Obligatory Newbie Post

[jonald]

Hi there. My name is Jonald, I live in Corvallis Oregon, and I do not currently own a Toyota.

I own a stock ‘84 6.2L diesel Suburban, an 86 Samurai with a VW 1.6NA diesel (current building a 1.6 TD for it) on 31s, a stock 95 YJ (project for Cummins 4bt), a 93 YJ on 33s (the wife’s), and a stock 96 Explorer (wife’s dd).

I have been lurking and reading and searching for an 80 series to replace the Explorer. It is only slightly larger than the explorer, but off road capable. We enjoy hitting the backwoods as a family, and since the Explorer is too low and the Suburban is too big, we either take two rigs or leave s lot of luxuries behind. When we travel, we don’t really get to explore the areas we like. The 80 should provide a rig that the kids can get in and out of, will carry a reasonable amount of gear, take us where we like to go, and still get groceries on a daily basis.

It also appears to be a possible platform for a diesel conversion.

I burn biodiesel when I can and will be building a processor in the near future.

For now, I’ll just keep lurking.

 

[sseaman]

now that you know why you need one, its time to start looking for an 80

 

[alkaline747trio]

If you're comfortable enough to do a diesel swap, then an 80 will be a dream come true when it comes to wrench time. These things are very well built and very tank like. For the type of stuff you're talking about, I don't know if there is any better vehicle.

Swap in a 6.2GM diesel or Cummins 4BTA/NC4500 combo, slap on some OME springs/shocks that fit your needs, some 285s with a tread that fits your needs, a little PM and you're ready to go wherever you mind sets you.

 

[jonald]

If you're comfortable enough to do a diesel swap, then an 80 will be a dream come true when it comes to wrench time. These things are very well built and very tank like. For the type of stuff you're talking about, I don't know if there is any better vehicle.

Swap in a 6.2GM diesel or Cummins 4BTA/NC4500 combo, slap on some OME springs/shocks that fit your needs, some 285s with a tread that fits your needs, a little PM and you're ready to go wherever you mind sets you.

I haven't measured the engine compartment or really searched the diesel section, yet. Will the 6.2GM fit? That would make for a pretty bullet proof setup. I was thinking of one of the imported HDJ engines (maybe a wrecked rig or just an engine) or the 4bt as a backup.

Thanks for the idea to mull over.

 

[p8nt]

Welcome! If you get an 80 and move forward with this swap please post lots of pics!

 

[fzj80kidpen]

If you are up to the task then buy an 80 with a dead HG.
I have friend that has a 1hz in fine running condition right here in town.
Oh did I mention its in a metal crate ready to ship.
The 1HZ is the toyota diesel that mounts right up in an 80.
Easiest to mate up to a 5 speed manual unless you really like playing with wires.
Welcome

 

[alkaline747trio]

6.2 GM fits, and there is a pretty complete kit avaliable from Marks4x4. Swapping in a Toy diesel might seem to be the best route, but has been shown to be quite a task with the wiring. The 4BT has been done a few times, and is a very good setup...my personal choice if I had the cash.

 

[Brian Macgyver]

A VW diesel in a Samari?? Now that is creative. The VW 4 diesel is one of the few things that the Europeans have done well. To me European means "You're a pean" but that little diesel engine works well. And so does the Samari. It is built like a 40 LC but is very small and a lot lighter. It is perfect for a Sunday drive.
On the other question, give the Surburban to your wife for a City car. It is not strong for off-road. It is just a Chevy truck. If you want a real truck for off-road, get an 80, unless the Samari will hold all that you want. The Suzuki is a tough off-roader but it is really small to hold weekend gear. It will barely carry a dog and an ice chest. I used a short-back Montero for ten years. That is a tough truck that can climb trees or whatever. It holds two dogs and two ice chests. But it is almost as small as a Samari. It can barely hold overnight gear, if I pack most of it on the roof. I loved it and used it hard. It had 280,000 miles when I sold it and was running great. The new owner still uses it hard and wheels it every week. It had three times the cargo area of a Samari, but it was still very cramped. It had a short wheelbase, was choppy on open dirt roads and had limited space. Same as a Samari but a bit bigger. Small 4X4's work well but need to travel in packs to carry enough gear to camp overnight in some comfort. To carry so many chairs requires some space. In the Montero I carried folding nylon chairs while in the LC80 I carry a dining room kit. I can lay out dining anytime and and in any place.
An 80 Toyo will 'wheel hard and still carry a lot of gear. It handles superbly, carries 4-6 people, and climbs bigger trees. I do not regret the change a bit. I recommend it.

 

[jditom]

Welcome neighbor
I use to be a Beaver now I am a Duck

 

[robchad]

Welcome

 

[jonald]

If you are up to the task then buy an 80 with a dead HG.
I have friend that has a 1hz in fine running condition right here in town.
Oh did I mention its in a metal crate ready to ship.
The 1HZ is the toyota diesel that mounts right up in an 80.
Easiest to mate up to a 5 speed manual unless you really like playing with wires.
Welcome

I don't mind a little wiring. My first degree was in electronics. But I won't assume that I am more capable than someone else that has already attempted something. I will simply need to research this more before making a final decision.

I do like the simplicity of mechanical injection. Since I already have a running 6.2, I may need to look harder at this option.

Either way, it will need to be an automatic. My wife doesn't mind the manual transmission in her YJ, but she would not be happy with a manual dd. And you know how it goes, if she's not happy...

I am still shopping so I will keep your option in mind.

Thanks,


Jonald

 

[jonald]

A VW diesel in a Samari?? Now that is creative. The VW 4 diesel is one of the few things that the Europeans have done well. To me European means "You're a pean" but that little diesel engine works well. And so does the Samari. It is built like a 40 LC but is very small and a lot lighter. It is perfect for a Sunday drive.

Amazingly, there are three manufacturers of conversion kits to mate the VW block to the Samurai tranny. One of them also makes kits to mate the VW block to a tracker/sidekick tranny and a Toyota 22R tranny. The 1.6NA in my Samurai is like driving a tractor, with a suspension, off road. I can idle over almost anything. I love it. On road, it needs the turbo. It is a bit anemic over 40mph. It is my dd and I get 28mpg on biodiesel.

On the other question, give the Surburban to your wife for a City car. It is not strong for off-road. It is just a Chevy truck. If you want a real truck for off-road, get an 80, unless the Samari will hold all that you want. The Suzuki is a tough off-roader but it is really small to hold weekend gear...

The Suburban is my truck. It is not intended to be an off roader. It is too big for my wife. That is why we have the explorer. The suburban is used for towing, hauling building materials, and some family outings. This, along with my tow dolly, is probably how I will get an 80 home.

It has low enough miles and I purchsed it cheap enough that it may become an engine donor.

The Samurai is my "only me" rig. It hauls my off road gear and my my search gear, and it serves as my ATV. But I seldom take a passenger in it.


Jonald

 

[-XXX-]

Amazingly, there are three manufacturers of conversion kits to mate the VW block to the Samurai tranny. One of them also makes kits to mate the VW block to a tracker/sidekick tranny and a Toyota 22R tranny. The 1.6NA in my Samurai is like driving a tractor, with a suspension, off road. I can idle over almost anything. I love it. On road, it needs the turbo. It is a bit anemic over 40mph. It is my dd and I get 28mpg on biodiesel.

do you have any info on who mates the 22r to the deisel? PLEASE tell me..... thanks!

PS U will LOVE an 80, been driving mine for over 332000 miles so far. I dont regret 1 of those miles on or off road

 

[jonald]

do you have any info on who mates the 22r to the deisel? PLEASE tell me..... thanks!

acmeadapters.com

This is who I bought my kit from. They are great to work with. Jeff, the owner, is someitmes slow to answer emails, but this is a side business for him. He will usually reply within a day.

 

[eldgenb]

All things considered that is a pretty cool conversion for a sami..

 

[Martin White]

In the states, it seems to make the most sense to go with a Cummins swap, just because it's been done quite a few times and Cummins diesel engines are widely available and relatively inexpensive. Although a 1HD-T is a very sweet motor....

 

[mot]