Are Cummins Swaps Worth It? Why I Sold My Cummins Swapped 80 Series Land Cruiser

These are the pros and cons of swapping a 12 valve Cummins turbo diesel specifically into an 80 Series Land Cruiser, but also for any other vehicle. to purchase the kit that I used you can contact Dustin at: [e-mail]
80 Series Land Cruiser Swap Cost:
• How Much Does it Cost ...
Everything that comes in the kit from Dustin:
• Everything You Need to...

[@BuildSomethingAuto]

Great breakdown! Just found you, but I'll be sure to go back and watch the swap. I did a cummins swap but into a ford explorer, not a landcruiser. The landcruiser is a much better fit, it took serious modification to get it to work in an explorer (stretched fenders and hood, axle swaps, small body lift, etc etc), but I stubbornly have a soft spot for explorer's. I also got lucky with a $3,000 donor and ended up doing all the fab work myself. Rebuilt the transmission and transfer case, but not the engine. You aren't kidding about the time it takes, literally thousands of hours. It's good to see someone else on youtube whose more budget minded. Personally I'm tired of all the "influencer" $100k rigs, real people can't afford that. Great stuff!

[@Austin_SaintOnge]

Your comment is a breath of fresh air! Thanks so much for checking out the channel and I’m glad you can appreciate a smaller channel and a more ‘budget’ build. I like that you stuck to your guns with the explorer and made it work because that’s YOUR platform and you envisioned it. I’m glad someone else can understand all the blood sweat and tears it takes to complete on of these specimens

[@philipborg9527]

Onn my final stages of my conversion of fitting a 6bt 12v in an HDJ80 (1993 ) & your videos are great know how . thanks & keep it up Buddy ..!

[@andersonsprairieviewfarm2552]

A good friend of mine did a 4bt cummins swap for a gentleman, the customer bought the engine and brought the project to him, he said yes and got it dune, customer was not happy at all because of the horrible vibration from the industrial 4bt, they are not balanced the same as a 6bt, but I have heard of 6bt balancers being installed on the 4bt, but that was dune long after this swap was completed and sent down the road.

[@Austin_SaintOnge]

Yeah I’ve heard vibrations on those 4bts are nuts. And they’re also difficult to find for less than a 6bt usually

[@1995Kakashi]

Good stuff, been following since the beginning of the build. Great insight and humble. We've all taken on those projects that were way too expensive hahaha

[@Austin_SaintOnge]

Thanks for sticking with me through thick and thin! I have lots of plans for this channel and you help make it possible! But yeah I was in a little over my head 😰

[@stevenmurphy916]

I can’t believe that someone who has the skills to do diesel swaps like this ever has to worry about money.

[@Austin_SaintOnge]

Hopefully getting property soon so I can start a business!

[@jraddd3477]

Do an om606! I was thinking about it but honestly I love the reliability of the 1FZ. Easy and simple and does alright. Especially with headers, exhaust and transfer case reduction gears. On 35's.

[@Austin_SaintOnge]

I like the sound of them, and that they’re like the 2jz of diesels. Problem is I’d want a manual and having difficulty finding info on which trans to usr

[@jraddd3477]

@@Austin_SaintOnge I know they make an adapter to use the LC transmission but its an auto unless you import a 5spd from overseas. Could always just boost the 1fz, can handle 400hp+ without opening the motor. It's the 2jz of torque cause it ultimately is a larger 2jz

[@Austin_SaintOnge]

@@jraddd3477 yeah i was looking into doomsday adapters for there adapter plate kit. Boosting the 1fz is on the list of possibles as well. The problem is the stock ecu can only handle about 5psi of fuel mapping. So then I’d wanna go haltech ecu. But then if I do that, I’d wanna build the motor etc. etc. it’s a dangerous rabbit hole 😅

[@Hairybarryy]

Dude the 1FZ is not as reliable as an OM606. OM606 is not only lighter than the 1FZ the OM606 is built better, makes more torque with bolt on upgrades (close to 900 foot pounds on stock internals), better fuel economy, and is IDI it can literally run on straight used motor oil, tranny fluid, sunflower oil, orange oil, lemon oil, vegetable oil, kerosene etc. My buddy swapped a OM606 into a Disco 1 and averages about 20mpg on trail and about close 30mpg on the high way with overdrive. God tier engine

[@Austin_SaintOnge]

@Nate-lw8ih you make a pretty compelling case for an om606 swap🤔 what manual transmissions are available for them?

[@Shakshuka69]

Dope channel, I subbed. Was the noise and vibration livable for a daily? Or was it super loud compared to stock?

[@Austin_SaintOnge]

Thanks ! Because I went with a hood stack it was a little roudy but I think with a regular exhaust it’s completely practical

[@brianhendricks5326]

I have a fj40 thinking about a diesel swap. Thought provoking. Thanks for your candor

[@Austin_SaintOnge]

You got it bud! No problem. Diesel 40 would be cool. I don’t think it would need all the 6bt beef In it though. Maybe a tdi 1.8 or 1.9?

[@LabiaLicker]

same

[@devil2jz500]

What an amazing video! I want a diesel engine on mine because I love diesel engines. Also, I want to run home made bio/black diesel (as an “additive”). On the bright side, I do all types of welding and fabrication. When I do it, I’ll be buying just the adapter plate, transmission and diesel engine. Everything else it’ll be made in my garage, so my LC will be down for 6 months 😂.

[@Austin_SaintOnge]

Thank you m! Glad you enjoyed it! I was of the same mindset. I still love diesel engines! Yeah those skills will save you a lot and the it’s a matter of being proud that you touched all the parts that needed figuring out.

[@willvan9519]

Great video and solid points. My only feedback is related to the criticism of the question, "How many miles per gallon does the Cummins swap get?" This is not necessarily a financial question ("You're not going to recoup your swap costs in fuel savings!"). But a range question ("How far can I reasonably expect to drive the swap on one tank of fuel?").

[@Austin_SaintOnge]

That’s a very valid point and I think everyone understands that chart in there head where fuel savings meet the cost of the swap. But yeah having a 25 gallon tank and getting 17-20 mpg means that you can enjoy trails more knowing that you don’t have to purchase an auxiliary tank or even jerrys for gas

[@deepbludude4697]

Yea thanks for breaking this down, im running out of time, and I actually like a gas 6cylinder im even considering a Ford 300=l6 and ZF5 but man the fitment ugh... resurrecting a 88FJ62 shes running after a year I subbed!

[@TheTbooth87]

Love you Auggie. Been following your channel and chirping you. I’ve got an HDJ81 with a 1HDFT. I’ve eaten ZERO MREs in it to-date. Lost opportunity.

[@Austin_SaintOnge]

Hey bud! Thanks! Definitely jealous of the diesels 🤓 lmao ok. Camping video is next Wednesday. There will be an mre in it 🤣

[@user-nw6dl6gp4r]

love your channel ❤❤ from Saudi Arabia

[@Austin_SaintOnge]

So cool someone from Saudi is viewing the channel! Thanks for checking it out! Hope all is well!

[@JoshLC80]

Great video! Might just be me but I want to see a turbo build!

[@Austin_SaintOnge]

So I’m thinking I’m going to Cummins swap the red 80, then build/turbo the 1fz I pull from the 80. Do like a tuned haltech build

[@ericeaklor6702]

Dad did that Mercedes 5 cylinder is CJ five 32 miles a gallon the more he drove it the better mileage it got

[@Austin_SaintOnge]

Yeah I’ve heard they get crazy mpg and still have potential for lots of power. I think the 5 cylinder is the om617? Definitely coming down to the 606 and another 12 valve

[@ericeaklor6702]

@@Austin_SaintOnge the thing that sells me about the Mercedes and the 12 valve is you can burn waste oil

[@Austin_SaintOnge]

@ericeaklor6702 YES that’s what I’m looking forward to with the next swap as well. There’s a lot of waste oil I can scavenge up here in Idaho so I plan on doing it !

[@Driftsheep]

Yep the front diffs are weak. I stripped a bunch of teeth off of the crown wheel on my 105. I blame the big tyres and lack of maintenance.

[@Austin_SaintOnge]

I’ve heard horror stories of that😨 have upgraded the axle?

[@Driftsheep]

Yeah brand new crown and pinion. Solid pinion shim and lunch box lokka. Machined carrier as well as it was out of round. Should be ok now as it is all brand new.

[@Driftsheep]

Incidentally petrol auto 105 have 3.9 gears.

[@Austin_SaintOnge]

@Driftsheep oh ok nice. Whats the actual measurement on the front? 8 or 8.5? How do the lunch box lockers work? They activate when one wheel starts slipping ?

[@Driftsheep]

They are an 8" crown wheel. Punch lunchbox locker or auto locker into KZbin. Basically they are locked under power, and unlock when off of power.

[@jgcruisers]

I think if you are doing a Cummins swap. You can do a toyota diesel motor swap (cruiser heaven) has some motors. May be more expensive but it will bolt right up

[@Austin_SaintOnge]

That’s also not a bad idea

[@jgcruisers]

@Austin_SaintOnge they are more fuel efficient. Or do a 4.7 v8 toyota (slee made a few) also better fuel economy than stock. Or even a 5.3 gm. A lot lighter and better mpg as well

[@Austin_SaintOnge]

@jgcruisers I like all those options, but for the cost/time of doing those I feel like it would be years before I made of the money spent on the swap vs the mpg increase with how little I drive it 🤔 definitely considered all those though

[@user-zn6qh8ur8b]

I need a Dodge Ram 2500 extended cab 2wd automatic full size bed - EVERYTHING EXCEPT THE MOTOR & TRANS. I have a great motor & tran from a longtime Northern truck that is completely falling apart from all the road salt corrosion

[@Austin_SaintOnge]

Yeah I just bought another Land Cruiser that’s been up here it’s entire life and there’s so much rust

[@Ghostrider-71]

HDJ81 w/1-HDT owner here. The USA should have gotten the diesel 80 in the first place!

[@Austin_SaintOnge]

I agree! I heard it had at least something to do with our contracts with opec and emissions. Are you in the states?

[@Ghostrider-71]

@@Austin_SaintOnge yes, Columbus Ohio area. I am the 2nd owner in the US of the HDJ81 that I have. The first owner only had the truck for 13-14 months and did some basics. The PO also had the BEBs done which was nice. You have a great channel, looking forward to more content. I think the US market somewhat dictates what we get in terms of choice. The rest of the world gets the Hilux pick up, the US got the Tacoma (and the predecessor) for instance.

[@Austin_SaintOnge]

@@Ghostrider-71 what are the BEBs? Thanks I’m glad you enjoy it! Yeah that’s true, I think Americans like faster cars with automatic transmissions as well as diesel manuals just don’t sell it seems like (only to guys like us) 😂

[@Ghostrider-71]

@@Austin_SaintOnge BEBs or “Big End Bearings” are the con rod bearings that have a known wear issue on the 1-HDT diesel motor that causes delamination of the bearings and failure. As a result, the BEBs have to be inspected and /or replaced at certain mileage intervals. I am going to do an oil analysis on my next oil change with a company located in Fort Wayne IN called Blackstone Labs. The oil analysis is a cheap way to see if anything is going on and a good indicator of BEB issues. Fast cars with manuals and diesels with manuals are awesome but America doesn’t seem to want that any more. Call it laziness. America will also never see a stick shift Tesla or Rivan R1T although a Cummins swap INTO a Rivan R1T or Tesla would be epic!!!! 😆😆

[@Austin_SaintOnge]

@@Ghostrider-71 oh yeah I’ve heard people mention blackstone a lot. That’s a great idea to get some insight into the health of your engine. Yeah think laziness is a key aspect into why there are no manuals🤣 if this channel ever gets big enough I’ll fall on the Cummins swapped tesla grenade 🫡

[@r1c4rdx23]

wait, diesel is more expensive than gasoline in the states?

[@Austin_SaintOnge]

Unfortunately it has been for the last few years. There’s a huge push to get rid of any internal combustion engine using vehicle right now. Diesel should be less expensive than petrol as it’s one of the first refined products from oil while petrol is much further down the production line. It’s starting to at least even out and be on par with unleaded

[@astroxs6809]

I have this car sitting in my garage and has shut off problem and I have no clue how to fix it 😭 many mechanic came to fix and all fails

[@Austin_SaintOnge]

You have a Cummins swapped cruiser in your garage that won’t start? Check for air/fuel/spark and maybe a bad ground?

[@msteue04]

Hey bud: about how much did that truck sell for?

[@Austin_SaintOnge]

$28,000

[@msteue04]

@@Austin_SaintOnge DAMN!

[@msteue04]

@@Austin_SaintOnge Really not bad! Good work dude

[@chandleremerine6130]

No don’t swap this one, turbo it!

[@Austin_SaintOnge]

I’m thinking about it🤔 I have a spare block that I can put forged internals in. Probably end up spending around $10k though by the time it’s all said and done with a haltech ecu and tuning

[@kcw9313]

It’s no longer a Land Cruiser with a Cummins.

[@Austin_SaintOnge]

Ok🙃

[@benlyons5884]

om6 all day

[@Austin_SaintOnge]

One of these is definitely in my future 😎

[@matsinkal]

You went into debt to cummins swap an 80 series for no reason ? Are you a bit slow?

[@Austin_SaintOnge]

You seem like such a nice human being 😊 have a great day bud

[@robertclark2714]

We have a stock LX450 80 Series with over 500,000 miles on her and she is a daily driver. We have 2 third generation 4 Runners and a OBS F250 4X4 but the LX is by far and away the QUEEN. If you want a Cummings, then by all means, buy one but a stock 80 series is all the vehicle that you will ever need.

[@Austin_SaintOnge]

Going back to a 1fz im realizing that now. It’s such a great engine and you’re really paying for the cool factor with a Cummins swap. I might just save up and hope to find a trd supercharger

[@partS15partS14]

Maybe a stock 80s is all you ever need. You can't tell other people your opinion is best for them.

[@Austin_SaintOnge]

@partS15partS14 what part of my opinion were you referring to that I was saying is best for other people? I was really just trying to be informative and give detailed thoughts on owning one for a year. Sorry if I was projecting

[@designfabrication512]

@@Austin_SaintOnge Miss my old stock FJ62 BADLY….. always wanted a diesel Cruiser though. If someone is this far down the road and watching videos of diesels in Land Cruisers they are probably beyond advice haha

[@grey886]

rolling coal should be illegal

[@Austin_SaintOnge]

It is in some states

[@grey886]

@@Austin_SaintOnge good