A Diesel 4runner?

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Most all the 4runners sold outside the US had optional Diesel engines. I understand we don't have more diesels available because of the dirty high sulfer diesel fuel we have in the states. The oil companies and trucking companies don't want to clean it up since it would raise the price. Anyway, I would love to have a diesel 4runner. I get 24mpg max on my 4cyl gas motor. I would believe 29mpg, plus the extra torque would be nice. But I have a feeling it still wouldn't be as torquey as my Riviera 455.
 
I drive a 3.0L TD Surf. Gas mileage is better but not 29mpg good. I like it for the turbo whine though. I do have a lift and 33s so that probably hurts the gas mileage it too. You're right about the lack of power, it's torquey and you can feel it grab the road on take off but it's slow after that. Top end speed is terrible and gets wheezy beyond 65mph. I do love the fact that diesel is cheaper that gas here in Japan though.
 
I just had cruise control installed a few weeks ago, and did my 1st highway trip with it this past weekend. It doesn't appear to have made much difference, which is disappointing. Next up is disabling the EGR, which should net some fuel economy savings.

This guy does have a 2WD 4Runner with a 5M, so maybe he is able to get that kind of economy out of it. That's better than what I'm getting though.

Something to note: when you are reading about guys in the UK and their mpg figures, they use different sized gallons than the US, so their numbers are inflated compared to what you would think.
 
Ian, so you mean the CC which gives amazing milage didnt make a large impact at all, how sad :D

Yes you are right their numbers are inflated, i calculated aftet the conversion rates that they were only averaging 21-22 us mpg with their diesels...
 
I drive a 3.0L TD Surf. Gas mileage is better but not 29mpg good. I like it for the turbo whine though. I do have a lift and 33s so that probably hurts the gas mileage it too. You're right about the lack of power, it's torquey and you can feel it grab the road on take off but it's slow after that. Top end speed is terrible and gets wheezy beyond 65mph. I do love the fact that diesel is cheaper that gas here in Japan though.

We have a diesel 3.0 Turbo HiLux pickup (no lift--only 15 inch wheels) in the family fleet in Brazil. The above precisely describes the driving experience. I don't remember the redline rpm but it is much lower than the gassers. I was hitting the rev limiter on every shift until I got used to it. The result is you end up shifting many times more on every road with traffic, hills or curves--approximately 99% of all roads in Brazil. The same is true off road. The good news is that diesel is substantially cheaper than gasoline in Brazil (maybe 30-40%) so the diesel is far more economical. It used to be 50%.

I would not spend the money for a diesel conversion in the States; in fact, I would not buy one new at our fuel cost differential even if they were available.

Brazil has almost no heating oil usage so they export heavy fractions like diesel and import gasoline to make up the imbalance.
 
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From what I hear they are cool and all but have a HUGE lack in power.

Well... for comparisons sake... I've driven many of the top trucks on the market today, and most recently went from driving my surf around to driving a 2010 avalanche. I was shocked at how gutless the chevy felt, and how unresponsive the throttle was in comparison to the surf. I know its a chev and not a 6 cylinder supercharged 4runner but... I expected a lot more from such a new truck.

The Surf gave me just over 26 US mpg on my first tank, I had no problem accelerating up hwy hills at 65 to 70 mph. In the city the torque is amazing, And to be honest I don't think most people buy 4runners for there huge top end hwy speed / passing power.
 
Well... for comparisons sake... I've driven many of the top trucks on the market today, and most recently went from driving my surf around to driving a 2010 avalanche. I was shocked at how gutless the chevy felt, and how unresponsive the throttle was in comparison to the surf. I know its a chev and not a 6 cylinder supercharged 4runner but...
Iexpected a lot more from such a new truc

The Surf gave me just over 26 US mpg on my first tank, I had no problem accelerating up hwy hills at 65 to 70 mph. In the city the torque is amazing, And to be honest I don't think most people buy 4runners for there huge top end hwy speed / passing power.


My 4runner lifted tires and stuff 0-40 in 7.2

My moms 4door silvarado 0-40 ~5
 
Anyway, I would love to have a diesel 4runner. I get 24mpg max on my 4cyl gas motor. I would believe 29mpg, plus the extra torque would be nice.

The 3rd gen 4Runners we have here in Brazil (called Hilux SW4 here) came with 1kzt and 1kzte engines. There is not that much difference in torque as you would expect, altough it shows at lower rpms and the top end power is considerably less. This was copied from my SW4 user manual:

5VZFE = 186 hp @ 4800 rpm
1KZT = 116 hp @ 3600 rpm

5VZFE = 30.0 kgf.m @ 3600 rpm (217 lb ft)
1KZT = 29.6 kgf.m @ 2400 rpm (214 lb ft)
 
The 3rd gen 4Runners we have here in Brazil (called Hilux SW4 here) came with 1kzt and 1kzte engines. There is not that much difference in torque as you would expect, altough it shows at lower rpms and the top end power is considerably less. This was copied from my SW4 user manual:

5VZFE = 186 hp @ 4800 rpm
1KZT = 116 hp @ 3600 rpm

5VZFE = 30.0 kgf.m @ 3600 rpm (217 lb ft)
1KZT = 29.6 kgf.m @ 2400 rpm (214 lb ft)

The intercooled version makes a significant difference:

Wikipedia... "The intercooler equipped version of the engine increases the output of the engine 145 hp (108 kW) [Aust. 130hp (96kW)] @ 3600 rpm and maximum torque of 343 N·m (253 ft-lb) @ 2000 rpm."
 

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