Hello- I'm new here; sorry if this has been tackled already:

I'm looking at buying a four cylinder, 1987 Nissan Pathfinder (siezed door, needs new locks, otherwise all great for $1000) and I would like to find out if there's a Nissan or ANY diesel engine that will bolt in with minimal modifications. I have a mechanic who's willing to give it a try, but I don't want to proceed if it's a huge and expensive job. I'm hoping I can find a wrecked Nissan with a decent diesel engine, and just drop it in. Are there conversion kits out there?

-thanks!

Michael

I can't say I've ever seen anyone actually complete a diesel swap into a Nissan. There's always talk about people wanting to do it, but I've never seen anyone follow through. Nissan TD27 and TD30 engines occasionally show up on eBay but they're never cheap. I don't think any diesels were ever released here in the states so finding on might be difficult. Be the first one to do it and others follow. :smokin:

Short answer=no
Long answer=no

Nissan made Hardbody deisels that were sold in Canada back in the days of your rig. I am certain that an engine from one of those rigs would bolt right into yours. The bad news is they are hard to find and the engines were really weak on power. But they had great torq, so depending on what you use the rig for, it could be a good swap. The newer euro rigs came with deisels too, Frontiers with turbo deisels are common, but getting one here is impossible unless you have good conections over seas.

True, but not an easy, or cheap swap, so no.

the engine you want is the td27 turbo motor, they are common in nz and japan
i wonder what freight would be like?
you could try http://www.trademe.co.nz (nz version of ebay)

Another concideration is finding a new fuel tank and sending unit/pump for the diesel and having to run new lines.

and gauges and wiring.

hey Nissan crawler why you always got to be such a downer?
You can put a Nissan TD in a pathy no problem. they came with them stock, there is no ecu to worry about let the guy give it a try. Ive seen you post several times telling people it can't be done... ANYTHING can be done

Only problem I see is sourcing a good running engine in the states. other than that go for it.

i bet its not nearly as hard as what i've done to my pathy, i'd love to have a diesel in mine.

Maybe you should read his entire post. He asked if it could be done with minimal mods and economically. It can't. My answer stands. I can put a v-8 detroit diesel in mine if I want to, but it won't be easy or cheap. I'm not a downer, I'm realistic. Ask anybody that's listened to my advice if I've led them astray. Plus, you end up with about 85 hp and 130 ft lbs of torque. Yipee. Even if he only has a 4 banger, he still has 140hp and 152 ft lbs of torque. Spend lots of money to swap in used engine, have less power, and run on more expensive fuel....gee, why didn't I think of that?:confused: Sure it can be done. You can take the Briggs & Stratton out of your lawn mower and put it in there too, if you want. Doesn't mean it makes any sense.

Oh yeah, and depending on what state you live in, it won't be legal anyway.

I appreciate all the input, folks- I think I'll try to find a decent diesel vehicle rather than trying to make one :)

the engine you want is the td27 turbo motor, they are common in nz and japan
i wonder what freight would be like?
you could try http://www.trademe.co.nz (nz version of ebay)


why put a TD27 in if going through the hassle? The Nissan diesel to have is the TD42. So much more available for the TD42 besides just power and torque.

Us yanks can't use TradeMe. I was banned from there for just being in the USA. New rules, only kiwis and aussies can use it. And I had 2 positive ratings, one from a Nissan I bought and imported off TradeMe.

There are ways around being banned though... :smokin:

The Aussies do diesel swaps into petrol Patrols all the time. And v8 swaps into diesel Patrols. It goes both ways and just because nobody hasn't done it doesn't mean it isn't being done. If they do it in Patrols they do it in hardbodies/pathfinders over there too. Nobody talks about it though because everybody drives a Patrol. Maybe what 1 in 100 Nissan 4x4's in Australia are not a Patrol? Why drive anything else when you can take your pick from the last 40+ years of Patrols!? :rolleyes:

yes a td2.7 nissan diesel will fit your pathfinder but you need to change your bellhouseing on your gearbox as the petrol one will not fit the diesel plus you have a few other small mods to do hope this helps :p

yes a td2.7 nissan diesel will fit your pathfinder but you need to change your bellhouseing on your gearbox as the petrol one will not fit the diesel plus you have a few other small mods to do hope this helps :p
That's interesting, considering they don't have "bellhousings" so to speak. It's part of the tranny case...

I'm in the same boat as Michael; I too am looking at possibly converting my Pathfinder to run on Diesel. The difference is My Pathfinder is a 98', 4x4. My intent is actually to run my baby on biodiesel. If this isn't feasable then the issue is dead. For me it's not solely an economical issue as much as a practical issue. I'm willing to spend some time and money as long as it still passes the "smell test." (worth it or not)

I looked at other alternative fuel sources and I'm set on this one after my test of a 2001 Nissan Pathfinder against a 2004 Toyota Prius...:shaking:

I don't care who makes the engine; should it matter? I think importing an engine would be cost prohibative unless I was really dead set on going diesel and I'm not completely. Is there a difference between an 87 pathfinder and a 98 for these purposes?