Diesel Swap in Overland Journal... What are costs???

DaveInDenver

Middle Income Semi-Redneck
The 2.8L Tdi does seem like a good engine (based on the Rover 2.5L 300 Tdi, right?), but is it emissions legal in the USA? Supposedly it's had problems with EPA requirements and the regulations on diesels are only getting tighter.
 

hks3sgte

César Gómez
ChuckB said:
So true! TLC does amazing work. I'm guessing the price will look something like this $XX,XXX.XX

exactly what I was thinking...

the engine is a great choice, kind of on the small-ish side when it comes to Land Cruisers. Considering that they built their reputation on huge engines with lots of torque. I know the 2.8 has the power, but I do wonder how it will be on a big wagon like the 60.
 

DaveInDenver

Middle Income Semi-Redneck
hks3sgte said:
exactly what I was thinking...

the engine is a great choice, kind of on the small-ish side when it comes to Land Cruisers. Considering that they built their reputation on huge engines with lots of torque. I know the 2.8 has the power, but I do wonder how it will be on a big wagon like the 60.
From the way the magazine article reads, the 2F and this engine have very similar performance profiles.
 

Hltoppr

El Gringo Spectacular!
I'm totally drooling...thinking about the 2.8 in the Troopy....can't wait to see the final product!

-H-
 

ChuckB

Expedition Leader
Since TLC is working the conversion, I'm hoping that there aren't any issues with the legality of the swap in CA. Of course I say that not knowing where I'm moving next, but CA is high on the list. The only thing cooler than a 55 is a diesel 60, or diesel 55 :p
 

DaveInDenver

Middle Income Semi-Redneck
ChuckB said:
Since TLC is working the conversion, I'm hoping that there aren't any issues with the legality of the swap in CA. Of course I say that not knowing where I'm moving next, but CA is high on the list. The only thing cooler than a 55 is a diesel 60, or diesel 55 :p
But keep in mind that the 25 year rule also kicks in for a lot of swaps. That's part of the reason I assume the TLC Icon is based on an old FJ40 frame, to keep them titled as a 1964 FJ40 or whatever. But here in Colorado I think diesel (and engine swaps in general) swaps into gasoline titled vehicles younger than 25 year becomes more hairy.
 

gjackson

FRGS
But here in Colorado I think diesel (and engine swaps in general) swaps into gasoline titled vehicles younger than 25 year becomes more hairy.

Actually in Colorado diesel swaps are very easy. Just do the swap, get an emissions test, and get a new title. They will do a VIN verification when you get the new title. Pretty simple.

cheers
 

Lynn

Expedition Leader
DaveInDenver said:
//snip// But here in Colorado I think diesel (and engine swaps in general) swaps into gasoline titled vehicles younger than 25 year becomes more hairy.

A few years ago (in CO) I was told that it isn't really too much of a problem, but the vehicle would have to meet the emissions standards for whichever is newer.

In other words, if you put an old engine in a new vehicle it would still have to meet the emissions standards for the year of the vehicle (naturally), but if you put a newer engine in an older vehicle, it would have to meet the emissions standards for the year of the engine.

So, if you wanted a newer engine you had to plan on catalytic converter, egr, smog pump, etc. for the year of the engine. (Legally, any way.)

Don't know if that's still the case, or even if it was gospel when I heard it...
 

DaveInDenver

Middle Income Semi-Redneck
gjackson said:
Actually in Colorado diesel swaps are very easy. Just do the swap, get an emissions test, and get a new title. They will do a VIN verification when you get the new title. Pretty simple.

cheers
It's probably a matter of getting a hold of the wrong people. Calls I had into the state made it sound very difficult to get the title changed from gas to diesel. Yeah, I know, easier to apologize than ask permission... The other problem I ran into was finding a reasonably priced diesel that would meet the emissions laws and still fit in my truck, particularly with the IFS in place. I dunno, just seemed like a costly, major PITA to pick up a few MPG over a 22R-E.
 

MoGas

Central Scrutinizer
ChuckB said:
So true! TLC does amazing work. I'm guessing the price will look something like this $XX,XXX.XX

It is probably comped labor and a discount on the parts, possibly at cost, in trade for big time magazine and (at least on this board) internet coverage. For a normal person, it would probably be on par with a Proffit's conversion....10-15K. I doubt that this particular conversion will pass the 5k mark in actual money transfer.

Dave
 

Michael Slade

Untitled
Kermit said:
...and now with diesel costing more than than gas, I don't see it coming down any time real soon. It may even get more expensive if manufactures release diesels into the American market, not to mention rising fuel oil costs, also.

I think the price of diesel making people shy away from them is missing half of the equation. I'd MUCH rather buy diesel and run it in my VW than run the comparable model Passat wagon with a gas motor. I'm still coming out way ahead.
 

MoGas

Central Scrutinizer
Michael Slade said:
I think the price of diesel making people shy away from them is missing half of the equation. I'd MUCH rather buy diesel and run it in my VW than run the comparable model Passat wagon with a gas motor. I'm still coming out way ahead.


People need to think in miles per dollar for diesel to make sense.

Dave
 

Grease Cruiser

Adventurer
DaveInDenver said:
It's probably a matter of getting a hold of the wrong people. Calls I had into the state made it sound very difficult to get the title changed from gas to diesel. Yeah, I know, easier to apologize than ask permission... The other problem I ran into was finding a reasonably priced diesel that would meet the emissions laws and still fit in my truck, particularly with the IFS in place. I dunno, just seemed like a costly, major PITA to pick up a few MPG over a 22R-E.

I have personally done 3 diesel conversions in my own Land Cruisers here in Colorado. One 1965, 1985, and 1991. 1 Toyota diesel and 2 Cummins 4BT's. I have 1 more diesel conversion planned coming up this summer. It will be a 1978 55. I had them all titled/registered as diesels.
Each time I just went down to the DMV with a VIN inspection done by a CO licensed dealer verifying that there was in fact a diesel in the Land Cruisers. I had to pay $12 for a title change and they gave me a new title and new registration saying that the vehicle is a diesel. That's it.
Not a big deal at all.

Edit: I completely forgot that I have another diesel conversion to do this summer. My wife's 80!!! 1HDT and 5 speed.
 
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ChuckB

Expedition Leader
From what I have read, I have not actually done it myself, the swap to diesel in CA is much harder if your vehicle is 1976 or newer. Last I checked the 25 year rolling exemption was frozen at 1975 model year vehicles. It is not impossible because I have heard of 4BTs in FZJ80s. I just imagine it being very difficult. The same rules apply as far as the vehicle vs. the year of the motor. Also, I was told that the engine must be in the same vehicle weight class or less, ie you could use a MB om617 or vw tdi into a cruiser legally but its not technically legal for a 4BT (passenger car vs. light duty vs medium duty etc). Of course it seems some people have found loop holes in the system, know the right people or just get lucky at the DMV. All of my my info comes from posts I have read on the subject and a conversation I had with someone at CARB (who isn't necessarily the authority on the subject). I believe I heard somewhere that Jonathan was able to register 1985 and older FJ60's as diesels in CA, but you would obviously have to ask TLC to be sure. Just my $.0002.
 

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