Replacing a 2L-TE with a 3B in a '91 Prado EX5 (1 Viewer)

[Lee777]

What is the easiest engine swap for a 2L-TE in a '91 Prado EX5

Ok guys,

You may have seen from my previous thread that I have fallen into the 2LTE money pit. But instead of going further into the pit, I have decided to do an engine swap. I'm proposing swapping in a 3BII and eventually adding a turbo.

I've owned a BJ60 and have come to love the reliability of the 3B, I dont even mind how its a bit of slug on the highway, It slows me down and gives me time to think about stuff. To me a turbo'd 3B in our Prado is a dream truck. But is there an easier way to go. I AM OPEN TO ALL POSSIBILITIES

Anyway i have some experience with cruisers (I maintain a BJ60, and am rebuilding a FJ55), I've installed suspensions, done front axle servicing, brakes, body lifts, body work, however I have never worked on an engine, nor do I have experience with electricals. But Im very methodical and like to take things slow and do my research. I take direction well.

Crushers has proposed a 3BII swap. Now I need your help in breaking down this process. Of course I have a ton of questions that perhaps you may get annoyed about but Im determined to see this through if it seems feasible. I would like to do as much of it on my own as possible.

Here are my annoying questions (please be patient with me)

1) will the 3BII match the 2L-Te body mounts?
2) will the prado body have to be lifted or will the front clip have to be modified to accept the taller 3BII engine?
3) how will the prado electricals be mated with the 3BII
4) will the prado gearing be appropriate for the 3BII for highway use (since this is normally what it will be driven on).
5) will the 3BII mate with the automatic transmission
6) how will the prado cooling system be mated with the 3BII
7) Can I keep the prado gas cap (LOL to crushers)

Thanks everyone, ANY advice is appreciated.

Fxxx, I love this board.

Lee

 

[crushers]

1) will the 3BII match the 2L-Te body mounts?
no
2) will the prado body have to be lifted or will the front clip have to be modified to accept the taller 3BII engine?
lifted, no. front clip MIGHT need changing out (recommended).
3) how will the prado electricals be mated with the 3BII
yes and no, all the gauges and power accessories will work as will the lights etc. you will need to rework the 4 wheel drive wiring a whee bit.
4) will the prado gearing be appropriate for the 3BII for highway use (since this is normally what it will be driven on).
no, or maybe yes, depending on how fast you want to drive. you will find you have unlimited torque but your top end will be restricted to 90 k/h with a 4 speed and 110 k/h with a 5 speed.
5) will the 3BII mate with the automatic transmission
no
6) how will the prado cooling system be mated with the 3BII
need a full size rad.
7) Can I keep the prado gas cap (LOL to crushers)
yes, but not recommended since the PlayDo will cause the 3BII to have an inferority complex and might even blow its head in embarassment.

 

[Rummat81]

Hello Lee,
Cost not withstanding. I would question the use of 3B in your prado. from wikipedia i have pasted the following "The 3B is a 3.4 L inline 4 eight valve OHV diesel engine. Compression ratio is 20:1. Output is 90 hp (67 kW) at 3500 rpm with 160 ft·lbf (217 N·m) of torque at 2000 rpm."
The performance numbers are somewhat comparable to a 2LTE.
My opinion is that 15/20 year old diesel technology is not appropriate for "Driving Pleasure" in today's canadian traffic.
I cannot take my parents on the highway trip when my 2LTE is howling at 3K RPM. Similarly for a 3B you would be at the end of the RPM spectrum at close to 3K. I would rather opt for a gas engine that gives better/cheaper maintenance options, longer parts support, and better driveability and most importantly (better winter starting). There are lots of newer 4 cylinder toyota engines available for swaps like 3RZ, if you are looking at turboing, you can get close to 250 Hp in those machines.
I have had my truck (LJ78) for more than 4 years now and > 60K on it. I would like to opt for better/smoother engine when the time comes and also, Someone other than me in my family would be able to drive it confidently as well, without worrying about the wilson switch etc.
Just my opinion.
Thank you.
Ali.

 

[crushers]

first, NEVER compare engines based on hp and torque ratings ... very deciving. a 1HZ has the same hp and torque as the 13BT but when you sit in the drivers seat in both trucks the difference is literally night and day. the smaller 13BT will run circles around the 1HZ.

the 2LTE is a dog, a thirsty dog, a dog with a broken leg. the 3B is no slouch but no rocket either, if he is considering turboing the 3B then that engine is a lot of fun to drive.

would i recommend a 3B? not really (just because of the dated part situation) but then he isn't in the budget for a PZ.HZ or a HDT.

i agree completely that a small 4 cyl gasser would be a good choice.

 

[Lee777]

How easy is a 3RZ swap? Do you still have to change engine mounts/transmission/front clip?

Much thanks guys

lee

 

[Gun Runner 5]

Is the 3RZ the same gas burner that is in the Tacoma or 4Runner?
......1978HJ45

 

[Lee777]

I believe so

Lee

Is the 3RZ the same gas burner that is in the Tacoma or 4Runner?
......1978HJ45

 

[Gun Runner 5]

That would be a huge jump in horsepower ( assuming it is the same 6 cyl. that is in the mid size truck) and the engine has a good reputation as far as I know.
......1978HJ45

 

[Chang-kuao-lo]

personally, if i was in your shoes and was willing to do as much modification to fit a 3b i would go a bit further and go for a mercedes 6 cylinder. a number of these have been installed in 4rubbers with excellent results. the m/b is slightly less displacement than a 3b (3.0 litres), but with more cylinders/smaller bore you get a higher revving engine (peak hp ~4,500rpm) and broader powerband which makes it much nicer for highway use, but still has a good bit of low-end ass. in addition to that, parts are much cheaper and easier to come by even for m/b engines that are pushing 20 years old. mercedes seems to be one of the best for not dicontinuing parts. the om603 is what is in the ol' lady's 350sdl (biggest car m/b made in 1990) and it consistently gets 29mpg.

as far as a "drop-in" installation a 3l or 5l engine is nearly identical to a 2lte, but seem to have a much better reputation than anything starting with "2l". and the turbo/manifold on 2lte will bolt on to a 3l. i have a turbo 3l in my hilux 2wd (replaced the now defunct 2lt) and so far i'm pretty pleased with it, but a prado is a much heavier vehicle and you might be back in the "not enough engine" boat.

 

[arm and hammer]

I have that idea too (replacing Prado engine with 3 B ) , so far I have one beaten up and rusty BJ70 and now I am looking for the cheep Prado.I am from Montreal and here in Quebec government doesn't like right side drive vehicles ( except their own postal trucks) so there is nothing to pick here , I have to look at Ontario market.

 

[crushers]

lets see you have the following options:
do a LHD conversion on the PlayDo, NOT simple, NOT easy.
you can swap the vins, not recommended but i have seen it done many times. could lead to seizure of the vehicle and charges.
you can swap the frame between the LJ and the BJ, "extending" it to fit the LJ body.

i would say version 3 would be your best bet.

 

[gotoy]

3B engine and slap a turbo on it.......far better than a 2LT.

 

[Jim_Hbar]

I'm not sure many really understand the difficulty and time involved in doing an engine swap. The new lump just doesn't bolt into place and hook-up like they should, and they take way more money and time than what one initially thinks. Probably double the first estimate. It is never a money saver in the end, if that is the objective. If you're doing it to save money, take your lumps and buy momma a mini-van.. (But do your research on transmissions first! )

If you are doing it for the technical challenge, or because you're a mechanical nerd, fine, knock yourself out..
A truly great engine that isn't commonly considered is the GM 3800 V6 - they can get incredible fuel mileage for a V6 gasser, they were put in many vehicles and are common at the wreckers, and thus are relatively cheap as a result... But could be a pain to install electrically, depending on your talent..

And understand that a vehicle with less than 100% factory looking engine swap is worth about as much as a vehicle without an engine.. Doesn't matter if it has better performance, fuel economy, and reliability..

Been there, done that, and have the greasy t-shirts to prove it also...

IMHO, the HZJ/PZJ clones are the only ones that have a potential to return a portion of the expenditure - at least then the finished vehicle will appeal to the 'Cruiser-head market.

My 2 cents....

 

[Chang-kuao-lo]

YouTube - 1994 Toyota Landcruiser with Mercedes Benz Turbo diesel engine


i dunno, that benz engine looks pretty good in there...

 

[Whistler74]

There seem to be a number of mini trucks and Forunners with VW TDI engines in them. At least a couple of adapters available, modern and plentiful, and power easily added with flash upgrades to the ECU. I don't know anything about best years, but there are a few sources for info that google has lead me to.

Not sure if you want even more options, but here you go.
Cheers!

 

[crushers]

humm, that might be a perfect engine for the low geared LJ78. they rev well and have a wicked reputation.
do you have any links to these swaps?

 

[arm and hammer]

Here is one company that make adapters for VW diesel engines to Suzukis and Toyotas ACME ADAPTERS - About

 

[Gun Runner 5]

humm, that might be a perfect engine for the low geared LJ78. they rev well and have a wicked reputation.
do you have any links to these swaps?

Not sure how easy it will be to find a used VW turbo diesel. There may be a few in salvage yards but the diesel powered VW's are certainly not plentiful here in the States and the people who own them drive 'em for ever. I have a 1998 diesel Beetle ( great engine..piece of crap car) that is just passed around the family because of the unbelievable fuel economy.
.....1978HJ45

 

[crushers]

i wonder how much a brand new crate engine would be??

 

[Gun Runner 5]

i wonder how much a brand new crate engine would be??

I will ask my local garage if they have access to "crate engines" just to see if that is an option. The diesel was re-introduced in 1998 here in the States by VW ( after being gone since the 80's) and sold well however production was ended around 2005 because the engine would no longer pass emissions in California
which was by far their largest market here in the States. A new generation of VW diesels has just been introduced but are probably far more expensive than the original models.
....A happy "Playdo" owner...........1978HJ45