Will Van
GOLD Star
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The caved in tailgate helps distract from the horrible burgundy color.
I'm vacillating on the diesel swap. I think it's smarter to buy a clean FJZ80 and drive it for a while, rather than immediately tear it apart to swap in a diesel.
I'm vacillating on the diesel swap. I think it's smarter to buy a clean FJZ80 and drive it for a while, rather than immediately tear it apart to swap in a diesel.
This is the smartest thing you’ve posted. It’s a ton of work and time unless you are paying someone to do it. If you are paying someone to do it then you can afford to pay them to find you a clean 80.
I'd take any color as long as the truck is clean...Except green with a home-painted hood/roof. That would look hideous.
I’m well aware of how awful mine it. As I’ve said all along “the goal is to make it look less sh!tty!” You should’ve seen it before!
it is special edition LC and that is the way to know thatThe full-Time 4WD emblem is in the wrong place on the tail gate.....Why is that?
Yeah, that's sorta what I thought - overpriced. I already told the seller I was going to pass...but then I started second guessing myself.
I'm vacillating on the diesel swap. I think it's smarter to buy a clean FJZ80 and drive it for a while, rather than immediately tear it apart to swap in a diesel.
I'd take any color as long as the truck is clean.
...Except green with a home-painted hood/roof. That would look hideous.
This is the smartest thing you’ve posted. It’s a ton of work and time unless you are paying someone to do it. If you are paying someone to do it then you can afford to pay them to find you a clean 80.
I’m well aware of how awful mine it. As I’ve said all along “the goal is to make it look less sh!tty!” You should’ve seen it before!
I've seen more or less pristine 80s with blown engines in the $900 - $1500 range in Oregon and Washington. If you actually wanted to do a swap, you should be able to find something under $2k.
I think you are on the right track now. I think we all like the idea of certain diesel swaps for these rigs, but honestly, the 1FZ-FE is a damn good motor and it works really well for these trucks. People complain about the lack of neck snapping pickup, but at least for me, the novelty of that wore off a along time ago and even if it hadn't I would be looking at a different type of vehicle if I wanted to go fast. The MPGs of the gas 80 do leave a little to be desired, but if that would be the reason for doing swap I am pretty sure you could buy thousands of gallons of premium no ethanol gas for the cost of the swap and you would still be buying plenty of diesel.
Add to that the headaches of trying to get all the electronics to work with the swap and I just think it becomes a lot less appealing. I see plenty of diesel swap threads that say things along the lines of, "I am not sure how I am going to get such and such system to function, but I will figure it out." and then the thread seems to die and the swap is never completed.
Find a nice 80 that fits your budget and just enjoy it for what it is. If you get the itch to do a swap, there will still be plenty of options for you down the road.
I think the "engine swap" temptation is common for new enthusiasts. At least it's not an LS-swap into a mint 40 series. That would be tragic!
I really like your '93, actually. Hope you get motor worked out.
All of the good ones are in the West. Cali, Oregon, or Washington State.
Regardless of whether I decide to do a diesel swap, I think it makes the most sense to buy a clean truck to start out with, and drive it for a while.
I'm not really looking for neck-snapping acceleration, but more low-RPM torque and better fuel range. Anyone who does a diesel swap with the intention of recouping their costs through fuel-savings, isn't analyzing it correctly. The advantage of a diesel is the torque curve and the fuel-tank range. Plus, if geared properly, you should be able to crawl over anything at idle. Just put the truck in 1st gear 4 low, lock the diffs, and start Land Crushing.
I also hear what you guys are saying about the cost of the swap, plus the additional headaches. Micah at Classic Cruisers in Colorado is coming out with an 80 series 6BT/NV4500 swap kit for the DIYer (similar to the Duiser kit, but you'll actually receive it). It works with the OEM 80 series transfer case and doesn't require a massive lift to fit the 6BT. Basically, buy the kit, locate a donor 6BT/NV4500, work your ass off in the garage, and you've got a diesel 80 series. It includes accommodations for A/C & heat, fuel, power steering, gauges, intake, intercooler/piping, accessory mounts, radiator/cooling, wiring harness/electronics, TC adapter, etc.
That's the only way I could afford to do the swap.
View attachment 1630285 Don't do a Cummins swap until you have driven one. You may not like the way they sound, feel and act. B series Cummins engines rattle like a coffee can full of marbles and are not happy above 2,500 rpm.
I've owned one for 29 years.