Author Topic: Diesel GOAT: The one I wish Toyota would have built  (Read 201310 times)

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helipilot77

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Diesel GOAT: The one I wish Toyota would have built
« on: May 20, 2015, 12:49:27 PM »
So I know that I have been building this truck for awhile but it is time I finally start a build thread.



I got the truck from my wife's friend who had been given the truck from her dad who had bought it new. It had not really been taken care of even though she had a lot of sentimental feelings for the truck. When the head gasket went out on it she offered it to me for a good deal, as I had been the second person in line to mention that if she ever thought about selling it, I would be interested. I got the truck, fixed the head gasket,put a new timing chain on it and drove it to work every day for several years, eventually putting a re-manufactured motor in it that didn't last much longer than a few years. I did a front axle swap over a weekend in my driveway using stock springs to keep it as low as possible.

1987 Toyota 4runner:

When the automatic transmission ceased to shift into 1st gear I decided it was time to convert to a manual... and dual cases with 4.7:1 in the rear box. I also hated to have to chop up the interior in order to gain this capability, so I made my own triple stick shifter.

When I could tell the motor was on it's way out, I decided I wanted something unique that would have more torque and hopefully better fuel economy. So I started looking into diesels. I first looked at getting a 2L-te but read that they had been known to have head cracking problems and that even with the turbo they were still underpowered. So then I started to research the next generation of Toyota diesel: the 3.0 turbo diesel 1KZ-te. After doing a fair bit of research I decided that the 1KZ-te seemed like the best option for me. I located one at a local importer that was in the form of a front clip, or what they called a half-cut.

After two years of ordering parts from Japan and scratching my head swimming through a sea of wiring; I finally dropped it in, got it wired, plumbed and fired it up. It was a moment of pure joy after staring at that motor for two years, to finally hear it purr.

More recently I have added old man emu springs with Bilstein shocks, and some retro Ivan Stewart stripes.

I also have built a drawer/sleeping platform for the rear cargo area.]

I am building some axles for it now. I have collected an FJ-80 front and rear axle and am planning to have diamond housings made that are narrowed and centered with 9.5" e-lockers in both front and rear.
« Last Edit: Sep 22, 2018, 01:12:46 PM by helipilot77 »
-1987 SR5 4runner, 1KZ-t turbo diesel with mech. pump
 & custom 3" S.S. dump pipe, R-151f transmission, marlin dual ultimate transfer cases w/ triple shifter, SAS, 35's https://board.marlincrawler.com/index.php?topic=98969.0
-1984 SR5 Tercel 4wd wagon bone stock - given to my nephew https://board.marlincrawler.com/index.php?topic=100547.0
-1:10 scale RC 4wd crawler w/yota axles, R2 2 speed enclosed dig tranny and 1st gen 4Runner body by BigBird
-My front axle service write-up http://board.marlincrawler.com/i

mudmaster

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Time to go wheelin!

H8PVMNT

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Really dig the engine,  and the stripes!   :biggthumpup:
“I would rather wake up in the middle of nowhere than in any city on earth.”
– Steve McQueen

"Except for maybe Seattle."  -H8PVMNT

"I plan to hit 300k in this truck"  :)bestgen4runner

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OVRAROK

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nice looking truck, love the diesel :thumbs:
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OCD

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helipilot77 [OP]

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Thank guys it's been long overdue. I build slowly so don't get to upset with me if I take my time.
« Last Edit: Jan 06, 2018, 07:55:08 AM by helipilot77 »
-1987 SR5 4runner, 1KZ-t turbo diesel with mech. pump
 & custom 3" S.S. dump pipe, R-151f transmission, marlin dual ultimate transfer cases w/ triple shifter, SAS, 35's https://board.marlincrawler.com/index.php?topic=98969.0
-1984 SR5 Tercel 4wd wagon bone stock - given to my nephew https://board.marlincrawler.com/index.php?topic=100547.0
-1:10 scale RC 4wd crawler w/yota axles, R2 2 speed enclosed dig tranny and 1st gen 4Runner body by BigBird
-My front axle service write-up http://board.marlincrawler.com/i

zippo

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It's about time you got a build thread!
If you see it, its for sale.

Bananaclip

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Oh that engine......... And I love the stripes! :smokin:
84 extended cab

mudmaster

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I build slowly so don't get to upset with me if I take my time.

Are you done yet?   :best:
Time to go wheelin!

kneedownnate

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Do you care to share how much the half-cut cost?  I remember what jarco was selling them for on ebay and figured the ceiling would eventually drop, but seem to remember hearing they can't import half-cuts any more  :dunno: 

And what kind of fuel mileage do you get?  I know they weren't supposed to be great, and the 1kd-ftv is supposed to get better mileage and have better power, but I can imagine it'd be a lot more money, too.
RIP KYOTA

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helipilot77 [OP]

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Do you care to share how much the half-cut cost?  I remember what jarco was selling them for on ebay and figured the ceiling would eventually drop, but seem to remember hearing they can't import half-cuts any more  :dunno: 

And what kind of fuel mileage do you get?  I know they weren't supposed to be great, and the 1kd-ftv is supposed to get better mileage and have better power, but I can imagine it'd be a lot more money, too.

I paid $4000 for the half cut. I got it from foreign motors in Lynnwood, WA. I was told that I got one of the last ones. I used to get about 23 MPG, but it has dropped significantly recently. I think I need to have my injectors cleaned. When I was looking at the half cuts, the 1KD-ftv's were going for $10,000.
-1987 SR5 4runner, 1KZ-t turbo diesel with mech. pump
 & custom 3" S.S. dump pipe, R-151f transmission, marlin dual ultimate transfer cases w/ triple shifter, SAS, 35's https://board.marlincrawler.com/index.php?topic=98969.0
-1984 SR5 Tercel 4wd wagon bone stock - given to my nephew https://board.marlincrawler.com/index.php?topic=100547.0
-1:10 scale RC 4wd crawler w/yota axles, R2 2 speed enclosed dig tranny and 1st gen 4Runner body by BigBird
-My front axle service write-up http://board.marlincrawler.com/i

84 yota dude

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Love the diesel conversion! Any more info on that custom shifter design? Awesome idea!

toyodaaddict

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Helipilot, you just made my day!  This is gonna be good :yesnod:.
80 shortbed-22re,w56,Marlin 23 spline dual cases,HighAngle drivelines,RUF/63"chevy's,35''mtr's,30 spline Longfields, Allpro highsteer.87 rear axle,5.29 gears,rear spool,BudBuilt cm, marlin HD clutch,ramsey 8000 winch. 
     https://board.marlincrawler.com/index.php?topic=101882.0

helipilot77 [OP]

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Love the diesel conversion! Any more info on that custom shifter design? Awesome idea!

Sorry 84 yota dude. That's all you get. It is still a work in progress. I had it apart today on the trails in Tillamook. I had bent one of the linkages which caused it to get stuck in 4.7:1. This is the second prototype. If I get it dialed I will try to make it available.

here are some build pictures of my drawer/sleeping platform that I built for the back.
« Last Edit: Sep 22, 2018, 01:08:09 PM by helipilot77 »
-1987 SR5 4runner, 1KZ-t turbo diesel with mech. pump
 & custom 3" S.S. dump pipe, R-151f transmission, marlin dual ultimate transfer cases w/ triple shifter, SAS, 35's https://board.marlincrawler.com/index.php?topic=98969.0
-1984 SR5 Tercel 4wd wagon bone stock - given to my nephew https://board.marlincrawler.com/index.php?topic=100547.0
-1:10 scale RC 4wd crawler w/yota axles, R2 2 speed enclosed dig tranny and 1st gen 4Runner body by BigBird
-My front axle service write-up http://board.marlincrawler.com/i

blackdiamond

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Why did you put the 4.70 gears in the front case?  That significantly increases the torque on the rear case. It is clear you are doing things with thought and intention so I am curious about this.
1989 4Runner: Dual Ultimate (Inchworm front & Marlin 4.70 rear), Marlin Twin Stick, 1200-lb clutch, 4.88 R&P, Aussie Front, Detroit rear, 30-spline Longs, Long hub gears, ARP hub and knuckle studs & 35x12.50 Cooper STT PRO tires.  Marlin rear bumper & sliders.  FROR front bumper.  SAS with Alcan springs & Rancho 9000XL shocks.  Budbuilt Bolt-on traction bar.  Custom Interior Cage by Those Guys Rod and Customs.

Moab Tested & Rubicon Approved

helipilot77 [OP]

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Why did you put the 4.70 gears in the front case?  That significantly increases the torque on the rear case. It is clear you are doing things with thought and intention so I am curious about this.

I put the 4.7 gearset in the rear just as I should.
-1987 SR5 4runner, 1KZ-t turbo diesel with mech. pump
 & custom 3" S.S. dump pipe, R-151f transmission, marlin dual ultimate transfer cases w/ triple shifter, SAS, 35's https://board.marlincrawler.com/index.php?topic=98969.0
-1984 SR5 Tercel 4wd wagon bone stock - given to my nephew https://board.marlincrawler.com/index.php?topic=100547.0
-1:10 scale RC 4wd crawler w/yota axles, R2 2 speed enclosed dig tranny and 1st gen 4Runner body by BigBird
-My front axle service write-up http://board.marlincrawler.com/i

84 yota dude

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Ahh I see. What's the difference between your setup and the rad designs one?

helipilot77 [OP]

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Ahh I see. What's the difference between your setup and the rad designs one?

My design requires no transmission tunnel cutting or body lift. And I'm trying to get it water tight. In my opinion his is the best one on the market right now.
-1987 SR5 4runner, 1KZ-t turbo diesel with mech. pump
 & custom 3" S.S. dump pipe, R-151f transmission, marlin dual ultimate transfer cases w/ triple shifter, SAS, 35's https://board.marlincrawler.com/index.php?topic=98969.0
-1984 SR5 Tercel 4wd wagon bone stock - given to my nephew https://board.marlincrawler.com/index.php?topic=100547.0
-1:10 scale RC 4wd crawler w/yota axles, R2 2 speed enclosed dig tranny and 1st gen 4Runner body by BigBird
-My front axle service write-up http://board.marlincrawler.com/i

84 yota dude

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Gotcha, makes sense

SqWADoosh

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About time!  :clap2: Too bad we didn't get to follow it as it happened. At least we will get to see everything going forward.

helipilot77 [OP]

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On the drive down to Tillamook last weekend I started to have over heating problems. I have had this problem ever since I put the motor in. Did some research and found that the main problem is the factory location of the thermostat. For some dumb reason Toyota thought it would be a good idea to put it on the lower radiator neck where all the cold water is coming into the motor, instead of up on the upper radiator hose neck where every other motor known to man has put it. So what happens with this design is the motor get warm while driving but the hottest part of the motor (the cylinder head) is getting near over heating. So the thermostat opens and let's a small gulp of cool water into the motor (the cool part of it) then because the thermostat is now swimming in cool water it contracts the spring and closes. This is torture on these otherwise great motors. Forcing them to constantly go through rapid changes in temperature. I have read of guys pulling over with a temp gauge in the red but finding a stone cold lower hose. No wonder they have head cracking issues. I know that mine had been replaced once already before I got it. To ensure that this problem gets fixed I have also ordered a new aluminum 3 core radiator. And will also check the oil in my viscous fan clutch.
-1987 SR5 4runner, 1KZ-t turbo diesel with mech. pump
 & custom 3" S.S. dump pipe, R-151f transmission, marlin dual ultimate transfer cases w/ triple shifter, SAS, 35's https://board.marlincrawler.com/index.php?topic=98969.0
-1984 SR5 Tercel 4wd wagon bone stock - given to my nephew https://board.marlincrawler.com/index.php?topic=100547.0
-1:10 scale RC 4wd crawler w/yota axles, R2 2 speed enclosed dig tranny and 1st gen 4Runner body by BigBird
-My front axle service write-up http://board.marlincrawler.com/i

emsvitil

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I think the 3 core will make matters worse...........

The water at the bottom will be even colder, aggravating the situation.


How about drilling a hole in the thermostat so there's constant flow?
Ed
SoCal
86 SR5 XtraCab
22RE  W56B
31x10.50R15

zippo

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You might give a two stage thermostat a try. I know they use them. My 5vz has the same type thermostat location. I would really Tyr a two stage. It really smooths out the hot cold hot cold cycle
If you see it, its for sale.

LittleSteve

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 Pull the stat out the lower hose, pull the top hose outlet casting off the head and throw it in the bin and have a billet neck machined (or have it welded to the factory outlet(after youve pulled it out the bin))that accepts a sensible stat with a sensible opening temperature... Then fit the three core... And a 'leccy fan, might be worth trying a coolant additive too. If it runs too cold, you'll have an excuse to buy and modify to fit a radiator blind out of an fj80
LittleSteve: Holding up traffic and giving dubious advice since 2014.

1/5th of Perfect Fit. The awkward foreigner no one understands.

Refusing to fit in or comply.

Easy is not worth anything.

Show me a home where the UZ's roam.

SqWADoosh

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I take part of the blame for flying up hills. Sorry about that buddy. Glad you know how to sort it.

helipilot77 [OP]

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Pull the stat out the lower hose, pull the top hose outlet casting off the head and throw it in the bin and have a billet neck machined (or have it welded to the factory outlet(after youve pulled it out the bin))that accepts a sensible stat with a sensible opening temperature... Then fit the three core... And a 'leccy fan, might be worth trying a coolant additive too. If it runs too cold, you'll have an excuse to buy and modify to fit a radiator blind out of an fj80

I was thinking the same thing. I wonder if I could find an upper neck that could be modified to fit, if I poke around in a salvage yard. Here is a write-up on the fan I was thinking of using:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/classic-t4rs/127189-retro-fit-electric-cooling-fan.html
« Last Edit: May 30, 2015, 01:27:30 PM by helipilot77 »
-1987 SR5 4runner, 1KZ-t turbo diesel with mech. pump
 & custom 3" S.S. dump pipe, R-151f transmission, marlin dual ultimate transfer cases w/ triple shifter, SAS, 35's https://board.marlincrawler.com/index.php?topic=98969.0
-1984 SR5 Tercel 4wd wagon bone stock - given to my nephew https://board.marlincrawler.com/index.php?topic=100547.0
-1:10 scale RC 4wd crawler w/yota axles, R2 2 speed enclosed dig tranny and 1st gen 4Runner body by BigBird
-My front axle service write-up http://board.marlincrawler.com/i

LittleSteve

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I was thinking the same thing. I wonder if I could find an upper neck that could be modified to fit, if I poke around in a salvage yard.

Ill have a look on the paper weight ive just torn out and tossed in the barn to see what thats like...
Do you need that switch?
« Last Edit: May 30, 2015, 01:33:09 PM by LittleSteve »
LittleSteve: Holding up traffic and giving dubious advice since 2014.

1/5th of Perfect Fit. The awkward foreigner no one understands.

Refusing to fit in or comply.

Easy is not worth anything.

Show me a home where the UZ's roam.

emsvitil

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Find a diagram of the existing cooling system.

You need to make sure that water circulates in the engine when the thermostat is closed.

The thermostat either has a bypass valve or there's a small bypass port in the system.


You don't want the thermostat to be closed and the water in the engine not going anywhere.
Ed
SoCal
86 SR5 XtraCab
22RE  W56B
31x10.50R15

Speed

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   I'm pretty new to Toyota trucks;what was the engine/trans/TC from? I considered (extremely briefly) a 4BT Cummins,but it's heavy and nothing would fit without adapters.
   I ran into a similar thermostat problem on a big block Ford-in-a-Mercury Comet,but it was a clearance problem.What I did was find a bypass that replaced the stock thermostat housing but was straight into the top hose from its manifold,and used two iron thermostat housings from identical engines,bolted together with a 180 degree thermostat,and fit it into the top hose at the center,a couple of inches back from the electric fans. Worked GREAT! Cost me $10.00-six for the 'stat and two each for the housings. And it's SO EASY to reach!
   Speed
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helipilot77 [OP]

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Ill have a look on the paper weight ive just torn out and tossed in the barn to see what thats like...
Do you need that switch?


Hold off on the switch. I am going to try to find something locally.

Find a diagram of the existing cooling system.

You need to make sure that water circulates in the engine when the thermostat is closed.

The thermostat either has a bypass valve or there's a small bypass port in the system.


You don't want the thermostat to be closed and the water in the engine not going anywhere.

I have looked at the diagram. There is a bypass port right behind the thermostat. to keep it functioning properly I will remove the valve from the current thermostat and put it back in it's original location.
-1987 SR5 4runner, 1KZ-t turbo diesel with mech. pump
 & custom 3" S.S. dump pipe, R-151f transmission, marlin dual ultimate transfer cases w/ triple shifter, SAS, 35's https://board.marlincrawler.com/index.php?topic=98969.0
-1984 SR5 Tercel 4wd wagon bone stock - given to my nephew https://board.marlincrawler.com/index.php?topic=100547.0
-1:10 scale RC 4wd crawler w/yota axles, R2 2 speed enclosed dig tranny and 1st gen 4Runner body by BigBird
-My front axle service write-up http://board.marlincrawler.com/i

 
 
 
 
 

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