Builds FZJ80 to HDJ80: 1HD-FT Diesel Swap

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Bama4door

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We are doing a diesel conversion for a customer’s ‘96 FZJ80. We decided on a 1HD-FT out of a ‘96 HDJ81 with a A442 and HF2A. We will document the build and progress here.

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Sounds awesome. Doing all that and they wanted to keep it automatic?
Yes, he wanted his wife to be able to drive it and anyone in his family. Keeping it Auto was by far the most challenging part of this swap. We grafted the FT harness in with the factory FZ harness with a FT cluster (in MPH). It was countless hours of wiring, but everything works and performs factory. More pics to come later on...

I would be interested to know what this ends up costing.
We got the drivetrain (FT, trans, tcase, wiring harness, cluster, some accessories for around $10k shipped to US). We resealed the entire engine; new head gasket, timing belt/WP, new head bolts, powedercoated parts, rebuilt IP, tons of new Toyota parts. IF you would like a breakdown, send us a PM.

That's simply the entry fee.
Very true.
 
Yes, he wanted his wife to be able to drive it and anyone in his family. Keeping it Auto was by far the most challenging part of this swap. We grafted the FT harness in with the factory FZ harness with a FT cluster (in MPH). It was countless hours of wiring, but everything works and performs factory. More pics to come later on...


We got the drivetrain (FT, trans, tcase, wiring harness, cluster, some accessories for around $10k shipped to US). We resealed the entire engine; new head gasket, timing belt/WP, new head bolts, powedercoated parts, rebuilt IP, tons of new Toyota parts. IF you would like a breakdown, send us a PM.


Very true.
Out of curiosity, where did you source your swap from?
 
We sent off a bunch of parts to get powder-coated and Cerakoted while we worked on replacing timing belt/water pump, all hoses (fuel/coolant) and resealed the FT. We removed the head, sent it to machine shop to get checked over and then installed new valve stem seals, all new injector seals/washers, and replaced the head gasket and head bolts. Also checked BEB’s before we resealed the oil pan.

We got it all out back together and placed it in the truck. The factory 1FZ frame engine mounts bolt right up with the FT engine brackets and motor mounts.

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We sent off a bunch of parts to get powder-coated and Cerakoted while we worked on replacing timing belt/water pump, all hoses (fuel/coolant) and resealed the FT. We removed the head, sent it to machine shop to get checked over and then installed new valve stem seals, all new injector seals/washers, and replaced the head gasket and head bolts. Also checked BEB’s before we resealed the oil pan.

We got it all out back together and placed it in the truck. The factory 1FZ frame engine mounts bolt right up with the FT engine brackets and motor mounts.

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I highly recommend a front air to air intercooler. It makes a big difference on EGT. Engine runs much happier and will last longer. I installed on mine 6 years ago and put over 100k miles. It’s a dream.
Also, if you want a bit more performance, a Gturbo and fuel pin/cap from Trundles.
All that being said, this is the best diesel engine Toyota ever built in my opinion. Congrats!
 
It’s a fantastic engine for sure. My FT swap has been in 10 years now and about 80k on it since the swap. I don’t have an intercooler, I just watch the EGT’s and back down or downshift if it starts getting too hot, really only happens if I’m towing the loaded M416
 
It’s a fantastic engine for sure. My FT swap has been in 10 years now and about 80k on it since the swap. I don’t have an intercooler, I just watch the EGT’s and back down or downshift if it starts getting too hot, really only happens if I’m towing the loaded M416
Your build was my guide mate. It was priceless!!!
 

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