Thread: Isuzu Truck motors ?????? drive train combos

Large letters "4BD1" are cast on the left side of the block, between the sump and the cover over the push rods.

Note: there is no "-T" cast on the turbocharged engine.

There are differences in the starter motor and some have 2 mounting bolts, others have 3.

Some differences occur with type of turbo and exhaust manifold. Also some differences in inlet manifold.

Some don't have the gear driven power steering pump.

Some different tappet covers.

Turbo engines have a different crankcase breather arrangement.

AFAIK, the truck engines are 24V.

Some internal differences between turbo and non-turbo engines.

An LT95 will not bolt up to the flywheel housing on a truck engine.

The oil filters are mounted differently on the engines in Land Rovers, to give clearance from the driveshaft.

The sump on the engines in Land Rovers, has an extension to the left side.

There have been differences in the fuel injection pumps, over the years and for different locations.

To fit the engine plus LT95 into a 2a will be a major undertaking. Because you need Landrover specific parts, the easiest would be to get hold of an Isuzu engined Stage 1 and start from there. The parts that are hard to find i.e. not off Isuzu truck or common Landrover or Rangerover parts (that I can think of) are:-

Bell housing for LT95 to fit Isuzu.
Oil filter assembly with filters pointing up.
Sump to clear front axle.
12v electrics

Stage1 front axle
Stage 1 steering assembly (may be able to manage without this)
Stage 1 front prop shaft.
Stage 1 brake M/C
Stage 1 Handbrake assembly (probably can use RR or 110)


You will also need a custom rear prop shaft, Rangerover rear diff, lwb rear brakes, custom remodelling of floor and firewall and seat box.

John

Originally Posted by JDNSW

To fit the engine plus LT95 into a 2a will be a major undertaking. Because you need Landrover specific parts, the easiest would be to get hold of an Isuzu engined Stage 1 and start from there. The parts that are hard to find i.e. not off Isuzu truck or common Landrover or Rangerover parts (that I can think of) are:-

Bell housing for LT95 to fit Isuzu.
Oil filter assembly with filters pointing up.
Sump to clear front axle.
12v electrics

Stage1 front axle
Stage 1 steering assembly (may be able to manage without this)
Stage 1 front prop shaft.
Stage 1 brake M/C
Stage 1 Handbrake assembly (probably can use RR or 110)


You will also need a custom rear prop shaft, Rangerover rear diff, lwb rear brakes, custom remodelling of floor and firewall and seat box.

John

Dont forget the hardest part of all to find.

The sandwich plate to mate a 4BD1 to the LR bellhousing. if I only had a shed full of them.

Justin

Originally Posted by DRanged

Dont forget the hardest part of all to find.

The sandwich plate to mate a 4BD1 to the LR bellhousing. if I only had a shed full of them.

Justin

Actually, unless I am mistaken, the factory installation had a special bell housing - probably even rarer. The sandwich plate can be made by a competent engineering works or even a skilled home mechanic - for example I saw my next door farmer neighbour fit a modern diesel engine to a fifty year old tractor, took him about two weeks to design and make the plate in his spare time.

John

This might be a bit premature, but I'll soon be pulling apart a 110 Isuzu County and will probably sell the engine complete (including 12 volt starter motor & alternator). This will get around the issue of finding all the Land Rover specific bits. Not sure what I'm doing with the gearbox yet. Happy to discuss if anyone wants to PM me.

Is it worth measuring up an adaptor ring and locking it down into a CAD drawing?

Originally Posted by Dougal

Is it worth measuring up an adaptor ring and locking it down into a CAD drawing?

Yes anyone got one. They were made by Isuzu for Land Rover and still have a part number on the system, Land Rover will only order them if they get a certain quantity.

Justin

G'day,

I'd also be considering the type of vehicle you'll end up with. The 4BD1 weighs in at 420kgs + (sorry I don't have an actual weight), and thats a fair lump over the front axle when it's in a shorty - the weight distribution might make a few engineers nervous and a bit (more) of a dog in the handling department. Then you're looking at brakes, springs etc. I'd agree with John; if you're dead keen then look a stage 1 as a donor. The cost of locating and fitting all the 12v and 'Land Rover' chassis compatible gear is very expensive when you start with a truck engine - it's taken me over 2 years to compile all the stuff for my transplant into a Discovery, let alone the phone calls, trips to wreckers and being stuffed around by misleading information from suppliers.

Gearbox options include an Isuzu truck box but then you'll need an adaptor plate and adaptor shaft machined and thats around 2 grand. Have a look at www.4btswaps.com This site includes 4BD1(t) swaps and is a gold mine for info on that engine and compatible gearboxs.

I'd never discourage a bloke from having a go because they're be plenty of support and advice from AULRO - but it's a big job and like many conversions, work out a budget and double it - then you'll be realistic

Good luck mate and keep us all posted on how you get on.

There's a 90 or two in here with 4BD1's so you might get an idea how they ended up.