LJ78 engine conversion

[Atom SA]

Hi all,

Have an LJ78 and 2LTE is done. Was looking at swopping in a 1KZT, but after reading a bit here and advice given by guys (who I feel are in the know), I've had mixed answers.

Please advise what you all feel are good swops. It does have auto tranny. I wouldn't mind the 1HZ or 1HD, but will it fit without chopping body? Toyota engines are first choice but please advise if others are worthwhile (an option is to fit the Ford 2.5TDi WL engine??) Budget is pretty open, it just needs to be a conversion that is totally reliable.

I tried looking at posts and then searching, but I can't find what I'm looking for, or I'm just plain blind...

Advice please.

 

[diesel69er]

I'm convinced a 1PZ will drop in there without changing the front clip, then the tranny would be the same R151. 1HZ won't fit for sure without changing the front clip. 3B would be another option...

 

[GTSSportCoupe]

1uzfe is another option if you don't mind gas. It can be had from the early 90's Lexus LS400's for cheap.

The 1KZT can be a reliable motor with a good exhaust and intercooler (to eliminate possiblity of high EGT's causing heat issues). Hands down this is what I'll go with if my 2lte blows up.

The 3L is a drop in solution and is totally reliable but underpowered. Put the turbo stuff from the 2lte on to make more power, but the head can become a problem unless preventative measures are taken (good exhaust, intercooler, and a couple other things).

Or you could part out your LJ78, cut your losses, and buy a HDJ81 instead. Lots of power, comfort and no more engine issues.

 

[gotoy]

1uzfe is another option if you don't mind gas. It can be had from the early 90's Lexus LS400's for cheap.

The 1KZT can be a reliable motor with a good exhaust and intercooler (to eliminate possiblity of high EGT's causing heat issues). Hands down this is what I'll go with if my 2lte blows up.

The 3L is a drop in solution and is totally reliable but underpowered. Put the turbo stuff from the 2lte on to make more power, but the head can become a problem unless preventative measures are taken (good exhaust, intercooler, and a couple other things).

Or you could part out your LJ78, cut your losses, and buy a HDJ81 instead. Lots of power, comfort and no more engine issues.

Minus the 3L part fully agree.

You may widh to consider a B series engine..13BT or similiar.

 

[Radd Cruisers]

Admittedly we have not worked on nearly as many 1KZTEs as we have the horribly disappointing 2LTE, but all of the 1KZTEs we have worked on with the exception of one has had issues with the head. Pretty much the same story as the 2LTE - I would suggest this is not a good option at all. And, in general, I'd say stay away from the electronic injection pumps in these vintages.

For a bit more money, get a heavy duty Land Cruiser like the HDJ81 and you'll be far better off in the long run.


~John

 

[Josie'sLandCruiser]

Hi all,


A friend of mine swapped in the Toyota 3.4L V-6 from an early Tacoma pickup into his LJ73 after the 2LTE died.

Lots of power now!

Regards,

Alan

 

[RedOctober]

Admittedly we have not worked on nearly as many 1KZTEs as we have the horribly disappointing 2LTE, but all of the 1KZTEs we have worked on with the exception of one has had issues with the head. Pretty much the same story as the 2LTE - I would suggest this is not a good option at all. And, in general, I'd say stay away from the electronic injection pumps in these vintages.

For a bit more money, get a heavy duty Land Cruiser like the HDJ81 and you'll be far better off in the long run.


~John

Unless you have work on 1kz you should not comment not suggest a not good option. You right like cicak.

1kz is very much recommend. 1kz is is bang for money and fit nice into engine bay. A little care and 1kz will last a lifetime.

 

[cicak]

1KZ will be fine just look at your climate and driving conditions and style and read up the items to be attended to if you do. Blasting down a highway at 75 mph will not suit a 1KZ etc

I see the pest is back doing what he does best.

 

[Radd Cruisers]

Unless you have work on 1kz you should not comment not suggest a not good option. You right like cicak.

1kz is very much recommend. 1kz is is bang for money and fit nice into engine bay. A little care and 1kz will last a lifetime.

RedOctober - we DO work on the 1KZTE and our clients have had lots of problems with them. So, your comments are not that helpful.

In our market, the 1KZTE is not common as they arrive here as grey market vehicles from Japan. The 1KZTEs that we have worked on have not been good and from that experience I would not recommend them for swaps at all.

There are far better options out there than these troublesome electronically controlled engines.

~John

 

[kiwicruiserlj78]

3L conversion

hi
I have been down the same road.. my trusty lj78 gets quite alot of abuse and the 2LTE was not up to it, with low compression in 2 cylinders and none in one i decided to change to a 2.8L (3L from a hilux) with the turbo kit off the 2LTE hanging on the side she goes like a haunted sh#t house...

 

[Atom SA]

Right all, thanks for the advice and comments.
Have gone the 1kzte route - injector pump has been converted to mechanical, very successfully and professionally. All other bits have been pretty straightforward, so hasn't been a nightmarish conversion at all!!!

my next issue is the auto transmission - who can I contact for a control unit to run the gearbox?

 

[cicak]

Kbushnz does they do them in NZ i think from a supra kit as I wanna do same to my 1KZ.

see if I can find the posting on it.

this thread may help

https://forum.ih8mud.com/70-series-tech/487667-1kz-te-mechanical-pump.html

how about you fill in your profile also so we know which part of the 3rd planet from the sun you are from.

 

[amifked]

Hey guys,
Noobie here.
I have just purchased a 1991 Toyota Landcruiser Prado SX5 for 1500. So far with the 30 minutes of hitting the interwebs I pretty much ask myself what my username says.....amifked? I read nothing but bad reviews about the 2l-te. To make things worse, the car I have bought has been sitting for approximately 1 year. What steps do I need to take to make my prado an urban warrior (I'm not an offroader, still might get a snorkel though). I know the oil probably should be changed and a coolant flush. What should I do about the diesel? It has been sitting with half a tank for a year. Should I fill the other half with new diesel or pump the old stuff out? Sorry about all my questions. Pretty bummed out that this thing may be a ticking time bomb. Its at 230 XXX KM right now. I live in Canada, any winter maintenance for these turbo diesels? ALSO if the head does crack, I don't want to be going through heads like a barber comb, I probably will be looking to replace the engine, any good suggestions?

Sincerely,

AmIFked

 

[diesel69er]

Hey guys,
Noobie here.
I have just purchased a 1991 Toyota Landcruiser Prado SX5 for 1500. So far with the 30 minutes of hitting the interwebs I pretty much ask myself what my username says.....amifked? I read nothing but bad reviews about the 2l-te. To make things worse, the car I have bought has been sitting for approximately 1 year. What steps do I need to take to make my prado an urban warrior (I'm not an offroader, still might get a snorkel though). I know the oil probably should be changed and a coolant flush. What should I do about the diesel? It has been sitting with half a tank for a year. Should I fill the other half with new diesel or pump the old stuff out? Sorry about all my questions. Pretty bummed out that this thing may be a ticking time bomb. Its at 230 XXX KM right now. I live in Canada, any winter maintenance for these turbo diesels? ALSO if the head does crack, I don't want to be going through heads like a barber comb, I probably will be looking to replace the engine, any good suggestions?

Sincerely,

AmIFked

1500 bucks! can't go wrong for that price !

I put a secondary rad fan in my LJ73, an electric one. Theres actually room between the rad and the stock fan. brought temps down by 15 % or so.
The prob with your model is the extra weight of the 4 door coupled with the auto tranny and computer controlled fuel pump. I really like the pre 90 models. better off road than BJ's IMO

 

[diesel69er]

PS when the motor blows sell it to me and I'll throw a 3B/ 5 speed in there.

 

[Gun Runner 5]

Hey guys,
Noobie here.
I have just purchased a 1991 Toyota Landcruiser Prado SX5 for 1500. So far with the 30 minutes of hitting the interwebs I pretty much ask myself what my username says.....amifked? I read nothing but bad reviews about the 2l-te. To make things worse, the car I have bought has been sitting for approximately 1 year. What steps do I need to take to make my prado an urban warrior (I'm not an offroader, still might get a snorkel though). I know the oil probably should be changed and a coolant flush. What should I do about the diesel? It has been sitting with half a tank for a year. Should I fill the other half with new diesel or pump the old stuff out? Sorry about all my questions. Pretty bummed out that this thing may be a ticking time bomb. Its at 230 XXX KM right now. I live in Canada, any winter maintenance for these turbo diesels? ALSO if the head does crack, I don't want to be going through heads like a barber comb, I probably will be looking to replace the engine, any good suggestions?

Sincerely,

AmIFked

GTSSportCoupe (post #3) is probably your go to guy for all things 2L-TE.