Diesel swap - Whats the best small pick-up for one?

[dubsonparade]

I would personally try to find a early 83-85 s10 with the 2.2 diesel.

[MCTB]

Quote, originally posted by hazw8st »

You really think so? Hilarious.

Yes, the feds will crush, seize, deport, destroy, whatever, illegally imported cars. Dont believe us, search in the MKII forum for the guy who tried it with a real Rallye Golf and then had to turn it in to the NY DMV and it was cut into many pieces and destroyed. Not to mention the personal liability that you open yourself up to when you, or someone, hits you while in your car. Have fun explaining to the court that the car has a forged VIN identity and is actually illegal in the country when that ambulance chaser comes after you for damages caused to his/ her clients "whiplash injury" as a result of your non conforming to US safety laws vehicle. Forget Florida, the personal liability is too heavy to risk it.

As for your options:
- Import a pre 1984 diesel truck from Canada or Europe
- Swap an American market diesel into a compact pick up. Drawbacks are hanging 900+lbs (whoever said a 4BT is the same weight as a 4.0 Ford is stupid wrong), mangling of the front suspension with either major IFS crossmember work or a solid axle swap in order to make room for a tall medium duty diesel, converting of the fuel system (tank, filler neck, sender, pump, cleaning lines, etc...) from gas to diesel, converting the tach signal from gas to diesel, converting your light duty transmission to something compatible that will be able to handle the new found torque, regearing the front (if 4wd) and rear axles to a higher gear ratio as gasser gears are usually much taller than diesel ones which will cause you to over rev your new diesel and cause a lower top speed and lower mileage
- Find and arrange for the delivery of a front half cut from a diesel vehicle of another market in order to get all the accessories, diesel transmission (sometimes a specific trans), instrument cluster and electronic bits but prepare yourself for serious sticker shock and by pure nature of the beast, no parts availability in the US. Then, go back and do all the things in bullet two.

Have I thought about this? Absolutely, as you can tell. I want a diesel powered midsize SUV very very badly. I want a quality drivetrain that isnt wrapped in a sub par Chrysler product and due to that, my options are few. The solution, I will import something diesel powered Land Rover Defender. There are enough in the states that diesel parts can be had relatively easily. Why not a Cummins 4BT or an Isuzu 4BD? The changes that you will have to make to your truck/ SUV will completely change the nature of the truck. Noise, vibration, lifting the suspension, etc... will all change once you put a medium duty diesel into a light duty truck.

However, do what you want. Read up on http://www.4btswaps.com

[bhtooefr]

dubsonparade: You mean the 58 hp piece of **** that you can't get parts for, and can't get out of its own way? In a manual 2WD truck, let alone a 4WD truck?

Anyway, morecarsthanbrains, there is the chipped TDI route. That will still be quite a lot of work, but parts availability is fine, and as long as you don't go absurd, anything that can handle a ~4 liter V6 gasser can handle the TDI's torque just fine. Also, in the TDI's case, we're talking about low-revving gassers (peak HP on the Ranger engines is at 5250 RPM,) and the TDI isn't bad for a diesel (peak HP at approx 4000, and they'll spin up to 5100.)

[mariok2006]

First thing I thought of when I saw the thread title...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MsyJTRgtaCY

[A Gruesome Time]

Quote, originally posted by mariok2006 »

First thing I thought of when I saw the thread title... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MsyJTRgtaCY

The driveby at the end of that video is AMAZING.

[MCTB]

Quote, originally posted by bhtooefr »

Anyway, morecarsthanbrains, there is the chipped TDI route. That will still be quite a lot of work, but parts availability is fine, and as long as you don't go absurd, anything that can handle a ~4 liter V6 gasser can handle the TDI's torque just fine. Also, in the TDI's case, we're talking about low-revving gassers (peak HP on the Ranger engines is at 5250 RPM,) and the TDI isn't bad for a diesel (peak HP at approx 4000, and they'll spin up to 5100.)

The problem with that is the new VW TDis need a lot of wiring to be done and will require the immobilizer and the cluster to make it work- read $$$$$$

[bhtooefr]

Who said anything about new VW TDIs?

Toss in an ALH that can have the immo disabled, or a 1Z/AHU that needs very little wiring and has no immo.

Or, toss a mechanical pump on either of them.

[BRealistic]

Ok, I have probably a stupid question.

Could you take an electric motor (attached to transmission) and power it with a diesel generator?

[puebla]

Quote, originally posted by bhtooefr »

Toss in an ALH that can have the immo disabled, or a 1Z/AHU that needs very little wiring and has no immo.

VW AAZ is a mechanical IDI and takes 1 wire to run.

[Midnight Flyer]

How about a Chevy LUV, there was a diesel version.

[bhtooefr]

If another idiot says any of the following, I'm going to stab a mother****er.

Chevy LUV (or Isuzu P'up) with the Isuzu diesel
80's Chevy S-10 with the Isuzu diesel
80's Ranger with the Mazda or ****subishi diesel
80's Mazda with the Mazda diesel
80's ****subishi or Ram 50 with the ****subishi diesel
80's Toyota with any of the Toyota diesels
Comanche with the Renault diesel
Datsun 620 or Datsun/Nissan 720 with a diesel


Modified by bhtooefr at 11:11 PM 12-5-2009

[BRealistic]

Quote, originally posted by BRealistic »

Ok, I have probably a stupid question. Could you take an electric motor (attached to transmission) and power it with a diesel generator?

[sixdoubleseven]

I call BS on this whole thing. Where's the OP? It's been a few days and he hasn't come back to this thread?

Makes no sense to do this swap. As someone else said, just buy a gas compact pickup or a full size diesel.

[puebla]

Quote, originally posted by BRealistic »

Ok, I have probably a stupid question.

[BRealistic]

Quote, originally posted by hazw8st »

Can you elaborate?

[puebla]

Quote, originally posted by BRealistic »

Can you elaborate?

Que?

[bhtooefr]

The diesel-electric series hybrid could be an interesting idea.

You do still need batteries, but you need less of them. (Which is good, because you also have less room for them.)

[ByAirorByWater]

Why not do a new body Nissan. It is diesel on other markets so it would be a pretty easy swap shouldn't it??

[puebla]

Quote, originally posted by ByAirorByWater »

Why not do a new body Nissan. It is diesel on other markets so it would be a pretty easy swap shouldn't it??

http://articulo.mercadolibre.c...0-_JM

2.5 TDI Motor, in Spanish TDI is called DID (Direct Injection Diesel)
4x4, 5 speed, 32+ mpg.

[puebla]

Quote, originally posted by ByAirorByWater »

Why not do a new body Nissan. It is diesel on other markets so it would be a pretty easy swap shouldn't it??

Here's a cheaper version of a small Nissan diesel pickup, with a really funny camper, down south campers of this sort are bling-bling.

http://www.segundamano.com.mx/....aspx

The truck is nice, costs @ $6000US.
The wheels are funky, and the camper, although funny looking, is removable, and very versatile. Those campers are completely handmade, and are really expensive when new.

[MCTB]

Quote, originally posted by sixdoubleseven »

I call BS on this whole thing. Where's the OP? It's been a few days and he hasn't come back to this thread? Makes no sense to do this swap. As someone else said, just buy a gas compact pickup or a full size diesel.

A lot of people think about doing something like this, me included. So, you have a dual cab Taco. Whats your MPG? My bet is 21 hwy, tops. There are people getting 13 mpg city with slight loads. A diesel in a Taco, read Hilux everywhere else, can get 10+ mpg more in the SAME EXACT PACKAGE. A diesel midsize would be awesome and a lot are looking at doing it since manufacturers wont do it on their own. Sure, there are diesel full sizers but they get the same mileage as a midsize gasser and you add the headache of decreased maneuverability and decreased parking ease.

As for the drivetrains from other markets, thats great but do you know how much $$$$ they would cost to get over here? Economically unfeasible.

[l88m22vette]

Quote, originally posted by sixdoubleseven »

I call BS on this whole thing. Where's the OP? It's been a few days and he hasn't come back to this thread? Makes no sense to do this swap. As someone else said, just buy a gas compact pickup or a full size diesel.

I'm right here, I've been keeping up-to-date on this thread - I wanted 4wd because, seriously, whats the point of a truck if it can't go everywhere? I wanted a diesel b/c of torque, towing, and WAY better mileage than something like a 4.0 Ranger or 4.3 S10, but I don't want a full-size PU because they are too damn big, I don't plan on hauling more than some dirt or a snowmobile/motorcycle, and I wanted older so I didn't have another vehicle to obsess about. Anyway, it doesn't sound like a realistic venture ($8k + time/effort doesn't equal beater) so I'll just keep my eye out for a good deal on a domestic POS

[bhtooefr]

I forget if the Duratec Ranger was ever offered with 4 wheel drive and a manual, but if it was, you can rev the nuts off of it and get just as much power (and less weight) as a 3.0 Ranger.

Anyway, the cheapest/best option for a diesel compact pickup is to find a pre-93 4-cylinder Ranger that shot a rod out the side of the block or something, find a 97-99 Jetta or 96-97 Passat that's been rear-ended badly, and swap, although it'll still be a lot of work, and will require a fair amount of custom machined parts. You could probably do it for under $5k, though, plus labor.

Modified by bhtooefr at 7:35 PM 12-8-2009


Modified by bhtooefr at 7:35 PM 12-8-2009

[puebla]

A 1.9L TDI motor is a wee too small for a Ranger.
Empty. It may drive well, but the acceleration would be lackluster, and forget about using the pickup for what it was designed, move some weight around.

[bhtooefr]

We're talking 149 ft-lbf torque stock, a chip and nozzles will push that over 200, well into 4.0 V6 territory.

[The Kilted Yaksman]

1983-84 Mazda B2200 Diesel.
Don't know how many were brought here, but they were brought here...

[bhtooefr]

Those things go for $5k+, and have 58 horsepower. And the torque is less than the crappiest of 4-cyl gas engines they sold at the time, too.

[puebla]

Quote, originally posted by bhtooefr »

We're talking 149 ft-lbf torque stock, a chip and nozzles will push that over 200, well into 4.0 V6 territory.

At what rpm?

I am originally a 1997 tdiclub member. Please don't talk about the ve90 ALH motor like its something to drool over.

I own a highly modified mk4 tdi with a built head, low compression pistons and rods, a gt25 dual ball bearing turbo, R520 injectors, FMIC, Stage 5 tuning, and all the other goodies. What is it about tdi's, you say?

There are plenty of JDM diesel motors that displace 2.5L & 3.0L, that are designed to be installed in rear drive applications and are engineered to build just the right amount of torque at low rpms, generally 1500-1900 rpms.

The ve90 ALH is a pricey boat anchor when compared to the PD140/PD170 Common rail.

[Mr. Dew]

none that are there to choose from

[bhtooefr]

Quote, originally posted by hazw8st »

At what rpm? I am originally a 1997 tdiclub member. Please don't talk about the ve90 ALH motor like its something to drool over. I own a highly modified mk4 tdi with a built head, low compression pistons and rods, a gt25 dual ball bearing turbo, R520 injectors, FMIC, Stage 5 tuning, and all the other goodies. What is it about tdi's, you say? There are plenty of JDM diesel motors that displace 2.5L & 3.0L, that are designed to be installed in rear drive applications and are engineered to build just the right amount of torque at low rpms, generally 1500-1900 rpms. The ve90 ALH is a pricey boat anchor when compared to the PD140/PD170 Common rail.

I was actually talking 1Z/AHU, not ALH.

And, donor 1Z/AHU vehicles are much cheaper than donor BEW/BRM (PD100), BHW (PD140), or CBEA (CR140) vehicles. You could probably get a wrecked 1Z/AHU donor for $1500 or less. Please tell me where to find a $1500 2009-2010 Jetta/Golf TDI donor vehicle that isn't stolen.

Or, please tell me how for $1500, I can bring one of these foreign drivetrains in. And then tell me how parts availability is.

Edit: Oh, and torque peak on the 1Z/AHU is at 1900 RPM.

There is another engine that could work, although size is an issue - the Mercedes OM617 turbo. Still, weak on power, and not that efficient.


Modified by bhtooefr at 8:34 PM 12-8-2009

[puebla]

Quote, originally posted by bhtooefr »

Edit: Oh, and torque peak on the 1Z/AHU is at 1900 RPM. There is another engine that could work, although size is an issue - the Mercedes OM617 turbo. Still, weak on power, and not that efficient.

Om617 is a far better swap than an AAZ swap, even in a non-turbo application.
Now, we are thinking a bit more logical. Om617 swaps are a dime a dozen, and are a north-south application.

[bhtooefr]

Except most compact trucks were never designed for anything longer than a ~2.5 L 4-cyl, and this is a 3.0 L 5-cyl.

OM602 turbo might work, although it's not exactly common, and it's still a 5-cyl.

Edit: Hmm. OM617 into a Ranger's actually been done.

Modified by bhtooefr at 8:47 PM 12-8-2009

[puebla]

Quote, originally posted by bhtooefr »

Edit: Hmm. OM617 into a Ranger's actually been done.

Quote, originally posted by bhtooefr »

Quote, originally posted by bhtooefr »

Edit: Hmm. OM617 into a Ranger's actually been done.

Pure sex.

[BRealistic]

What inter-cooled turbo diesel four banger went in the Peugeot 505?

[WOT]

Quote, originally posted by hazw8st »

Pure sex.

i like this one better

Modified by WOT at 3:30 AM 12-17-2009