Offroad-Express

Hey guys, recently purchased a 1982 Hilux with a 18r engine and 4sp box.
Its in pretty good condition for its age and after a service the motor is running quite smooth. Ive had a wee play in it and it goes well off road, but on road is a different storey(rather slow).
Im thinking about an engine swap but not sure what direction to go. Main use for the truck is daily driver with some recreational off roading as well as some boat towing this summer. As is, I dont think it is going to to tow the boat exceptionally well. As I live in Queenstown I need it to get up hills with the boat.

So my question is is there an easy upgrade that im going to notice gains from? Ive looked into the commodore v6 option at this stage little bit out of my price range. Ive notice that a few of the Americans are running 22re's, any thoughts on these?
Any ideas in general would be appreciated.
Cheers Rob

Hi Rob,
my opinion a 7mge is the best bang for buck conversion, cheap good power, bolts up to a hilux gearbox, dead simple ecu. Have a look at my conversion here
http://www.offroadexpress.co.nz/Forums/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=3999&hilit=7mge

I use this to tow my crawler around with, towed it all over the South Island last Xmas, works good.

Cheers'
Jafa

Of the conversions I have seen done the 22r and 22re is thirsty.

The 5,6,7m as Jaffa suggests is long and is a tight fit in a hilux, some are thirsty but may be more an install, tyre size or driving thing.

1 and 2 jz are good engines and a fairly cheap fit (one adapter) but again long and far more modern engine but I would question economy.

sr20 (non turbo) is not cheap but great on fuel also a nissan

Commy v6 is an awesome swap but well cost and economy.

Lexus V8 mmmmmm

LS1 oh the diff snapping power

A side thought would be the 1kz turbo diesel in the surf, find a wrecked one and transplant, but there are cooling issues to be aware of and also the rear driveshaft is off centre on some (prado ones).

I have only chosen EFI options as the carb in mine (4y) has issues on some angles (flooding and leaning out stalling).

seriously consider the diesel tho, take a surf for a drive

Steve_t647 wrote:1 and 2 jz are good engines and a fairly cheap fit (one adapter) but again long and far more modern engine but I would question economy.

they're not to bad for economy, my last hilux (ln65) had a 1jz ge in it (non turbo) and was on 35s, lifted etc etc and i could get 420km out of a 50l tank

mmmm havent quite measured the economy on the surf yet.......

nzhunter wrote:

Steve_t647 wrote:1 and 2 jz are good engines and a fairly cheap fit (one adapter) but again long and far more modern engine but I would question economy.

they're not to bad for economy, my last hilux (ln65) had a 1jz ge in it (non turbo) and was on 35s, lifted etc etc and i could get 420km out of a 50l tank

mmmm havent quite measured the economy on the surf yet.......

you've done well, both Bill and Rick aka (WJW and Hiriklux) have hit the trail with 2JZ's, proven to be more powerful but less econamical (JUST) than the M series, for offroadability/waterproofing/bangforbuck the 1kz diesel with R series box or auto is much better value for money these days.......
P.S I would love one of those early 80's Crumpy wagons, especially a gen 1 SWB flat deck

i have the commy v6 in my surf. fare bit of power but its thirsty. 250ks to a 60l tank.. not sure if that's just because the conversion wasn't done properly, or because I'm led footed and run 33's.
could be a mix of things haha.

cheers

Hey i have 81 hilux with the 22r in it, has reasoble power considering engine size and carburated and will tow a small boat fine but the fuel econmy is not good at all much like the 18r. I have been toying with the idea of putting an 18rgeu in hilux wich is a 2litre twin cam fuel injected motor suposbly 20-30 more horsepower than the 22r and slightly lighter in weight but not sure if its worth it as there are many simple conversions for hiluxs. I guess it will come down to personal prefrence and budget.

i have the commy v6 in my surf. fare bit of power but its thirsty. 250ks to a 60l tank.. not sure if that's just because the conversion wasn't done properly, or because I'm led footed and run 33's.
could be a mix of things haha.

jase your hilux should be ok as I noticed you dont sit at traffic lites waiting for them to change you just take a short cut thru the service station fore court then back onto Sunset rd and gone ....

lol that wasn't me ohnest...

gimmemud said his truck does about 450ks to a 50l tank... considering my tank is bigger i should be doing the same if not more ks...maby i should get the surf looked at by a auto sparky or something...

86-surf wrote:i have the commy v6 in my surf. fare bit of power but its thirsty. 250ks to a 60l tank.. not sure if that's just because the conversion wasn't done properly, or because I'm led footed and run 33's.
could be a mix of things haha.

cheers

thats the sort of economy i get out of my dirtly ol' 350!

anyways, engine conversions....
GET A V8!!!

I have heaps of trouble with mine but that beautiful sound out the back is all you need

3rz ..... jafa's got one and it just seams to keep going with the hiding he gives it

Hey thanks for all the advice guys!
Had a look at Jafa's build and im liking the sound of a 7mge.
Think its going to suit my needs and my budget at this stage.
Found this on trademe too bad its on the wrong island!

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing ... =260673973

Can any one suggest a good workshop in the South Island to do such a conversion? Im located in Queenstown so ive accepted the fact that ill prob have to take the truck some where else to get the conversion done.

Jafa I might pm you sometime and pick your brain abit when I get closer to doing the conversion if thats ok?

Cheers
Rob

DCPTN wrote:Hey thanks for all the advice guys!
Had a look at Jafa's build and im liking the sound of a 7mge.
Think its going to suit my needs and my budget at this stage.
Found this on trademe too bad its on the wrong island!

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing ... =260673973

Can any one suggest a good workshop in the South Island to do such a conversion? Im located in Queenstown so ive accepted the fact that ill prob have to take the truck some where else to get the conversion done.

Jafa I might pm you sometime and pick your brain abit when I get closer to doing the conversion if thats ok?

Cheers
Rob

No worries Rob, and ring Rick at 4wd Accessories in Chch, he's the man to see, top work and a top bloke

DCPTN wrote:Hey thanks for all the advice guys!
Had a look at Jafa's build and im liking the sound of a 7mge.
Think its going to suit my needs and my budget at this stage.
Found this on trademe too bad its on the wrong island!

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing ... =260673973

Can any one suggest a good workshop in the South Island to do such a conversion? Im located in Queenstown so ive accepted the fact that ill prob have to take the truck some where else to get the conversion done.

Jafa I might pm you sometime and pick your brain abit when I get closer to doing the conversion if thats ok?

Cheers
Rob

as jafa said rick is good but be warned he may try and talk you out of a 7m and into something a bit newer. If your about chch at any stage feel free to let me know and you can come check out my 6m in a hilux ln65 and take it for a drive if you'd like (and its going )

I'd be keen to see how you go i have an ln65 that is in desparate need of a repower.

Might not get done for a few months yet. Going to try do abit more research, want to learn as much as I can about the swap before i send it to a shop.

Thanks for the help so far everyone!

Best you watch your sizing when trying to get a 6cyl in a gen 1 engine bay. They are smaller in length than the gen 2, and although I have seen a 5m in one, but it was really tight (had to ditch the heater type of tight).
Just something to watch for.
My option would be the v6 commonwhore. Nice and compact, plenty of snot, and plentiful.

Jafa wrote:

DCPTN wrote:Hey thanks for all the advice guys!
Had a look at Jafa's build and im liking the sound of a 7mge.
Think its going to suit my needs and my budget at this stage.
Found this on trademe too bad its on the wrong island!

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing ... =260673973

Can any one suggest a good workshop in the South Island to do such a conversion? Im located in Queenstown so ive accepted the fact that ill prob have to take the truck some where else to get the conversion done.

Jafa I might pm you sometime and pick your brain abit when I get closer to doing the conversion if thats ok?

Cheers
Rob

No worries Rob, and ring Rick at 4wd Accessories in Chch, he's the man to see, top work and a top bloke

I second that. Rick is very competent and knowledgeable. There are other places in CHC that o conversions, but thats another story.

I might give Rick a ring and have a chat with him bounce some ideas around. Anyone know if they are open after the new year festivities yet?

Got my first real taste of offroading the other day went part of the way into macetown, time restraints and some peoples hangovers meant we set of late so just had a wee play.

Been wondering if a 5speed box in my truck would make it abit more driveable on road and perhaps a bit more economical? Any thoughts? Is there a gearbox that will bolt up relatively hassle free.

Cheers Rob

DCPTN wrote:I might give Rick a ring and have a chat with him bounce some ideas around. Anyone know if they are open after the new year festivities yet?

Got my first real taste of offroading the other day went part of the way into macetown, time restraints and some peoples hangovers meant we set of late so just had a wee play.

Been wondering if a 5speed box in my truck would make it abit more driveable on road and perhaps a bit more economical? Any thoughts? Is there a gearbox that will bolt up relatively hassle free.

Cheers Rob

He's back on Tuesday.