Project Pre-build

[vwdieseljunkie]

Hey folks, forum newb here gathering the basics for my next project vehicle.

Background info: Long time VW enthusiast, water-cooled only, mostly diesels.  Big fan of german diesels.  Last project was to repower an '88 Jeep Comanche p/u with the Mercedes 3.0l I-5 turbo diesel.  Made for a wonderful DD with great economy and impressive tow power.  Katrina turned the mercejeep into a diesel submarine.  SOOO... here I am, finally recouped and preparing to start my next project.  This time I am utilizing the non-turbo 1.6 VW diesel from my '86 VW Jetta.  Planning on using the ACME adapter to mate it to the Toyota tranny.  And that's as far as I've gotten so far.  Originally intended to repower a Suzuki Samurai, but found them to be extremely rare here in the south.  Besides the fact that even the suzuki's wind up using toyota parts, toyota's are a bit easier to find around here.

Plans:  Locate solid axle candidate (truck or 4runner) that is cheap and as mechanically complete as possible.  Strip it down to a rolling chassis, repower to diesel, build a jeep-style tub and get it rolling.  It will start as a toy to play around with and trailer back and forth.  But I figure if I start with the toyota as the basis of the project, I will already be ahead of the game.  Trail riding, some deep mudding and water crossings, some moderate crawling, and short trips on country backroads to the local fishing holes will be the purpose of the toy.  It will be as light as possible, running the largest tires possible, and will surely smell like french fries using WVO as fuel. 

Which transmission is preferred?  Are there specific ones to stay away from?  I'm assuming the truck and the 4-runners are without major mechanical differences between them.  Early automatics- electric, vaccuum, or manual linkage/cable detent controls?

This project will move along only as fast as the parts are procured.  I work offshore and have two weeks each month to dedicate to the project.  Pockets aren't empty, but they are definately shallow! 

Anyone located in/near South MS with some time on thier hands?

[jimbo74]

are you only looking at automatics or manuals as well?


the r151f is a manuals from a toyota turbo truck and the best tranny out there for the trucks...

[vwdieseljunkie]

Which transmissions came stock behind the 1L and 2L diesels?  I've seached as much as my patience will allow using dial-up, and the only references I can find are what owners have PUT behind the diesels, but no specific references as to what CAME behind the diesels.  Not that it really matters, I don't believe, as the tires will be oversized to the point that any differences in gear ratios will be in my benefit.  I am more curious about reliablity behind the diesel engine.  Did the 1L or 2L come stock with an auto transmission?  That would be something I would like to look into, as to shift controls, availability, etc. 

I have no doubt that I will be severely limited by two factors: what I can FIND, and what I can AFFORD.  Besides, if I start out with what I can find AND afford, that will atleast get the ball rolling, and from what I understand from searching through the forums and online, there's a pretty good interchangability rate with these trucks as far as trans, axles, etc.  So I can always upgrade later as better parts are sourced or the budget goes up.

I'm guessing the R151F trans isn't a common transmission.  Did it only come behind the 22RTE? or also behind the 2L-T?  My best guess is that all 22R-based motors are going to have the same bellhousing, removable from transmission?  This providing later upgrade ability for the gear boxes?  Is the W56 a far superior gearbox compared to the G52/54?  How about the G58, comparable?

For all intent and purposes, are all solid front axles the same internally?  Same hubs and birfields, axles, diffs, etc?  I understand the later models (84-86) were gussetted better, but that's about it?  Rear axles are a moot point for starting the project, so long as the diff ratio matches front axle?

[vwdieseljunkie]

Ok, may have found my victim.

1992 xtracab 22RE w/W56? assumed.  5.29's already in.  Cab "ok", bed trashed, Motor dead (yeah diesel swap), been sitting awhile, waiting for price call-back, looks like a good candidate for SAS, which brings me to my next find:

199?'s 2nd gen 4Runner, SAS'd with supposedly "5.56's" (or something close).  Rear axle is coils (4Runner) with locker of some kind, front axle is gussetted with high steer already installed, ready to connect to the steering box of the above mentioned pickup.  Comes with 7" springs on front (which I won't use) and lift coils with rear (which I also won't use) but will surely sell to finance the SAS and Acme adapter.  Both axles with springs and high steer included, about $500.  Buddy deal.  I think I should buy the axles even if the deal on the truck DOESN'T go through, opinions?  Can I gut the runner rear axle and swap into pickup axle (assuming gearing is true)?

Has any of this thrown any red flags yet?  Or does it sound like I'm on the right track to a nifty project setup?