Well, I pulled the trigger and I'm buying the 2nd Gen/1KZ-Te "project" off a guy in Seattle... I'm probably nuts and should just go buy a 1st gen 4dr. Tacoma with a manual... BUT, I really have been wanting a Diesel Toyota from the day I moved back from Australia and, now I'm going to make one. Plus when completed I should have equal towing capability and better range/fuel economy so for ME, it's kinda win win even if it is a whole heap of concern I don't need right now, but hey, what's life for right???
I spoke with the guy over on Marlins board who'd done the same swap (w/a manual too!!!) over on Marlins board and actually I'm getting some very encouraging info from him about the reality of getting an R-series tranny behind it and getting the dash to work etc. I plan on doing some things at installation to make it more reliable like an intercooler and and EGT monitor, and the plan is to drop it in the 2nd gen and swap the rear-end of the 2nd Gen over to longer (maybe 60-series???) OME leaf springs and then run matching OME T-bars/BJ spacers up front to run 33's same as on my 1st Gen now, but it's interesting to hear that this other fella is going to 35's and swapping from the 4.30 rear-end to a 4.10. I'm not sure where in the US he is, but it sounds like it's flat so I THINK that I'll be sticking with the 4.10/33" combo. Also thinking about deleting the EGR (not really clear on whether this helps or hurts EGT's) but we'll see. I need to freshen up on my Diesel tech cause it's been a fair few years since I had to work on one (stupid america and our "no Diesel Toyotas") Then it'll slowly morph into our little "camper" same as the 1st Gen is now, but with some re-thinks on some things that didn't work very well on the 1st gen (like the awning for over the T-gate) and some things I flat out couldn't do with the 1st gen (like a water tank in place of the drivers side rear-seat). All in all, IF I can get this all together and get it working, it SHOULD be one hell of a truck. Toyota, Turbo-diesel, manual tranny on a minimum of 33" tires??? I'm getting excited already...
Oh and my HOPE is to have it together so that I can take it the Expo Fair next year and park it next to Scott's LJ78 and see if they can make some strange yet awesome babies
:lol:
Cheers
Davev
