2008 Tacoma D-4D swap *pics*

Derek24

Explorer
Do the halfcuts come with the transmission?

Might be cool to do a a first generation Tundra with a D4D and a 5 Speed manual, as you can pick up a 1st gen Tundra pretty cheap.

I'll donate my truck for R&D on that! But I'll have to get my truck back.:drool:
 

RR1

Explorer
I'll donate my truck for R&D on that! But I'll have to get my truck back.:drool:

That be be a killer combo, eh? It is hard to find a 2nd Gen. Tacoma under $20K at least in the retail market. 1st Gen. Tundybird I have seen around $10K, would be totally under the radar.
 

Scott Brady

Founder
If you want an import vehicle newer than 25 years, then registering the truck in the US is not the solution, especially if you live close enough to a border or like to visit Mexico once a year.

We can all own exactly the vehicles we want, we just need to stop trying to register them here. More importantly, why even keep them in the US? In the US, the only 4wd I really want to drive around is something that will do 90mph on the freeway, has excellent trail performance and is fun to drive. For the expense and hassle of trying to get a new 70 Series registered in the US, you can just buy an AEV HEMI Wrangler that will run circles (literally) around that old tank.

We really do not need 70 series trucks or 110s within our borders. It is like our 80 Series Land Cruiser. We only had it in the US for a few weeks before taking it down Baja and then driving it to Central America and it will be shipped to South America soon.

Fly to Nicaragua and buy that 70 Series or Hilux you have always wanted and just drive it to interesting places and leave it stored there until you need it again. Something to think about. If you want to own it in the US just for the novelty, than I understand ;), but the performance advantage of a 110 or 70 series for our conditions just doesn't add up to me.

That is why a D4d swap has such appeal, it is a motor that is actually BETTER in every way than the US variant.
184353_10150193414588275_640113274_8943385_3470918_n.jpg
 

targa88

Explorer
Thanks guys. We're filming a before and after video for the youtube channel so there'll be a test drive run on there. We rarely get stuff from Japan as it was "dicey" even before the disaster. Rolling back odometers, junk engines that dont run being sold as running setups, and people taking your money and not delivering a product unfortunately goes with the territory over there. We have our guys that we use exclusively and they've been great to us through the years. This engine pictured has 3,200 miles on it so we can get them with extremely low mileage. A turn-key conversion is approx $22k depending on options (auto/manual 4wd/2wd etc). Definitely one of the best swaps one can do. You should see one of these in an FjCruiser...
Definitely has potential - when my FJC dies....that would be the way to go.
My Dad use to say Toyota diesels never die, they just change owners!
 

Scott Brady

Founder
What about a 70 series with the 4.5L V8 D4D? I think it would do 90mph just fine.

I have driven the 4500 78 series. Awesome truck, but still not quick and still super sketch at 90 mph :D The challenge is the 30 year old chassis design. A lot has changed in suspension tuning and limit handling since the early 80s.

Trust me, I LOVE these older trucks like the 70 series and the Defender 110. I would happily drive one all of my remaining days, but I have driven so many of them on six continents that I also know their limitations, and that some of the newer trucks are just better- much better. :smiley_drive:
 

RR1

Explorer
U
If you want an import vehicle newer than 25 years, then registering the truck in the US is not the solution, especially if you live close enough to a border or like to visit Mexico once a year.

We can all own exactly the vehicles we want, we just need to stop trying to register them here. More importantly, why even keep them in the US? In the US, the only 4wd I really want to drive around is something that will do 90mph on the freeway, has excellent trail performance and is fun to drive. For the expense and hassle of trying to get a new 70 Series registered in the US, you can just buy an AEV HEMI Wrangler that will run circles (literally) around that old tank.

We really do not need 70 series trucks or 110s within our borders. It is like our 80 Series Land Cruiser. We only had it in the US for a few weeks before taking it down Baja and then driving it to Central America and it will be shipped to South America soon.

Fly to Nicaragua and buy that 70 Series or Hilux you have always wanted and just drive it to interesting places and leave it stored there until you need it again. Something to think about. If you want to own it in the US just for the novelty, than I understand ;), but the performance advantage of a 110 or 70 series for our conditions just doesn't add up to me.

That is why a D4d swap has such appeal, it is a motor that is actually BETTER in every way than the US variant.

Fantastic points. I have had the opportunity to drive a HiLux, I have to tell you I like the Tacoma better. Diesel conversions are cool and all, I still don't know if I could justify the cost as you can get roughly the same performance by throwing on a Super Charger and save the rest of the money for petrol, beer, and food. Plus it will boogie up the HWY with ease.

@1:36! http://www.streetfire.net/video/urd-mark-ii-supercharger-xrunner_703839.htm

I think you're absolutely correct about flying to the country of choice and buying a vechicle there, then go exploring...you can buy a used well kitted LC70 in OZ...for little cash.

Every time I research about importing a vehicle into the States, the financial and mental burden doesn't seem worth it. Heck just have the gentleman at TLC/Icon build exactly what you want.
 
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rsbmg

Observer
Whats the return on investment??? Seems like the truck would fall apart before you recouped your money at 22k. For that price you could have a brand new tacoma on blocks in your garage as a spare. I'm all for cool stuff and this is cool but I don't see the advantages coming even remotely close to the cost to gain those advantages.

Now if it was 22k for a whole truck complete, well now your talking.
 

4xdog

Explorer
My 2001 Tacoma DC is a super little truck. I hunted for a year to find one in perfect condition with 60kmi on it 'cause I like the smaller form.

I've always been impressed with smaller diesel engines, too. I've put many thousands of km (on road) in them.

Yes, a 1KD-FTV change would be expensive, and maybe the payback would take a lifetime. Still, not all things in life are completely logical. I'm happy to think about this option, not entirely as a fantasy.
 

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