1.9 VW TD vs rebuilt 2.2l toyota diesel?

[zyewdall]

Opinions anyone?

I've got a 1981 diesel toyota pickup.  The engine is a bit unhappy -- blowing massive amounts of blue smoke, and slow to start.  Seems like bad rings -- especially after I pulled the head and you can feel the ridge in the bores.  Since this engine was only produced from 1981 to 1983, it looks like it will be near impossible to find the key parts -- new cylinder liners....   So the question is whether to attempt to rebuild it even if it's not a full rebuild, or try to find a 1.9 IDI turbo diesel VW engine and put in the adaptor to the toyota tranny.   I like the idea of keeping the toyota engine for a few reasons -- it fits and I don't have to fool with stuff, it's a bigger displacement, so when I put 1,500 lbs of stuff in there, it should be happier, even if a bit slower due to not having the turbo, it has a built in oil cooler/heater, it seems to run smoother than my VW 1.6.   However, VW parts are more common (though that getting my hands on a 1.9 VW won't be much easier than the toyota since I'm in the US).   What do you think?

[LeeG]

I think the cost of the adapter is a major consideration, unless you are prepared to DIY.   The second thing that comes to mind is if you can legally swap it.  

Did you get any of those toyotas with turbos down there?  There are some around here, but not common.  Unless someone knows bad things about TD 'yotas, I think that finding one of those rather than finding a 1.9 would be your best bet.  There are some companies locally importing Japanese market trucks and engines, they might be able to set you up.
www.buysell.com, select BC, search for diesel, look for adds in 'import truck parts section'

You would have much better bragging rights on this forum if you stuck a VW in there though!

[Laurentian]

Another good resource would be 4x4wire.com.
Lots of Toyota experience there.
Take care,
Hugh

[2446]

Are you feeling real cylinder wall ridges or carbon buildup ridges ?

I think the later 2.4 "2L" and "2L-T" engines will bolt right up to your current setup and bring a good bit more torque. They are not so much easier to find in the US but a few companies import them second-hand from japan. The heads are the weak point, so if you buy a used engine make sure you have provisions for a new head if the need arises. Most of the jap imports will be the electronic controlled 2LTE engines, but you can get rid of all the electronic crap by just swapping a mech. pump in.

 :arrow:  Have a look on toyotadieselmadness.com

[2446]

Did you get any of those toyotas with turbos down there?  There are some around here, but not common.  Unless someone knows bad things about TD 'yotas, I think that finding one of those rather than finding a 1.9 would be your best bet.

The turbo engine heads tend to fail sooner or later. Otherwise they're quite strongly built.

[lord_verminaard]

LOL, I think I've seen more 2L-T's for sale than I have 1.9 IDI's here in the states!  I'd say go Toyota Turbo Diesel, it would be a nice running truck and I think you would probably end up with less money invested if you went with a 1.9TD.  Good luck!  Got some pics?  

Brendan
84 Scirocco 8v
00 Camaro L36 M49

[zyewdall]

Here it is.  No rust.  I was working on suspension and exhaust components the other day, and no trouble getting bolts apart that hadn't been moved since the factory in 1981.  Gotta love New Mexico trucks.   It actually handled weight pretty well with the old smokey engine, but slow as dirt going up hills.  Dropping a 2LT in there would be pretty nice -- if I can find one of those.

[zyewdall]

Are you feeling real cylinder wall ridges or carbon buildup ridges ?



 :arrow:  Have a look on toyotadieselmadness.com

I think they are real cylinder wall ridges, though I'll have to check to make sure.  Maybe it's just some carbon and bad rings if I'm really lucky....

Z

[lord_verminaard]

Wow, nice Truck!  A 2LT would be just right in it!

Brendan
84 Scirocco 8v
00 Camaro L36 M49

[LeeG]

man that looks clean!  I had a '81 gasser 4x4 in about '91.  over 400,000km on it and purred like a kitten.  But so rusty it got lighter every time you slammed the doors!