So how much would you pay for a Diesel 5th Gen 4Runner?

[Ryan1975]

Say you stumbled across an advertisement for a Diesel converted 5th Gen utilizing all Toyota hardware.

What would be an acceptable price in your mind?

Say it was a 2012 Trail Edition with no suspension or other modifications and vehicle mileage was approximately 15-20k miles.

 

[eddiebx]

 

[The Waco Kid]

Say you stumbled across an advertisement for a Diesel converted 5th Gen utilizing all Toyota hardware.

What would be an acceptable price in your mind?

Say it was a 2012 Trail Edition with no suspension or other modifications and vehicle mileage was approximately 15-20k miles.

If we're being completely realistic... I wouldn't touch it.

I'd have to come with a diesel from the factory.

With that said, from the factory... The only way I'd pony up for a diesel is if I could get a basic SR5 or TE with minimal options for under 40K, MSRP... Anything above would just be too much of a sacrifice for me to make.

But I might be in the minority on that.

LET THE FLAMES................ BEGIN!
:uzi: :gun4: :flamewar: :50cal: :sniper: :ak472: :fencing: :target: :gun5: :flame: :vader: :hunter: :deadhorse: :lasercannon:

 

[Ryan1975]

 

[Ryan1975]

I'd have to come with a diesel from the factory.

With that said, from the factory... The only way I'd pony up for a diesel is if I could get a basic SR5 or TE with minimal options for under 40K, MSRP... Anything above would just be too much of a sacrifice for me to make.

So - a shop that was resourced with a team of say...3 former Toyota Mechanics / Employees that were conducting refurb / engine swaps would not interest you?

$40k - I'm thinking $45-47k.

 

[1engineer]

I would probably pay less for it than the gas version.

 

[1engineer]

So - a shop that was resourced with a team of say...3 former Toyota Mechanics / Employees that were conducting refurb / engine swaps would not interest you?

$40k - I'm thinking $45-47k.

Look, It will be slower to 60. It will cost more to maintain. It will maybe break even on the whole "more mpg at higher fuel cost" issue. It would last longer, maybe, but how long do you want one to last? 1M miles? If the diesel would go twice as many miles as the gas version for 7K more then I will just buy a new engine for $5K when it blows and still save $2K. Last is torque. Right now my 4Runner has enough torque to spin the tires climbing a dirt hill. Any more would not help. If you tow, a lot, at 5K, then the diesel would be much better. This is why mainstream buyers do not want or need a diesel. No advantage until they fix the fuel pricing scheme and give consumers a reason to buy diesel.

 

[The Waco Kid]

So - a shop that was resourced with a team of say...3 former Toyota Mechanics / Employees that were conducting refurb / engine swaps would not interest you?

$40k - I'm thinking $45-47k.

This is correct. They could be the masters of the diesel universe, and I still wouldn't budge. And I'm being generous on the 40K estimate.

Just too much risk involved. (Financial, Legal, and Physical)

And given the regulatory/political/economic environment, it's just not something I'm willing to pony up for a.t.m.

(And I love the idea of a midsized BOF toyota vehicle)

 

[Okki]

So - a shop that was resourced with a team of say...3 former Toyota Mechanics / Employees that were conducting refurb / engine swaps would not interest you?

$40k - I'm thinking $45-47k.

Okay Ryan.. I'll play ball...

You mentioned all toyota parts. So the motor is either a commercial Toyota diesel (not sure if we have any here), or sourced from South America. Not sure what the import cost are associated with that, but you would need the engine, ECU, wire harness and gauge cluster of either a Prado or Hilux. of course those clusters don't fit our 4Runner, so there is modification there.

Extra torque means driveline changes. that would be an entire driveline from a Prado of highlux for my Limited. For an SR5 or TE you could use ARB lockers and only the transmission would be Toyota sourced.

From a business standpoint there is then the question of the parts that are being removed from the customer vehicle. Are those engines and transmissions etc being sold to reduce the refit cost of the diesel engine?

Next of course is ongoing maintenance. There aren't a lot of independent garages around that are familiar with either custom/aftermarket vehicles, and your Toyota dealer isn't going to touch this most likely.

So assuming the parts can be sourced for a price close to or equal to the gasoline parts being removed, you would only have the cost of installation. this is likely a very optimistic assumption. You could consider getting engines older than 255 years in order to simplify installation and to circumvent current emissions regulations (like importing a classic car), but that's likely going to restrict customer ability to register the vehicle (what do you mean that 2012 4Runner is a 25 year old vehicle that doesn't have to pass 2012 emission standards?)

so the vehicle in the shop for at least 2 weeks, at an aprox cost of $8000, I'm not sure if the economics from either a customer or a business standpoint support this beyond a fun classroom exercise.

So what is gerbeling around in that bulbous brain of yours?

Okki

 

[M1911]

It would depend upon the mileage, but less than $3k premium.

 

[Ryan1975]

Look, It will be slower to 60. It will cost more to maintain. It will maybe break even on the whole "more mpg at higher fuel cost" issue. It would last longer, maybe, but how long do you want one to last? 1M miles? If the diesel would go twice as many miles as the gas version for 7K more then I will just buy a new engine for $5K when it blows and still save $2K. Last is torque. Right now my 4Runner has enough torque to spin the tires climbing a dirt hill. Any more would not help. If you tow, a lot, at 5K, then the diesel would be much better. This is why mainstream buyers do not want or need a diesel. No advantage until they fix the fuel pricing scheme and give consumers a reason to buy diesel.

I'm aware of their driving dynamics. I had one for a year in Afghanistan.

 

[Okki]

I had one for a year in Afghanistan.

are you saying.... draw-down vehicles from international forces that are being released to either the host country or civilian sales? then imported back to the US?

Okki

 

[Ryan1975]

I'm not sure if the economics from either a customer or a business standpoint support this beyond a fun classroom exercise.

So what is gerbeling around in that bulbous brain of yours?

Okki

I'm not sure what is gerbeling around in my bulbous brain. However, I feel there might be a seam in provided services for the community. I've been slowly trying to capture a list of change configuration documentation that might serve as a roadmap to provide refurbished wrecked 4Runners back on the road.

I'm pondering if there isn't a market to buy wrecked 4Runners, fix up the body as necessary, upgrade where fiscally prudent and apply a menu of changes where appropriate and resale at no-haggle / no customization / minimal customer dialogue. What you see is what you get.

Is it hair brained? Maybe.

I've been on the hunt for facility and looking to interact with established upfitters and repair facilities to outsource work. I'm curious if I could make a living off of this after military retirement. I figure within a few months I'll begin compiling research to build a business plan.

What is more likely is that upon retirement that I move into cubicle farm work and this is relegated to weekend / side job and either is dismissed as unsupportable or a pipe dream.

I'll leave this here:

Copart

 

[Ryan1975]

are you saying.... draw-down vehicles from international forces that are being released to either the host country or civilian sales? then imported back to the US?

Okki

IIRC 99% of those are contracted out from India. So those would not be available and are sent back to Idia to the contracting company.

 

[Intruder]

It will cost more to maintain.

Exactly. You probably won't find any mechanic willing to touch it outside of the person who did the swap so you'll have to learn to do it on your own. My friend with that big burgundy 80 series diesel you see in my pics has to do all his own maintenance and diagnosis. The maintenance is always the easier of the two. Parts are the big one since you have to order them all from overseas. It's funny because he's the one guy in our club with a factory diesel and he's the first to tell other people not to get one. So I'd be willing to pay $0 CAD, which converts to about roughly somewhere in the neighbourhood of $0 USD.

 

[1engineer]

I'm not sure what is gerbeling around in my bulbous brain. However, I feel there might be a seam in provided services for the community. I've been slowly trying to capture a list of change configuration documentation that might serve as a roadmap to provide refurbished wrecked 4Runners back on the road.

I'm pondering if there isn't a market to buy wrecked 4Runners, fix up the body as necessary, upgrade where fiscally prudent and apply a menu of changes where appropriate and resale at no-haggle / no customization / minimal customer dialogue. What you see is what you get.

Is it hair brained? Maybe.

I've been on the hunt for facility and looking to interact with established upfitters and repair facilities to outsource work. I'm curious if I could make a living off of this after military retirement. I figure within a few months I'll begin compiling research to build a business plan.

What is more likely is that upon retirement that I move into cubicle farm work and this is relegated to weekend / side job and either is dismissed as unsupportable or a pipe dream.

I'll leave this here:

Copart

The only reason I said anything Ryan is other companies out there will do a conversion for around $25K if you supply them with the vehicle. That's a lot of "K's."

 

[Ryan1975]

Exactly. You probably won't find any mechanic willing to touch it outside of the person who did the swap so you'll have to learn to do it on your own. My friend with that big burgundy 80 series diesel you see in my pics has to do all his own maintenance and diagnosis. The maintenance is always the easier of the two. Parts are the big one since you have to order them all from overseas. It's funny because he's the one guy in our club with a factory diesel and he's the first to tell other people not to get one. So I'd be willing to pay $0 CAD, which converts to about roughly somewhere in the neighbourhood of $0 USD.

Johnathan Spartan you have just been fined 25 credits for your misspelling of the word neighborhood.

 

[Intruder]

Johnathan Spartan you have just been fined 25 credits for your misspelling of the word neighborhood.

Ok I'll write you a cheque.

 

[Ryan1975]

The only reason I said anything Ryan is other companies out there will do a conversion for around $25K if you supply them with the vehicle. That's a lot of "K's."

Yup. I've got the one in SA in my list of companies to visit. They're about 2hrs south of here would be in the realm of possible to arrange a working relationship.

As I understand it, they maintain a steady work load and you have to schedule 6 months out.

 

[philsey]

Yawn.

:deadhorse: