transplant the Isuzu 4JB1

[jeremp]

I live in TX, many diesel parts are hard to come by and not many people who know anything about Isuzu diesel.

I have read over your posts as well as a a blog from a guy who put a diesel in his trooper. (http://www.dieseltrooper.blogspot.com/)

I have a 98 Rodeo v6 4x4. I want to transplant the Isuzu 4JB1-TC, a 2.8 liter direct-injection inter-cooled turbo diesel.

From your experience where should I get the parts? Do I need to change tranny/t-case? Is it even possible? I have experience converting to diesel in my Samurai and would love to do the same to my much adored Rodeo. (http://dieselsammi.blogspot.com/)

Any input or advice is appreciated.

Thank you

[geeves]

Is Tx Texas?
Assuming this is the case then your Rodeo is known as either a Frontera or Wizard over here and will have a 3.2 liter Isuzu v6. If so things should be fairly easy. If it has a 3.1 or 2.8 v6 sourced from Chevy it could be a lot harder. The 3.2 and 4jb1 should share the same bell houseing but I cant promise this. If it doesnt match up then a gearbox swap would be the quick easy way out All the cross members will be in the right place. The only computer on the 4jb1 is for emmisions so this should be easy to work out or just do what we do over here and blank off the egr. If its an auto you could have a bit of fun as the petrol engin revs to 6000 the diesel only 4200. All the change points will be wrong so an auto that matches the motor would be the way to go. The manual is a MUA 5 speed which only came with one set of ratios so what you have is what you get.
Apart from that you shouldnt have any dramas that you didnt have to solve with the VW Samari. At least everything comes from the same company. How are you getting hold of the engine?

[James W]

jeremp, in your part of the world you should be able to find MUA5 gearboxes in 2.2L diesel (C223) troopers.

Also the Isuzu Diesel forum on 4x4wire.com should give you some local diesel knowledge.

Texas, isn't that north of the Bombay hills?

[nig]

Another place to look for gearboxtype stuff might be TFS series utes (you guys call them pickups or something like that
My Aust market Rodeo (which is a 94 model 4JB1-T diesel TFS ute) has exactly the same gearbox etc. as the equivalent 2.6 litre petrol model

[jeremp]

You guys are great!! Thanks for the info.

My Rodeo (Wizard) does have the gas 3.2, which is nice but I get horrible MPG, especially with 31" tires. Plus ithe engine has 150k hard miles, I hear a loud ticking noise at 2500rpm. I plan on putting a 3" lift and a solid front end in the future which will need more torque to move and the gasser will kill me with costs, if it can handle it at all.

I originally wanted to mate the 4JB1 Turbo to the stock auto tranny; however, I never thought of the RPM issue. I may need the whole drive-train. Preferably auto so I won't need to convert pedal cluster and such.

The other issue is finding one over here. The Imported diesel Isuzus are gold in the US and no one lets them go. So parts from a junker are likely out of the question. I was wondering if you guys knew of a junker in NZ or AU that will sell me the whole front clip and send it to USA? Preferably an inter-cooled turbo. What is an average price for a used engine, extras, tranny and t-case? I really want to perform this operation and it would still be cheaper than buying a new truck.

Any ideas?

Thanks

[geeves]

Probably better getting a complete parts car direct from the auction houses in Japan. The freight from Japan would be similar to here and it wont of already gone through several peoples hands each with a little bit of profit on the side.
The only catches are that the 4jb1 was normally manual but can be found with an auto in some Mus (amigo) made before 1993 This might be a little limiting. The later 4jg2 engine came out after this and is 3.1 liters and nearly always behind an auto and can be got in Bighorns (troopers),Mus (amigos) and Wizards(Rodeos) up to 97 After this they went to the 3.0 liter overhead cam engine with all the bells and whistles and a few problems. If you want to know about this engine do a google on 4jx1. It a magic engine when running right but defiantly not the one you want.
The 4jb1 is the more reliable and economical engine but the 4jg2 is still quite good but dont ever let it overheat. Its indirect injection and has a very nice torque curve and will pull very hard from idle Expect 2 - 3 less mpg The 4jb1 always likes a few revs and can be a little sluggish behind an auto because of this

[jeremp]

Japan auction house? That is a new direction. I have no experience with that, do you? What could I expect to pay for a full truck? Do you know if it is costly to send the whole car as opposed to cutting it in half and sending the front? I would hate to destroy a good car.

Exploring the tranny conversion option; has anyone converted an auto to standard? Is it fairly difficult? Any feedback will help me decide what is best and doable considering my options.

Thanks guys

[jeremp]

I would consider teaming up with someone who wants the body and everything; else if they send the front half (no need to remove engine just send the whole front) minus hood, fenders, bumper, lights, dash or anything else not associated with the engine.

Just a thought

[geeves]

If you get a whole car you get the loom and everything you always need.
Jap auctions can be a bit strange to deal with but some are quite honest. In Japan there is a very tough inspection that must be completed at 5 years or the car is put off the road. Most of the cars in auction are there instead of having this inspection and as a result are virtually worthless. It cost $4000NZ to get a car to NZ and register it and some of these cars are hitting car yards at less than $7000 NZ I dont know what the dealers are paying for them but do know they make a nice living.
Your transport costs will be less but you wont have compliance or registration costs.
A place to start looking would be english.auto.vl.ru/catalog/isuzu/
It is a Russian site but it is English The Russians buy as many jap inports as we do.
You will need to deal through a shipping agent etc I cant help but I do know of an importer in Canada that is specialising in inporting Landcruisers who might be able to assist

[jeremp]

Wow! a Whole car shipped? I would like to contact your importer friend. He may be able to help. I thought the cost to purchase and import would not be worth it, but at those prices it seems that it may be. PLease PM me with the info. Does the importer purchase as well or just ship? I appreciate all your help.

[geeves]

This is his website
www.luxuryimports.ca
He also has some advise for do it yourself importing at
www.luxuryimports.ca/faq/importinfo.php

The guys name is Wayne. If you do contact him tell him you were put onto him by a New Zealand 4wd forum member. Hes not actually a friend but he is a member of a local forum and seems to know his stuff.
Hope this helps