord, what was your impressions driving this combo in our part of the world. Most folks with these engines probably never saw a sustained pull at 6000 feet plus elevation, proabably always closer to 4000 to sea level. In other words, would I kill the 1KZ with the below load/combo, the 5VZFE was running hard on the hills and with the wind.

View attachment 2525493

No experience with the 1kzte but I do have another Toyota idi (3L) that I’ve spent a lot of time and money to get to perform like a 1kzt (turbo, intercooler, fuel, etc). I drive hwy 40 between SLC and Ft Collins regularly (because good luck keeping up with the semi traffic on i80..) and most of those rolling hills outside vernal put me down to 4th gear in a hurry, and forget about going up rabbit ears at more than 40 mph - that’s an empty Hilux with a tailwind, not a t100 loaded down with a trailer.... look for a v8 tundra.

People in the states have this romantic idea of getting the turbo diesel pickup options other markets got without considering how the driving conditions in the US are vastly different than rural Australia or SA or Japan. I get comments at the gas station all the time like “wow a turbo diesel, I bet that has gobs of power!” ... well no actually, it barely goes 70 on flat ground!

 

[MoCoNative]

Good input guys, that is kind of what I thought the case may be. Thought maybe they might be more impressive than that or the better torque curve would help. That has been the biggest shortcoming of the 5VZFE, it has to be screaming to make any power. It is really easy to kill off idle when you let the clutch out, I have to slip the crap out of it with a load and an incline. But if you want go up a hill, (empty) drop her in third and push her up to 5000 RPM and she will go.

I get a chuckle when a guy at sea level is complaining about power in whatever older Toyota and I think come where I live and see what the multi horse loss feels like at elevation. Went down to Arizona in our FZJ80, spring break before last, man that truck felt like a different vehicle down there, couldn't believe it.

I'd like a double cab 1st gen tundra, but they all seem to be $10K+ dollars and 200K+ miles. I really like a manual transmission too, I have really enjoyed my T100 because of that and its size. Might have sprung for a Tundra years ago, but all auto transmissions, unless I wanted the same drivetrain I have now. Got kids getting taller and taller, so trading up is looking like the only option, just hate to give up on the T100. Still purrs, been an amazing truck, must have been built not on a Friday and got the luck of really good components because hardly anything has ever failed on it.

 

[RBxxx]

shove a 1UZ in it. And regear for towing. Or get an LS, cheapest possible way to make HP. I’d rather see you put a 1UZ in it. There are adapters to retain your manual. Would be cheaper than a 1KZ swap.

 

[GTSSportCoupe]

Good input guys, that is kind of what I thought the case may be. Thought maybe they might be more impressive than that or the better torque curve would help. That has been the biggest shortcoming of the 5VZFE, it has to be screaming to make any power. It is really easy to kill off idle when you let the clutch out, I have to slip the crap out of it with a load and an incline. But if you want go up a hill, (empty) drop her in third and push her up to 5000 RPM and she will go.

I get a chuckle when a guy at sea level is complaining about power in whatever older Toyota and I think come where I live and see what the multi horse loss feels like at elevation. Went down to Arizona in our FZJ80, spring break before last, man that truck felt like a different vehicle down there, couldn't believe it.

I'd like a double cab 1st gen tundra, but they all seem to be $10K+ dollars and 200K+ miles. I really like a manual transmission too, I have really enjoyed my T100 because of that and its size. Might have sprung for a Tundra years ago, but all auto transmissions, unless I wanted the same drivetrain I have now. Got kids getting taller and taller, so trading up is looking like the only option, just hate to give up on the T100. Still purrs, been an amazing truck, must have been built not on a Friday and got the luck of really good components because hardly anything has ever failed on it.

Tuned up, the 1KZTE can easily make way more torque, and even the same hp as a 5VZFE. My concern is you'd never be able to keep it cool enough under load. IDI turbos just get too hot when under constant load.

If you can find a vehicle with the vvti 2UZFE and A750 5 speed auto (2005+), I think you'd be pretty happy. Lots of power, bit better fuel economy than the earlier 2UZFE, and the 5 speed auto is really nice; I bet you'd adjust just fine to it. I think this drive train is in Sequoia, Tundra, 4Runner, GX470, LX470, and Landcruisers in the mid 2000's. Yeah, they may cost in the $10k range, but by the time you finish swapping something into your T100, you'll probably have spent as much (or more), and it may be less reliable not being OEM.

I tow with my LJ78, and it's not fun. My 2LTE is tuned up a lot and makes good torque/power, but heat is always a problem. So I've spent a lot of time thinking about options. Everything from the Mercedes Common Rail Diesel 3.0 V6 (GL320) platform to a 2011-2014 F150 with the 5.0 Coyote engine. I like the idea of the 2UZFE, but they are getting old, and require timing belts. The newer V8's get better fuel economy and make about 100hp more with the same displacement (5.0 Coyote). The price gap on these newer vehicles compared to the 2UZ Tundras etc. has narrowed a lot.

 

[brownbear]

Keep the T100. Buy a supercharger. In the long run any vehicle you buy and the depreciation you lose will be more than dropping money on one of these. Even switching an engine will cost you 5-10 k min. I had a 3.0 T100 with an auto and wished I had a 3.4 manual....

Toyota 5VZ-FE 3.4L V6 Supercharger System

www.magnusonsuperchargers.com

 

[Will Van]

Hey guys, even though OP has sold his truck, we have kinda hijacked his build thread.

Maybe we should start a new thread strictly dedicated to 1KZ-TE swap discussion?