Thread: 4db1t

Originally Posted by Fausto79

Was tinkering with the idea of putting an isuzu in my d1.

Can the seller give you the name of the previous owner?

If out of an Isuzu truck, then does he or previous owner have the MSA gearbox?

Given quotes of a million kilometers out of these engines then if you can get an idea that it is much less would mean rebuild less likely to be required - some time ago, basic piston/sleeve rebuild kits were around $1,500.

Is it in any original crating? If it's ex-military then maybe more risky, pulled out of a drowned truck?

I guess hand crank it and if no odd noises consider buying it. Put pressure gauge on cylinders? Pull sump off for a peek?

Given it supposedly ran over the phone then it has starter attached? Can you weld up a frame and kick it over?

Any professional workshop nearby that can bench test it for you for a reasonable price?

A well known workshop in Brisbane said they could sell them all day long for $4k, but we were talking about a naturally aspirated one I'd just picked up cheap (still in LRover vehicle). $3k for a proved good running turbo would probably be worth it; and if not proved at $3k gives a little head room for repairs - cheaper the better when unknown.

Other consideration is the cost of conversion.

Probably worth it if its a known runner. Tricky bit will be adapting a gearbox to suit

pull the glow plugs turn it by hand to TDC and check the piston heights with a depth gauge.

if its within about .5mm buy it.

Yes I still have it. Brought it from Brisbane. It was out of a 1993 truck, don't know the milage. I heard it running on a text message. Sounded good was no smoke. I wouldn't have brought it if it wasn't a good engine. I was going to repower my motorhome, brought the motor and then decided to put a new truck under it. Comes with all bits like exhaust brake, air filter and ducts. Nuts and bolts etc.


That was his text to me. It was 4500 originally today he texted me this:


If you are interested, I'll drop the price to $3000. I leave Perth next weekend. Like it gone by then.

Been advertised for a while. Honestly I’m a bit too nervous to get something I don’t know much about. I just hate a good deal going by though (if it is). I could check it out by with so little known about it I probably won’t splash out. I’d rather pay a bit more and know what I’m getting. I’ll go look n think about it.

Thanks for all replies.

I have purchased 5 x 4bd1 motors in my time, all never heard running, all have ran perfect when I got them going, just took peoples word for it, have never been disappointed yet.

I paid $1350 for a grays online crate motor 4bdt.. turns out it’s stuffed, so I’ve just found another one that was running well out of a 6x6 for $1200..

Originally Posted by Vern

I have purchased 5 x 4bd1 motors in my time, all never heard running, all have ran perfect when I got them going, just took peoples word for it, have never been disappointed yet.

How much did you pay for them though

Originally Posted by Fausto79

How much did you pay for them though

Ahhh in order, $1800 (complete stage1), $1200 +freight, $1200, $2500 (+freight), $1100.