? Truck with Strong Diesel Engine ?

[kris_maier]

I am currently looking for a pick up with a strong running diesel. I do now know much about pick ups, and am looking for any truck suggestions as a jumping off point.

Here is the criteria I am hoping the truck could meet:

1) Reliable, Strong, Small Diesel (easy and cheap to fix)
2) Basic Engine (for veggie oil conversion)
3) Able to tow a 21' Mastercraft Ski Boat
4) Preferably a manual transmission!

As I said I know very little about pick-ups. After spending so much time in a Toyota recently I have grown attached to the early Toyota Pick Up's for their off road capabilities. However I don't think the Toyota could tow the boat and the bed size slightly too small. I would like the smallest possible engine to tow the boat for fuel economy, I was wondering if a V6 diesel would do the trick? I don't really have a preference on cab size or anything. I heard that Dodge and Cummins makes a respectable truck.

Cheers.

 

[Dieseler]

The only diesel truck you will find is a JDM like the Surf which is the same as the ForeRunner the engine on these is probably not adequate for towing any weight.
The only diesel Toyota that would be capable of towing would be the HJ61 which has a 6 cyl turbo engine I am not sure if the Hz79 Ute which is not available in the Cdn market would be capable of towing even though it is used in the mines of North America and is readily available in Australia and the Middle East.

 

[d0ubledown]

theres some here in BC, its just too bad you cant purchase them for public road use as they're strictly for SK mining use. that being said, the strongest diesels that can be had in bc that can be insured would be the H series trucks as dieseler mentioned. anything up until mfg date of 11/15/94 can be imported from japan. HJ78s, HDJ81, etc are all available for import.

the lighter duty L diesels found in surfs and hiluxes arent suitable for towing something like a 21' mastercraft. maybe a 10' tent trailer, but i wouldnt trust it for anything over 3000#. no V6 diesels available to my knowledge. only V config diesels are in the newest toyotas (D4-D) only available overseas.

for that kind of towing capabilitie, better off going with a dodge cummins, silverado, or even a ford. only time i really recommend one of the big 3 HDs...since thats what their really meant to do.

 

[DieselFumes]

for that kind of towing capabilitie, better off going with a dodge cummins, silverado, or even a ford. only time i really recommend one of the big 3 HDs...since thats what their really meant to do.

Cheap, reliable with all of the maintenance done, EZ bio conversion, powerful enough to pull a 21' boat, and large bed...

1st choice for me CHEAP would be a naturally aspirated (non turbo) 90-91 Ford with the international 7.3 - Or a 96-2003 Ford 7.3 powerstroke truck $$$
2nd Dodge cummins, cheap to buy and stout motors, trannys somewhat lack but a good rebuilt on one can usually cure, however the truck tend to rot off the motor before the motor is anywhere close to being done.
3rd choice would be CHEAPEST longterm imo... Chevy / GMC 6.2 - US military surplus truck came in many different varieties including a blazer, they came with 1.25 ton axles and are EZ to work on with plenty available for them, also many parts are available even the 6.5 turbo diesel chevys are mostly interchangeable with the older 6.2's...

Good luck!

 

[canucksafari]

If you want a Japanese diesel truck capable of hauling big loads, consider the Hino, Fuso, or Isuzu trucks. The Fuso can also be had in a double cab configuration (but pretty impossible here to find in 4WD). The Fuso is quite popular with the expedition community. Check out expeditionportal.com for more information.

BTW, for reliablility and longevity it is pretty hard to beat a straight 6 diesel.

 

[Stone]

I think you answered your own question...early Cummins.

 

[slammed41]

yep, i agree with stone. if it wasn't for the availability of diesel land cruisers in canada, i'd be driving a first generation dodge cummins.

as a matter of fact, my last truck was a '93 cummins. after a few modifications (tweaked pump, tweaked timing, bigger injectors, bigger turbo, custom exhaust manifold, 3" open exhaust, BHAF, etc.), i doubled the horsepower. it could pull anything anywhere and hardly even feel it.

good luck!

 

[DieselFumes]

Yeah those 6bt's are sweet! The amount of power that can come from them is incredible and reliability is key where your foot is always to the floor.

THink it would be a killer swap into a long-wheelbase Crusher truck, now there is your tow rig!

Cummins

 

[kris_maier]

******

 

[kris_maier]

Thanks for all the replies so far. Perhaps I should clear a few things up. I have no preference to make or model, but considering what I need the truck for it doesn't sound like Toyota has anything (in my price range) willing to cut it.

I feel that sticking to a domestic (Dodge, Ford, or Chevy) well be better suited. To be a little more precise the make or model is of little care to me. The most important thing is that I get the smallest Diesel possible to tow a 21' Boat. As the amount of towing to be done will be so minimal I don't want nor do I feel I need a V8, if it is possible to tow with a 6 or 5 cylinder diesel I would much prefer.

I have been looking into the Dodge Ram's with a 6BT Cummins which is not a huge diesel but still large at 5.9L. So far I feel it is my best bet, however I do not know which models Ford and Chevy have to compete with this engine. Do either make a 5 cyl. Diesel?

Also I should mention 4X4 is preferred.

 

[slammed41]

To be a little more precise the make or model is of little care to me. The most important thing is that I get the smallest Diesel possible to tow a 21' Boat. As the amount of towing to be done will be so minimal I don't want nor do I feel I need a V8, if it is possible to tow with a 6 or 5 cylinder diesel I would much prefer.

I have been looking into the Dodge Ram's with a 6BT Cummins which is not a huge diesel but still large at 5.9L. So far I feel it is my best bet, however I do not know which models Ford and Chevy have to compete with this engine. Do either make a 5 cyl. Diesel?

well, kris, now we are getting well away from toyota talk. perhaps it's time to move your questions to some of the domestic forums. in the meantime, you SHOULD care about what make or model of truck you might buy. first, you have to live with it after you purchase it. second, there is a considerable difference in the domestic diesel engine offerings, and third, you are buying a truck, not just an engine and have to want a 3/4 or 1 ton rig.

regarding the cummins, sure it's ONLY 5.9 litres but it packs a big punch. it's the only domestic offering that is an inline 6, while the others are of a V8 configuration. inline engines are the best configuration for a variety of reasons. almost all of the engines in commercial highway tractors, trains, ocean vessels, etc. are inline. in my opinion, the cummins is FAR more robust in design when compared to the navistar/international (ford) or the detroit diesel/izuzu/gm (chevy) engines AND gets better fuel economy. none of the domestics have a 5 cyl. diesel.

anyway, my 2 cents...

 

[kris_maier]

well, kris, now we are getting well away from toyota talk. perhaps it's time to move your questions to some of the domestic forums. in the meantime, you SHOULD care about what make or model of truck you might buy. first, you have to live with it after you purchase it. second, there is a considerable difference in the domestic diesel engine offerings, and third, you are buying a truck, not just an engine and have to want a 3/4 or 1 ton rig.

regarding the cummins, sure it's ONLY 5.9 litres but it packs a big punch. it's the only domestic offering that is an inline 6, while the others are of a V8 configuration. inline engines are the best configuration for a variety of reasons. almost all of the engines in commercial highway tractors, trains, ocean vessels, etc. are inline. in my opinion, the cummins is FAR more robust in design when compared to the navistar/international (ford) or the detroit diesel/izuzu/gm (chevy) engines AND gets better fuel economy. none of the domestics have a 5 cyl. diesel.

anyway, my 2 cents...

Perfect, exactly what I was wondering. I didn't care much to the make or model because I am not knowledgeable upon the topic of trucks to make that decision. However now that I know Cummins offer the only inline 6 cyl. my mind is fairly made up. Perhaps I need a Dodge Forum Site now.

Cheers.

 

[Stone]

The only smaller diesel I can think of is in a J**p, and they don't offer a pickup configuration.

 

[Tapage]

HiLux with new 1KD-FTV .. plenty of powa .. !

 

[kris_maier]

I have still been debating the necessity of towing the boat and therefore the engine size. Can anyone make any suggestions on any other Domestic Trucks with 4 or 5 cylinder Diesels that meet the rest of the requirements.

 

[lowenbrau]

The older the Cummins, the better the economy but at the expense of power. My '92 has about the same HP as a VW golf but goes 750km on 80 litres and can haul 2 tons in the bed. I've yet to get better mileage in my HDJ81. If you want to wait a while, each of the big three, as well as Nissan and Toyota all had plans for a smaller diesel (mostly twin turbo v6s) in a half ton before the economy tanked. Those plans will come out of hiding in the next couple of years.

 

[crushers]

i just did 10,700 km round trip towing 9000 lbs with my 1992 Cummins, decent on fuel (once i learned how to use it), sucked on the hills in BC but everywhere else it was adaquate. quiet compared ot my Powersmoke. i was going to sell it in Alberta but by the time i got back to Ontario i have decided to keep it and add Propane injection.

either a 92-93 cummins or a 95-96 powersmoke is my suggestion.

Toyota is NOT cheap to buy or fix.

 

[neetu]

i totally agree with the cummins, i have 89' first year they built them...no electric's,no glow-plugs simple and powerful yet fuel effecient...infact mine's for-sale....

 

[kris_maier]

Hilux or Truck

I am trying to find a little more information on these trucks.

From my understanding these trucks only came with 4 cyl. diesels. I need the most heavy duty set up with a 4 cyl. diesel as I may wish to tow with this truck.

I was thinking a fourth generation with a 1984-1985 - 2.4L (2446 cc) Diesel I4 2L SOHC seems to be the biggest Diesel available. Will this swap into most Helix trucks? Is it possible to swap a 6 cylinder into said truck?

 

[crushers]

do a search and come back with what you have found about the L series engines. i am curious.