Found an immaculate prado lj78. Ok, I am finally using my head and not my heart when buying one (the kids are rackin up) and I've been reading a lot about the 2L-TE head issues. Crushers told me to run away, which I am about too. However $5.1k will come with the truck and I am prepared to invest that into it to make it worthy and reliable...That brings me to my question, can the 3.0 head be fitted to fix the 2L-TE issues. The current owner said something about a fix so I wont have to worry about the head. That spurred me to research the 2L-TE. I have not spoke to him yet, but I did read on expoportal that people have put on the 3.0 head. The owner said the PO was a cruiser head and put a lot of money into it, so maybe he did a 3.0 head if possible...Obviously I am new to the 70 series and don't want to go in blind. Thank you for any help.
possible LJ78 purchase Help
- Thread starter mp_cude
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The LJ78 that I owned had the 3L head conversion and had no issues while I owned it. Having said that, the 2L-TE is an inadequate engine in the relatively heavy 78 Series and your driving habits will have to be conservative to make it last. It is not an engine that will allow a heavy foot.
Put your 5K towards an engine and trans swap if you really want a LJ78 to last.
3B turbo and 5 spd works well-> tons of modification Its what I did.
1Pz and 1HZ work with less modification.
12HT, 13BT or 1HDT would be ultimate.
Isuzu 4BD1T is a good motor and not too large
PM GTSportcoupe about his 2LT-E mods. He has had success with his. but it all depends on if you do the work or get a shop to do it price-wise.
The "3L" head is a 2.8L head. The "5L" would be a 3.0L(i think). Not sure if the 5L head fits a 2.4L 2LT-E
The head is a bit better on a 3L, but still has a similar design, and if pushed too far will crack all the same. Not sure about a 5L, never even seen one.
3B turbo and 5 spd works well-> tons of modification Its what I did.
1Pz and 1HZ work with less modification.
12HT, 13BT or 1HDT would be ultimate.
Isuzu 4BD1T is a good motor and not too large
PM GTSportcoupe about his 2LT-E mods. He has had success with his. but it all depends on if you do the work or get a shop to do it price-wise.
The "3L" head is a 2.8L head. The "5L" would be a 3.0L(i think). Not sure if the 5L head fits a 2.4L 2LT-E
The head is a bit better on a 3L, but still has a similar design, and if pushed too far will crack all the same. Not sure about a 5L, never even seen one.
Everything about the LJ78 is great 'out of the box' with exception of the TUNING of the engine. Almost every LJ78 owner who has sorted the engine challenges loves their truck. They are really great trucks, and it's too bad they didn't come with a 13BT or something like that.
The 1990+ L series engines WITHOUT turbo are well regarded long lasting engines. The 2LTE with the added turbo and efi is the only one with troubles.
I've found an effective way to make about 50% more power with 50% lower EGT's. My truck has great power and never has any heating problems. If you're interested to know the tricks, just ask me.
So my advice is, if you don't want to correct the factory short comings of the engine, don't buy the truck. There is definitely a chance you'll crack the head at some point if you don't take preventative action. However, if you are willing to do a bit of work on the engine and spend a bit of money, I think you will be really happy with the truck.
Not sure where you live, but if you are ever in Victoria BC I can show you my truck, the work I've done, and how it runs.
All that said, engine swaps are an option too (as discussed above). All depends on what you want and how deep your pockets are.
The 1990+ L series engines WITHOUT turbo are well regarded long lasting engines. The 2LTE with the added turbo and efi is the only one with troubles.
I've found an effective way to make about 50% more power with 50% lower EGT's. My truck has great power and never has any heating problems. If you're interested to know the tricks, just ask me.
So my advice is, if you don't want to correct the factory short comings of the engine, don't buy the truck. There is definitely a chance you'll crack the head at some point if you don't take preventative action. However, if you are willing to do a bit of work on the engine and spend a bit of money, I think you will be really happy with the truck.
Not sure where you live, but if you are ever in Victoria BC I can show you my truck, the work I've done, and how it runs.
All that said, engine swaps are an option too (as discussed above). All depends on what you want and how deep your pockets are.
- Thread starter
- #5
Thanks guys...I'm prepared to spend a little, $13k is my limit. I may have to convert to LHD too. I like the idea of modifying the current motor but for the sake of selling it down the road will likely go with a swap with an H55 5spd....The goal for this rig is long range back country camping with the wife and four boys.
I found in most cases that motor swaps generally devalue vehicles. People are wary of custom jobs unless it is by a very well known shop. I've done some really nice and expensive motors swaps in the past, thinking it would improve the value of the vehicle a lot, but was sorely disappointed when it came time to sell.
i have had this conversation so many times with different people.
some listen
some don't
those that don't regret it
you say your are following your head and not your heart ... i call BS. your heart is saying "i want" and your head is saying run. now your heart is telling your head "make it happen", someone somewhere will back what you want ...
but remember, it is NOT their money you will be spending, they will not pay to replace the head for you, they will not replace the bottom end that goes ... YOU will.
carry on.
some listen
some don't
those that don't regret it
you say your are following your head and not your heart ... i call BS. your heart is saying "i want" and your head is saying run. now your heart is telling your head "make it happen", someone somewhere will back what you want ...
but remember, it is NOT their money you will be spending, they will not pay to replace the head for you, they will not replace the bottom end that goes ... YOU will.
carry on.
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Good advice, do this! I'm at least that much into my Prado, and had I known what I'd have to put in it, I would have gone for an HDJ81.
I feel 100% the same way and I have spent over three times that so far.
I feel 100% the same way and I have spent over three times that so far.
.... " I have spent over three times so far " ......
But Karter in the interest of full disclosure, did you spend that amount because it was necessary to make your HZJ77 reliable or did you spend that much to make modifications you found desirable?
you own a PlayDo?