Outer Limits 4x4 Board

Has anyone read the US diesel forums on these engines? Some have a shocking history and reputation over there.
Of the 3 below I know which one I would choose

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h35/f ... arison.jpg

cheers fnq

Didn't you say you want a vehicle as a tourer? Would this not mean it is better left as close to factory as possible for ease of repairs etc?

Yeah, number one priority... In order to do this with any confidence though, it's out with the ZD30 and in with something more reliable.

PLEASE, correct me if I'm wrong here guys but as I have it... Any change in engine will require a number of mods - I've been told gearbox by some and told it's fine by the rest, I'd like to hear from others that have had engine changes and can tell me first hand! Complete box change for 4.2L or just use a bell housing adapter for the chev.
Other things mentioned are change diff centres to 4.11 and even the radiator core.

Like I say, I'd like to hear from first hand experience. Options as I see them are 4.2 Nissan, 6.2/6.5 Chev and even the 5.9 Cummins - mind you, the 5.9 6cyl Cummins pumps out 614-786 Nm of torque out of the box (that's the one you have pictures of the piston and conrod). Which brings into concern comments of other driveline components that will need changing? This sounds like crap to me, as there isn't too much wrong with stock Datsun stuff, certainly compares favourably with the standard gear that Chev and Dodge run in their trucks!

What do you hope to achieve by running a Chev diesel in a vehicle designed for a smaller engine?

I don't know that I'd say the Patrol was designed for a smaller engine (physically they're all pretty close - yes even the 3.0L is a fairly bulky donk). Who wouldn't want more power and torque? As long as it doesn't come at a huge cost...

What to do?

if you want simplicty go with a 4.2 conversion.. all nissan gear, no problems with other driveline parts etc. Fairly easy to get engineered since its all nissan gear, less hassles with Insurance, and engineers etc.

with the Chev etc you do need to make sure your box is in the best shape it can be. Brunswick adn the dude who does their conversion down here said the GQ auto will work, its been done, best person to speak to on the box is Rodney at wholesale Automatics.

What box you going to go with manual or auto?


In the end I just went with the good old faithful TD42Ti ... you cant really go past it for reliability. With a few $ spent on it, it will go quite well. for $8k spent you will get over 200kw at wheels (I think thats what one dude on here quoted a while back)..

IMHO, forget the duramax and the problems associated with fitting it and getting engineered. its too long, simple as that.

Why would you put a classic Cummins in a Japanese pretend SUV, freaking insult to the cummins name.

Sell ya house and get a Dodge

mmm, bugger it, id prob put one in Japanese car anyway, as need a roof over my head, be like a standard Jap car on outside with Balls under the bonnet

I must admit that for the last seven months in the US, I did get to see some pretty tough rigs... now that I'm back home though, I'm much happier (probably a bit to do with the comfort factor of them being on the correct side of the road)!

Yeah, the Dodge pickup ("ute" in Australia) is a great rig - especially the one that comes from the factory with the Viper V10 engine! And the magazine Diesel Power is great for some ideas (fav article was 721Hp daily driver Duramax!), but give me a Patrol or even a Cruiser and I'll be happy - I've had enough of Chev Suburbans and Ford Excursions for a while.

While I'd love to slot a 6.5 into it, I really do think that the 4.2 will end up being the donor (albeit with a bit of work and an intercooler to help the turbo). Just want to talk to any other guys out there who have done a transplant of anykind on their Datsuns...

You ended up cheating didn't you Bogged? Going and getting a whole new rig isn't in the rules! Looks alright though, know anyone who wants a 3cyl Patrol... maybe swap it for an '07 Td6?!?!

As they say the Grass is always greener on the other side, until you get there.

In the case of American 4x4, it is greener.

Ill wack a Cummins/Duramax in a japanese or korean car, as its the closest I may get to the real stuff, but hey its not the same

So we get to play with Nissans/toyotas/hyundais, yeah ha

manno74 wrote:You ended up cheating didn't you Bogged? Going and getting a whole new rig isn't in the rules!

Yup, did it the easy way. thought long and ahrd about it, and slapped myself. the money you would spend on a conversion/engineers/hassles, you are better off to just trade up to a real engined GU.


2 blokes on EO have GU's with the Chev 6.5...

One bought a blown up 2.8 and did it - $22,000+ for converison and other bought one already converted.

Both are happy, but the one that did th econversion still sent it back several times to brunswick for issues over the first 12 mths..

I've got a budget of about $25k. That combined with a blown ZD30 (what, $10k for the truck as is?), I don't think I could find another truck for $35k. Not with all the little things I've done to the Datsun already (lift, snorkel, bars front & rear, water bladders and the like). I know I can take some of the stuff, but as I see it, a heart transplant is the only viable option, just which donor????!!!!! If I didn't go and buy a new Forester earlier in the year for the missus, I'd just go and see the bank for a few extra bucks and start with a new Td6.

What are the opinions out there? 6.5 Chev or 4.2 Datsun?

manno74 wrote:I've got a budget of about $25k. That combined with a blown ZD30 (what, $10k for the truck as is?), I don't think I could find another truck for $35k. Not with all the little things I've done to the Datsun already (lift, snorkel, bars front & rear, water bladders and the like). I know I can take some of the stuff, but as I see it, a heart transplant is the only viable option, just which donor????!!!!! If I didn't go and buy a new Forester earlier in the year for the missus, I'd just go and see the bank for a few extra bucks and start with a new Td6.

What are the opinions out there? 6.5 Chev or 4.2 Datsun?

so your 3.0 is already blown?

if not, you buy a TD6 for $35k, and swap all your bits onto it, flog the grenade off before it blows, and get some bux back.

Yep, gone... hence the picture and sig block!

I have a 2000 model sitting in my front yard too!

Not sure what is wrong with it exactly and have not had the time to work it out.

Just contemplating what to drop into it.

While a 4.2 Turbo Diesel would be great the cost is prohibitive.

Everything from VH45 to 2JZ has been suggested.

While a bit small for my personal like at least with a 2JZ I know I can get 350HP at the wheel reliably.

Jimmy