Hilux 2.4 engine upgrade...? noob here

[schubey]

Hey fellas.
Ive done afew motor swaps in my time but the world for 4x4s is all new to me. So please be patient lol

I have a 1984 twin cab hilux with an NA 2.4 in it. It is very tired, drinks oil and can barley pull its self up a hill let along my trailer and track car.
I have an attachment to the old girl and so I think a new donk is on order.

I am looking to do most of the work myself and am after the easiest and of course cheapest conversion to get the job done.

I am hoping to can swap the 2.4 for a 2.8 turbo diesel of the same age with out to any problems. Is this possible and where does such a motor come from ?
I havnt herd great things about the 2.8 but im sure it will be a vast improvement over what i have currently and I am hoping it will get the job done once on some boost.

I have found much information about the commodore motor and the v8s, but i would like to keep it Diesel.
I would think 2.4 - 2.8 would be an easy swap but i cant find much info....

Thanks in advance, much appreciated

[DUDELUX]

Like you said, plenty of info around for the Commy V6, as well as just about any size V8 you can name.

A diesel Hilux will never be a powerhouse, no matter what you bolt onto it.

From what Ive heard, swapping the 2.4d for a 2.8d is pretty easy, they both use the same oil, air and fuel filters, but I think some wiring needs to be changed over.

Another good engine to fit into a Lux is the 3RZ, it is the 2.7lt petty engine, Ive read, and seen some good power being found in these engines, strap on a turbo, and youll get even more ponies.
For info on the 3RZ, have a read through some of the QLD Lux guys build threads(Banks, Lux89 for the turbo build, Yamaha308, theres more but I cant think of their names right now).

If youre after more power, then youll probably need to go with a petrol engine, or a Commy V6, or V8 conversion.

[tweak'e]

easiest conversion would be the 3l (2.8) or 5l (3 litre) and add a turbo to them. the 2.4 surf turbo is a common one.
the motor swap should be straight forward, no wiring changes or anything. they run the same blocks etc.
you could also look at rebuilding the old one of its not to rusty. fit a 2.8 crank and pistons and you have a 2.8.

[CRUZAAMAD]

another option is the 3ltr out of the import surfs.
the internals are built strong and can handle a fair bit of tweaking if you had the coin.

have met people with the 3ltr that the hilux came out after the 2.8.
and the 2.8 was the far better motor, heaps better fuel for one..
and the 3ltr was just an afterthought to me, they should have done the import 3LTR turbo and made standard here with some improvements but sadly not.

cousin of mine put a turbo behind his 2.8, blew the gearbox, running 35, car went pretty good, but your putting more strain on the drivetrain.

[Yumsylux]

Years ago I replaced my 2.8 with a reco'd one. I looked at replacing with the 5l motor which is the same but different sleeve and stroke. The 2.4 has a different crank than the 2.8 and that is it. All the "l" motors will bolt up at the same mounts and box. Basically a straight swap. I acquired a turbo off a surf a mate had rolled and they bolt straight on to the 3l. It changed my oil filter due to the mount holding the turbo but they are the same as a cruiser's filter. Needed to swap the sump too as the turbo is oil fed, and the tubing runs from the sump, which increased it to 7.something litres..
The performance I got out of it was chalk and cheese. I towed heaps better, climbed better and high tide sand runs we're not an issue. Oh but you will need to get your radiator 100% as well as getting a better flowing GENUINE thermostat as they do run a little hot. The Toyota ones run much better and are actually cheaper!
Hope that helps.

[schubey]

Hey Fellas.
Thanks so much for the info! Learning a lot lol.
As I wrote this last time I didnt realise the 2.8 didnt come standard from factory ( like the 2.4 can)
Thanks for the names Dudelux, I had a look through bank's thread. The fact he had to move and re-weld his engine mounts kinda rules the 3RZ out.

Liking the sounds of the 2.8 (3l). Am very glad to hear it will drop in. What sorta year bracket will I find one? Will I run into drama if i get new a newer one from say a 1990 - model?
My next question is weather all the wiring is the same? If it drops in, will it all plug in with all my cluter and stuff working ?
And also wondering about the gear box. It is very sloppy with 330k kms on it, but im hoping a shifter rebuild kit will tidy the shifter up. I would have to swap and bell housing or as 'yumsylux' said all 'l' stuff bolts up ?

Will read into the surf turbo a little, Im keen though

Thanks so much got your help guys

[CRUZAAMAD]

Theyres huge power gains in the surf engine.
can beat a v8 its that good, vs commodore..
good write up in 4wd action a fair while back though!

[tweak'e]

Hey Fellas.
Thanks so much for the info! Learning a lot lol.
As I wrote this last time I didnt realise the 2.8 didnt come standard from factory ( like the 2.4 can)
Thanks for the names Dudelux, I had a look through bank's thread. The fact he had to move and re-weld his engine mounts kinda rules the 3RZ out.

Liking the sounds of the 2.8 (3l). Am very glad to hear it will drop in. What sorta year bracket will I find one? Will I run into drama if i get new a newer one from say a 1990 - model?
My next question is weather all the wiring is the same? If it drops in, will it all plug in with all my cluter and stuff working ?
And also wondering about the gear box. It is very sloppy with 330k kms on it, but im hoping a shifter rebuild kit will tidy the shifter up. I would have to swap and bell housing or as 'yumsylux' said all 'l' stuff bolts up ?

Will read into the surf turbo a little, Im keen though

Thanks so much got your help guys

http://www.toyotasurf.asn.au/forum/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; good place to ask.

2.8 should be a straight bolt up. wiring the same and all your alt starter etc will all fit.
only catch i can think of is the early 2.4 had a different radiator hose setup. at worse a bit of mucking around with hoses.
and if you have one of the really early ones with 4 speed box then i would swap the 5 speed in while i was at it.

[schubey]

Thanks tweake! Its got a 5 speed in her