Jim,RubyTrooper, Thank you, you hit the nail right on the head. How do we know what we can do unless we look outside the box or in this case the "Brick". Has anyone ever tried to optimize MPG on a Trooper or have they just assumed it can't be done? I don't know!!! That is why I am seeking the current knowledge by talking to everyone I can including professionals to see what the lay of the land is before I finalize my strategy. I may discover that it is not practical as suggested to pursue a radical pursuit for moderate gains. I may find that with moderate pursuit I can have radical gains. But likely I will find that with moderate pursuit I will realize moderate or maybe respectful gains.

If you have researched Troopers like I have on the WEB over the years you should remember that several years ago there were no practical ways to optimize the off road capabilities of the Trooper. Even though they were good off road vehicles in their own right the avalability of after market parts just did not exist to make them what they can be today. Because people were interested and jumped outside the box and started searching and asking questions now it is a very different story. Troopers now with moderate expenditure can be very capable off road vehicles.

I mean no disrespect to anyone especially all of the wheelers out there, I merely used the analagy as a point of reference. I however know wheelers that tear up their vehicles every weekend and wheelers that rarely get a scratch on their vehicle. I myself limit my wheeling to backroads without potential hazards.

I received some of what I would call negative responses when I initially asked my Gas Mileage question as if it was a stupid question to ask and that may have set a hostile tone on my part and for that I apoligize. In the future I will choose to do as yourself and see the Glass Half Full on the rest of my quest for optimal gas mileage in the Trooper.

I am now more than ever determined to squeeze more gas mileage out of the Trooper. I have contacted 2 engine builders that specialize in the 60Degree V6 and I should know more of a direction after I talk to them this week and whatever I learn I will share with the forum.

I hope I have not offended anyone on this forum, after all we all Love Troopers and no matter what we use them for or what we hope from them this should make us all friends. So please accept my apoligies if I stepped out of line in any way.

Hope Springs Eternal...Steve

Acy, I do remember talking to you about your diesel conversion over the phone. I remember this swap sounded somewhat difficult to me. I am in no way a mechanic and even the 3.4 conversion seems daunting to me. However through my search for a solution to better efficiency with the Trooper I have always thought that diesel and all the fuel options it represented were my favorite solution. I am also willing to learn as I go and take my time because I literally plan to keep the Trooper forever. Whatever I do now will benefit me for years to come. You said your Trooper and the TD install represented buying another car for you so it made sense to do what you are doing. I feel the same way in that even though my Trooper is running good at the present I want to make it as efficient as possible. For me it is a responsibility in the times we live in with shrinking resources to be as efficient as possible in any way you can. So if I can RECYCLE the Trooper instead of buying another vehicle that seems good to me.

To answer some questions posed about my capabilities and readiness to do any kind of swap. (A).I do have other transportation and could take the Trooper out of commision for a while to do the swap. (B). I do have a relative that is a diesel mechanic from eastern europe who has stated: get me the specifics on a diesel swap and he will be hands on as much as I need him to get the swap done. (C). He has all the tools needed and I have a fair amount of tools also.

Everything considered I would much prefer the 2.8Turbo Diesel. It fits in with a lot of my goals and my personality. I plan to build a Straw Bale house to retire in. I have researched them for about 10 years now. They are very effecient, easy to build yourself and represent self sufficiency and awareness that their is a better way than the traditional methods of going to the bank and borrow a lot of money to build an inefficient costly house. Trooper,s represent sort of the same spirit to me. Like you said what else can you get for under $2000 that can do what a Trooper does. It's just that gas mileage thing that throws a monkey wrench in the works with the Trooper. The 2.8 TD is the optimal upgrade for a Trooper in my mind. Then I could have my cake and eat it to.

This forum is great. We have sparked a healthy debate and discussion concerning topics we shoud all be interested in and concerned about. Everyone can and should benefit from this. You have re-inspired me to pursue the DIESEL path for the Trooper.

A few more questions concerning the 2.8TD.

What kind of power and mileage do you expect from the TD in relation to the 2.8 gas?

Do you have an automatic Tranny option with the TD or must you stay with the 5spd?

When do you expect to have the 2.8TD project on the road and stats coming in as to it's performance?

Acy, I will check out your site also...Thanks again...Steve <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

Steve,

If I recall correctly, the 4JB1-T will produce around 110 HP and 175 lb/ft. of torque. Not certain whether this is the intercooled engine or not. I have read differing specs on various sites. I have also heard that with some light tuning, 127 hp & 236 lb/ft. is easily achieved. More is possible, too.

I don't know whether there was ever an automatic transmission offered. Since you are after maximum economy, you should really only consider manual transmissions.

I have read anywhere from 27 to 32 mpg, so I am guessing around 30 when it's complete.

On the road? Hopefully this summer. I have had some trouble finding the time to work on it lately. It is close, though. As always, I'll post my progress (eventually).

Feel free to ask any other questions you may have.

By the way, the fastest route to your goal may well be to purchase a 1986 factory diesel Trooper. I believe they get around 25 mpg, possibly a little more, and it would certainly be easier than converting. They do appear on eBay from time to time.

Adrian, I have dived in on the quest to go diesel. I had the same idea of finding a Trooper Diesel and checked all the car sale sites with no luck yet. Is 86 the only year diesel was available in a Trooper USA? I talked to Jerry in Georgia(Jerry should be declared an Isuzu National Treasure for the knowledge he posesses) and he said that an install into a Diesel Trooper would be very easy or similar to a 3.4 upgrade. You would already have all the diesel specific equipment already there. Like wiring, hoses etc. I am looking for one with a blown engine but one running would be OK to. I have posted on ITOC UK looking for someone(individual) to help me import a 4jtb-1.

On the same site I found a guy in New jersey(I think) who has found a source in the UK who will ship directly to him without going through an importer like you did. He was asking for people to make an order with him to lower costs. I have emailed him and he should be calling me soon.

I also had the idea to locate some junk yards in the UK close to a major port and contact them to locate an engine and tranny and have them ship directly. Has anyone tried this?

I have also located a 2.6 Trooper locally with a blown engine I can get cheap if I cant find a Diesel. Jerry said the 2.6 was the next easiest install. My 2,8 is the hardest install...wouldn't you know. I plan to drive my Trooper while I do the Diesel project that way I will have plenty of time to do a quality job like you are doing.

You also mentioned an intercooler. Do all the 4j's have a intercooler? If not is this an option I should be looking for?

Thanks...Steve <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" />

Steve,

The Troopers were also available as diesels in 1987, although it is my understanding that this model year diesel is much more rare.

If you do look into importing from the UK, bear in mind the best price I found for a low-mileage engine/transmission combo from Japan was $2000, plus $200 shipped to me from Florida (had to pick it up at the nearest freight terminal). The drivetrain is in beautiful shape, and looks to be all of the 40k miles old they claimed it was. If you can beat this price, by all means, buy it and post your source for the rest of us!

My conversion chassis is the 2.6 gas Trooper - I do think this is the easiest route to take if you're converting. It's a bolt-in procedure as far as mounting the driveline goes. You will need to modify the driveshafts (as well as many other things). I would do some research into whether the 1986 diesel Trooper shares the same frame - this would dictate difficulty of getting the drivetrain at least bolted in. It is my understanding that the 1986 frame differs from the 1988, esp. in the area of the transmission crossmember.

Having a source of factory diesel Trooper parts has been helpful, I'd suggest the same for you.

Still, it might be easiest to keep looking for a 1986 diesel. The few months you spend searching will likely pale in comparison to the time you'd need to spend converting.

Just some thoughts..

Steve, saw your reply on ITOCUK and if you do want to try to find a factory 86 Trooper diesel there was a member that posted up a for sale ad a while back for one. Here is the link and he probably isn't too far away from you given he lives in North Carolina. Trooper 2 door diesel Try to contact him, as he probably could help you out on a sale. Good luck. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Salvy