OK, long story long, I can no longer have a different vehicle for every need and whim. I've owned 4 or more cars at any given time (usually 5 or more) for years. Well, I'm broke and am paring down. I need a work vehicle. One that is capable of pulling a trailer (not terribly heavy, maybe 3K loaded?) and is decent on fuel, but what I want is something to take the family 4-wheeling every now and again. I currently have a 93 Dodge with the 12V 6BT cummins and love it. I just don't need that much towing or hauling capability anymore, and it's regular cab and 2WD so it's a bust on the other accounts (wheeling and a family of 5). I dig the fuel efficiency and reliability though.
Here's what I'm thinking about doing. Buying a 70's or 80's FSJ (full size Jeep) i.e., wagoneer and swapping in the cummins. Then I got to thinking about just how deep I'd sink when that jeep, 1200 lb engine and all, hit a mud hole. So, then I figure, I'll buy a Wagoneer, sell the Dodge to buy a 4BT cummins and swap it in. No need to mod the frame or suspension with the 4BT.
In my deranged mind I think, this will be sweeeet and not to hard a swap.
Should I seek an intervention?
Raze
Reader
9/8/09 4:09 p.m.
DrBoost wrote:
OK, long story long, I can no longer have a different vehicle for every need and whim. I've owned 4 or more cars at any given time (usually 5 or more) for years. Well, I'm broke and am paring down. I need a work vehicle. One that is capable of pulling a trailer (not terribly heavy, maybe 3K loaded?) and is decent on fuel, but what I want is something to take the family 4-wheeling every now and again. I currently have a 93 Dodge with the 12V 6BT cummins and love it. I just don't need that much towing or hauling capability anymore, and it's regular cab and 2WD so it's a bust on the other accounts (wheeling and a family of 5). I dig the fuel efficiency and reliability though.
Here's what I'm thinking about doing. Buying a 70's or 80's FSJ (full size Jeep) i.e., wagoneer and swapping in the cummins. Then I got to thinking about just how deep I'd sink when that jeep, 1200 lb engine and all, hit a mud hole. So, then I figure, I'll buy a Wagoneer, sell the Dodge to buy a 4BT cummins and swap it in. No need to mod the frame or suspension with the 4BT.
In my deranged mind I think, this will be sweeeet and not to hard a swap.
Should I seek an intervention?
Isn't the simple answer P71 if you're willing to sacrifice the ability to 4wheel w/the family since it's every 'now and again'? What about an Astro van, not much of a 4wheeler but can be had in 4wd. Is this 'work' vehicle going to be doing any other 'work' than you've mentioned? I dunno about you, but having a custom swap in a 'work' vehicle seems like it would be a bad idea to me, that much more to worry about when you're on the trails or towing a hulk down the highway. I think simple and stock when I think 'work', but that's just me...
i've heard that the 4bt will rattle your teeth out in something not really designed specifically for it, but have no firsthand experience with them. what about a PSD excursion if you want a diesel family wheeler? same issue though with the weight.
what kind of wheeling are you wanting to be doing? mud, crawling?
I have a P71 and a Wagoneer. The FSJ's are great. I've had my interceptor over a year now and I still turn around and look at it every time I get out. Can't loose either way, but just buying a crown vic is a lot less work.
The answer is Unimog.
The real answer is 1989 Nissan Pathfinder 5sp manual 4x4 w/ 6 cylinder. They could climb trees, pull 5k and were nice and compact for parking and driving around. Awesome clearance and low overhang. It will get 18mpg in town, on the highway, AC on or off... nothing made any difference on mine. It was a great all-purpose car.
I would personally love an old pathfinder, but you have to be honest about the power they wield. all 150~hp of it.
If ou look around landcruiser boards you will find many a high dollar land cruiser built by http://www.proffittscruisers.com/ that has a 4bt in it that is for sale. Most will have comments that say, "I'ts not that noisy or loud" However, most will also have 2 truck loads of dynamat and the softest engine mounts known to mankind installed.
The engine is awesome, but it'd be best to drive one before you swap one in your truck ( or buy a high dollar swapped truck) and figure out you hate it. Now if you can find a brazillian 4bte with the electrictronic pump, then you'll be better off 250hp and they shake a ton less.
For the time and cost of doing a diesel swap, you could probably provide care and feeding for 5-10 astro vans for a year.
