Originally Posted By: Coastal
Seems like it might not be too bad with a Nissan Xterra or Frontier, they already come with the diesel powertrain overseas that using the same mounting points, would have to work through some electronic issues I am sure though. Surely the Tacoma has a diesel engine overseas?
There is a TD27T Xterra in the Austin area, but I don't want a 4by with 9 inches of lift. I just want a 2wd diesel suv/truck. The Taco is a Hilux in Japan. They had the 2.4L HG blower long after the Surf swapped over to the 1KZ.
Originally Posted By: expat
My thoughts exactly, Why re-invent the wheel.
But I don't get the Cutting in Half thing?
Just get a JDM Toyota Surf or whatever.
The 1KZ I don't think was ever available on US shores. Most other diesels were, the TD27 was in a forklift, the Isuzu 3.1 was in something, etc.
Originally Posted By: Silk
There are more Japanese and Euro pickups and SUV's sold with diesel engines than without - the diesel is more powerful and more economical. The conversion is not hard, and often done here. Pre electronic would be better, so that's TD27T, LD28 or RD28 for Nissan, 2LT for Toyota, 4D56T and 4M40T for Mitsubishi - you just want a mechanical injector pump, not the electronic version or worse a common rail. Lift pump is in the injector pump, so no need for a separate pump, prime pump is on the separate filter housing. Gearing is often the same, but manual gearboxes beefier. Vacuum pump is on the end of the alternator for most, although the 4M40 and later Mazda engines have a gear driven pump.
From reading on ORE.co.nz, the TD27 seems to be the best swap, unless the Isuzu guys are hiding some secret knowledge. Without electronics, and without having to worry about the 4x4 side, it seems that even the engine mounts are similar if not the same. They also seem to handle boost pretty well. Remove the blow off valve on the IM, bigger exhaust, upgrade the t25, and go to town.
Originally Posted By: Donald
Why not buy a diesel pickup (ie., Dodge Ram)?
I have no need for an American diesel pickup. No one please take this personally, but I have nothing to compensate for. I don't need the big truck, I don't need the payload, and I want a diesel because it gets better MPG than a petrol, and buying an American fullsize kills the advantage of the diesel. A diesel hardbody, or even better, and crew cab Frontier with a QD32 or TD27 would be great.