4bd1t turbo diesel better than 3fe?
short answer is yes. for sure. more power, and fuel economy that is close to double the 3fe.
rattles and vibration- these have been minimized with time and revisions - ASTR showed up in park city and we drove the land cruiser before turbo swap. it still had a low idle rattle, and a high speed vibration. When doing the turbo and inspecting, I noticed the ujoint bolts loose. so this was causing the high speed vibes, and an easy fix. i also recently increased rpms to about 900 idle, and 675 rpm when in drive (auto trans). the turbo has helped idle with positive pressure at idle rpms. I also feel like at cruise it now has more power and runs more smoothly, on a good tarmac surface it is really nice, my mother even approved. I found intake hitting a body heat shield, and air intake pipes touching and vibrating, and corrected these small but annoying issues.
Recommedations - i would be sure to use an angled rubber engine mount, like the isuzu stock style would be my next choice. there are others out there but I like this style over a vertical pattern. I would somehow try to confirm the flywheel, spacer, and plate are balanced. i still think I can back off my injector timing a degree to smooth idle.
power - compared to the 3fe the diesel has more power with the improved turbo (with out turbo, or with weak turbo, it has WAY less power), more instant power with out having to wait for it to spin up to a high rpm. i do not feel that it has an excess amount of power (like driving my 6bt cummins in a dodge pickup), but i am okay with that since I am getting such great mileage, over 500 miles on a tank. in low gears it has Tremendous power, and torque. it climbs easily and the torque is very noticeable, with an instant burst if needed to bump over something, or to get a run at something. In four wheel low, and in low gear, there is a lot of gear advantage here, but it would pull its guts out and blow other stuff apart on my stock rig. i really enjoyed this lowend power with 4 people and a big ole cooler of beer in the back, and it barked up the hill.
Recommendations: I would suggest smaller tires if you want to be powered for highway driving, to reduce rubber gearing. I have not found 3600 rpms yet, have only gotten to 3000, so yet to really feel the full potential? fuel amount seems about right, i would always prefer the leaner more efficient side. i will report my max speed on the flats some day. Install boost, egt, and oil pressure minimum, more sensors the more data you can make more power adjustments with.
ease of swap, and maintenance - this was my first and was not insignificant. i had high expectations perhaps, with altitude, and sustained hills to climb. so it took me awhile. but the electric is easy, the isuzu diesel swapper is easy, even the turbo and the main components are mechanical, and you can work on them. i hate chasing electrical problems down. the space seems perfect. there is room, but it fits well vertically, from firewall to radiator, and oilpan to diff. just got it in there. always starts. even in 20deg weather it starts with glow plugs and hardly smokes. the 6bt is sluggish in the same temps. very reliable starting, glowplugs, block heater, and diesel therm will insure starting in the coldest conditions.
recommendations:i would do the turbo fitting and injection pump, and some of these other major jobs on the engine stand, but it is pretty easy to work on in the vehicle. there are still oil leaks. seems like all diesels always leak? i will continue to chase these down and try to reduce its nasty habit of leaving its mark everywhere.