Cummins R2.8

I think when Cummins developed the R2.8 they were hoping that Nissan would buy the engine for the Frontier pickup. Their was a confirmed test vehicle from Nissan that had an early R2.8 engine under the hood. When Nissan didn't bite I think plan B for Cummins was the aftermarket re-engine market.

I would suspect that we will find out how successful the R2.8 engine program is by whether Cummins follows through with their threat to release a V8 crate engine under similar program in the near future targeted at re-engined full size trucks.

 

Fred williams from dirt every day runs a cummings r2.8 in his old jeep and he likes it, not a yota but the engine is the same.

I dont have any experience with one so I can’t speak for it.

 

Yeah, I don't mind looking into an alternative to the 1kz toyota diesel. Just need to get all my eggs in a basket. What standalone ecu is recommended.

 

To bad no one has ever tried to put a 2.0L common rail vw Tdi into a Tacoma. Might lack a bit in displacement. But I bet it would still move the truck nicely with some added air and fuel.

 

Guys have put them in mini trucks and the trans adapter is a bitch. Also pretty underpowered relatively

 

I would love to have a Cummins 2.8 and double my range!!

 

It's possible.

 

https://expeditionportal.com/old-dogs-new-tricks-testing-cummins-r2-8-turbo-diesel-crate-engine/

 

What a load of crap. That article looks like 100% paid advertisement. Very slick indeed.

 

Please, indulge me about this 'load of crap'

 

He does make it seem like an engine swap is a simple process, which it isn't. This won't take an amateur a month.

 

What? You can't just pull the old one, add the new one, hook up a few wires and hoses and be done?

 

Obviously... Haven't you seen Overhaulin

 

Crap 1. R2.8 Cummins is just a name - most of it is made in China, from what I hear. In that article it is introduced like it is a little brother of famous reliable big Cummins engine (great engines by the way), when in fact it is not even close to main production. My take on it is that few guys just have fun using bin corporation name and resources. It's even put this way on Cummins website

Crap 2. In that article there is 90% "good stuff", and whatever is bad it is presented in a "good way". Classic.

Crap 3. Comparing power and mileage of 2017 model engine with original engine from 1996 car is completely irrelevant and taken out of context. Compare its performance to 2017 Toyota gas engine, not some old technology.

Crap 4. Small common rail diesels are just crap on longer run. I see that stuff every day on roads in Europe. The reliability goes to drain when manufacturers try to rig up performance. There are many examples: dual mass flywheel does not last more than 100k miles bu design, common rail injectors are good for first 100k miles too. But this is not really related small diesels - small gasoline engines turbocharged with high compression don't last either.

I have nothing against big diesels not rigged for high performance. I almost bought Ram 2500 with 5.9 Cummins under the hood, till I read the warranty card: Engine 100k miles, rest of the car 36k miles. I never understood why Tundra never got good old diesel.

Now comparing apples to apples You may look what's available in Toyota trucks in Europe. Land Cruiser has 2.8 diesel that is a joke comparing to new 4Runner 4.0 l. I drive my 4Runner with "Eco Green light" and still leave all LC blowing black smoke behind. But if 4Runner or LC gets 5.9 Cummins, I wold not complain at all.

 

I would bet Cummins shit cans this re-power program in about two years. The price is not easy to swallow. $9k plus taxes, shipping and another pile of money to go before it gets installed. As much as I hate the LS it can be done for less money in some vehicles looking for a re-power.

 

Toyota and Ram both tested the V8 Cummins the Titan XD is running before Nissan. They both passed on it.

 

@RysiuM
RE your Crap #4...

I note that my car (2002 VW Golf tdi) has a dual mass flywheel, pressure plate and clutch disk all are original, have over 220k miles on them and are still working very well. You're casting some pretty broad dispersions here to throw that system completely under the bus. I was concerned about the longevity of mine, but at this point it has outlasted every other clutch system I've ever owned. How 'bout those Tacoma frames? Over a decade of production that has rotted?

Further :

RE your Crap #1- motor made in China "from what you hear", is useless conjecture on your part. Dude, if you're going to slam something at least be useful enough to the group to do some research and back broad attempts at insults based on conjecture with reliable facts. Also useless to speculate broadly on the quality of Chinese manufacturing, long ago it could be unreliable, but today some of it is very friggin solid. I again point to Toyota and their frames... how long to make a manufacturing change?

RE your Crap #2- 90% Good Stuff and whatever is bad is presented in a good way... Wake up, anyone serious about laying down the serious money needed will realize that this not a straight swap. Cummins is trying to sell something, can't blame them for a positive spin. Same for Toyota or any other company's advertising.

RE your Crap #4- This diesel swap is a very niche offering. Well, it sure is and some folks might simply want a diesel and there really aren't any other diesel options. Comparisons to current gas motors will be irrelevant to that group.

RE any other CRAP you find- Remember that a man armed with FACTS is not at the mercy of a fool with an opinion, strive for the former.

 

- No one expect it to be a simple swap...at least I didn't...
- Chinese parts? Has anything been made in America lately?

 

The 2.8R is technically sound. Lots of Cummins guys though hate overseas versions.

 

I do not understand why go through all the trouble adopting that engine into 20+ years old truck (with rotten frames maybe?). OK, I'l get it if this engine is not for "engine swap" but for "car builders", and it is exactly what it is - you are making your own car using parts from other cars, and that new car will be as reliable as your build, but then don't call it Tacoma or LC or whatever parts you used anymore. It is just what it is: "custom build toy". But the full of crap article doesn't say that - it says "engine swap". Little fabrication and it's there. Yah, you can put it in Prius and call it "swap", with some fabrication you can make it.

As for the concept of small diesels, all versions of latest Hilux in Europe come with only one option for the engine: 2.4 D-4D (150 hp) diesel. As a farm truck, it is OK but as a daily driver - forget it. When you need to punch it the torque does not buy it for you: it's good between 1600 and 2000 rpm, it means that if you are doing 35 and you step on it you will looking for the next gear before you speed up to 45. I look at factory numbers of 0-60 time: 1995 Tacoma did it (when it was new) in less than 9 sec, brand new 2018 Hilux 2.4 D will get you there in over 13 sec. And I see it every day driving my truck here in Poland: I can punch it a bit just to get out of the black smoke cloud. My 23 years old 2.7 litter engine moves my truck faster through the traffic light than any Hilux over here.

Better fuel economy? Yes but so bicycle has it too.
Reliability? It yet to be proven. So far it runs on the "big daddy's name". Let's see how many of these R2.8 will last 23 years because my 3RZ did.

Yes, I'm playing devil's advocate here a little bit, as I am not taken in by all that promotional campaign crap. The bottom line here is if you have money and time and spare car to toy with, go for R2.8. But if you need a new engine in your old trustworthy Tacoma better stick to Tacoma engines - it's a swap, it's cheaper and it has proven reliability.