Hilux Ln106 swap

Submitted: Tuesday, Jan 11, 2011 at 22:58

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Justin W

Hi everybody,

I was really happy with my 1994 Ln106 Dual Cab Hilux until it started rattling at around 2500 rpm, which then turned into a knock, and then a disaster. The car had about 290.000 on the clock, but was well-maintained and just had the injectors serviced. I am happy no longer.

According to my mechanic in Gippsland the car blew a con-rod bearing (3rd cylinder), which then apparently buggered up the rest of the engine. It's still turing over but reluctantly so and with lots of black and white smoke.

My mechanic suggested that I get another engine installed (from the wreckers) and quoted $4500 for it, which includes the 12 hours labour needed for the changeover. Does this seem reasonable?

I am not sure what to do. The car was worth around 10.000 before it blew, but $4500 seems like an awful lot of money to simply get it back on the road again. Should I stick with the 2.8 L engine, or change to the turbo model and recoup some value that way? Or should I spend around $6000 on a similar Hilux, and strip the blown one of good parts and sell the remainder for scraps?

I would really appreciate any advice you can give me,

Cheers,

Justin

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Reply By: fisho64 - Tuesday, Jan 11, 2011 at 23:12

Tuesday, Jan 11, 2011 at 23:12

Im guessing that he is only guessing? as you say its still turning over, he doesnt know if the rest of it is shot.
If you cant do any of the work yourself its gonna cost money unfortunately. But its possible that it just needs a few bits (rod, bearings).
But at 12 hours (say $1200), you should be able to get a reco shortblock for about $3k without too much drama?

Also if you have a bit of time you can find a private one from someone doing a repower for a lot less.

AnswerID: 441540

Reply By: Ruffy-Dan - Tuesday, Jan 11, 2011 at 23:13

Tuesday, Jan 11, 2011 at 23:13

Hi Justin,
I would say, yes that sound reasonable.
You currently have a car (with blown engine) worth around a grand. So to spend 4.5k to make it worth 10k is good economics.

There's no easy way out of this sorry.

The turbo engine of the same era was not known for it reliability, you might be buying more problems.

If you are capable of doing the strip and engine exchange then sit and do the maths on what you could feasibly sell from from a donor vehicle, how long it will take you and what your time is worth.

Hope that helps a little,

Dan

AnswerID: 441541

Reply By: long haired nomad - Tuesday, Jan 11, 2011 at 23:59

Tuesday, Jan 11, 2011 at 23:59

the mechanic's advice sounds about right. But see if you can get a fully reco engine. you should get a bit of warrenty with a reco one 3 months maybe, but no warrenty from wreckers.You just dont know what your going to get from a wreckers. Stick with the normally aspirated 2.8L and put extractors on it. Ive had 2 hilux's, a brand new 1989 LN106 528000km mainly gearbox problems with it, no engine probs at all, had it for 11 years and i traded that one in on a 1996 LN106 that had 55000 on it, and it now has 398000kms with no engine probs, Both have and had extractors on them

AnswerID: 441543