Who / How Can a Toyota Van Gas Engine be Switched w/a Diesel Engine?

[ecosun]

Who / How Can a Toyota Van Gas Engine be Switched w/a Diesel Engine?

My mechanic says the original Toyota engine needs a complete machining / rebuilding which will cost appx $1450 (not incl. labor of installation etc). If possible, I'd like to know the cost for putting in a VW TDI / diesel engine.

Who has ever done this?
Who might be capable of welding / mounting this?
How has it worked out?
and more questions...

Thanks for any help!

[dcb]

The thing about serious modding like you describe is you have got to be handy or willing to learn in order to make it most cost effective, or have a friend nearby who will work for beer or other barter.

There are folks putting diesels in non diesel cars, perhaps in inspection free zones as well, but it can involve lots of customizing.

Here's a search that might give you some ideas:
Google

[Ryland]

Is there something wrong with the Toyota diesel engines? I would think it would be easier to fit one in.
When asking questions like this it would be helpful to know the year and model of the vehicle in question.
I think Toyota made a diesel minivan that was sold in Canada, pretty sure Japan, their Camry and Truck had diesel options in alot of countries.

[ecosun]

dcb - thank you for the google search link.
it may sound silly but i have done several google searches but did not use the magic words you used (and got less than magic results!).
also, i appreciate your mention of beer, barter, and the big reality of my situation.

no wonder my mechanic didn't jump for joy when he heard what i wanted to do!

nonetheless, i am grateful for your post, and will probe a bit further before i decide whether or not to ditch this project as beyond my resources.

i'm in the san francisco bay area; if anyone wants to work for beer on this project, then just let me know!

[ecosun]

Ryland,

My bad - thanks for encouraging me to get specific.

Let me add that currently this project involves a 1988 Toyota Van w/4WD, but someone has told me that if I want, I could buy his 1987 (same make / model). I KNOW the engine for the 88 is a 2.2 liter. I think the same engine goes to the 87. I believe that they're all about the same between 1986-1988.

I might buy this 1987 for parts because otherwise I might be SOL when it comes to parts. Problem is that I don't have a garage. So I'll be looking for a storage place. Another possibility is that someone in N.CA has a barn / garage I could rent cheap AND is a mechanic who loves diesels and will work for beer!

Like I said who needs reality, when fantasy is so much fun!

[dcb]

do you know "why" you want to do this? I don't mean to sound rude, but there may be more cost effective and reliable ways of achieving your goals.

[Ryland]

JDM Engines, Transmissions, and Diesel Engines - STC

Another option is to find a used, low mile gas engine and just swap it out.

[user removed]

Not many of those Toyota Vans left around. They had a bad habit of catching on fire.

Rode in a diesel version in Bermuda used as a taxi. Had over 1 million miles on it. That's a lot of driving on an Island that is at best 20 miles from one end to the other, with a 35 kilometer speed limit.

regards
Mech