I'm still in the very early stages of evaluating this idea, but please bare with me.
Here are my motives:
- I need to do something to lower my overall fuel consumption significantly
- I love my Cruiser and don't really ever see parting with it(it may not always be my DD, but for what it's worth on the general market, I just don't see much value in selling it)
- My 1FZ-FE is burning/leaking a quart of oil every 3,000 miles(smells like a damn two-stroke)
- I need something capable of towing my mini-truck 4+ hours each way on a trailer every couple of months reliably and safely(for out of town 'wheelin trips).
- I was looking at buying a new car, but when I looked at what a new vehicle costs, I got major sticker shock and am re-evaluating(someone once told me "the cheapest vehicle is the one you already own", made me feel a lot better about spending $400 on maintenance this week too).
_______
So, with all that in mind, I'm looking at a diesel/manual tranny swap.
My current MPG is averaging 9-11 depending on the mix of city/highway. So if I am able to get up to 22-28 w/ a diesel I will have cut my consumption of gasoline by over 50%.
I feel that if I do a diesel swap using an Isuzu diesel w/ an NV4500 behind it(chose this combo after some preliminary searching, please feel free to comment on this choice), this combo will tow well as far as powertrain is concerned. I also feel that the stock 80 axles are up to the task assuming proper maintenance, so the only question in my mind is the suspension. If I have to add airbags or air shocks to the rear suspension to deal w/ the task of towing, and it means I don't have to buy a 3/4 ton pickup to tow the pickup, I'm willing to do it. Also, at this point I'd be looking at some sort of adapter to the 80-series T-case to mate it to the tranny. Does anyone know of such a thing? What would my other options be?
Lastly, what do you guys think this thing would cost, assuming low mileage takeouts or rebuilt components and free labor(any machine shop labor or highly skilled labor would need to be counted, but I would be doing the swap myself with a few friends).
Basically if I can do this whole swap and have a nice fresh truck that is suitable to my needs for under say $6k, I think it is very feasible. For those that are going to recommend the econo-box route for fuel consumption reasons, please see my list of needs above that will rule that out rather quickly. Basically what I'm trying to achieve is a 7k# tow rating, 22-28mpg, and a fresh powertrain, not something I see happening in a Honda ;p Oh, and for those wondering about the reason for a manual, well, I've just always wanted one. I also think it would give me a lot more control when towing.
Thanks for reading my long post, I look forward to your constructive input
Edit: I knew I forgot something. The topic of brakes! When towing anything significant the trailer would be equipped w/ surge brakes at the very least. I'd prefer to install an electronic brake controller though and use proper trailer brakes.
Ary
Here are my motives:
- I need to do something to lower my overall fuel consumption significantly
- I love my Cruiser and don't really ever see parting with it(it may not always be my DD, but for what it's worth on the general market, I just don't see much value in selling it)
- My 1FZ-FE is burning/leaking a quart of oil every 3,000 miles(smells like a damn two-stroke)
- I need something capable of towing my mini-truck 4+ hours each way on a trailer every couple of months reliably and safely(for out of town 'wheelin trips).
- I was looking at buying a new car, but when I looked at what a new vehicle costs, I got major sticker shock and am re-evaluating(someone once told me "the cheapest vehicle is the one you already own", made me feel a lot better about spending $400 on maintenance this week too).
_______
So, with all that in mind, I'm looking at a diesel/manual tranny swap.
My current MPG is averaging 9-11 depending on the mix of city/highway. So if I am able to get up to 22-28 w/ a diesel I will have cut my consumption of gasoline by over 50%.
I feel that if I do a diesel swap using an Isuzu diesel w/ an NV4500 behind it(chose this combo after some preliminary searching, please feel free to comment on this choice), this combo will tow well as far as powertrain is concerned. I also feel that the stock 80 axles are up to the task assuming proper maintenance, so the only question in my mind is the suspension. If I have to add airbags or air shocks to the rear suspension to deal w/ the task of towing, and it means I don't have to buy a 3/4 ton pickup to tow the pickup, I'm willing to do it. Also, at this point I'd be looking at some sort of adapter to the 80-series T-case to mate it to the tranny. Does anyone know of such a thing? What would my other options be?
Lastly, what do you guys think this thing would cost, assuming low mileage takeouts or rebuilt components and free labor(any machine shop labor or highly skilled labor would need to be counted, but I would be doing the swap myself with a few friends).
Basically if I can do this whole swap and have a nice fresh truck that is suitable to my needs for under say $6k, I think it is very feasible. For those that are going to recommend the econo-box route for fuel consumption reasons, please see my list of needs above that will rule that out rather quickly. Basically what I'm trying to achieve is a 7k# tow rating, 22-28mpg, and a fresh powertrain, not something I see happening in a Honda ;p Oh, and for those wondering about the reason for a manual, well, I've just always wanted one. I also think it would give me a lot more control when towing.
Thanks for reading my long post, I look forward to your constructive input
Edit: I knew I forgot something. The topic of brakes! When towing anything significant the trailer would be equipped w/ surge brakes at the very least. I'd prefer to install an electronic brake controller though and use proper trailer brakes.
Ary
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