Not glass but I like the concept.

[arlon]

Why don't we get toyota diesels over here?

GALL BOYS AUSTRALIAN 4X4 ADVENTURE - FAR NORTH QUEENSLAND - 4X4 OFFROAD 4WD - YouTube

[Bill MacDermod]

Toyota Eyes Cummins Diesel Engine for Tundra | Edmunds.com

will this do ya????????

[Donna D.]

It just shocks me the number of mechanics and hotrodders here on the forums, that I've never read of anyone taking a crate motor diesel and putting it into a tug for an all molded towable. IT'S CHEAPER than buying a new full-size truck.

I've got a couple of friends that have done it with 1953-1956 Ford F-100s... why not NEWER trucks?

[Gilda]

This is considered fun???!!! Really? I'm truly amazed that the truck and trailer can go through the rigor of water, sand, mud and rocks. I see the fun of 4x4 offroading but NOT with a trailer. At least if you took a FGRV it could double as a boat floating on the water!

I know next to nothing about cars/trucks, but evidently there will be more diesels on America's roads next year The New Diesel Cars For 2014. Our rental car, a Ford, in Germany was diesel as were many of the cars there.

[Westcliffe01]

There are virtually no compliant crate motors available. Any that are are very expensive. For example (lowest price one will find anywhere)
Surplus Center - 111 HP PERKINS TURBO 1004-4T AH31330 DIESEL ENGINE

So does a 111hp perkins engine for $6000 strike you as cheap ?

Then you have to find yourself a non rusted out truck that predates emission systems and match up the engine with a transmission etc etc.

My 2008 F250 was only $26k with 50k miles on it when I bought it in Texas in 2010.

Until OE trucks start being sold by whoever with 2.5-3.0l turbodiesels we will remain screwed. The size, weight and drag of full size trucks + the choking of the engine by the aftertreatment that is fitted to it now means that trucks like mine can hardly ever run better than 12MPG whereas the fairly huge sprinter van with a 3.0l engine and slightly better aerodynamics gets 22mpg.

Originally Posted by Donna D.

It just shocks me the number of mechanics and hotrodders here on the forums, that I've never read of anyone taking a crate motor diesel and putting it into a tug for an all molded towable. IT'S CHEAPER than buying a new full-size truck.

I've got a couple of friends that have done it with 1953-1956 Ford F-100s... why not NEWER trucks?

[Donna D.]

All I can tell you Keith, is my friend in Clearwater, CA converted his 1956 Ford PU for less than $12,000 to diesel, with a crate motor. Can you buy a new diesel truck for that? In talking with him, it's not the transmission that is the problem. The gas tank has to be hot tanked and all the fuel lines changed out. But still a way cool vehicle for about 1/2 of new.... it's all in parts, labor would prevent any non-mechanic from doing it. If you want know the crate motor he purchased... I can find out!

We don't own a bunch of rusted out hulks.... most of the vehicles in our club are worthy of the Nationals...

[Terry G]

Originally Posted by Gilda

This is considered fun???!!! Really? I'm truly amazed that the truck and trailer can go through the rigor of water, sand, mud and rocks. I see the fun of 4x4 offroading but NOT with a trailer. At least if you took a FGRV it could double as a boat floating on the water!

The trailer seems like it's well built, but it's still a sticky. Getting pounded over big rocks has got to make all the seams pretty loose. How'd you like to buy that one when they're done with it?

[Donna D.]

Watching the video, kinda made my teeth get loose....

[Jared J]

Vehicles with retrofits aren't with much more than if they were stock. If you're keeping it forever, that doesn't matter.

The big issue is engine availability. The main swap engines are 4bt, and 6bt cummins, along with some 3,4,6 cylinder two stroke detroits.

None are small or light, semi-limited on transmissions, etc. you would need a half ton for them.

[Westcliffe01]

Do you really want a 56 truck though, Donna ? Getting parts for a 1980's Toyota is already an issue (I'm talking body/frame parts since I live in the rust belt). I even had hassles with a 92 Toyota pickup that had a rotted out frame.

The problem is that once you pass the mid 90's you are into epa compliant systems which depending on your location one can have varying amounts of issues getting through registration and annual inspections, if you have them. Michigan has no annual inspection, but Colorado does and with a diesel I would have to make a several hour annual trek to a certified testing station and pay the fees to remain emissions compliant. That is a huge PIA. If they decide I am non compliant, it is not like just needing a new set of spark plugs and air filter for a tuneup either. Getting injector nozzles checked and an injection pump worked on is very expensive and the shop might decide that you need an engine rebuild $$$$...

I also believe that the EPA ruled that older engines removed from equipment by dealerships now have to be destroyed and are no longer permitted to be sold on the open market. The idea being to "terminate" the old non compliant engines and force consumers to buy new certified engines or buy new equipment "stimulating the economy"..

Originally Posted by Donna D.

All I can tell you Keith, is my friend in Clearwater, CA converted his 1956 Ford PU for less than $12,000 to diesel, with a crate motor. Can you buy a new diesel truck for that? In talking with him, it's not the transmission that is the problem. The gas tank has to be hot tanked and all the fuel lines changed out. But still a way cool vehicle for about 1/2 of new.... it's all in parts, labor would prevent any non-mechanic from doing it. If you want know the crate motor he purchased... I can find out!

We don't own a bunch of rusted out hulks.... most of the vehicles in our club are worthy of the Nationals...

[christopherm]

off road w/piggy back casita?

Custom 4x4 Expedition Off-road vehicle/camper/motorhome, diesel

[Bob Miller]

Considering the brakes, suspension and body quality of the F100 trucks I drove in the mid 50's when they were new, I can't imagine putting an even heavier diesel engine in and then actually driving it faster than about 25 MPH now that one has passed it's 50th birthday.

While a dedicated F.O.R.D. (I.e.: Fix Or Repair Daily) enthusiast might get fished into such a swap, in 2013, I would take a pass on that one.

BTW: Swapping Creds include: Pontiac V8 into 1953 Stude Starlight coupe, Chevy 283 into 40 Ford Coupe and Ford flathead V8 into 32 Ford Coupe. Been there & done that.....

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by arlon

Why don't we get toyota diesels over here?

Do you know of anyone who bought a small diesel truck when they were available many years ago? Probably not... in anything other than a large truck, diesel is a popular idea but much less popular purchase decision, and the manufacturers are aware of that.

Originally Posted by Donna D.

All I can tell you Keith, is my friend in Clearwater, CA converted his 1956 Ford PU for less than $12,000 to diesel, with a crate motor. Can you buy a new diesel truck for that?

No, but you can buy an old one, and it will be more comfortable and capable than a converted antique. For those who want the classic vehicle the swap is an option, but it's not a realistic choice for non-enthusiasts.

Among enthusiasts, I've read about lots of swaps of diesels into various vehicles, but usually with the big engines (Duramax into GMs, Cummins into trucks). That's a normal hot rod / street rod tendency... know many people who have built a classic street rod with a little four-cylinder?

Originally Posted by Jared J

The big issue is engine availability. The main swap engines are 4bt, and 6bt cummins, along with some 3,4,6 cylinder two stroke detroits.

None are small or light, semi-limited on transmissions, etc. you would need a half ton for them.

For a 6BT yes (that's the 6-litre Cummins used in Dodge trucks), but I've read about more than one swap of a 4BT into a Ford Ranger. The value of labour alone must exceed the market value of the completed truck.

[deryk]

Originally Posted by christopherm

off road w/piggy back casita?

Custom 4x4 Expedition Off-road vehicle/camper/motorhome, diesel

Ive seen this before and I kinda like it! I would add something to camoflage the wheel wells but its a neat idea ... 17mpg isnt bad and you could tow a boat behind it...ultimate bachelor escape vehicle lol

[Bob Miller]

Foolish as it sounds, a couple of coachbuilders actually built 16' (overall length) micro motorhomes in the early 80's on Toyota p/u chassis using the 80 hp diesel engine. With 0-60 measured as "impossible" and about a 58 mph redline top speed it's no surprise that they didn't go over well.

A good friend of mine owned one in SC for about 10 years and kept it mostly as a novelty while he drove his 18', V6 Sunrader.

There was one offered on eBay a few months back that didn't reach about a $3k minimum.

That said, the newer Toyota diesels are rule of thumb in New Zealand & Australia.

[deryk]

they did build a scamp on a ranger body... now imagine putting it on a more beefy truck, built in cage for a generator.... sounds nice to me lol

[Jared J]

Our '88 ranger frame and suspension couldn't handle itself, and the engines (yes, plural) didnt do much better. I can't imagine a camper on one. Our '89 nissan towed the '88 ranger with more acceleration than the ranger had.

[Brian B-P]

There seem to be a lot of web references to off-road use of trailers in Australia, and few of their trailers are moulded fiberglass. Although the typical trailer from any part of the world might fall apart in this service, it appears that moulded fiberglass is not the only construction approach which can be successful. I think that few of the "expedition campers" are moulded.

[jwcolby54]

Rob Gray :: graynomad :: wothahellizat

[deryk]

Nice!