Updated: new transplant vehicle is a 1985 4Runner frame with a 1987 pickup cab.
I am currently on the hunt for a donor rust free 4runner to put on this frame. And when I find one I will post pictures of the new 4runner body running the TDI engine.

Here is the power plant donor
2001 Jetta TDI automatic with ALH engine
Got it for $1200 runs and has tranny slip. I will be scrapping left over parts of it in eBay to help fund the project a little bit.

On my way to pick up the 1984 4Runner today that will be the frame for this swap.

Ok after reviewing the 1984 and its issues and the fact that the 96 has a strong engine I'm changing the plan up.

The 1985 will get the TDI.

Have a good weekend I won't be updating till late next week once I start my "vacation".


Here is the articles I have been reading the most to give me ideas and information.

http://www.myturbodiesel.com/wiki/im...lacement-tips/

http://www.offroadsolutions.com/tech...fe-conversion/

http://d44tech.com/flipped_chevy_dana44.html

http://cutandturn.com/tech.html

http://sonoransteel.com/phong/retrof....html#safeties

Steel order came in. And started assembling the parts. I have still not found the donor axle yet so thinking I'll cut the tubes of a passenger drop axle and flip the tubes around.

For those of you who have not seen my shop here are some pictures I took today. Unfortunately my dad had a very large project due this week so I can't start frame building till next week

Nice shop. One day ill have something like that to play in. Till then back to the gravel i go lol. Sounds like an interesting build. I was doing some research on building my Volvo and someone said something about a supra 5 speed swap if you go over 250hp on your engine and that there is a kit. That being said im going to research that and possibly put a volvo turbo engine into my 2nd gen

After doing all the research on diesel swaps with Toyota platforms the TDI was the best option. As a stock direct replace engine in the ALH is almost identical engine specs for horsepower and torque.
That being said with minor CHEAP modifications that motor can put out 150 hp with around 230 foot pounds of torque.

They have some TDI engines that can put out close to 400 hp in over 800 foot pounds of torque that kind of power would of course nap factory Toyota axles like a twig.

I will also be running lifted with 37 inch tires 529 gears
And by most comparison swaps that will still get me close to 30 miles per gallon. So I will not have to give up the daily driver aspect of my toy.

You really need to decide what turbo diesel engine is more suited to your needs.

The OOM 617 is nice but requires a lot of modification to the framework and radiator support.
The 4BT has extra power but it is also extra heavy

All of these engines can be run mechanically as well they do not require any ecu but that cost more money.

in any situation I would recommend buying a running donor vehicle. In my area it was $400 more to buy a running vehicle then just the motor. When all said and done I will sell the parts and make a little bit of money back from the donor vehicles.

HOLY CRAP! That's one large shop alright! Must be twice as big as mine! And I like the 3 axis cnc lathe you got in there! Must be nice to just make your own parts when there's nothing available off the rack!

Thanks it has its advantages and disadvantages. I'm never short of a "friend" that needs something LOL

cool project and I'll be looking forward to your build... what do u and your dad do BTW?

My dad owns a machine and fabrication shop. I own a remodeling and custom carpentry company.
He lets me use his building and machines and I fix his house and vehicles. It's a fair trade I think!

Here is a good article I found!
I think I'm going to do this to a factory Toyota front axle I have laying around.

What do you guys think?

http://d44tech.com/flipped_chevy_dana44.html

why not the dana 60?

hard to find and expensive ? at least they are around here...

Unless its off a 80 series land cruiser, aren't they a little narrow?