Hilux in the U.S. Market?

What I get a yet another pointless argument on TW in which one person must be proven right and for everyone else to know he was proven right before we get back to the topic, just like always happens on TW.

 

My question is, I know people have put a V8 in Tacos, but has there been a successful Diesel engine swap and what gains did they see?

 

For sure it's been done, but doing something like that moves it into the hot rod category, beyond the practicality as a daily driver, and beyond the skills of the average owner. Once you folk engineer something beyond its original design parameters it loses its integrity for everyday use and dependability.

 

Gotcha, makes sense. I guess I need to start saving up for a TRD Supercharger

 

That's the most practical way to squeeze more HP out of a stock Tacoma for sure, and it's within the scope of a well equipped personal workshop. Some knowledge but no special skills required.

 

True, so like 140 paychecks more and I'll have enough to buy it haha. And like 40 hours of convincing my wife to be OK with me buying it.

 

It's like the old saying "show me what you spend your money on and I'll tell you your priorities. Haha. Life is a compromise and when your partner is happy it's all good.

 

The new diesel Colorado has factory front and rear lockers.

The specs are actually impressive.

 

When I was 18 and looking for my next Toyota truck I drove 5 hours to south GA to check out an 85 that someone had swapped an Isuzu diesel into. I was really intrigued because I specifically wanted an 85 with the solid axle and also the low end/fuel efficiency/longevity of the diesel had me...plus it was in my budget. I took it on a test drive and man that thing was a dog. Now I'm sure that modem mid size diesels are better but I was lucky to get that thing going 55mph! Needless to say I passed on it only to buy another 85 and lift it with 4:88s and some swampers where I could only go 55mph anyway!

I guess my point is that while the diesel sounds really awesome and the hilux is a great truck (saw many of them in the Middle East charging along through any terrain) I think it's more of a fantasy than a realistic truck for most of here in the states. Let's just hope that Toyota makes a badass 4th gen which leaves all the other mid size trucks in the dust.

 

I wish TOYOTA would offer something bad ass, TRD PRO with the 5.7 V8 and manual transmission (Optional Supercharger) Something like the FORD RAPTOR. Only in our dreams...

 

The FJ was what I was taught to drive in back in the day....like way back in the day