Just build the perfect daily driver...Diesel 4runner

[cnielsen]

Porsche projects have been put on hold while I've been working on this project. The truck is a 1997 4runner that I have had for about 5 years. The old V6 was low on power and was a gas guzzler. Not to mention, it had 204,000 miles on it so I was looking for replacement options. V8 swaps are common and relatively easy to do. That would have satisfied the power needs but not the fuel efficiency.

The solution was to import a toyota diesel motor and 5-speed transmission and do the swap. There are a few places online that talked about the conversion but no-where near the amount of info that is available here on Pelican for our Porsche projects so I had to re-invent the wheel on a lot of the details.

Here was my starting point... 1997 4Runner with some minor modifications.



The old V6



The "half-cut" I ordered from Japan. Its like getting all the goodies from a wrecked 911 instead of just buying a motor and then trying to figure out where everything goes. Surprisingly this little bugger fired right up on the pallet and ran like a champ!



First things first, remove the diesel motor...



Next step was to remove the old V6 and prep the engine bay for the transplant. We had to reweld the transmission mounts as they were different on the diesel.



Then the transplant...



First impressions were....ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!!! The 3.0L diesel has gobs more torque than the old V6. The 5-speed transmission really helps to take advantage of all the torque...and makes it a lot more fun to drive. Oh, and the sound...WHOA!!! It sounds like a miniature semi truck, the diesel whine is addicting!

So, more power, much more fun to drive and preliminary MPG tests show at least mid twenties which is a far cry from the 14 or so, I was getting with the V6.

Off for a drive again! The Porsches are probably wondering whats up...its sunny, why isn't he taking us out? Yep, this thing is that much fun to drive!

[speeder]

Awesome swap but I can't believe that you bought that whole front clip w/ chassis(?) How much did that cost plus shipping from Japan?

I guess you can sell the unused parts of it and get some $$ back. I have a similar project in mind with a '98/'99 MB 300D turbo into a wagon body but it's going to cost me *zero* or less after the dust settles and left-over bits are sold. I wouldn't do it if it winds up costing the equivalent of 5 years of gasoline.

[Macroni]

Love my diesel....... did 900+ miles in 13 hrs averaged 30 MPG......

[BRPORSCHE]

204,000 miles? Is that it? Mine just hit 240,000 miles!

[Rufblackbird]

whoa, that's pretty cool. wondering the same thing, how much did the front clip cost ya? Was it easy to import something like that from Japan?

[vash]

that is an excellent project!! what about the fuel tank? dibs if you sell it!!

[aigel]

I want to do this - however, I am worried being stuck in Modoc County on a hunting trip - where would I get parts? Get the 1000 mile AAA super tow option?

George

[onewhippedpuppy]

I dream of doing this with my Land Cruiser, too bad an 80 series diesel half-cut is $6000-$10000.

[lowyder993s]

Originally Posted by aigel

I want to do this - however, I am worried being stuck in Modoc County on a hunting trip - where would I get parts? Get the 1000 mile AAA super tow option?

George

If you gotta good X zone spot, I'd be willing to drive backup

SOOOO Funny...today son and I were talking about a new rig for him. He has a 4 runner but was asking about my diesel...I think you're onto something. What would you charge for that...makin good money. PM if you want. Jim

[herr_oberst]

That is by far and away the cleanest 204000 mile 4runner I've ever seen.

Nice work, and thanks for sharing.

[cnielsen]

After I sold the old motor, tranny and misc parts from the clip...the project cost me about $4000. I know that buys a lot of gasoline but that is not why I did it. The diesel/5-speed have transformed thus SUV from something that was boring to drive, into something that is as fun to drive as a 911! 4 grand seemed cheap for that type of reward.

Half cuts are usually between 4-6K shipped. Mine was on the upper end of that but the 5-speed brings a premium and the diesel only had 60K miles. I was definitely willing to pay more for low mileage which should bring me many trouble free miles.

I used the old fuel tank after cleaning it out.

[speeder]

Well, that's not too bad. I would say that you increased the resale value of it by $4k easily, considering the fact that you now have something not available in the U.S. and that is hella more desirable. You are right that you do not have to switch fuel tanks, just empty out one type of fuel before introducing the other into it.

Why buy the body parts?? That's what I'm not getting(?) Why not just buy an engine/trans and whatever electronics or wiring needed is what I'm saying. Awesome vehicle you now have. At 60k miles, it's broken in.

I've contemplated many gas-to-diesel swaps, in every case it makes a MUCH better OTR vehicle. Especially if it's a truck or SUV. A late-model Suburban w/ Duramax and Allison trans would be unbelievable as a large road trip machine, (or around town). I can't believe they don't just market such a thing.

[look 171]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

I dream of doing this with my Land Cruiser, too bad an 80 series diesel half-cut is $6000-$10000.

A guy the next hill over has a Land Cruiser with a surplus V8 he got from an auction. According to him, it has a lot more power then the original engine and a lot more economical to run. Don't people put Cummins motors in our rigs? How about one of those 4 banngers from an Isuzu flat bed trucks? Physically they aren't that big.

[HHI944]

I dream of dropping an OM616 into my Rover. It's been done and there are very detailed writeups (averages about 15 hours start to finish with very little fabrication) The best part is it yields about 50% more torque, 7-8 more hp and 15-20 more mpgs.

[slow&rusty]

Cool engine swap...how was wiring up the new turbo diesel motor and running the harness and removing the old 3.4L V6 harness? Was it pretty much plug n play with the EFI or did you have to do some re-pinning? What about the LHD and RHD with the throttle cable, I like the fact that you use re-installed the A\C!

It would be cool to turn the boost up and intercool the turbo diesel. What is the hp/torque on the turbo diesel motor, what about buying maintenance stuff life water pumps, plug wires etc etc, as this engine never came to the U.S? I assume this is distributor less motor with coil on plug?

Cool! Beautiful swap. You truck looks great with 204K on it.
Yasin

[turbo6bar]

Originally Posted by slow&rusty

I assume this is distributor less motor with coil on plug?

Damn near impossible to find for this model diesel engine.

Kudos to you, cnielson. I have been thinking about a diesel Toyota swap, but clean Tacoma trucks with blown engines are very rare.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by speeder

Well, that's not too bad. I would say that you increased the resale value of it by $4k easily, considering the fact that you now have something not available in the U.S. and that is hella more desirable.

Very good point. I've seen diesel swapped 4Runners and Land Cruisers selling for twice the price of their gas counterparts. I'm thinking you could probably get your investment back pretty easily if you wanted to sell.

Originally Posted by look 171

A guy the next hill over has a Land Cruiser with a surplus V8 he got from an auction. According to him, it has a lot more power then the original engine and a lot more economical to run. Don't people put Cummins motors in our rigs? How about one of those 4 banngers from an Isuzu flat bed trucks? Physically they aren't that big.

V8 swap seems to be the most bang for the buck, you can pick up a number of options in a SBC for under $1000. There's also adapter plates, motor mounts, new accessory mounts, etc available to limit the amount of fab work required.

Cummins can be done, I think it requires a body lift because it's a taller motor. Also supposedly a LOT louder and rougher, and not great around town. I don't think the Izuzu truck motor has the power to move the heavy Land Cruiser.

[JeremyD]

Excellent swap - it pisses me off that we don't get the diesel variety of many of these cars. Your choices on diesel SUV's are the VW Tourag at 44K, The X5 at close to 60 and the mercedes at around the same price.

The SUV's in the US are Sooooo suited for decent diesel power

[Tobra]

That is pretty sweet, how much torque does it have? My buddy did a 510 swap like that. Took the drivetrain out of a 200 SX. More power and a 5 speed transmission in a well sorted 510 is full of all kinds of good.

Is it an emissions thing with the diesels in the US? In Japan they have regulations that make it cheaper to swap out the motor or retire the vehicle, as I understand it.

If you get a front clip like that, you get to see how the motor sits, where the various wires and linkages go, intake and exhaust. Plus you get the mounts. Lot harder make a mount than to cut it off the clip.

Easy to do at the yard too, just cut it at the A pillar, strap it on a pallet.

[1990C4S]

Where is what's his name.... the East coast guy? He will be drooling over this.....