BimmerTim's Tacoma Build (tdi swap) and Trip Reports

I just re-read my post and realized I completely glossed over the point I meant to make... if you can get a 4.30 8.4" rear without a matching front, you can pull a front from a 4Runner. That might be easier than waiting for a matching set.

Or you can just pull the 4Runner front and use it as an excuse to buy a Truetrac or Eaton e-locker from ECGS.

 

Just found this thread. What a great one. Loved all the build-y bits and trip-y parts. Great storytelling too. Kudos. Can't wait for more!

 

Thanks Dan. I've been following your thread for a minute, which has been a pretty large inspiration.

 

In early January I decided I was going to pull the injectors, injection pump, and ecu to send out for rebuild/upgrade. I wasn't planning to do anything with the timing other than swap in new parts, so I marked the crank, cam, and injection pump gear, and belt with a paint pen. That way I can mark the new belt and just toss it on and adjust the injection pump timing via VCDS.

The pump is staying as an 11mm pump, the injectors are being rebuilt with PP764 nozzles, and the tune is for those things as well as deleting the ASV and EGR. Sticking with the VNT15 for the moment.

That didn't quite go as planned... The ECU and injection pump came out no problem, but the injectors had a TON of mucky debris in the cups around the body. I did what I could with compressed air, vacuum, brushes, etc. to get them cleaned, but when I pulled #3 a bunch fell into the cylinder. To be on the safe side I pulled the head and order up a head gasket kit too.





I'm glad I did for several reasons. There was obviously a good amount that fell in, even on the other holes.

Since the head was off I figured I'd do the cam, lifters, and valve stem seals while I was there. I opted for a new OEM cam and BRM black nitride lifters. However, when I pulled the valve springs out to do the stem seals and flipped the head over the exhaust valves were very floppy in the holes. At that point I knew I'd be sending the head off for a fly cut and valve guides. Luckily, I only needed exhaust valve guides, so the total was only about $700.

Pic for reference of why I leaned toward doing the cam and lifters.



Since I lost the crank timing marks when I did the swap I had to find TDC again. When I did, I drilled a small window into the bellhousing and marked the flywheel.



Everything finally came back in last week, so I jumped into the rebuild this weekend. The refreshed head looks out of place on that rusty block. I'll probably need to do something about at some point.





Rebuilt pump is looking pretty fresh too.



All of the timing bits installed.



Pretty well wrapped back up. I cleaned up everything I took off during this project before reinstall. It looks worlds better/cleaner than it did before. I used the drift punch method to seat the new injectors.



The first drive was illuminating... The truck seems to have plenty of power now. It feels 100% like a different truck. I haven't gone down the highway yet, because I still need to set the timing with VCDS. Even with the VNT15 it has enough power to blow through the stock Toyota 22RE clutch, so I've been doing some research on the clutch side of things. Seems like I should be able to go with a stock late 90's NA Supra clutch, which would be good for quite a bit more power, but retain the OEM pedal and engagement feel.

I'll post another update later after I set timing and run it down the highway, but so far I am absolutely ecstatic with this phase of the truck. I'm also REALLY curious to see how this affects mileage.