1993 Diesel 4Runner build!!!

Just wondered what year your swap is.

This is an out of state swap that I'm bringing in. Originally done in Oregon, so the title already says it's a diesel, it's just gonna be an issue of making sure my new CA title says diesel as well. Like I said, we'll see... just keep your fingers crossed for me ��

I don't have a diesel swap.
 
Oh, my mistake, I misunderstood.

Just did a long drive and only got about 23mpg with this thing. I was expecting much better...

The 1KZ-TE is not the most economical motor. Your mpg sounds pretty standard. I get around 13L/100km from my 1kz-te auto, which is about the same. Is yours an auto or manual?

Things to do on the 1KZ if you plan on keeping it for a long time;

Priority 1

-Check entire cooling system is up to scratch. If I was starting again I would get a new Viscous Fan Hub, upgrade radiator (we use a Prado radiator in Aus as it is thicker and fits straight in), flush coolant and replace with red long life and make sure both parts of the shroud are fitted and chuck a new water pump in.

-EGR Gauge

-Coolant Temp Gauge

Long term

-Intercooler

-3" dump pipe & exhaust

These motors have big issues with heat and can crack heads. When I bought mine I didn't realise the radiator was blocked up & the fan hub wasn't locking in, it cost me a few grand to replace the cracked head. Expensive learning exercise! They are nice motors, however, they are not the greatest for towing. If yours is an auto, you really need to learn how to drive to keep the motor happy. For steep hills, turn O/D off and don't use too much right foot, just let it cruise up at it's on pace. They don't like sitting on boost, as that's what generates a lot of heat. Once they build up heat it's not easy to get rid of!

If you have any questions feel free to fire away.
 
4Runner kid;
What year? You may just be able to have the DMV change the title for you. There are stories of people just showing up and being like "hey, this car is a diesel, can you change my title for me?" Then the DMV person comes out to your car, looks at the engine and says "ok, looks like a diesel to me!" And you're done. Or potentially you'd need a BAR ref to sign off.

Hello from a fellow NorCal 2nd genner! Hopefully it's that easy if I decide to swap down the road myself. Just saved a '95 3.0 4x4 from a trip to the wrecking yard not too long ago myself. Where in NorCal are you? Would love to check out that diesel of yours :cheers:
 
Thanks OzSurf! I didn't mention my engine plans because I didn't think anyone here would know or care about this engine. I'll definitely be installing a front-mount intercooler and new larger radiator; https://hpdiesel.com.au/products/intercooler-kits/toyota-hilux-1kz-te.html

The only thing I'll be towing is my boat which weighs less than 2,000 pounds. I'll definitely have more questions for you as this progresses (barring registration of course). Do you have a front mount intercooler? Or the Prado top mount?
 
Thanks OzSurf! I didn't mention my engine plans because I didn't think anyone here would know or care about this engine. I'll definitely be installing a front-mount intercooler and new larger radiator; https://hpdiesel.com.au/products/intercooler-kits/toyota-hilux-1kz-te.html

The only thing I'll be towing is my boat which weighs less than 2,000 pounds. I'll definitely have more questions for you as this progresses (barring registration of course). Do you have a front mount intercooler? Or the Prado top mount?

It doesn't matter what motor you have. Most of us is still interested in it and what you do with it. Please post it all. Those like me that don't know this motor might want to learn it too.
 
I love my KZ-TE! I would start saving for a head now though if it wasn't done when they did the swap. You are on the right track.
I killed my head towing around 2 big quads on a trailer up hills, before I knew about egt and the overheating issues.
Drove it for 4 years until it got bad enough that it was smoking me out and overheating.
I really love the engine and truck though.
Mine has : new AMC head, amc head studs, all new OEM gaskets, separate tranny cooler, new fan hub, fj80 fan, new water pump, toyota red coolant, high flow turbo and injectors from New Zealand, fuel cut defender, boost controller, custom 3"ss dump pipe and exhaust. Going to go with a top mount intercooler with a fan for offroading as well as water injection. .
It definitely has more go then it used to.
Got any questions let me know
 

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SWEET RIG! What is a "fuel cut defender"? I'm going to do the glow plugs, radiator, and front mount intercooler first chance I get. Seems the intercooler is the biggest preventative measure so I DON'T crack the head...

Thanks for the info
 
Fuel cut defender stops the boost sensor from seeing boost over about 14 psi. If you up the boost further the ECU goes into safety mode. So now I'm running 18psi. It's not an ideal way to do it, just there until I can afford a manual injection pump. If you do nothing else, I would do the EGT gauge. Made a huge difference in how I drive the truck.
 
Gotcha. Thanks! I doubt I'll be upgrading the turbo any time soon, but new injectors might be good to have on hand. What are your sources for parts? I', compiling a list so I can quickly find the parts I need for any future repair or upgrades.
 
California legal!

Well, it's official, the truck is now 100% California Legal! It wasn't even a blip on the DMV radar. I went in, drove around to the "inspector", he checked a bunch of stuff on his paperwork, I said "Hey, just wanna make sure the new title says Diesel, these are kinda rare," to which he replies "Yup, it says Diesel right there," pointing to the grille... I waited to announce this until I got the pink slip in the mail today, just to make sure. Pretty stoked.
 
Yeah, I'm excited to start lifting and doing the fun stuff!

Depends on the year/engine. These 1kz engines from japan are about $3k-$4k, plus all the install costs. Newer ones pretty much start at $20k though. Personally I'd love to have an ALH TDI engine in one and get around 35mpg ;)
 
I think the only reason I was successful is because the vehicle was already registered as a diesel in another state, then brought into California.
 

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