I have not read the entire thread, so sorry if this has been mentioned already.
I've got a 93 4Runner with a 94' 1KZTE/auto tranny. Runs great, awesome little engine. One thing you MUST do: Large exhaust and intercooler. On hot summer days, these engines tend to overheat under heavy loads. I have a 3" downpipe from turbo, and 3" straight back. Also have a very large Evo front mount intercooler with 2.5" piping. It helps tremendously during the summer months. The previous owner modified the temp gauge to be "linear," so when the needle is right on the line before the red zone, the thermostat is all the way open. If it crosses into the red it allows me to reduce load and let it cool off before serious engine damage occurs. I'll see if I can dig up the article about it if you want. Otherwise you can just get an EGT gauge and watch that.
This summer I climbed up the I-70 pass in Colorado at 70 MPH without overheating (32" tires). These engines can sure produce if you treat them right.
Also, if you still have the engine out of the truck, install a block heater!!! One thing I really wish I had on mine.. it has some trouble starting when its -30F. I use an oilpan heater, which helps quite a bit, but a block heater would be way better.
Hey man, thanks for the info, I'd LOVE to read that article if you happen to find it. my plan has been to do a big Exhaust and an IC but I'm still trying to decide on how to do the IC at the moment. I've had some experience with these trucks in Australia where they got the IC version but it's good to hear feedback from someone here in the US with feedback from our weather/road conditions cause they're very different climates where I was and where I am now in the PNW. With the hurdles I've had this far, I have time to work it out, but I greatly appreciate any/all ideas, feed-back and info you can give mate. I'm beyond excited to get this thing on the road, but it's going to be a "do it right once" kinda build and as such WAY slower then some might have patience for.
I a also doing a block heater as this will be taking me to far Northern Canada and up to AK to see family, winters on Mt. Hood and also just for the fact that, yeah, as you say, I HAVE THE BLOODY ENGINE OUT!!!! Hahahaha. Good call man, we're on the same page. Same reason I'm doing the T-Belt and gaskets while I have her out in an easy to access place now too.
So, to anyone who might peek in or has wondered if I died and or gave up:
NO, the dream is still alive aye.
I've had some issues with a crucial part I got from Japan. The oil-Pickup tube is just slightly the wrong shape/length to fit into the pan correctly so rather then try to order another one were just modifying the one we got because it's such a small ammount of adjustment needed that... well, we just want to get on with it.
Other developments:
- Cleaned up the engine
- Got started laying out the wiring (oh MAN am I going to hate that part when it comes time to put it in the truck...)
- Got the rear axle/suspension tacked in/built up.
- Realized at the Last minute that I'd be stupid NOT to put an E-Locker in the back so we did that. I'm looking at going to a cable actuator for ultimate simplicity and field reliability (any opinions welcome on this bit)
- Designed my Bumpers/sliders
- Ordered up some Rigid Industries LED lights for the truck. Light bar and 3 sall 4-bulb units one of a back-up light, and two for "alley lights"
- Decided on a Fuel Filter and found a good coolant filter.
- Bud-Built T-Case X-Member and front Skid arrived... SO NICE, I'm gonna feel REAL safe with these and I can't WAIT to see it without that pesky factory "rock-snager" X-Member under there!!!
Still to work out:
- Intercooler
- Fans (electric or clutch/mech)
- AC comressor
- Re-fresh engine
- Mount engine..
-Lots of other stuff that's a problem for "Future Dave and co."
- Possibly going to yank the carpet and go with a HD molded/sound-deaening vinyl floor. Actually I've already decided to do it but I'm trying to find the right/best one and see if it's worth the cost one I figure out how much they want. This is something I REALLY want to do though, no carpet would be SO great and added sound deadening would be awesome.
Pictures when I've remembered to take them (really need to get better at this bit aye)
Old V6 out, waiting for the Diesel to be back together and ready to bolt in...
Ready for THIS to go (back) into it:
new pan and parts from Dave at Japan4x4 (Flywheel bolts and a TPS that I badly needed as we found out)
The offending Oil sump pick-up Tube... drops down about 1/8+ " too far to allow the pan to bolt on so I'm having it shortened and modified (the support arms in particular) and it should be back from the fab guy soon. I'd love to have been able t do this myself, but I can't/don't weld TIG well enough yet and I didn't trust a part this vital to the survival of my engine to my own hands... Simple enough aye
In THEORY, a "KZN130" Oil Pick-up tube on the left and what we believe is a "Hi Ace" pickup on the right (the pan that came on this engine was something else) for kicks/comparison... This is what started the whole "hang-up" in the first place and this alone has taken
The rear axle perches (might have already posted this... thought I had a picture of the E-Locker install but can't find them now) For anyone who didn;t read through my rather poorly crafted earlier posts, I converted to rear-leaves on this, a 2nd Gen 4Runner/Hlux Surf mainly for load-capacity reasosn adn for simplicity. I also have the same leaves on the back of my 1st Gen 4Runner and they're great. I prefer a more "truckish" ride and with the planned drawer system/sleeping platform, the 'constant" load combined with towing capability meant I either needed to go with complicated over-load system or a more complex rear system. SO, I just went with what I know: OME CS009 Leaf's. Some may see this as a Bad choice, but as I said I'm familiar with them, and I now they work. if at some point I get fed up and decide to SAS the thing these will find heir way up front and I'd likely go with longer OME springs for another application but for now, being IFS up front and more about the range/hauling capability then out-right trail toy status, they're more then capable and even flex well for the load they can handle and the relatively short length.
Bye for now...
Cheers
Dave