I had a 84 extra cab diesel 4x4 with a 2.7 L diesel. That thing was a bloody dog for power. I lived with that diesel for about 8 years and when i sold it i was a very very happy person. Ever replace anything on a diesel? Not only are the parts rare, but they are insanely expensive. Gutless as hell.Diesel can be hard to find in some remote areas. Hard to start in cold weather. Heaters dont work good because they run so cool. All drivetrain parts are diesel specific so if you blow your tranny like i did you have to get a diesel tranny. I did love my diesel when i had it because it was a very rare truck and people would always ask if it was a diesel and where did i get it. That novelty wears off fast when you have to find parts for it.
Thats my diesel rant. Enjoy your gas pots cause diesels aint all that. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
I've ridden in that 4Runner and as far as I can tell it has just as much power as my truck and a heck of a lot more low end torque. The only drawback is if someone want's to cruise at high illegal speeds on the highway. It runs out of rpm really quick. His is a later model mid 1990s turbo diesel which is an entirely different animal. I've seen the specs on the non-turbo Toyota diesels and yes they are dogs, very gutless. As for parts, they aren't really that expensive. Finding them can be an issue, but these engines are extremely reliable and durable. He purchased a brand spanking new turbo diesel exhaust manifold from Toyota for only $100. That's not expensive. The turbos are the same turbos used on the 22RT-E, so turbos and parts are nearly the same as are aftermarket stuff. Some parts interchange with the 2L and 2LTs that were sold here in the states so dealer parts are still available. He also makes a lot of his own stuff or adapts stuff to work.
As for finding diesel, I've been to some of the most remote areas of where I live and diesel is easy to find, because that's what all the ranchers use and ranchers are usually who occupy the remote area. Heck, as soon as I leave the city, diesel is easier to find because all the outlining gas stations carry it. Here in town, you have to go to station after station to find someone who carries it, which can be an issue, until you figure out who has it and who doesn't.
As for being hard to start, his engine does not have the glowplugs hooked up to power and it started right up with only a few cranks, even cold. In the cold sub freezing temps up there on the mountain it ran find and the heater worked great. As soon as he gets the glowplugs hooked up it should start in nearly any weather on the first crank. The one issue there is with weather is the gelling of diesel fuel at temps below about 15 degrees F. However, I'm not sure if biodiesel is any different. Also, there are simple diesel fuel addititives that can correct that.
Obviously, for a project truck like this, it's extremely helpful that the owner knows his truck in and out and can basicly basicly fix any aspect of the truck and can even make some parts if needed.
