diesel engines

Generally the Toyota diesels you have listed a good reliable motors. I have only really delt much with the 1HZ but they have always been very reliable. Another thing to think about being in the states is the option of putting a Chev V6 or V8 diesel in. This is becoming a popular exchange in Australia and has some benifits. Parts would also be more freely available to you.

Cheers
Brett

You may be better asking here:
http://forums.overlander.com.au/

G'day Overlord. I find your enquiry amusing. Over here a lot of guys want to get rid of their Japanese 6 cylinder diesels for V8 American ones. Maybe you could find someone to swap with. To answer your question, I agree with Brett's comments. These Toyota engines are very reliable and economical and come with 5 speed boxes. I have a 1HZ and have not enquired into replacing it (even though they are lacking in power which is probably why they go for ever) but the stories I hear are that these engines are reasonably easy to acquire (over here) at wrecking yards in their original condition or reconditioned from engine rebuilders. Hope this is of some help. Derek.

g'day overlord.
I have a 89 landcruiser with a 12ht factory turbo motor and couldn't be happier. It's got more than enough grunt to get me everywhere iv'e wanted to go so far. And as far as i can tell they are damn near impossible to kill. I drove mine fully loaded for more than 300 km with a 3/4 inch section of head gasket missing from between the first and second pots. It was slow, smoky, and gutless but it got me home. Once i replaced the gasket and got the injectors serviced she was running like a dream again. Which was lucky because the cost of getting a rebuilt motor would have been pricy thats if i could find one . I found only one second hand motor in the area that i live in and they wanted five thousand for it. but other than the cost i can't fault my motor.