Defender Toyota engine conversion

[Forester]

Hi

I have a 1999 Defender 90 with the 2.8i BMW engine. As mentioned in my "intro" I've picked up some engine troubles.

It started with faulty ECU thus i changed over to an aftermarket ECU as finding the original was not easy and quite expensive for those i did find,

After the installation and tuning of aftermarket ECU my defender was running awesome and had plenty of power and was a pleasure to drive.

Some months later the power was running low and a compression test showed low compression on no6. pulled the engine apart and found damaged valves and cracked pistons.

So the engine was rebuild by an LR indy and about 2000km later my landy was back in his workshop with a burnt valve (still waiting on final report of what else is damaged)

So now I can either attempt round 2 of engine rebuilding or i can do an engine conversion

For the die hard Land Rover fans... Im sorry for what im about to ask...

So my question is... would a engine conversion using a Toyota 3L D4D "1KD-FTV" engine be possible? I know of a Toyota workshop specializing in Toyota rebuilds that says it can be done!

Anyone with some insight on this?

Thanks
Cheers

[Vern]

What about a merc om605 or 606? Getting really good power out of these and can buy adapter kits from the UK.

[rangieman]

What about a merc om605 or 606? Getting really good power out of these and can buy adapter kits from the UK.
Like this[wink11]
https://www.dieselpumpuk.com/shop/conversions/om601-602-603-604-605-606-to-landrover-r380-transmission/

[ramblingboy42]

Nothing wrong with that conversion at all. The d4d 3.0ltr is a good reliable engine.
We drove one around the central qld coalfields for over 3 years and over 300,000km at max permissible weight . The engine was the standout feature of the hilux as just about everything else around it broke and had to be rebuilt ie. strengthened
My defender knowledge is showing though as I didnt know they put a BMW 2.8ltr 6cyl engine in them.

[scarry]

That Tojo engine had heaps of trouble with the injectors,particularly the earlier models.

Destroyed engines were the result.

Once sorted properly, they were OK.

But they still need the injector washers replacing every 40k or so,even until the latest models

[justinc]

GTurbo GLux D4D 12.27sec 1/4mile at the drags - GTurbo (https://gturbo.com.au/gturbo-glux-d4d-12-27sec-14mile-drags/)

Their workshop hack d4d lolux is certainly entertaining 😎

Pity about the pedestrian nature of the lux (or prado etc etc) but the 1kd engines are very very strong... avoiding the injector washer leaking and subsequent engine failure is the only problem.

Jc

[justinc]

Hi

I have a 1999 Defender 90 with the 2.8i BMW engine. As mentioned in my "intro" I've picked up some engine troubles.

It started with faulty ECU thus i changed over to an aftermarket ECU as finding the original was not easy and quite expensive for those i did find,

After the installation and tuning of aftermarket ECU my defender was running awesome and had plenty of power and was a pleasure to drive.

Some months later the power was running low and a compression test showed low compression on no6. pulled the engine apart and found damaged valves and cracked pistons.

So the engine was rebuild by an LR indy and about 2000km later my landy was back in his workshop with a burnt valve (still waiting on final report of what else is damaged)

So now I can either attempt round 2 of engine rebuilding or i can do an engine conversion

For the die hard Land Rover fans... Im sorry for what im about to ask...

So my question is... would a engine conversion using a Toyota 3L D4D "1KD-FTV" engine be possible? I know of a Toyota workshop specializing in Toyota rebuilds that says it can be done!

Anyone with some insight on this?

Thanks
Cheers


M57 engine into Landrover Defender (http://www.bimmerforums.co.uk/forum/showthread.php't=468786)
What about the bmw M57 diesel six? If i remember correstly the bellhousing pattern etc is the same as the petrol 6. They are like the toyota 1hdfte... totally over engineered...😎 and tuneable to gearbox destroying levels...

[loanrangie]

Nothing wrong with that conversion at all. The d4d 3.0ltr is a good reliable engine.
We drove one around the central qld coalfields for over 3 years and over 300,000km at max permissible weight . The engine was the standout feature of the hilux as just about everything else around it broke and had to be rebuilt ie. strengthened
My defender knowledge is showing though as I didnt know they put a BMW 2.8ltr 6cyl engine in them.
The 2.8 was an SA fitment for local market only.

[Forester]

Thanks for the reply guys

I'm considering the Toyota because they are easy to come by in SA for a reasonable price, parts are readily available and I bet quite a bit cheaper than BMW. I also know someone with a Toyota garage who can do the conversion.

I was looking at the BMW M57 conversion as its probably and easier conversion as many have been done before and it will bolt straight in. I just think its a more expensive motor to maintain and repair.

[trout1105]

We have a 2006 Hilux D4D and apart from a timing belt service and oil/filter changes it has been a dream as far as maintenance goes.
It hasn't missed a beat in over 300k's, They are a Great little motor.

[Eevo]

lots of options avaliable
and every mechanic knows how to work on totota

[Slunnie]

I like the D4D also.

Shame the transfer case is left drop and a centred rear - will a LandCruiser transfer fit and clear the gearbox?

[weeds]

That Tojo engine had heaps of trouble with the injectors,particularly the earlier models.

Destroyed engines were the result.

Once sorted properly, they were OK.

But they still need the injector washers replacing every 40k or so,even until the latest models

You sure the injector washers need doing every 40k??

As far as I know it gets done once......mine goes for its 120k service next week and no mention of washers......as when its washers were replaced first time they request you drop the car off the day before as the engine needs to be at ambient temperature

Most of our fleet is hi-lux’s....assuming you’re talking about the 4cyl D4D

[bsperka]

I believe that 40k for washers in D4D is recommended / standard practice everywhere except Australia.
At 40k, tappet clearance should be inspected / checked. If at Toyota service centre should also check if seals are leaking.
At every oil change service, Toyota service centre should be checking if the oil pickup has carbon on it (sign of leaking seals).

[SavingTheDefender]

I'm pretty sure that the Toyota washer issue related to early models only.

Here is 'Aus an engineering report/certificate is required for this kind of swap. I don't know if this applies in South Africa. The other issue would be what bellhousing/clutch/gearbox/transfer etc are you planning on using?

It's not impossible. There are some mad blokes in the USA who have developed kits to close couple the Lexus V8's and Toyota Auto's to the LT230. So perhaps that a starting point for you.

The disadvantage of any Hybrid/Frankenstein is usually getting the little/fiddly bits right to make it all work. There is a great forum on putting the 330D BMW engine into the Defender on Facebook and seeing as you've got the South African 2.8 (Lucky Bugger!) it should almost be a bolt in swap. The other problem - at least here - is usually your resale value takes a hit.

To help you in your quest, I've put some links to the groups I've come across over the years.

Cummins 4BT/6BT

Log in to Facebook | Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/CumminsLandRoverGroup/)

BMW Engine Swaps

Log in to Facebook | Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/1106830676068639/)

Mercedes Engine Swaps

Mercedes Engines into Land Rovers - Home | Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/Mercrovers/)

The other option which is loved here in Australia is the 3.9 Isuzu Diesel. KLR Automotive might be a good place to start your research.

Welcome to KLR Automotive - KLR Automotive (http://www.klrautomotive.com.au/)

Chevy V8 Diesels have been done in the past, but are known to have overheating problems and are a really tight squeeze into a Defender.

Brunswick Diesels (http://www.brunswickdiesels.com.au/)

LS series V8 engine swaps are also commonplace.

https://www.marks4wd.com/

Can you keep me in mind if you decide to ditch the 2.8? I might take some of the parts on your hands! [biggrin]

[scarry]

You sure the injector washers need doing every 40k??

As far as I know it gets done once......mine goes for its 120k service next week and no mention of washers......as when its washers were replaced first time they request you drop the car off the day before as the engine needs to be at ambient temperature

Most of our fleet is hi-lux’s....assuming you’re talking about the 4cyl D4D

So the service guy at Toyota says.

With our vans,up until the model with the DPF,need doing every 40K.The latest vans still use the 3.0l,with DPF,they didn't go to the 2.8.
Also they don't need the valve clearances checked,on the later vans with DPF.