1993 Diesel 4Runner build!!!

[Diver brian]

Hey all! I just bought a 1993 4Runner that has a 1KZ-TE Toyota Diesel engine swapped into it. I want to build it into a great daily driver with some off-road/overland capability. Below is my list of work I want to do, but any info is appreciated.

Comfort/modernizing;
- Front Steering/suspension
This is first on my list! I want to replace everything and make the steering tight again. Thinking of going with all Moog parts
- Seats
I have no idea what seats would be good in the truck, but heated seats would be nice. I just want something super comfy that looks good. Any suggestions?
- Stereo with backup camera
Lift/suspension/tires
- Lift
I want the nicest riding suspension because this is going to be my daily driver. Any suggestions? How about the Toytec OME?
-Tires
I would prefer the "tall and skinny" with 33's. Maybe Toyo Open Country AT2.
Offroad capability
- Lockers (E-lockers?)
I have a local shop that keeps lots of toyota used parts in stock. I talked to them about installing factory e-lockers. Any thoughts?
Overlanding
- Roof rack
- rooftop tent
- spare tire rack

Any help is greatly appreciated. This is my first toyota and I'm pretty excited about the project. I just want to make it as comfortable and functional as possible first.
Thanks all!

 

[Eugene13]

Moog steering parts are good stuff. I just replaced all my steering parts with them and made a world of a difference. As far as seats, I've seen some people use Scion tC seats. Personally I have thick foam under some cheap seat covers and its super comfy. Nicest riding suspension will be Old Man Emu by far. Thats one cool runner you got there, and its a DIESEL! Looking forward on seeing how this comes along.

 

[Diver brian]

Thanks man! Should be a fun little truck. I'll be using it to tow my boat a LOT, so I also need to do a little engine work to make it super solid. Definitely need a front mount intercooler to keep things from overheating, and should improve the already good 30-ish MPG!

 

[Chuckles89]

Nice truck! OME suspension is one of the best out there (unless you go stupid expensive)

A elocker retrofit into the rear would be sweet!

I would stick with all OEM steering and suspension components. I've heard many stories of Moog parts wearing out in a short time (10-30k) whereas the OEM ones last 200k+ miles no problem. Here's an example of some bad ones https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8ZVahKc06o

Buy it once and do it right!

 

[Arild]

I guess diesels are not common in the USA so nice catch! Paint looks really good. The 1KZ is a reliable engine. Just check/change the glow plugs every 100.000km.

Lift/suspension/tires
- Lift
I want the nicest riding suspension because this is going to be my daily driver. Any suggestions? How about the Toytec OME?
-Tires
I would prefer the "tall and skinny" with 33's. Maybe Toyo Open Country AT2.

I have a 1992 T4R with a 2LT diesel engine and we are in the process of replacing the rear springs with used ones from a Land Rover Defender. Should be smoother and lifted at the same time. Total cost is €50.

I also prefer "tall and skinny" tires. 33"s are a bit too much for a 2LT with 4.56 gears but the 1KZ is more powerful. I'm running 235/85/R16 wich is just below 32"s but i'm thinking of turning them down a notch to 30,5"s maybe.

Overlanding
- Roof rack
- rooftop tent
- spare tire rack

We're in the same boat on this one.
We already have a RTT but we can't fit it because we don't have a roof rack yet I see yours has the factory rail mounts so it should be easy to bolt on a rack. Ours is lacking that handy feature

What's your plan with the spare tire rack? New rear bumper with swing-out arm? I just started collecting info and asking around about installing a (DIY maybe) rear bumper.

A tip: don't just replace everything unless it's worn out or broken. Many parts can be fixed instead of replaced. Otherwise it's gonna cost you a fortune. Toyota parts are generally of very good quality. But don't let this tip hold you back! Looks like a fun project!

 

[Diver brian]

[MENTION=27420]chuckles[/MENTION];
Thanks! Really? I always thought Moog was among the best... Where is a good source for these OEM parts? Everything I've found has been insanely expensive.
I'd like to go with lockers front and rear depending on cost. I'm often launching my boat across sand and lockers would be extremely helpful.
[MENTION=216627]Arild[/MENTION];
Yeah, the diesels were never sold here in the US. We even have a full blown enviro-war over diesel technology being "Dirty" when the fact is that modern diesels are actually cleaner than gas, not to mention the ability to be run on non-petroleum fuel...
Ok, I'll add the glow plugs to my list.
The roof rack on it is aftermarket Thule or something clamped on. I'll probably weld up a low-rise rack and bolt it on in the near future.
I'll have to think about the rear tire rack. I might just weld a swing out that attaches to the rear quarter panel, or maybe an entire new rear bumper. We'll see...
Thanks for the tips!

 

[Diver brian]

So cool...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MgKrQR-_BI

 

[Cali 4runner]

I would also recommend OEM or senki 555 front suspension/steering parts. I put the OME kit on my 4runner (1987 ifs) and it is so stiff. I would keep the stock torsion bars (if you don't plan to put on a front winch/bumper). I would purchase bilstein shocks and OME coils in the rear/ and their steering stabilizer up front. I would also think about replacing the upper and lower control arm bushing if you really want to redo the front end. Only go OEM on these. Poly is way too stiff for the street/daily driving. I think a 32x11.5x15 tire is a great tire size (have these on my 4runner). Oh and an e locker would be a sweet option. For heated seats I would find some out of a car/truck and adapt them to fit. That would be nice in the winter.

 

[Diver brian]

Thanks man. I'm definitely going to replace all inner/outer tie rods, steering damper, ball joints, etc. Where is a good place to get the OEM parts? Or Senki555?

 

[Cali 4runner]

OEM parts: https://parts.lakelandtoyota.com/

For senki parts, I got mine on rockauto.com
You could probably find them on amazon too.

 

[4runner_kid]

Say's your from california? How is it smogging that swap? Or are you in a no smog county?

 

[Diver brian]

Not sure how registration is going to play out yet... because this is a diesel swap There's a chance I actually won't be able to register it here so we'll see sometime in October. Wish me luck!

Technically we don't smog any diesel in California if it's 1997 or older though. All my old vw tdi's were smog exempt, as was my old cummins dodge.

 

[snow junky]

Sorry to say but there is no way a diesel swap is going to pass comifornia smog. Unless you know a smog guy or someone at the dmv

 

[4runner_kid]

Not sure how registration is going to play out yet... because this is a diesel swap There's a chance I actually won't be able to register it here so we'll see sometime in October. Wish me luck!

Technically we don't smog any diesel in California if it's 1997 or older though. All my old vw tdi's were smog exempt, as was my old cummins dodge.

I understand that, i have a powerstroke.
I'm asking sense its swapped. I doubt you can Ref that. You might have to find someone to "smog" it for you. Sense it is a gas car from the factory it is going to need a smog in california unless Ref'd for a diesel swap.

 

[Diver brian]

Believe me I've read everything on the subject, and it could go either way. Because it's before 1997, it never needs to be smogged. It already has diesel listed on the pink slip, so there's a chance the DMV will just register it and move on, but there's also a chance they'll make me go through a California BAR referee. The BAR ref might just look under the hood and sign off, or he might refer me to CARB down in LA, in which case I will consider my battle lost and sell it elsewhere. We'll see!

 

[Diver brian]

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.

 

[4runner_kid]

Believe me I've read everything on the subject, and it could go either way. Because it's before 1997, it never needs to be smogged. It already has diesel listed on the pink slip, so there's a chance the DMV will just register it and move on, but there's also a chance they'll make me go through a California BAR referee. The BAR ref might just look under the hood and sign off, or he might refer me to CARB down in LA, in which case I will consider my battle lost and sell it elsewhere. We'll see!

I had to BAR my honda so i know what a pain that is.

 

[4runner_kid]

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.

What year what?

 

[snow junky]

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.

You have a original equipped diesel 4Runner in the United States.????

I have a lot of buddys that pay thousands for “hotsmog”. Don’t think you can just tell them it’s a diesel and ca dmv just says ok cool. 1975 and older gas vehicles are except


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[Diver brian]

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