Monday, Nov 10, 2008 at 11:51
Options.
As someone with a 92 Model 1 HD-T with 300,000 km's in a similar position to you - I've been researching the options.
1. IF - you swap to the larger disc rotors brakes, AND to the 2 inch solid barstock draw bar, you should be able to get it engineer re- certified to 3500 tow capacity, these were about the only real changes from the 96 model onwards.
2. Buy a 97 - 99 model 80 series 4.2 TD thats rated to 3500 Kilos, and swap the goodies from your 91 model over to the newer ehicle with less KM's - then flog the 91 model
3. It is possible to shoe horn the later 24 valve 4.2 TDeisel, engine and box from the 96 model onwards 80 series or the subsequent 100 series, into the earlier 80 series.
An advantage being the electronicaly controlled ECM type engine to add a aftermarket chip to the ecm and get either mor epower or better economy etc etc - over the older model 12 valve 1HD-T engine.
Also - if you source and engie and box from a wrecker etc - you can spend the time & $ having it rebuilt to as new standard - ready to just drop in as soon as the old enine does give trouble.
The old engine being the factory turbo model is highly sought after for just such rebuild projects so likely if you swap it before it craps out majorly and does serious damage you might get say $5 K or more back for the tired engine and box to someone looking to do a similar excercise but not interested in the electronic wiring upgrade required to run the more modern engne.
Also - with the newer 24 valve engine and chipped ECM - you COULD add LPG injection to the diesel, gaining you a 30HP increase in power, and the $3000 Govt LPG rebate will get you the extra ponies for only about $1400 out of pocket - which you can get back in fuel savings in less than 12 months
Lastly - you could add a denco type air /
water intercooler or the Safari air to air intercooler for another 20-30 HP increase.
The stock 4.2TD puts out about 150 HP roughly
If you add:-
50 HP with a after market ECM chip
30 Hp With the LPG
30 HP wth the Intercooler.
That would bring you up to about 260 HP for little extra weight!
Out of interest - all these bragsters, with their 6.5 liter (397 Cubic Inch) Chev V8 Brunswick diesel conversions - only put out 170 HP stock standard according to the specs at their website!
The standard, 80 seris you already have with LPG puts out the same HP with less weight!
The modded newer model 24 valve engine with LPG and an intercooler wll blow a stock standard Chev 6.5 out of the paddock for power AND fuel economy!
Driven sedately such a modded cruiser will return over 10 KM's/liter highway cycle without towing. (10 liters/100KM's) based on our 92 model 1HD-T with LPG which does this easily.
I reckon withthe intercooler and chip - you'd get even more!
So...
You have a few options - our choice is option 3 because we are already half way there with the LPG conversion in place already and all the goodies already on the vehicle and the body in neat shape,
They don't build them like the 80 series any more.
I reckon you'd regret going to the Lux compared to the 80.
Cheers
AnswerID:
334482
Follow Up By: Member - Old Girl (QLD) - Monday, Nov 10, 2008 at 20:06
Monday, Nov 10, 2008 at 20:06
Flywest
Like your option 3 will look into it. Taking off with the van behind is a real slow effort. We went through Brissy at the weekend. got caught at all the lights on the hills around the XXXX factory. Not very nice experience. As mentioned before we have spent too much to just give up and do it all again with a newer car. The old girl use to tow a camper trailer and traverse through the 4x4 parks and QLD Out Back in Rally mode with out too much trouble. Have hit a brick wall since changing our holiday experiences with the van. Have given up getting the tow weight certified, found a van in our limits.
Sharon
FollowupID:
602320