Any successful diesel conversion stories?

This makes perfect sense. Thanks. Aren't there places closer than Japan to get a Hilux ? Maybe the Caribbean ?

 

Closer yes. Cheaper no. It's relatively common to ship vehicles from Japan and a lot of companies specialize in bringing over exotic japanese cars. Those companies can use the same process to bring over a Hilux or Hilux Surf. Basically you need to find a reputable company and they will keep an eye out at auction for what you are looking for. Literally dozens of Hilux's and Hilux Surf come up for bid every month so it won't take long to find one in good shape and then you can start the process of bringing it over.

 

the only thing is, i'd like to be there to see the vehicle before i commit to buying it

 

Then you'll have to fly to Japan and bid on it yourself .

Or find one that someone has already brought in. Some of these companies even have one already sitting over here. They will ask a premium considering all the hoops they have already jumped through to list it

 

I have never seen a Hilux in the U.S. i think i'd get a truck boner instantly if i did

 

They are rare, but not impossible to find. I'm not sure what the regulations are in the US but in Canada you can import any RHD over 20 years old. So right now I could go find a 1995 Hilux in Japan with 100K on it and import the truck if I wanted to, and I do know of someone who did it and enjoys their RHD vehicle (older mitsubishi.)

 

what is RHD ?

 

Right Hand Drive

 

^Bingo

 

I just recently saw an old (likely late 70s or early 80s) Land Rover with RHD. While I believe the numerous reviews that discount that product to an abominable pile of crap (as it is British engineering, after all), the RHD brought a tear to my eye.

 

This is a 3.3L Cummins in a Tacoma used at the Gold mine in Nevada.

 

I'm surprised the torque doesn't just pretzel the whole thing instantly.

 

There is no benefit of a diesel engine unless it is of a size that supersedes the torque of the gas engine it is replacing. Some claim better fuel economy, but the length of time to pay for the retrofit is almost always out of the equation. For one the diesel engine weighs a great deal more than a gas engine which requires a heavier front end. Second the torque of a diesel is greater than a gas engine requiring greater frame strength. Unless the person is made of money and does not care about expense it is better to just buy a vehicle made with the diesel. This might be feasible in a Tundra, although not economical, but the Tacoma already has serious frame issues so it is unadvisable.
http://www.dieselhub.com/tech/conversion-considerations.html

So can it be done, sure, but there is no cost bases gain from it.

 

Methuselah drove a converted to diesel Tacoma and he got awesome fuel mileage. His frame handled it.

No I'd agree its cheaper to get a Hilux with a diesel than it is to convert a Tacoma and the frame would handle it unless you tried like a Detroit Diesel 6-71 or something like that.

 

To the Man of the Cloth, Hilux frames are boxed, just like the Tacomas.... just sayin'.