Choosing engine + gearbox + transfer combo

[slosh]

Here's one for the tech heads of all the major brands. I need to finalise a drivetrain combo for my lux.
Due to a diff change, now with rear being offset, I have had to rethink the whole shebang (ie t-case included).

Here are some options:

Engine:
Holden V6 post 1990
Holden V8 post 1990
Ford V6 (out of USA Mustang)
Rover V8 post 1990
Lexus V8
Nissan V6 (300ZX?)

Gearbox and T- case combos
TH700 and Rover LT 230
TH700 and Bundera t case
TH700 and 80 series t case
TH700 and MQ t case
Rover auto and LT 230
Bundera R151 and t case
Landcruiser 80 series 5 speed and t case
Nissan MQ 5 speed and t case
Lexus auto and (maybe?) 100 series t case


What setup would you choose?
The truck has 4.1 diffs and 35 inch tyres
Used for long trips but also maybe comps in future.
Economy a factor too, though not priority.
A good fit in the truck is a priority though!

Thanks for your opinions,
Josh.

[Surfection]

I would say definatly the full rover combo. Probably not the lightest or most compact combo there but if doing long trips the reliability of having a common manufactured drivetrain [minus diffs] could be a benifit. The Haultec guys have proven the strength and reliability of them in the buggies, and there seems to be a decent supply. Also if you get into comps more later on you'll have the ability to do front digs, although if you were doing it for this alone there are other options running a toyota t-case.

HTH

[slosh]

Yes the Rover combo looking very attractive, although the engines seem expensive and have poor economy for the power. How reliable are the autos and are they expensive to rebuild?
It's also hard to go past the V6 holden and T700 as a super cheap and reliable combo- but there are no adaptors for the LT230- which is looking like the ultimate t-case for strength and gearing.

[Roctoy]

Yes the Rover combo looking very attractive, although the engines seem expensive and have poor economy for the power. How reliable are the autos and are they expensive to rebuild?
It's also hard to go past the V6 holden and T700 as a super cheap and reliable combo- but there are no adaptors for the LT230- which is looking like the ultimate t-case for strength and gearing.

keep searching Josh, there sould be an adapter for that combo, they bolt the TH700's to nearly everything in the states.

As for combos, the commo v6 auto works great in mine, not as tourquey as the rover v8 but cheaper and easier to get parts for.

Chris

[MARKx4]

As for me i would go V6 commo, T700 with FJ40 transfer. That way you can still get reduction gears if you want. I dont think anyone makes them for a MQ trans. Its a shame cause i want some.

[Daisy]

like previous post..

dont use MQ transfer or gearboxes due to the fact that there are no reduction gears available for them.

I'd go a simliar setup to roc7oy's rig - availability of spare parts for the commodore engine is numerous australia wide. So break something.. no problems replacing it financially.

TOM

[slosh]

As for me i would go V6 commo, T700 with FJ40 transfer. That way you can still get reduction gears if you want. I dont think anyone makes them for a MQ trans. Its a shame cause i want some.

I'd look into T700 and Bundy t case- read they were lower geared std? Heard 40 series t cases not so tough?

[slosh]

like previous post..

dont use MQ transfer or gearboxes due to the fact that there are no reduction gears available for them.

I'd go a simliar setup to roc7oy's rig - availability of spare parts for the commodore engine is numerous australia wide. So break something.. no problems replacing it financially.

TOM

I threw in the Nissan gear cos I thought it might be cheap and strong, but I doubt it would be good fit anyhow.

Yeah- commo engine and box is a nice strong combo- and parts so cheap and plentiful.

[1MadEngineer]

none of the above.

For the same price if not less you can fit a 3rzfe and box including crawler gears and exhaust. Heaps of power, 4cyl reg, no cooling problems. and light weight. BeeBee's 3rz absolutely flies, and the bottom end torque is amazing, we just fitted a 2 1/2" mandrel exhaust system and a Flowmaster Delta flow muffler (same as the guys in the states run).
For a hilux it would have to be one ofthe best conversions, the injection would take less than 2 hours to hook up and then all you need is a diesel clutch line. And at least in the end you have crawlers as well!

[Guy]

none of the above.

For the same price if not less you can fit a 3rzfe and box including crawler gears and exhaust. Heaps of power, 4cyl reg, no cooling problems. and light weight. BeeBee's 3rz absolutely flies, and the bottom end torque is amazing, we just fitted a 2 1/2" mandrel exhaust system and a Flowmaster Delta flow muffler (same as the guys in the states run).
For a hilux it would have to be one ofthe best conversions, the injection would take less than 2 hours to hook up and then all you need is a diesel clutch line. And at least in the end you have crawlers as well!

what sort of $$ is one of these motors ??
I am loking at coverting as well and have been going through a similar mental process to slosh ..

[1MadEngineer]

3rzfe with computer and b/h usually $2500 - $3000.
and most v6 commy conversions cost around the $4000 , so even with a set of crawlers in the t/case it works out about the same. Off road in low with the idle set at 1300-1500 it is just about impossible to stall, and the efi is so sensitive with knock sensor, crank angle , cam position, when it starts to load up and the revs drop below 800 the computer compensates and keeps it running.

Plus the fact it will lay tread into second and chirp third on road

[Guy]

3rzfe with computer and b/h usually $2500 - $3000.
and most v6 commy conversions cost around the $4000 , so even with a set of crawlers in the t/case it works out about the same. Off road in low with the idle set at 1300-1500 it is just about impossible to stall, and the efi is so sensitive with knock sensor, crank angle , cam position, when it starts to load up and the revs drop below 800 the computer compensates and keeps it running.

Plus the fact it will lay tread into second and chirp third on road

I love the sound of that .. I was looking at spending around $3K for conversion cost .. (sorry to hijack thread .. at least it's still on topic )

[slosh]

none of the above.

For the same price if not less you can fit a 3rzfe and box including crawler gears and exhaust. Heaps of power, 4cyl reg, no cooling problems. and light weight. BeeBee's 3rz absolutely flies, and the bottom end torque is amazing, we just fitted a 2 1/2" mandrel exhaust system and a Flowmaster Delta flow muffler (same as the guys in the states run).
For a hilux it would have to be one ofthe best conversions, the injection would take less than 2 hours to hook up and then all you need is a diesel clutch line. And at least in the end you have crawlers as well!

I had a new Extra Cab with the 3rz for a few years, and it was pretty good, even in that bulky thing.

However, the main reason for this post is that it will be desirable to change the transfer case to one with an offset rear output to line up with the new rear diff.

I'm liking the sound of V6 Commodore + TH700 + LT230. It'll need a one off adaptor- but maybe I can rotate the t/c a bit at same time to reduce the driveshaft angles?

[I.M.P.O.S.E]

Josh I thought about a lot of these options too and others, but decided that the V6 commodore best suited what 'I' was after! It maybe a little more expensive then some of the other set ups, but the parts are cheap and everywhere!

Cheers