New Project-Turbo Diesel PIG Dreams-I want your input!

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Military K5 info

found this:
Military version of the K-5 Blazer. Vehicle has 6.2 Diesel Engine, TH400 Transmission and NP208 Transfer case, with a Gov-Lock limited slip in the rear. Dual alternators for the 24v Electrical system. The only thing that runs off the 24v system is Glow Plug system and Starter, all the rest of the vehicle is 12v. The vehicle is different from a civilian Blazer in that it has the 24V electrical system, blackout marker and driving lights, towing shackels, brush guard, pintle hitch, diesel engine, limited slip, heavy duty suspension, radio/antenna mounts, slave socket and various other modifications. Vehicle is equiped with one MX6707 antenna base. Vehicle can be converted to an all 12v system easily
 
The 12v conversion is supposed to be really easy. I thought the
IP was 24v as well, guess I was mistaken on that, makes the 12v swap even easier. The gov-loc limited slip is actually a made by a major company, maybe detroit, but I cant remember.

I don't know what you want in a transmission, but if you don't need the overdrive this k5 swap looks like a winner. These k5's can be found with low miles for less than $2500. there is one on craigslist near me with 63k and the asking price was $1950 I think. Not bad for a complete drivetrain swap. If you want to turbo the 6.2, banks makes a kit and the later 6.5 turbo will fit for usually less than $500.
 
seems to me, that for the kind of value in a swap like this, I'd have plenty of savings to do any upgrading needed to try to keep up with the 80 series dream swap...? and have 10K left in my pocket.

I think Luke from 4x4LABS is going to swing by and check out my wagon, and I'm hoping to talk more about his shop notes.. it's hard to believe it was as seamless as he described it, but I got the feeling he knows his sh*t.

I'm digging right now, and I'm not seeing much out there past '86 in these military units.

*Any thoughts out there AGAINST this train of thought? What would I be sacrificing here, versus something higher end like a Canadian 80 or other options?
1. turbo- going to an after-market compromise
2. Coils
3. proper lockers?
4. A/C-
etc?
 
a/c, lockers and coil springs can all be added to the 55 at a later date. A/C accessory brackets and necessary components for the diesel can be sourced from a junk yard for pretty cheap. Lockers vary in price, but shouldn't be too tough to install. I'm sure coil springs could be added if you really wanted them.

Leather, 3rd row seating, and the rear slider windows are about the only things an 80 series would have over this drive train swap. But, once again all these can be added as you like.

The military 6.2 didn't have a serpentine belt system, but it;s easy to convert to a serpentine off a later truck with all the options you might want.

I wonder if there are significant frame changes in the k5 blazers from the early 80's till 1991 when they were discontinued? I would think changes would be minor and you may have a broader range of donor vehicles to choose from.
 
Some quick research is leading me to believe that the k5 blazers all had the same platform from 1982-1991. Cosmetic changes and engine/transmission options are expanded in later model years.

Military versions seem to have heavy duty springs, frames and maybe even a front locker in the radio truck version.
 
carneters said:
I gotta wonder about getting a donor vehicle here though, hmmmmm
Click to expand...

The problem with that is that others have been made to cut the chassis to comply with the import laws in the US.
The other way maybe to disassemble the 80 and bring it in 3 loads as parts
 
Man- I'm still jonesing about sticking the HDJ81 under your pig. Sounds like the ultimate Toyota wagon to me! Theres gotta be some way around the import, as it would be chopped anyway. Like get the Canuck owner to deliver it to you or something? I've always wanted to do this- well, maybe prefer the 45. I've already got the 81 so if I ever roll it or get in a wreck that is what I'll do. You could have exhaust stacks behind the cab! (drool)
 
I just have a second here... but Talos, your avatar with your Iceland HJ61 is sweet! what a cool looking rig... low air fatties for the ice eh?

I'm really stewing on all these ideas.. was up til 3am researching and shopping around online for various vehicles/parts...

more tonight...
 
wow, that price is so good... i bet the shipping to get it over here would cost more than the gear
 
Irish,

I just saw that you posted your plan and budget for your own 6.2 project, only a few days back! https://forum.ih8mud.com/diesel-tech-24-volts-systems/337190-gm-6-2-diesel-swap-questions.html

Nice timing!... after checking that out, I see you're further along in the process...it's cool to see your itemized budget. We may be able to compare some notes here in a couple months!

I'll definitely do my part and post this project for all you guys, regardless of what I end up going with... But, I can already see that a well-documented K5-M1009 body swap, if it aligns as well as it's rumored to, could end up being a pretty sweet resource for the 55 fans.

I'm starting to get a few decent sets of notes together for the 3 options I'm the most interested in, and I'll share the head-to-head comparisons on here, in the next week or so. I liked seeing the homework you've done posted up on here-I'm glad I came across that!
 
carneters, I have been looking into a diesel cruiser since I saw my first fj40 in February. I didn't even know what a land cruiser was, I thought it was just a jeep. Blasphemy, I know.:D

I'm glad you found some info in my thread. This site has been a fantastic resource for me. Many people have answered my questions and pointed me in the right direction for research.

I'm not ahead of you in the swap process, at least you have a vehicle to start the swap with. I haven't even bought the land cruiser yet. LOL. I'm really anxious to see what you decide to do, although I hope the blazer swap works out for you. That would be a really good resource for everyone. I'll have to take some frame and body mount measurements to see if other cruiser series can also me easily swapped. If it ever stops raining I'll see if I cant take a look at my friend's dad's pig and see what I can figure out.
 
Sami, thanks for that link...very cool.

I think that Andre is acquainted with Luke, the guy near here running 4x4LABS (Grass valley, CA)
 
Just to throw another idea in the mix, the frame dimensions on the LWB 70 series cruisers are almost identical to the FJ55. I looked into picking up a mine HZJ79 out of BC a couple of years back, they came with 1HZ/R151F, coils up front, high pinion front, and FF rear axles. It's the ideal chassis swap for a pig, I found one for $2500 at the time but didn't pull the trigger fast enough. They do come up fairly often if you know where to look ;)

Tucker
 
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Oh crap, this is getting fun.

So... I'm leaning toward the full frame-off over the build-up as of now... and getting decent notes going on the HDJ81 and K5 M1009 options...looks like I'll add some HZJ79 research
 
tucker74 said:
Just to throw another idea in the mix, the frame dimensions on the LWB 70 series cruisers are almost identical to the FJ55. I looked into picking up a mine HZJ79 out of BC a couple of years back, they came with 1HZ/H155F, coils up front, high pinion front, and FF rear axles. It's the ideal chassis swap for a pig, I found one for $2500 at the time but didn't pull the trigger fast enough. They do come up fairly often if you know where to look ;)

Tucker
Click to expand...

If its a HZJ79 it will have the R151F ,if its the earlier HZJ75 it will have a H55F.
 
okay, IF you are thinking a full frame swap then the 77/78 series is the way to go. the wheel base is extremely close both in width and length. i posted all the info up in the 40s section under 55-77 swap.

the PZ will move that truck easily down the road. look at the one in my sig line and you will see the install into a LJ78 and the results. the engine bay is similar to the 55 so the install is simple enough.

you can also do a search under HZJ40 and see the HZ i installed into the 40 series. it fawking MOVES that truck.

the only engines i would recommend into that truck is the HZ/PZ. MAYBE the isuzu if you have the ability but i like Toyota and since that truck is a classic why not keep it toyota?

i know of a HDT auto that is for sale cheap in Canada.

i will be following this thread, you are doing what i have been dreaming about for decades.

congrats.
 
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