anothernord's JDM 1KZ-TE diesel swap (2001 Tacoma 3.4)

Looking great! Is it pretty easy to get parts on this side of the pond? Or is that a struggle?

 

I went through a US-based Japanese importer, so they handled getting it from Japan. It was shipped to me stateside on a single, rickety pallet. It, of course, fell over during transit and damaged a bunch of things on the engine. I currently have a claim with the shipping company.

Wow, thanks for the info! I had no idea. I did learn up on the plastic bleeder screws a bought a pair of stainless replacements. I'll definitely look into that setup.

Looks great. I think a frame rail mounted water separator would be great for my setup.

Yeah, you basically have to get everything from overseas. There is a guy on eBay right now who sells some 1KZ parts stateside. I got the gasket set and pistons through him.

 

Progress was slow this week due to negative temperatures and snow, but here's what I got done last weekend before the snow hit.

I towed the truck to a car wash and blasted out the engine bay first:



Here's some random engine shots before it got dropped in:




And the big moment:


Much later at night, it was all bolted in securely:


I also got around to swapping the on the stock 5VZ A/C compressor to work with the 1KZ v-belt pulley. I later found out that the 1KZ A/C pulley got bent in shipping from the engine falling over, so I'll probably have to source a replacement for that.




Then I finally got the garage rearranged to put the truck inside so I can in 30° temps instead of -5°.

 

As someone who seems well versed in engine swaps and the like what are your thoughts on LS swaps? Thinking I'd like to put one with a manual transmission in a 1st gen quad cab as a new project.

 

Great work

 

@Speed Freek

 

how difficult was it to line up the motor to the trans when dropping it in? I've only ever done it with the motor and tranny already bolted together so I'm interested to know some of the tricks you used to line up the bell housing bolts.

 

Its a really fun swap gotta do a lot of modding though. Mine is LS1/T56 swapped. I haven't seen another 5 lug like mine but CX Racing makes a kit for 6 lugs.

 

That sounds like a pretty fun truck!

 

Are you using the stock tranny?

 

One word: Yes. LS parts are so plentiful and there's so much information out there. They're honestly pretty reliable too.

Oh, you just have to A) make sure that the torque converter is fully seated, it takes 3 "clicks"to get it all the way in there, B) take off the side wheel well inner liners to see how your alignment is, C) support the front of the engine and angle it back slightly D) manhandle it in there

I'm using the transmission that came with the 1KZ, which as far as I can tell, is basically the same as the stock tranny. I figured that it would have lower miles and possibly a different torque converter stall torque and maybe different valve spring stiffnesses for the higher torque of the diesel.

 

I want to grow up to be just like you one day. I'm following this religiously, and will probably be following your lead in the very near future.

 

I might have missed it but... was this a manual and if so what ya doing with it? I'm looking to swap one in mine if you still have it.

 

Literally one post above yours. it's an Auto-Tragic

 

this is awesome! side note question, what turbo did you have on the 3.4?

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/holset-vgt-5vz-fe-turbo-build.403951/

 

have you removed the gas fuel pump yet?

 

Yep, I documented it a couple pages back.

 

sub'd, this is going to be very interesting indeed. coincidentally, I live in a county that doesn't require emissions

 

Oh I missed it then. I cant wait for my 5VZ to die so I have a better reason to do a swap like this.