40 Series: Diesel or Petrol/Gas

[mauricio_28]

I'm a big fan of diesel engines. Allow me to qualify that. I am a big fan of modern diesel engines, that is, of turbo, intercooled, common-rail diesel engines that start in the cold easily, don't vibrate, don't spew black smoke and are quiet. Will I be disappointed by the stock diesel engines to be found in the 40 series? Should I stick to petrol/gas?

Yes, I am aware of diesel's other inherent advantages.

 

[dieselcruiserhead]

Only the very late 40 series engines (2B from Japan, and 3B) are worth it, otherwise you end up with a pretty outdated, underpowered, and smokey older diesel. A turbo kit (usually from Australia) can also be installed that makes them "close" but not quite the same as a modern diesel. I hope it helps...

 

[mauricio_28]

My research shows that none of the stock diesel engines in the 40 series (ie. B, 2B, 3B, H and 2H) can match the torque produced by any of the petrol/gas engines (i.e. F and 2F). Granted, with torque the curve is just as important as the peak. Nevertheless it is hard to overlook the fact that the 2F gas engine puts out 135HP/210ft-lbs while the 2H diesel engine puts out only 115HP/177ft-lbs.

 

[dieselcruiserhead]

Correct, the 2H feels similar to an older F gasoline engine. With the turbo kit, particularly at under 1500m in altitude, you can make a 2H engine just scream with power, well over 175hp. That is an advantge of the diesels but again use a later model produced in the 1980s or later, bare minimum... Otherwise they are pretty much not worth it in my experience...

 

[mauricio_28]

What's the stock weight of a short wheelbase, petrol/gas engine FJ40? Do you really need more power and grunt than that provided by the 2F powerplant?

 

[dieselcruiserhead]

It is your preference whether that works for you or not. Most of the diesels with turbos produce just in excess of 2F power so they are great.

 

[cruiser guy]

My '55 has a 3B with turbo in it and it pulls just fine for me. Folks who have driven it and the 2F tell me that it has noticably more power than the 2F.

I don't think any LandCruiser will be quiet like a Cadillac in any case regardless of what engine it has.

I also put down "Second Skin" sound deadening mat over the entire floor of the '55 and that helped alot with the noise and heat.

 

[4hilux]

Hi, the SWB 40 series only ever had the 4 cylinder diesel motors fitted as stock - having owned both petrol & diesel ones myself in the past, my experiances would prefer the petrol, as when fitted with a set of 33 inch tyres, theres not too many places they won't go off-road when driven 'properly'........
Which is 'better', depends on your intended use for it. A SWB retro-fitted with the 13BT motor is also a good combo. When compared with a common rail motor though, all the earlier versions are going to be a bit disappointing.

 

[roberto]

I have owned 2 FJ40's (petrol) and now own a 1983 BJ42 (4 cyl diesel), I loved all, but really love this diesel, I am getting ready to turbo it which is pretty easy to do, which will bring it up to approx 125HP and 200lbs torgue from the 95 hp/ 165lbs torgue from factory. I can tell you the diesel is going to get alot better fuel mileage of course (supposed to get between 25-30mpg), and is easily converted to run off WVO or Biodiesel. Plus it is injected so no need to worry about inclines and such. And now that they are 25 years old, you can import the last years made of the BJ42's from overseas which will be 12V systems. Mine is from AUS so hardly any rust versus the 24V ones you will find in Canada. I beleive they weigh around 4500lbs? There are overseas BJ42's on ebay right now, another nice thing about an overseas model is that they have full float rear axles, the 83's and 84's have the H55F 5 speed trans which gives you a really low 1st gear and good highway gear, and has a manual throttle in which I use as my cruise control. You are going to find it is alot easier to get parts for the petrol engines and is somewhat cheaper?

Rob

 

[mauricio_28]

... but really love this diesel...There are overseas BJ42's on ebay right now, another nice thing about an overseas model is that they have full float rear axles, the 83's and 84's have the H55F 5 speed trans which gives you a really low 1st gear and good highway gear, and has a manual throttle in which I use as my cruise control...
Rob

Thanks for that. Three questions:

What exactly do you love about the diesel?

I am in Indonesia. That means that I am in the midst of the overseas market that you mention. What's a full float rear axle, and why is it a good thing?

Do the short wheel-base, gas/petrol engine '83/'84 models also have the 5-speed transmission with the low 1st gear and high 5th gear?

 

[roscoFJ73]

Thanks for that. Three questions:

What exactly do you love about the diesel?

I am in Indonesia. That means that I am in the midst of the overseas market that you mention. What's a full float rear axle, and why is it a good thing?

Do the short wheel-base, gas/petrol engine '83/'84 models also have the 5-speed transmission with the low 1st gear and high 5th gear?

The diesels are water proof and low maintenance. You can go for longer periods on the same amount of fuel as a petrol engine.
Refuelling in the bush is much safer.
The BJ42 made from 82-84 has a 5 speed but these are not easy to come by.
You can tell them by the 3 windscreen wipers

If you really want a diesel with some power for a 40 you are going to have to do an engine swap or turbo the old 3B.
A larger B type engine (14B,15B)from a Dyna truck may be the easiest.
A lot of the Malaysian guys do this transplant.

 

[roberto]

I like the simplicity of the mechanical diesel, all mechanical injection pump, very strong workhorse of an engine, no smog equipment to deal with, mileage is so much better, I am not sure if the FJ40's overseas ever got the 5 speed? Diesels are made to run awhile, only the LX edition cruisers got the 3 wipers. I have an LK model. research the FF rear axles, the axle runs on 2 bearings instead of 1 bearing on semi float rearends we got in the states. you can break an axle on a FF axle, take the axle out, put wheel back on hub and still get home, semi float axles you cannot do that! And you can turbo it to give it more power

R