Monty Questions, diesel swap, SR parts swap...
- Thread starter guzzo
- Start date
datrupr
Expedition Leader
With enough time and money anything is possible. I have heard of a few guys swapping in the SR axle into an LS for the locker, but for the other things I dont know. I would think it would be more cost effective to just find a nice clean SR and buy it instead. As for the diesel, it can be done, just depends, again, on time and money. You also might not be able to legally put the Mitsu 2.8 in it in the US. I thik the rules state it has to be an engine already available in the US. It also depends on the state you are in and what their rules are. I know others on here will be more help than I am.
off-roader
Expedition Leader
It should be easily doable. You'd want to get the entire rear end sans trailing arms, the locker switch and locker compressor (low pressure compressor unlike the ARB compressor). You can use other air sources but you need to reduce the air pressure. The pressure required is so low, that blowing into the locker hose is enough to activate it.
The drive shaft flange should be the same so no real issues there.
I've been looking into this myself. There seems to always be an engine/trans combo on Ebay, but they are around $3k. I found a whole front section Toyota recently that seemed like the way to go. I also worry about smog laws, I've read of some people just going to the DMV and changing their engine spec to diesel. Others having to go to the ref and it must have some tag stating its and on highway diesel. I would hate to do all the work and have them say sorry no go. They tried that with my turbo Mighty Max, the ref wasn't going to pass it because the charcoal canister wasn't in the same place as in the car. If you decide to do it please keep this post going with the progress.
On the axle swap, yes to the locking rear, I wouldn't use the adjustable shocks. I just swapped mine out for KYB Monomax's.
On the axle swap, yes to the locking rear, I wouldn't use the adjustable shocks. I just swapped mine out for KYB Monomax's.
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PajEvo
JDM Journeys
I really like the factory adj shocks, but when they wear out, I'll probably go with KYBs or OldManEmu's, for the cost factor.
As far as the rear end, I'll echo what others say - very doable. I'm doing it myself as a matter of fact. You'll need the third member, the left axle, and the ancillary stuff (compressor, ecu, switch). On my truck, the wiring is already there. Maybe you'll be lucky too?
As for the diesel... hmmmm... I think it would be a lot of work. The 2.8 was available mostly in front of a right hand drive setup (definitely, if getting a JDM motor), so there will be more things to move just to make it work. Then there is the fuel system - you'll have to do the fuel lines to and from. Not sure on differences in the tank. I know they're both 92L, but beyond that, not sure. Maybe venting differences? Okay, moving forward - you'll need the proper glow circuitry if you want good starts. Fuel filter assembly is a for sure, and wiring may be interesting as well... Somewhere around 96 or so, they went to an electronic management system with the fuel injection, so you might want to get an earlier 4M40...? Lots of other little stuff, which would make me lean toward a front half-cut, as opposed to an engine by itself.
Then there's the trans. Different ratios AFAIK, to keep the revs down in the diesel's power band. Oh, speaking of revs, different instrument cluster. My trans has the same model designation as a 3.5 gasser of the same year, so the basic structure should be the same...?
What ratio diffs do you have? Mine has 490s, and I wouldn't want any higher (numerically lower) than that, in order to keep the rpms in the right place. The bigger running gear is available with 490s stateside, but it may be another thing to keep in mind for the parts run, if you don't have them already.
All in all, I would definitely want a front cut if I was to attempt this swap. Complete with hood too, if possible, so you wouldn't need to duct your existing hood for the intercooler...
I can provide pics of the engine compartment, if it will help, but keep in mind that mine is RHD, so things are in the factory position.
Cheers
Phil
As far as the rear end, I'll echo what others say - very doable. I'm doing it myself as a matter of fact. You'll need the third member, the left axle, and the ancillary stuff (compressor, ecu, switch). On my truck, the wiring is already there. Maybe you'll be lucky too?
As for the diesel... hmmmm... I think it would be a lot of work. The 2.8 was available mostly in front of a right hand drive setup (definitely, if getting a JDM motor), so there will be more things to move just to make it work. Then there is the fuel system - you'll have to do the fuel lines to and from. Not sure on differences in the tank. I know they're both 92L, but beyond that, not sure. Maybe venting differences? Okay, moving forward - you'll need the proper glow circuitry if you want good starts. Fuel filter assembly is a for sure, and wiring may be interesting as well... Somewhere around 96 or so, they went to an electronic management system with the fuel injection, so you might want to get an earlier 4M40...? Lots of other little stuff, which would make me lean toward a front half-cut, as opposed to an engine by itself.
Then there's the trans. Different ratios AFAIK, to keep the revs down in the diesel's power band. Oh, speaking of revs, different instrument cluster. My trans has the same model designation as a 3.5 gasser of the same year, so the basic structure should be the same...?
What ratio diffs do you have? Mine has 490s, and I wouldn't want any higher (numerically lower) than that, in order to keep the rpms in the right place. The bigger running gear is available with 490s stateside, but it may be another thing to keep in mind for the parts run, if you don't have them already.
All in all, I would definitely want a front cut if I was to attempt this swap. Complete with hood too, if possible, so you wouldn't need to duct your existing hood for the intercooler...
I can provide pics of the engine compartment, if it will help, but keep in mind that mine is RHD, so things are in the factory position.
Cheers
Phil