4.2 diesel questions

[ed604]

Hello all,

I have been considering an fj80 for an up comming trip/adventure that I am planning. Where I live in Vancouver, there are several 92-95 japanese diesel cruisers for sale. The down side to these vehicles is that they are right hand drive and a little pricey at 18k. The up side is factory lockers, snorkel, roof rack and the 4.2l turbo engine.

Part of my trip will be in south america and I hesitate to start my build with a truck that may give me some boarder issues (being a RHD).

Is it feasable to do a steering swap to make it a left hand drive?

I would love some feed back on the truck itself and/or if anyone has experiance with that 4.2l engine as well.

I used to have a unimog 404 and as cool as it was, I would not cosider that vehicle for the long trip that I am planning.

I am planning of putting lots of pics up of my build just as soon as I find a platform to get it going.

so thanks in advance,

Ed

 

[Ozrockrat]

Just a couple of questions rather than "You Should" comments

1. Will you be traveling with someone or by yourself (RHD is sort of OK if you have a passenger to help with overtaking)?
2. How much of a premium are you paying for the diesel? Is it worthwhile considering the extra mileage against the more $ for fuel?
3. Do you really want a vehicle that is that modified if you decide to swap the steering?

Now my .02c -

I have a fair bit of experience with Toyota diesels and I would not pay the (IMHO) exorbitant premium they have in the North American market. Yes you could swap the steering over (anything can be done with $ and time) but do the benefits outweigh the costs.

Given that you can buy an expedition ready 80 series gasser or a LR discovery for around $10K, the extra $8K buys a lot of fuel, some shipping and a cheaper Carnet de Passage.

 

[lowenbrau]

I happen to own one of those RHD diesels and have a few comments.

1) Economy. Its isn't as good as you'd think. We get 15.3 MP(US)G which isn't too far off of what you'd get from a FZJ80.
2) It is easier to do an engine swap on a LHD gasser than a LHD conversion on a RHD oilburner. If you still want to go that route, Ciaran Wilson in Langley does factory correct conversions. They cost a little more than $10,000.
3) Keep shopping. There are lots of HJD81s that sell for less than $10,000. A friend just sold his, with lockers and a lift for $7000 to a fellow in New West. There's dandy one on the island right now for less than $12,000 with lift, lockers, factory winch, centre console ice maker (real expo rigs need this for the gin and tonic)
4) All logic aside. I drive nothing but diesels and am able to ignore the fact that they aren't a bargain. They just sound right.

 

[Douglas S.]

18k is nuts. I paid ~10k for mine and it's in great shape (not perfect, but I didn't want perfect). Make sure the BEB's have been changed or change them yourself.
The mileage isn't great, but I just don't care. I love it so far.

Oh and RHD is not nearly as big a deal as people make it out to be. Give it a few weeks and you won't even notice.

 

[RMP&O]

FYI, you can not drive a RHD vehicle in El Salvador. Farther south then Panama....no idea!

 

[redthies]

Buy a nice FZJ80 off someone here on ExPo or IH8MUD. Most of the maintenance will likely be done, and you can get a very well set up rig for well under $10k. I got 15.5 mpg going from Whistler to the Okanagan via Duffy Lake, so they are not tooooo bad on fuel if you keep your foot out. My rig has 400,000 on it and was not obsessively maintained, but still is very tight and drives great. It had all the goodies (lift, bumpers, tires, HG done etc) and cost me only $4000. There is a guy in Van who got a locked one with way lower kms than mine for $2500. Yes, you might get used to RHD, and diesel is nice, but if you go that route, as said above, keep looking and you will find one for close to $10,000.

 

[ed604]

Thanks for the replys,

first off, I am really suprised by the mpg numbers that you guys are telling me. comming from experiance with my power stroke, the difference with the diesel was substantial over the gas. I was really thinking the range with the diesel would be far superior to the gas pot.

I have to say I am really sold on the 80 series for my trip. plus I think they look cool too. I will be traveling with someone, but I like the idea of using my eyes, instead of my navigators to decided to pass. I am planning to go from the top of north america to the bottom of south america so i need to have real reliability.

In reading this forum I have come across people stating that some of the countrys in south america(forget which ones) would not allow entry to the rhd vehicle.( thanks for the info on el salvador)

I think I will look for a 97 Lhd with the gas motor. like you guys say i do love the sound of a diesel, but not with out better mpg.

I actually saw one that I really liked for sale on this forum but I missed out (Ruby or something a 40th anv addition) I thought that was a cool rig. I will keep looking with this new info in mind.

thanks a bunch,

ed

 

[redthies]

If you ever get up to whistler you are welcome to see/drive my 96...

 

[Douglas S.]

Keep in mind that you will see much better MPG versus the gas engine with the diesel if you're working the engine (offroading). Just something to consider.

There's no ignition system to drown either.

 

[ed604]

Thanks again for the replys, It is certainly nice to get feedback from people who own the vehicles.

Redthies, that is a very kind offer I wouldn't mind taking you up on that as I have been looking for an excuse to take the new DD out to stretch its legs. I haven't driven the new highway past cat lake.

lowenbrau, I called that fella about the truck on the Island waiting to hear back from him. $6,700.00 far a 94 with lift, winch, lockers, but it is a gas motor. Which from above, looks like the way I will go.

thanks all,

Ed

 

[esh]

That mileage number seems off to me. I would expect about the same as what I see my supposedly less efficient HZ/turbo with a 5 speed. Trip out to Colorado and back this summer was 22-24, worst was 20. A tank on only mountain passes was 15.5, and that's about what I expect working the engine at low speeds.. less with a lot of low range use. I go pretty slow.. 55-57mph, maybe faster in heavy traffic to not be a danger. If I hover around 65-68 I will see 19-20mpg. I am on the heavy side for a 62 at 6400lbs, no roof rack (anymore). Winter fuel seems to drop it to 19 or 20mpg.

My reason for a swap wasn't mileage but the added range I can go on a tank out in the boonies. I hate having to plan around where fuel is available. The other reason was for more power on highway passes and torque up slow steep slopes. It actually moves like a cruiser ought to- not over the top but nicely adequate. The torque is so usable over a wider range than a gasser that you feel like you have more gearing than you do (even more combined with an auto). The engine operation *can* be simpler (4 wire operation without the glow controller and a mechanical injection pump).

Anyways, if you are dead set on LHD you might look at a FJ80 or a 60 series body to get something cheap for an engine swap. For an HD-T you can easily get yourself back to 18k depending on how you outfit it.

A friend of mine that did the bulk of my swap is just starting an HD-T/auto swap into a pretty well setup FZJ. I do not know what it will end up going for when he is finished, but he is fair on pricing and it will be pretty capable. He does very clean work. It will probably be for sale around October. PM if you get serious about that kind of setup, and aren't tire kicking. Make sure you drive a few FZJs and any HDs you can to get a feel for the differences.

 

[ed604]

Esh, I have to admit that extended range was one of my main reasons for going with the diesel. I am planning on setting up dual tanks. as said prior, my power stroke was great, getting about a 900k+ of hwy driving when fully filled and that was a large 7.2l engine.

but, from what the fellas who own the truck are saying, the 4.2l just isn't that efficient.

As soon as I get my platform(truck), I can entertain the idea of going the route of an engine swap. As I said, I do love the sound of a diesel and like the bennifits it can have.

because of the length of the trip I am planning I have to condsider parts availability in other countrys.

Just need to start with the truck.

thanks,

Ed

 

[lostworldexpedition]

I don't drive an 80, but I do drive a diesel 60 and I will never own a gasser again. I am 2 years and about 50,000 miles into a drive around the Americas and I could not be happier with my diesel Toyota. I am not saying go out and buy an 80 in order to swap a diesel into it, but boy that is definitely the dream rig.

As RMP&O mentioned some countries in Central America do not allow RHD vehicles (dont ask me why).

 

[cweight]

I have a 1HZJ75 and find that the highway mileage, when fully loaded and going highway speeds, is about 15 mpg. By fully loaded I mean really fully loaded: both diesel tanks full, 110 liters of water, 3 weeks of food, RTT/storage box and bikes up top, etc. And I mean 60-70 mph. In other words, 15 is as bad as it gets. Drop off slightly, say down to 55-60 and mileage improves dramatically, closer to 20. Get off the highway (what are you doing driving that thing on the highway anyway!) and you can idle along at a steady 25mph getting well into the high 20s mpg. That is where this engine just shines: on the backroads and in the dirt.

No, the 4.2 is not that efficient, but it will also keep running forever on the worst possible diesel you can find. For an expedition vehicle, that seems the right trade-off to me.

I also agree with the folks that say you will get used to a RHD very quickly. The only time that matters is when driving alone and passing - and with a 1HZ you won't be passing all that often

 

[1leglance]

I bought my Troopie with the 1HZ & 274,000 miles on the clock and got a solid 17mpg doing 65 mph on the highway.
I just had my injection pump & injectors rebuilt so now I am going out this weekend to combine some highway & dirt and see what the new numbers are.
I think with a turbo you get more efficiency but I am happy without and love how rock solid these engines are. Simple to work on and easy to see/reach everything.