Thread: Isuzu 6bd1 into Jeep

Originally Posted by Rangier Rover

Good to see some one recycling one of these fine engines. They are strong as in a truck and there is heaps of them still going around here.

If you have the room for it a Ford Blitz transfer would get you going. They are mounted separately like a Jap truck transfer. I ran one behind a 318 Dodge with C series running gear in a Series 1 Land Rover And never broke it. Did tear a few uni's out with very hard use though.

Tony

O yeah, that series 1 sounds awsome! You still got it?
When I started researching diesels I found lots of people doing 6.2/6.5chev diesel conversions. But when I searched for info about these motors I found heaps of people having troubles. They're not cheap either and not cheap to fix. It made me suspect its good money making for the shops putting them in and fixing them. So I asked around what is the 202 holden equivalent in diesel motors? The answer was usually something Isuzu. Good strong motors, cheaper to buy, cheaper to fix and parts all over Oz.

Originally Posted by rick130

I'd try and mount the old Dana 20 to it.
They are incredibly strong, even though they are a sliding gear t/case and it will retain the correct centre rear, drivers side front outputs you need.

Love a FSJ, used to have a '70 J3000 with a pantech body as my work truck

Yeah I've heard Dana 20's are good too. This Jeep has been patched and repaired many times and at some stage converted to cruiser box and transfer
It has a chrysler 6 or v8 bellhousing made by Dellow to adapt to the original motor. At first I was surprised they didn't just change the motor to Toyota as well, but the Jeep 230 Tornado is a pearler. 1963 overhead cam, WAY ahead of its time.

Originally Posted by Isuzu Jeep

Thanks Tony, do you mean this box will be noisy or because of where the mounts are it'll be noisy? Even with the old 230 motor we were shouting so bring it on!
The Jeep came to me with a 4sp cruiser box and transfer. My first thought was great, I'll just bolt the motor to this and that would save a lot of mounting issues. I also believe them to be pretty tough.
I've since been warned from a few people that they won't last long due to the harsh way diesels deliver power. This took me by surprise, we've all seen these boxes flogged by worked v8s!
I've got the Isuzu box already and it is obviously made to take the punishment and it sounds like a bit of extra work now will pay off.
Wanna buy a cruiser box?

Sounds like you may have a HJ45 bell housing and the rest may be a mystery but I think likely HJ 45 of earlier.. If hj 47 or 60 will have taped holes under the main box for X member mounts. The transfer if different anyway.
As tough as Toyota can be it wont hold that 6BD1 for ever in that heavy American Tank you have there. I would imagine you will turbo it in time as well

Don't be offended as I do like early Jeeps and Inters Anything with a Dana is tough

Originally Posted by Bush65

Are you certain that gearbox has 6 forward speeds?

Looking at the front of the gear shift housing on top of the box, I can see what appears to be covers for 3 shift rails. Perhaps there is another that is not evident - 3 rails will only allow selection of 5 forward and 1 reverse gear.

Also it looks a lot shorter than my 6 speed (MXA-6R), but length is hard to judge without a known reference in the picture. Mine is approx 500mm from rear of bellhousing to the surface the brake backing plate bolts onto.

Your right! It's a 5 speed
The other day I looked on the side of the gearbox and read 6 gears.
It's got 6 alright, 5 forward, 1 reverse. So no overdrive for me.
So that means use the diff ratios to lower the revs right?
Any suggestions?
The Jeep is pretty heavy and will be used to tow a 20-25 foot caravan.
When I can I'll look at the Isuzu diff ratio.
Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

Originally Posted by Isuzu Jeep

O yeah, that series 1 sounds awsome! You still got it?
When I started researching diesels I found lots of people doing 6.2/6.5chev diesel conversions. But when I searched for info about these motors I found heaps of people having troubles. They're not cheap either and not cheap to fix. It made me suspect its good money making for the shops putting them in and fixing them. So I asked around what is the 202 holden equivalent in diesel motors? The answer was usually something Isuzu. Good strong motors, cheaper to buy, cheaper to fix and parts all over Oz.

Still have the 318 Series 1... Now a mess from rats etc Was a mud racer in its good days
Your choice of a 6BD1 is sound given what you are pushing around there. The Jeep looks heavy in the pic.... There is a long wheel base 63 jeep near here that is very original and registered. See it twice a week these days.

Originally Posted by rick130

Is it the original Tornado OHC engine ?

Yep, what a great motor. Good on fuel, and quite torquey for such a smallish motor. It would have to be one of the first OHC motors used in a 4x4.
Just not a diesel and not enough GO

What Ratio Dana diffs do you have? (I'm not up to speed with early jeep)What size tyres you intend to run on this thing?

Originally Posted by Isuzu Jeep

Your right! It's a 5 speed
The other day I looked on the side of the gearbox and read 6 gears.
It's got 6 alright, 5 forward, 1 reverse. So no overdrive for me.
So that means use the diff ratios to lower the revs right?
Any suggestions?
The Jeep is pretty heavy and will be used to tow a 20-25 foot caravan.
When I can I'll look at the Isuzu diff ratio.
Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

Oh well, still a better option than the toyota box, and might still have an OD top gear. Is there a model # stamped anywhere???