Diesel engine swap?

952ndgen4runner

New member
Hey guys so I've been doing some reasearch on diesel swapping my 4runner. I have a 95 4runner with a 3" lift. Im planning on SASing my rig before I do anykind of diesel swap which should help me clear the massive oil pans that most diesels have. I have heard about doing a 4bt Cummins swap into it, the only thing that ive heard is that youd have to do some kind of body lift on it. There rediculously heavy but there awesome. Thats what im leaning towards to, any suggestions? On building my car with the Cummins or if theres another engine that would be able to give me the torque? Honestly I think its awesome to roll coal :becky: which I am aware id have to upgrade injectors and all those things to make that possible.
 
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No disrespect - but WHY ?
- truck Diesels are massively heavy / like a real big boat anchor, under the hood
- the older Cummins are far better than the over emission newer motors, designs in the last decade

I'd like all my vehicles to run on cheap Natural Gas (filled up at home), but the conversion price is not realistic at ~$10K per vehicle.
- for fuel equivalent to 70 cents/gallon
- while today I gassed up my 2000 T4R SR5, at $1.189 / Cdn Liter
 
Last edited:
No disrespect - but WHY ?
- truck Diesels are massively heavy / like a real big boat anchor, under the hood
- the older Cummins are far better than the over emission newer motors, designs in the last decade

I'd like all my vehicles to run on cheap Natural Gas (filled up at home), but the conversion price is not realistic at ~$10K per vehicle.
- for fuel equivalent to 70 cents/gallon
- while today I gassed up my 2000 T4R SR5, at $1.189 / Cdn Liter

The 4BT Cummins engines are old engines, im not sure what you meant by old but the first year was I beleive a 1983. It wouldnt be to hard to handle the weight, they weigh around 850 which is still crazy heavy but not to bad. But my main reason to swap it is for torque/HP. I have a 3.0 V6 and its pushing like 120HP and it gets like 8MPG.
 
The TDI swap is fairly common. Thats my plan. I just bought the donor and the motor is in my shop getting a once over. Mine is an 01 jetta 1.9l ALH motor. With injectors, tune, and turbo upgrade I expect 150 hp and 300ish ft lb and mid 30s for MPG. There are quite a few TDI toyota trucks out there. IMO, its a perfect little engine for these trucks.
 
I know this post is a little old but thought it could use a bump. I looked into swapping in a Toyota diesel engine but decided against it because of emissions issues in CA. Everything I read led me to believe that I wouldn't be able to register it after the swap. I just decided to run the 3.0 with the auto until it dies and then swap in a 3.4 and back it with a 5 speed.

Something to think about...
 
what are some good engine swaps for 2nd gens? I have two non running 95s with engine problems and am looking to do a swap. One of my neighbors suggested an Ls swap but I didn’t know if that was feasible. Feedback would be appreciated!
 
What about non diesel?

By far you are gonna hear the most votes for the Tacoma 3.4 swap. Lots of aftermarket support, as well as being a bolt in application. I have heard that gas mileage isn’t the greatest, but better than 3vze numbers with more tourqe/hp.

Goes downhill from there with Chevy 350 swaps being fairly common in hardcore mud/rock groups. Ford 302’s as well.

I have heard of 3.0 to 2.4 22re swaps, which makes sense if you have the parts and expertise, but if you are paying someone the 3.4 5vze swap is the best option IMO for gas based power.

Cummins has a new swap utilizing the 2.8 model, I think the crate motor is 12k or something crazy. Check out @repowertoy on instagram.

Also I do believe there are a few Oregon shops that swap in toyota diesels (1kzte??) for 30k, super clean (for that price it should clean your house and send Christmas cards).

Summation: lots of options, 3.4 is the reigning champ, with the option to supercharge.
 
Apparently none of you have looked hard enough through the treads.
The TDI is the best diesel swap option bar none.
Check out my YouTube series for all the point and counter points of diesel swaps.

Looks really good. The diesel sounds like a great fit for the driving style of a 4runner.

Sent from my XT1030 using Tapatalk
 
Toyota hi lux 5 cylinder diesel swap in to 95 3.0 efi sr5 I have asked every mechanic i could about this and no one can answer it ANYONE?????

4RUNNER DIESEL | Diesel Toys(R) |TOYOTA DIESEL CONVERSION EXPERTS

Price honestly.

Your options are a heavy, loud, cummins then you have to find a trans to fit it (NV is what i've found)

VW TDI -- I haven't read enough but there's enough out there to keep you busy for awhile. Checkout the diesel swap section of on Yotatech

OM617 Mec Diesel (I believe this is still a cummins though?)-- Very popular again and lots of threads on it over on yotatech

Toyota diesel -- check the link above they are $$ but can be done. Parts are hard to come by without having to ship internationally because these engines weren't always available here.

Next problem with a diesel? What are you emissions/registration laws?

If money were no object I'd put a 1KZ/1KD in front of my r150f or a newer 6sp but that's dreaming right now.

The 5VZE is the easiest and most popular by far because it mounts up to the motor mounts of the 3VZE and some of the transmissions.
 
Did you ever go through with this? Curious To see what you went with.

4x4 labs makes an adapter for a Mercedes 5 cylinder diesel to a second generation fore runner transmission.
 
First Post!

Sorry to butt in (I wanted to starta new post but couldn't)!

Just judging from my diesel driving experience (which is limited to OCONUS in very nasty conditions), i would stick to Toyota diesel for their trucks. Very reliable and able to withstand the worst drivers and the worst conditions. Maintenance is relatively in expensive as the parts are quite ubiquitous. Look out for the regional specific requirements though (Hilux engines are great but how man people can work on them?).

I will say I scored a 2KD-FTV Hilux engine and as soon as I can start my own thread, do I have questions for you all!
 
Gas motor swap

Hey guys I’m a new member here for some technical info, I got an 81 pickup not a 4Runner but still has the Toyota badge so it’s close enough. Looking to do a motor transplant, tdi seems common but I’m a mechanic and hate vw so that’s a no go, I’m leaning towards a 4.3L or id like to do an ecotec 2.4L anyone on here ever finished this swap?
 
diesel swap

First Post!

Just judging from my diesel driving experience (which is limited to OCONUS in very nasty conditions), i would stick to Toyota diesel for their trucks. Very reliable and able to withstand the worst drivers and the worst conditions. Maintenance is relatively in expensive as the parts are quite ubiquitous.
I will say I scored a 2KD-FTV Hilux engine and as soon as I can start my own thread, do I have questions for you all!

Hi there. I'm a new member looking into the same thing you're discussing. I just wanted to ask how it went?
 

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