Zack1983

So, I would like to start getting things figured out for a diesel swap on my 1983 4x4 short bed and I am trying to figure out which engine/donor car to start looking for.

I am trying to choose between a 1.6l turbo vw, 1.9l turbo vw, vw TDI, or om617, which I would like to avoid because of the body lift and radiator moving that I would have to do.

I have looked on other boards of what people have done, and here, and it seems like everyone says a 1.6l turbo diesel would just be way to little power, but they are much more plentiful and cheaper than trying to get a TDI donor car.

The diesel that was an option in my truck had 62hp and 93 ft·lbf of torque. I do not expect this to be hauling a trailer or going fast. I am pretty much doing this for gas mileage so I can justify keeping and actually driving this truck.

So my main question is this: If I could get a diesel engine that would be between 70-90 hp and maybe 100-150 ft·lbf of torque would it matter what the displacement of the engine is or do I really just need to narrow down my options to a 1.9 IDI turbo or a TDI?

Any opinions are greatly appreciated as I feel like I have digested tons of different treads on these swaps and people keep saying how slow they are (1.6 and 1.9 IDI), and they can't do 80 while hauling a bed full of firewood and I would like to see someone who has done it and now just drives a slow truck, which is not a problem for me as I used to have VW buses, which are no speed demons.

Thanks

Zack

Transplanter

Tdswaps Om617 kit doesn't require a body lift or chopping up your core support for radiator clearance. Just my 2c

Zack1983

Thanks for the input, I will look more carefully into the 617 swaps to make sure that I am not missing anything. I really should start keeping a notebook of all this stuff so I am not getting it all mixed up in my head.

A 617 swap would be a good choice as those things are way more cheap and plentiful that the vw TDIs, though the prices are somewhat still inflated around here(madison,wi).

cumminsbayou

id swap a 4bt cummins in it or the 2.3 cummins in it they are matance free may be a yamar some one put one of them in a ford festa and got 50 mpg

PowerstrokeJoe

I'd vote for the OM617 route. I am very happy with mine. One that might be fun as well would be an Isuzu out of a Thermo King. It would be a lot of work. The Cummins route will be way more work than any of the above for the same power.

technojunkie

The Cummins engines are possible to shoehorn into a mini truck. But the massive weight difference makes the project much more difficult.

You haven't stated what your budget is so this may not work for you. But it is possible to swap an imported Toyota diesel. You can still get a 2LTE or 1KZ-TE from a half cut. The fabrication required should be less intensive.

All that said, after evaluating the options (JDM, vw, Om617) I chose to go with the Mercedes.

B-yodaful

Id go with the Om617 they are everywhere and probably one of the most reliable engines ever built.

HawkStrong16

I'm going to be swapping in a Volvo D24, which is a 2.4L inline 6. It is basically the VW 1.6 with 2 more cylinders, and mine is turbo'd. My reason for that engine is that it was very cheap, and I can get some good parts for very reasonable prices.
When I actually get my swap started I'll start a build thread.

Zack1983

Thanks for all the replies so far. I have a lot to think about.

I think what will make my final decision is what kind of engine/donor car I can get my hands on for a price that I am willing to pay.

As for a budget, I don't really have a set number in mind. Diesel mercedes around here are selling for 2-3K and I don't really want to have to deal with a donor car taking up space that I don't really have and thinking that I am going to be able to part it out and get some of my money back. I need to look into some auto auctions or someplace where I could by a wrecked VW TDI and see what prices might be for that.

Luckily the truck runs now and I have no shortage of other things on it to work on so I can take my time finding a good engine. In the mean time I really need to read and re-read different swap threads to make sure that I am not getting too far over my head.

nathanmyers

I would go with a TDI from the early 2000s... they are probably the most available at the moment, fairly reliable and get great gas milage. what trans are you planing on using. I have seen some swaps using the toyota manual (don't remember the model #). You may want to check a junkyard for everything but the block and buy the short block online or something. or you could just buy a junkyard engine and rebuild it. Another question. are you going to keep the toyota power steering and ac? good luck.

nathanmyers

oh and if anyone would like to trade a low milage 4cy or 6cy tdi or mercedes engine for a 3vze that runs well and has 6,000 miles on it I am game also would include auto trans (if wanted).

Zack1983

Thanks for the relies so far.

I was going to pickup a w56 with transfer case this week, but the guy just e-mailed me and said he can't meet up til after June 29th, because he is in jail.

I am just going to have to keep my eyes and ears open for a suitable donor car and plan on snatching one up the first chance I get.

BC_4runner

The TDI's are amazing engines. There are a few of us on TDIclub swapping them right now including myself. You will only need a body lift with the TDI if you're running IFS, so you should be good to go.

Up to 30mpg, lightweight, ability to chip and tune for 150hp 300ft-lb fairly easily and parts availability were huge draws for me. The om617 and 4bt just weren't refined enough for me. I would stay away from M-TDI for the yota's. The electronics are the heart of these engines!


If you want more info there is a link in my sig.