Bad_Vision's 1985 Toyota 4RUNNER TDI Swap (Completed swap)
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.
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!
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2011 4 Runner (my daily driver)
1987 Xtra Cab (35's and locked front/rear, the trail toy!)
1985 Supra (430rwhp track toy!)
2006 Honduh Odyssey (the wife's van)
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
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!