Best Cruiser Fuel for the future?

[Schattenjager]

The threads on where you would like to live as well as my old expatriation thread have me thinking of the future of my Cruiser.

I bought an 80 for many reasons, but one major consideration was the global availability of the rig in it's USA guise. Meaning, I would want to be able to move the 80 to many countries without major issues related to petrol / emissions differences. Consider what it takes to get a cool modern Cruiser from Canada to the USA and you see what I want to avoid.

So the point - With 180K on the clock (just past the break in period, I know...) if I were to move to say Australia or Chile, would diesel be a better pick than gasoline for a swap / rebuild? The gas motor is EVERYWHERE according to this article. But the global economy, lead by the USA's current bafooneristic energy policies has me fearful that gas could become hard to find, or very expensive (just wait till August) Seems like gas pricing / availability problems would be exacerbated in foreign markets like South America.

Diesel on the other hand, can be made in your back yard. The only (huge) downside is the cost of the conversion. I like the idea of extended range and possibly more availiblity, but I know next to nothing about foreign markets and the fuel that drives them.

I'd love to get your thoughts on anything here expect my view on the domestic energy policies. :ylsmoke: The main thing is I want a rig that can easily operate just about anywhere in the world for many years to come.
:costumed-smiley-007

 

[upcruiser]

Most everywhere I have travelled in the more developed countries, gas is prevalent for the most part. In Europe it is much more cost efficient to go diesel as gas is generally more $$. As far as Chile specifically, most cars and trucks there are actually gas. The more expensive trucks will be diesel, but for most folks they drive gassers. I can't speak to Australia as I haven't been there nor Africa. I do hear that some remote sections of Africa though tend to lean more toward diesel if a village has fuel of any sort. I don't know if that is the norm or what, but I am sure there are some folks on here that can speak to it.

Down the road I can see diesel continue to develop into a more popular choice around the world. We all know the benefits ie, economy, range, alternative fuels that can be substitued, etc.

Curious, what is the reason you speak of high gas prices after August?

 

[lowenbrau]

Consider what it takes to get a cool modern Cruiser from Canada to the USA and you see what I want to avoid.

Just a clarification. Any 'modern' Cruiser in Canada was imported here by somebody other than Toyota. They stopped bringing the Land Cruiser to Canada in 1989.

As far as fuel options go. Gassers can run LPG and Natural gas quite easily so you aren't absolutely stuck on Petrol.

Diesels can burn Veggie oil (new or used) biodiesel from varied sources ranging from coal oil to turkey fat to algae. Kerosene, jet B, home heating oil are also options. When the zombies come I think an old mechanical diesel will be preferable to a gasser but these days in polite society the benefits aren't as pronounced.

 

[Hltoppr]

Regardless of future vehicle purchases, I will likely always have an old, simple diesel, just for the reasons mentioned.

-H-