Newbie...conversion help?

[zuman]

I'm a Midwesterner and not personally an off-roader, but I do a lot of African Safari trips (about three a year), and have spent a lot of time crossing streams, clawing out of mudholes, and escaping from elephants in various Land Cruisers. They always started and never broke. So a while ago I bought myself a '96 for daily use back home.
Well, it's now got 140k on it, oil pressure's down a bit, and it's leaking just enough oil to get me thinking about some serious work.
But if I'm going to spend any real money, I'd like to think about doing something that will give me a huge increase in fuel economy...not for economic reasons, but just to be greener.
Supposing I don't really care about acceleration, is there anything I could do to get, say, 25 mpg out of it? If I'd be willing to drop up to $10k, what solutions would I have?
I know it's a heavy vehicle, but I'm willing to compromise performance. Any ideas? Thanks.

 

[elmariachi]

There are several threads and resources here regarding diesel and V-8 swaps. Some guys have bought front clips from non-US 80s and installed Toyota diesels and others have installed things like the smaller Cummins. At 4800 pounds dry, I think 25 mpg is earnest with anything but a diesel and that's pushing it. I am not sure what V-8 you could install that will adequately propel it and still get 25 mpg. Check the diesel forum and also search the word "swap" in the 80s forum.

 

[Robudda]

What about a natural gas conversion. Can't this be done with rebuilding the current engine and convert at the same time? I had a buddy mention it once and think he sayed it wasn't going to be that expensive. Not sure just and idea.

Rob

 

[Mike S]

At 140K niles, you're get getting started. Most new-to-you Cruisers have some deferred maintenance to catch up on, but they will generally go well over 300K with routine maintenance.

For the cool factor, and better fuel economy or bio diesel use, the 1HD Turbo engine was fitted to many non-US 80 series cruisers. This engine or the 24 valve version of the same motor, puts out about 170 HP, and lots of torque. There have been reported issues with big end bearings on these engines, but once fixed they should go for a looooong time. Contact Greg B on this board (G&S Cruiser Parts). I hear that Spectre Off Road is importing some of these front clips, also.

AFAIK, this is not ann especially difficult swap, but the engines are a bit hard to come by, and expensive. Best bet for this type swap is an entire front clip so that you have all the stuff needed for the swap - ECU, sensors, starter, alt., fuel pumps and lines, etc.

M

 

[extremetoy1]

V8 conversion

I am working on an adapter to house the Tundra V8 into the cruisers using a Land rover lt 230 transfer case, i am current doing a FJ80 right now (my own) i am not sure what the mileage a tundra gets but the two vehicle weigh very close to each other and the added 1.2 to 1 reduction in high range will allow you to run a few sizes larger tire and make up the under geared differnce, as well as keeping the strength of the higher rear gear ratios. look for the web site www.MAXX-RACING.com to be up and going in a few weeks with more details. Bryan B

 

[tech_dog]

You may want to consider how I solved the "green" problem.

Instead of swapping out to a smaller vehicle, or doing something extreme to try to make a pig fly (i.e a Landcrusier get 25mpg), I just put up some rooftop solar panels on my house.

I think that may give you more bang for your buck.

 

[semlin]

it will cost you well over $10k to put a 1hdt toyota turbo diesel in it, but that is the best diesel solution. you will end up with low 20s mpg. however, although your mileage will improve I don't believe your emissions will unless you go biodiesel as well and even then I'm not sure.

if i were you i'd tear it down to the head, do a valve grind, replace the head gasket and then add a TRD supercharger or an AVO turbo from sleeoffroad. Your mileage will continue to suck but you won't care and it will cost you a lot less than any kind of conversion.

 

[psfpilot]

I think Proffitt's Cruisers had an 80 series Cummins 4BT conversion featured in a thread on here that was ballparked at 12-14k USD for the conversion, and might give you the mileage you're looking for. Do a search on Cummins diesel conversion. Also, I think someone on here is making their own bio-diesel from used veggie oil.