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NM to FL '85 CJ8 Renegade take 2

A Jeep build is never done, and with that spirit I hope to make yet another change to this build. I want to add a small displacement Diesel engine. I’ve settled on the Toyota 1KZ-TE 3.0l turbo diesel engine. It’s hard to find in the states but they can be had for reasonable prices. I hope to have this engine installed and running before I leave for the Marines this winter.
 
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Well, my T5 blew itself up today, so that will expediate the engine swap
 
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That’s a bummer, but good motivation to get the swap done. I have an SR4 in my scrambler... luckily I also have an assembled power train in my garage in case it gives out.
 
Replied before the last page, interested to hear about this swap.
 
Work on the swap started today, just getting it ready, removal of the winch, bumper, grill, and fenders. Hope to have the engine/tranny/transfer shipped to me soon. The 4.2 out of the scrambler will be going in my fathers CJ7 that’s been sitting in our driveway with a cracked 2.5 block.
 
In other good news, a 98 TJ has been added to my small Jeep family, I don’t know much about wranglers, but I love it already. I traded my 05 Nissan Frontier for it, and it’s now my daily. It’s on - 4.5” lift, 35x12.5 tires, with auto lockers in the front and rear. 6CCF86F1-A90E-4297-880E-AE4D35EE5232.jpeg4142CA3F-066C-4611-8000-14C898CCEE14.jpeg
 
Welcome back, sorry to hear that things got sidelined, but it sounds like it's for good reasons. We grabbed a '98 TJ this fall too that's been my daily. Hoping to go through it all in time for the kid to drive it when she gets her license :eek:
 
Minor update, and I know it means nothing without pics, but we were able to get the Toyota to start up today. I dropped it off at a buddy’s shop so he can evaluate it further as I have to head back to work in a different state. Progress is progress even if it’s slow, and that engine will power that Jeep eventually, no matter what
 
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Just realized I never posted up the engine pulling/empty engine bay. It was my fathers first time pulling an engine and he was excited, he loves this Jeep just as much as I do.
 
The Kzj-8 had its first in the jeep start up today via jumper cables, a very Smokey one at that. I’m lucky enough to be at a good point in my life to work on it now, and progress is moving along. The last month has seen the OEM 20gal tank cleaned out and reinstalled, fuel lines made, fuel filter housing gabbed up, and the beginning of a painless harness install.
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This is exactly the swap I looked at but never found the right pre-95 drive train (to get the right- side drop transfer case). Any info on the drive train?

I hope you'll get some pics up, I'd love to see that. I've driven a number of KZs in Hiluxes and Surfs, and I really like the motor much more than the 2LT. I think it would be perfect for an 8.
 
Chamba said:
This is exactly the swap I looked at but never found the right pre-95 drive train (to get the right- side drop transfer case). Any info on the drive train?

I hope you'll get some pics up, I'd love to see that. I've driven a number of KZs in Hiluxes and Surfs, and I really like the motor much more than the 2LT. I think it would be perfect for an 8.
Click to expand...
The engine is a 1kz-t out of a UK spec ‘94 4Runner, the trans is an r151f with a J-shift transfer case also out of a UK spec 4Runner of the same year.

I hope you’re right about it being perfect for an 8, I’m Guinea-pigging it, but a few people have swapped them into other pattern jeeps with good success
 
Yes, that's perfect! Same engine in the Land Cruiser Prado. I'm envious.
 
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Hooray progress! 😁
If you aren't already aware then you need to wire the glow plugs in and give them a few seconds to warm up before cranking.
If they are still healthy plugs then it should fire straight up and without all the smoke.
There is a proper controller for them and a relay but i suspect you wont have that part?.

Great engines, the one in my CJ6 pulls like a train and all the torque is there from tick over, not like a modern diesel where its at 2000 RPM+
 
Dave The Sparky said:
Hooray progress! 😁
If you aren't already aware then you need to wire the glow plugs in and give them a few seconds to warm up before cranking.
If they are still healthy plugs then it should fire straight up and without all the smoke.
There is a proper controller for them and a relay but i suspect you wont have that part?.

Great engines, the one in my CJ6 pulls like a train and all the torque is there from tick over, not like a modern diesel where its at 2000 RPM+
Click to expand...
I heated the glow plugs with a jumper straight to the rail just to get it to fire up, I was too excited to not try and start it after not seeing the jeep for four years. I have the relay, and will be wiring it to a momentary push button during this next week since I couldn’t track down a controller for it. Thanks to your help she’ll be back on the road here in the near future!
 
Completed a not-so-pretty bracket made out of a gas tank strap and a retired hose clamp to hole the glow plug relay and the engine wiring loom above it
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