Has anybody had any luck mating the 4BT to an A343F transmission? I'd like to swap my 80 but I want to keep it auto and would mainly use it as a DD/camping/surf wagon. I've searched pretty hard and it seems most people use a manual trans or non toy auto.
There have been a few recent threads about this, thought I'd dredge this up and comment that adapters are available to do this, to bolt a 4BT directly to an FJZ80 automatic.
The 80 series transmission is a huge consideration as is the wiring involved with some of the options and whether or not the end result is right for you.
If you have questions about a 4BT, Isuzu or other non-Toyota diesel I can relate no BS first hand experience.
Without sugar coating anything the mechanical 4BT is a great engine in regards to mileage, power, reliability and low maintenance cost, but it has a tractor noise at idle that is NOT enjoyable to most people. Having daily driven numerous 4BT powered pickups and SUV's my biggest complaint would be shutting the engine off to place drive thru orders. In an 80 series the idle noise isn't bad with the windows rolled up and noise is a non-issue when the vehicle is going down the road- Windows up or down. Gearing is a concern with a 4BT. You really want 1700-1900 at 65 MPH. The idle shakes of a 4BT can be calmed substantially with proper engine mounts and an engine that's in good shape. 4BT's really shake around when something's wrong with them- leaky valves, bad injectors, bad headgasket, but the engine can otherwise have good power, mileage and drive perfect. A 4BT in good condition on decent mounts with idle speed at 850 doesn't shake at idle to the point of irritation. Be careful with hydraulic mounts as they often allow too much engine movement and lack a restraint if the mount fails.
The 4BD1T Isuzu's are good engines, they are more complex than a 4BT, but do offer better top end power out of the box and all 4BD1T's have inline Bosch pumps which most regard as superior to the VE's used on the majority of 4BT's. The Isuzu's have liners and parts aren't too bad to overhaul one. The Isuzu uses V-belt pulleys like the Landcruisers. The Isuzu injection pump is on the passenger side where the Toyota throttle and cruise control cables fit well.
There are FUSO and Hino diesels in the same class that will work, but besides owning a 93 Fuso truck for our machine shop I have no experience swapping one. The Isuzu and Cummins engines have a larger market share in the US and my impression is they have a lower cost of ownership as parts and information are more available.
Beyond the mechanical 4BT and 4BD1T the current generation of commonrail 3.9 and 4.5 4BT engines with rear geartrain (RGT) are an option and offer a lot of power, low noise and smooth idling. These are great engines if you don't mind a little wiring (not much really) and are starting to turn up on the used and surplus market at reasonable prices.
I can't comment on installing a 6.2/6.5 into anything. I've removed several from GM pickups for replacement with alternative engines. A great friend has a repair business specializing in these engines and has been VERY busy for the last 2 decades. 6.2's and 6.5's take the cake for spectacular, unexpected engine failures in my book.
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. I am shocked if you dont get the factory turbo diesel 80's.
