Diesel swap (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter plumz19
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Can you have diesels in California? Not trying to be a wise-ass, just honestly curious.
- Thread starter
- #3
There’s ways around everything but 95% sure it’ll not be passing California emissions
I’m in the military it’ll be registered in Texas.
tmxmotorsports
SILVER Star
Quality work at a good price what exactly does that mean with prices of everything quadrupling.
Do you have an engine yet or do you expect your installer to find one? Since they were not sold here finding an engine is a mixed bag. Most shops don't keep diesels "in stock" so to speak. Sourcing one for you would be a liability that they may not want to accept. The type of engine will decide the level or cost of work required. Your simplist conversion would be a 12ht but they are hard to impossible to find, especially in good shape.
I would send it back to texas for work and get the swap transferred to the Texas title as a diesel.
Paging @CenTXFJ60 and @samc2447
Paging @CenTXFJ60 and @samc2447
What diesel do you want to put in? Toyota? 4BT? 6BT?
I would say do it yourself.
I would say do it yourself.
- Thread starter
- #8
I would like to do a 6bt because I’ve heard the 4bt has a nasty rattle and steering issues I found a guy whose willing to do the swap the new problem is deciding what auto transmission to mate to it I want something with high end torque that’ll last and automatic so the wife can drive it too.
I have a 4bt in mine with compound turbos. I was happy with it when it was just one turbo, but me being me, I wanted more, it can produce 60psi when I gun it. There's no rattle, it's a well-balanced 4BTAA with an inline pump. I initially thought of the 6bt but heard it would be too heavy for the axles. The setup I have now is great, it crawls everywhere and the 4BT left enough room in the engine bay for extra stuff like two turbos, two batteries, a remote oil filter, and an air box. It can cruise easily on the highway at 80mph and was able to tow a loaded trailer at 103mph. I think I could have gone faster, but I ran out of road.
I'm also in the military and my workaround is to also keep it registered in Texas if I had to relocate to Colorado or San Diego.
- Thread starter
- #10
How much did the conversion cost you all together?
Ha, I started this 12 years ago and it's still costing me. I keep "upgrading" parts and changing direction. I paid Landcruiser Specialist to do the conversion with the install of an NV4500. The I swapped out gears, rear axles and so on. Upgraded the brakes, added bumpers and racks and winches...it never ends cause I get bored easily.
- Thread starter
- #13
Felt that on a personal level
^^ this.
My friend has one in a jeep gladiator. If you can get over the fact it shakes a little bit at idle, it’s a great motor with good potential.
It keeps the weight behind the front axle too, should help with Handling.
4BTs have definitely been swapped into FJ60s before, and there is a reason for it.
Also an awesome option.
tmxmotorsports
SILVER Star
CenTXFJ60
SILVER Star
You’ll love having a diesel in your 60. If you have not done so, hitch a ride with someone local to you that has a 4BT or a 12HT. From there you won’t hesitate to find the extra coins you’ll need regardless of any quote you receive 
. Anyone chiming in that has one can attest to the “Black Hole” syndrome. Actually, I’d say the 12HT does not fall into this for the most part. Being an easier match to the 60 platform a knowledgeable installer can more accurately price this conversion out for you. The two main variables are cost to source and whether it needs a rebuild or just a refresh. And I’d recommend a “refresh at a minimum
. Anyone chiming in that has one can attest to the “Black Hole” syndrome. Actually, I’d say the 12HT does not fall into this for the most part. Being an easier match to the 60 platform a knowledgeable installer can more accurately price this conversion out for you. The two main variables are cost to source and whether it needs a rebuild or just a refresh. And I’d recommend a “refresh at a minimumjust a WAG on pricing, someone else doing the work
all in I'm guessing 15-20K
couple shops in CA, @orangefj45 , @TRAIL TAILOR
one in MT @bagochips76
probably some others also
all in I'm guessing 15-20K
couple shops in CA, @orangefj45 , @TRAIL TAILOR
one in MT @bagochips76
probably some others also
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How did working with Land Cruiser Specialist go? Back when I lived in Austin that's where I got work done on my 60. I knew Kevin from waaaay back and got to be on pretty good terms with Edwin.
Edwin did the swap, I bought the rig from him while I was deployed. I tried buying over the phone from Iraq and he thought it was some international scam, so I sent my GF at the time that's 5 feet nothing to go buy it in cash. The story that ensues is kinda funny, and we've since become close friends. His son Hunter has done a ton of work on Big Red for me as well. Hunter used to drive it when he was in high school, so there's some nostalgia there.
I've had zero issues with the work Edwin's done with the swap ( or any work he's done for me), everything has held up well and I beat that thing hard. The only initial problems I had were deciding which turbos, dialing in the timing, and messing with Cummins leaking oil. I've since bought a 40 rock crawler from him and am sending my son's minitruck to him for some hysteer work. I can't recommend them enough.
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