Diesel daily driver? (new member help)

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C

cgall800

Joined
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Hey gurus! I'm pretty new to the site and have become obsessed with 60s for a while. So here's the question I pose to you.

I'm a firefighter in Oregon, drive a 98 gmc 1500 pickup with 68000 miles on it, got a smokin deal from a friend. I don't have space for two vehicles but I really want a diesel 60. Knowing that it will be expensive to do a swap or bring one in from Canada, would you guys sell the pickup to get the cruiser? And... Given a good motor and some cash to make sure the creature comforts work, can they be good daily drivers?

I ask because I don't want to sell a very clean pickup for a cruiser that will become a hassle to drive just to have the cool factor. ( I already own a norton motorcycle that requires constant attention ) and yes I'm set on getting a diesel version. ( love them)

Thanks in advance
 
stick with your norton and the pick up.....

you obviously dont need another project ... it is way cool though. Diesel is my dream.
 
I have a diesel 60 and in my experience it's best to have either a backup vehicle and a checkbook or broad wrenching experience and good tools that lead to fast repairs. :meh:

Not selling mine anytime soon...
 
I've had a HJ47 ute [2H, H55F], a BJ40 [3B, H41] and now a BJ74 [13B-T, H55F]. All diesels. All daily drivers. All as reliable as they come. I maintain there is nothing more reliable than a diesel Landcruiser. I also maintain there is nothing rougher than a diesel Landcruiser [in the suspension department].

I have no idea about GMC trucks, but I know that I've never, ever had a problem with a diesel Cruiser. My Dad neither [BJ40, HZJ75].

Drive a 60 first before buying. It will be slower and rougher than your GMC I'll bet.

:beer:
 
cult45 said:
I maintain there is nothing more reliable than a diesel Landcruiser. I also maintain there is nothing rougher than a diesel Landcruiser [in the suspension department].

:beer:
Click to expand...

I agree, There is nothing more reliable, there is never doubt on my mind that my rig will break down when I am way out in the woods. It would take a catastrophic failure (which can happen) for it to be something I couldn't remedy with my tool box.

As for the roughest suspension, I remedied that :) now I bet I am the softest cruising 60 out there or close to it. but stock even 60s are not bad compared to a 40 and put some good shocks on there for DD its not bad.
 
Have been driving an 84 BJ60 since 1985 as a daily driver (work and play). Only once did it break down on the road, water pump bearing seized. Find a one owner 60 ( still some out there, look for them), that has been maintained, and pay what they ask.
'Nuff said!
 
Talk with guys like DirtGypsy and Boots as I believe they are both in Oregon as well and have diesel (swap) 60s. They can give you the best information. From what I have read/researched, a swap diesel (unless a toyota engine) can be quite hectic and troublesome but if done properly can be the most reliable vehicle. If you already have a reliable vehicle and one project, you might want to keep it that way.

Though I am with you and the cool factor is very, VERY tempting.
 
gregnash said:
Talk with guys like DirtGypsy and Boots as I believe they are both in Oregon as well and have diesel (swap) 60s. They can give you the best information. From what I have read/researched, a swap diesel (unless a toyota engine) can be quite hectic and troublesome but if done properly can be the most reliable vehicle. If you already have a reliable vehicle and one project, you might want to keep it that way.

Though I am with you and the cool factor is very, VERY tempting.
Click to expand...
yup what he said
 
Well thanks for the quick replies. I should clarify that the norton runs great and I don't mind working on it. But it requires a battery charge sometimes, carb tuning and leak chasing every few rides. I enjoy working on things, Im more curious if a well sorted cruiser will be a "needy" vehicle or just regular maintenance? The norton requires extra planning to ride compared to a new bike, would the cruiser be the same way?

Anyways, I wouldn't mind a rougher ride, and I lean towards diesel for the mpg and it sounds like power is better as long as its turboed. So I guess my other question is can a 2f be freeway friendly?

Thanks all
 
There are a lot of factors that go into the diesel swap. How much money are you willing to spend? I'm putting in a 4bt soon (Rebuilding the engine now), so all I can talk about is the 4bt swap. You can find good running engines for about $2000 to $2500. $350 to $450 to ship it. Does the turbo need rebuilt? New? $700+. You will need an adapter and flywheel: $600, used.

The Land Cruiser straight six is much longer than the 4bt, 7+ inches, you will need to either move the tranny foreward or get a Ranger Torque Splitter from Advance Adapter, $1400. If you are thinking gas mileage, this is a must. I also got the H55 five speed transmission a couple of years ago, $1900 on sale.

Are you going to want to rebuild the engine while it is out? Overhaul kit: $700. Will you need a new clutch? Probably: $350. Various other parts, pieces, and services: $1000+

All this if you do the work yourself. If you like mechanicing, which I find I do (When I'm done), you will love it. The thing about a Land Cruiseris, if you do it right, rebuild it piece by piece, they are built to really last (Drive train wise). Every one of your concerns, like the quality of the ride, can be addressed in some form or fashion. When you are done, you will not only have a vehicle you love, but the satisfaction of having built it the way you want it. It is not easy or quick, but very rewarding. And, you will be amazed at how smart, competant, and willing to help the guys on this forum are, so you will never be in your adventure alone.
 
What Wyoming said... basically it comes down to your checkbook ability, wrench ability, and timeliness. If it is something that you want up and running right away you will have to look for one that is already built and reliable (looking at $10k+ probably). There is the option of having someone like Georg at Valley Hybrids in CA (OrangeFJ45 on here) do a Toyota diesel swap for you but that will run you in the same range as buying one already dieseled. There are the other swap options of the OM619 Benz, 4BT/6BT, 12H-T/2H, or Isuzu 4BD-1/2. There is a TON of information on here about all of these swaps and what not so you are in good company if that is the route you wish to go.
 
You can pay Tor up here to do it for you too. A yota swap is easy, but a cummins or isuzu swap is bad ass. I did my swap with a doner vehical and sold the remaining parts for more then I bought it for. 2fs are freeway freindly but I would recommend a little rubber overdrive. Same with the desiel though... Specially with the diesel. Unless you get a 5speed doner then you are golden.
 
My daily driver '84 with 2F gets a fair bit of freeway duty schlepping from the Gorge to Portland. I average 20 mpg on the highway. I'm on 33" MT's with a 4 speed and stock gears, so rubber overdrive, and it has a properly jetted Weber. A Trollhole desmog carb might even do better.

My 2F has over 310,000 miles, and I'd drive it across the country tomorrow. Reliability plus.

I would love a diesel, but only if I could buy a factory TD truck with a 5 speed. I've done a number of swaps, and no longer have the patience for sorting all the custom fabrication for non-factory engines. Nothing wrong with an Isuzu or Cummins, I'm just not up for it any more.
 
TS888 said:
My daily driver '84 with 2F gets a fair bit of freeway duty schlepping from the Gorge to Portland. I average 20 mpg on the highway. I'm on 33" MT's with a 4 speed and stock gears, so rubber overdrive, and it has a properly jetted Weber. A Trollhole desmog carb might even do better.
Click to expand...

Really! Damn that is nice for a 2F, mine explaining the commute? Flat, some hills, speeds traveled at, tuning, etc. When I grab mine it will have to make an at least once a week trip to North Reno from Carson City so that's about 40 miles one way and mostly highway speeds. Would love to be able to get that out of whatever cruiser I grab.
 
Rolling landscape, elevation ranges from about 60 ft to 300 ft. I hang in the right lane at the speed limit -- 65 mph. That's roughly 2500 rpm. Commute is 60 miles.

Truck is totally (properly) desmogged, has a Weber 32/36 jetted for under 4,000 ft. No A/C, no air pump. Timing set at about 11 btdc, I run "Plus" grade fuel, 89 octane or whatever it is. Tires (33x12.50/15 BFG MT's) at 35 psi.

Oh, and it's 464... :hillbilly:
yota.webp
 
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A BJ60 or 60 series with toyota diesel conversion can be very reliable. I would go with a 1HZ because of parts availability, and the engines can be purchased in Japan then shipped over.

The key is doing preventative maintenance before throwing a diesel in there, making it good as new. No need to rebuild the engine, but stuff like: rear main seal, water pump, hoses, belts, gaskets, seals, timing belt, clutch, etc...
 
my answer would be no....I would not get the 60 if you just plan to have one vehicle.
 
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