Project Iron-Pig: My 1996 Land Cruiser Diesel Conversion

[Big Dave]

Very nice. Routings well thought out.

Its amazing how fast these things become a spaghetti bowl.

[SuperHatch]

Originally Posted by Arragonis

That is looking superb. If you fancy a holiday in Scotland, I think you will have my MGB done in a week

Whats the story with the big intercooler car in the background ?

Haha, I havn't been over to the islands in a few years now...

That is a customer's car, the farthest thing from an eco-mobile. Big turbo, dual fuel systems, huge turbo... expecting 600+HP at the tires. Not my cup of tea, but if someone wants something, I'll build it for them.

Originally Posted by euromodder

WOW
That's some serious transplant

Thanks!

Originally Posted by slowmover

Impressive. Nice shop. I admire the familiarity with all phases of the work.

Thank you very much... some things I am learning as I go, but it's all in good fun.

Originally Posted by Big Dave

Very nice. Routings well thought out.

Its amazing how fast these things become a spaghetti bowl.

Isn't that the truth!! I'm glad to be at a point where there is no more plumbing to add, just a couple fuel lines and then a whole new batch of spaghetti.... angel hair actually, wiring!!!

[fakih1ja]

Hello im new to ecomodder. I just bought a 96 land cruiser and really thinking about swapping out my gas guzzler for a diesel. Does anyone have any tips or advice about doing a swap? U did a great job explaining the swap, but I just seems very overhelmimg to attempt.

[oil pan 4]

What did you use to weld the pipe to the turbine housing?

[SuperHatch]

Really quick update... I have over 7000 miles on the conversion now, worked out some bugs and everything is working great now. Getting between 20-22MPG on my regular commute, which is a big improvement over the 12-13 I got before. Especially considering it is winter time, and diesels aren't known for getting terrific winter fuel economy.

To answer the abover two questions...

This conversion is not for the faint of heart. I have a lot of experience building hybrid vehicles, and this is not for the novice.

As far as welding, I used my MIG welder with 308L .030" wire and tri-mix gas. I pre-heated the casting with MAP gas for better penetration. There are no signs of cracking after my initial 7000 miles of driving.

[jeepfan93]

I know it's been a while since you posted. I saw you at the Wawa in Whiting today, I was in one of the Comcast vans. I stopped my conversation when you pulled in. Guy I was talking to said what's wrong? I said thats a Cruiser with a diesel! I had to take a look online. I'm a Jeep guy and we do 6Bt conversions in Fullsize Jeeps, but my guilty please has always been LC's. I just wanted to say what a great looking truck, and I admire the fact you resisted the urge to run a big stupid exhaust. In fact the only i heard was the motor, didn't hear an exhaust note. Nice write up, nice conversion. As a fabricator myself, I know what it took to do this. Hat's off to ya guy.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

These full-size Land Cruisers are great. But if I were considering a similar project I'd take a look at a Toyota engine out of a Hino truck too. That 15B-FT engine is a good match to the LC80.

[SuperHatch]

Originally Posted by jeepfan93

I know it's been a while since you posted. I saw you at the Wawa in Whiting today, I was in one of the Comcast vans. I stopped my conversation when you pulled in. Guy I was talking to said what's wrong? I said thats a Cruiser with a diesel! I had to take a look online. I'm a Jeep guy and we do 6Bt conversions in Fullsize Jeeps, but my guilty please has always been LC's. I just wanted to say what a great looking truck, and I admire the fact you resisted the urge to run a big stupid exhaust. In fact the only i heard was the motor, didn't hear an exhaust note. Nice write up, nice conversion. As a fabricator myself, I know what it took to do this. Hat's off to ya guy.

Thank you much, the truck has evolved a lot since I last updated this thread, I've got over 22k miles on the conversion now, the electric timing/electric governor IP was swapped for a electric timing/mechanical governor pump. It has a compound turbo setup on it now with an HX35 over the stock 14B, 3.5" exhaust, fuel turned up, etc. 30psi and 1100* pre-turbo EGTs now at max load.

Originally Posted by cRiPpLe_rOoStEr

These full-size Land Cruisers are great. But if I were considering a similar project I'd take a look at a Toyota engine out of a Hino truck too. That 15B-FT engine is a good match to the LC80.

Nice engine, but not available all that easily in the states.




Updated pics...

[Diesel_Dave]

Very nice project. Well done.

[Big Dave]

When did you install the twin?