Toyota Factory turbo diesel conversions for USA model Trucks, 4runners, and Tacomas

[dieseltoyz]

We've had alot of requests to register over here so here goes. We are a company that specializes in factory turbo diesel conversions for USA model Toyota trucks, 4runners, and Tacomas. I think the owners of this site came by our booth at the SEMA show this year. Anyways, here are a few videos of a conversion we just finished. It's a 1-Kzte computer controlled 4 cylinder 3.0 turbo diesel Toyota diesel engine from Japan. 25-28 mpg city to as high as 35 mpg on the highway. We did a 0-60 run on one of these videos so you can see the performance these modern diesels get. If you guys have any questions, ask away. Enjoy:
http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h194/texasmeat/th_frontview.jpg (http://s64.photobucket.com/albums/h194/texasmeat/?action=view&current=frontview.flv)
http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h194/texasmeat/th_startupinshop.jpg (http://s64.photobucket.com/albums/h194/texasmeat/?action=view&current=startupinshop.flv)
http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h194/texasmeat/th_0-60testdrive.jpg (http://s64.photobucket.com/albums/h194/texasmeat/?action=view&current=0-60testdrive.flv)

[trialsintrigger]

How much do you guys typically sell a motor for?

[dieseltoyz]

We buy the entire front clips from Japan then swap everything over. You get the engine, trans, fuel tank, all wiring (dash, body etc) radiator, fuel filter w/ lines...basically a complete vehicle. The main hurdle is 100% of the vehicle's wiring has to be heavily modified because these front clips are all RHD. You want to stay away from just buying the motor as much as possible. We get calls about 3-4 times a week from shops that have just an engine and are completely lost. These powertrains are definately not bolt on by any stretch of the imagination. Basically a complete disassemble and reassemble with frame mount torching, welding etc. That said, the front clips usually run us about $5000. Most customers we have are selling the running gas powertrains and making about $2,000 on avg. The great thing about these swaps are they're 100% 50 state legal. We have 14 registered and smog exempt in CA alone. Zero of our customers reported any problems registering it as a diesel and getting the exemption form. Out labor fees start at $5500. -Todd

[trialsintrigger]

So parts are around $5000 and Labor runs around $5500. I mean it looks super clean. Also have you done any one the older models? I have an 82 and have wondered about a diesel swap.

[dieseltoyz]

The problem with doing the older models is that they are extremely hard to get vehicles at auction. Most vehicles of that vintage are now recycled so the chances of getting a clean enough front clip is next to nothing. -Todd

[MT4Runner]

Wow!!

Any diesel swaps for Tundras?

It's a little expensive for the typical Pirate4x4.com user...we're awfully hard on our trucks...but having a diesel in your Tundra towrig would be incredible!

What are the torque numbers?

[dieseltoyz]

The 3.0 1kzte puts out 220 ft/lb torque at 2200 rpm. You can chip it and get 290 for about $400. Add an intercooler and you're well over 300 without breakin a sweat. -Todd

[Mieser]

Could you give us a summary of the services and options your company offers?

Can you do a 1kzte conversion on an 2nd gen truck?

[dieseltoyz]

We do turnkey factory turbo diesel installations on 1990-2004 tacomas & pickups and 1990-2003 4runners. You have 3 options as far as engines but by far we recommend the 1kzte. You ship us the vehicle, we remove the gas powertrain, frame cut mounts, reinstall diesel mounts, install everything else, wire it up (90% of the work) and ship it back to you. Everything works even the a/c, 4wd etc. What year is your truck? -Todd

[Sapper33]

How much like VW and some of domestic diesels are Toyotas as far as building more power?

Is it the same kinda of case where you can just keep pumping in the fuel as long as you up the boost to match?

[dieseltoyz]

Well, these are computer controlled so you can chip them and add 100 ft/lbs for about $600. Add an intercooler and you're pushing 350 ft/lbs torque at 2200 rpm...

[Sapper33]

seeing that they were never released in North America, are they still OBD-II?

[dieseltoyz]

The tacomas or kzn185 chassis is OBDII, these earlier chassis have the OBDI

[azxj95]

Airbags?

Will they still work if so equipped from the factory?

[dieseltoyz]

yes

[KCMav713]

can you install the swap on any other vehicle, say a 88 Nissan Pathfinder?

[hisege]

Is it more $$$ to get a stick shift 1kzte conversion, as they are harder to find? What kind of turnaround time do you have on a swap?

I'm wondering how a Toy crawl box or dual case setup would hold up behind that kinda torque...

[dieseltoyz]

The 5 speeds are a few hundred more mainly because they are hard to find. What we usually end up doing is buying an auto half cut and using the US model truck's R series transmission. We can get a bellhousing and flywheel and that's all you need. Engine swaps generally take 3 weeks.You could probably crawl vertically if you had a lead line. 4 Low is extremely low. We've installed duals for customers before. But to be honest, I personally never drove it in 4L -L. A good rule of thumb is, anything older than 1990, it's not able to be purchased at auction. -Todd

[catch2nd]

I'm a little confused... are you saying that it is not possible to swap a 1-k into a 86-89 toyota truck because you can't find the correct half cut... I am very interested in swaping a 1-k into my 87.

[dieseltoyz]

Anything is possible but not very economical. Yes, it is much more difficult to swap one of these into an older truck/4runner. For one, none of the wiring will match, the gauges wont fit etc...

[4Mogger]

This is something I eventually will do. I am concerned about rebuild and replacement parts for the motor. Can these be had just from a Toyota dealer? Also, what does the 3.0 run--rpm--for peak power and efficiency. I need about a 3,000 rpm cruising speed.
Along those lines, what is the redline and are all factory guages still accurate?

[dieseltoyz]

The 3.0 will do 70mph at 2400 rpm. Most parts other than a complete engine can be had through your local Toyota dealer. If you have a major engine failure, i can supply you with a complete "NEW" OEM crate engine from Toyota Thailand for $2500 shipped to your door. -Todd

[Fawk Awph]

what are the EGTs and boost that these motors run, or can run. im curious because we are currently building a twin turbo 84 D50 using the mitsubishi 2.3L turbo diesel that was an option that year. as it sits now we can rev up the engine without a load on it (theres no xcase or axles in the truck) and get about 8-10 psi off the boost gauge. we are worried that under load the truck may create a lot of boost and go boom.

Callen

[dieseltoyz]

8-10 psi should be fine. -Todd

[cdarthvader]

Ok so this is a computer controlled engine...But i could care less about gauges wiring up as I don't use the stock gauges...and i don't care about a/c or anything like that...How hard would it be to get one of these engines with the wiring harness and computer, plug it up to a battery and get it to run?

[Blue MT. SnowRunner]

I have a question, if the wiring harness is 90% of the work would you be able to say take a harness if I bought a front clip and modify it so I could so the conversion myself but just pay you for the harness? I dont mind doin all the cutting welding fitting all that but I can see where the wiring would be a pain in the ass and me and elctrical dont get along.

[dieseltoyz]

Sure, check out our website for more info on our services

[Blue MT. SnowRunner]

Awsome site, now that I got on highspeed and got a chance to check it out. Got another question for you. I saw that you mentioned companies that sell chips for these. Do you have the website for them or any other performance related site for the 1k series engines for the people who just cant leave well enough alone hehe.

[dieseltoyz]

Thanks...The best site I have found as far as tech info etc for the Hilux/Surf is
http://www.toyotasurf.asn.au/forum. Intercoolers etc can be homemade through ebay etc using a wrx cooler or the like. I'll do some poking around for a chip for you and report back. -Todd

[Fawk Awph]

you said somewhere that most of the work was switching the right hand drive harness over to a left hand drive truck, soooo, would it be much easier to just use the right hand drive dash/firewall/cab cut and just put it into a left hand drive truck. so you would take LHD truck and convert it to a RHD truck in the end instead of messing with the harness.

Callen

[dieseltoyz]

You'd have to completely remove the LHD firewall and install the RHD firewall among many other things. You'd also have a RHD vehicle in the US. I know peopl who have done this and have regretted it. It seems like a way to avoid more work but in reality it creates more work.

[camo]

That is so pimp, makes me want to find a crew cab at auction and for 10k build myself a sweet diesel daily driver / tow rig. why Toyota doesn't sell this configuration in north amecica is beyond me.

thinking about it, 10k really isn't that bad. Hell Ford banged me almost7k for the pos 6.0l diesel motor in my f350 :(

[kneedownnate]

You say you recommend the 1kzte, but do you guys have access to a 1kz? I have an 80 and know the best way to go would be with the e, but a mechanical would be easier to setup and seems to be more appropriate for the vintage.

[dieseltoyz]

This is a very common misconception. The 1kz engines are still controlled by a TPS and more or less have the same amount of electronics. The only differences between the 1kz and the 1kzt(e) are one has a auto transmission :E stands for Electronic controlled trans. On the 1KZT-E, the engine injection pump shares the signal from the TPS mounted on the throttle body with the transmission to control shifting based on throttle position. On a manual trans 1KZ, this is not necessary so the TPS is mounted directly on the injection pump and controls only the injection stroke timing. This is why when you press the ECT button, the engine really comes alive. This is because you are advancing the timing based on throttle position and gear/speed. It gets pretty complicated but that's the just of it. -Todd

[kneedownnate]

Ah, I was kinda afraid of that but didn't want to aknowledge the possibility. Bummer for me. Thanks for the solid info!

[dieseltoyz]

No problem

[myota]

What kind of weights do you expect this engine to be able to tow?

Just to clarify, these are all automatic tranny's, right?

Are the engines you put in brand new? If they're used, how many miles do they typically have on them? And how many miles do you usually see these engines going? (are they as venerable as the 22r/e?)
Thanks!

[dieseltoyz]

The tow rating is mainly based on the GVWR and not necessarily the engine towing capacity. That being said, the diesels tow much better than the gas engines due to having it's peak torque at a much lower rpm range. Venerable is an understatement with the 3.0 turbo diesels. The engines are all used low mileage from japan. I've never seen one with more than 60,000 miles come up at auction. They are as bulletproof an engine as I've ever seen. I have personally seen 2 with over 350,000 miles on them and still running strong.

[4Rescue]

Dammit, that is the exact conversion I wanted to do in my Gen1 Runner. Like you said, cost and wiring got to be prohibitive.

BUT, should I find a windfall of cash before i go ahead and just get a new 22RE:

How much would it run to convert a 1989 4 RUnner into a 1KZTE 5spd (Automatics are useless IMO)??? 13k? More?