RoninJiro's Build (now diesel)

dhyde79 · Mar 28, 2012

ok, go in and calculate the difference in oil change costs as well....cause according to everyone I know that's a diesel fanatic, they all agree that oil change time is where it feels like rape...

(neighbor's dodge runs $145 per oil change vs my $25-40 per oil change, buying good oil, both of us doing the changes at 5K or 3 months)

ryandavenport · Mar 28, 2012

I just think that a diesel swap is cool...just it really need ti be justified financially? Sometimes it's just cool to own something like that.

Sent from my DROIDX

Roninjiro · Mar 28, 2012

diesel oil changes are rape... $25 for an oil filter is insane in my opinion 15w40 is about the same as 10w30, but yea the filter cost is way out there. the TD42 6 cylinder version of the TD27 takes 2 filters as I only require one. My cost for a typical oil change is now going to be about $50 vs my normal $30 change.

Doing any swap is cool, just really depends on your needs. I need it to justify owning the xterra at this point. If I wanted this kind of fuel mileage in gasoline form.... I would have gotten a full size vehicle. but I love the xterra and what it stands for... it is nimble and passes in everything except fuel mileage in my book. But I also love my STi, and the more I continue with this rebuild the more I would rather keep it instead. That is my inner speed freak coming out. *sigh* I really hate having to choose like this. Anyhow no matter how you look at it, you will always have a choice in what you want to do.

AaronsX · Mar 28, 2012

Wait...you are going to get 30 mpg out of this? Im to lazy to read through this hold thread, is it a 4bt?

Baldybarton · Mar 29, 2012

TD27T Diesel

He got it through family in Japan.

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Roninjiro · Mar 29, 2012

lol good summarizing, I don't think I want to read through it again. I should get 30mpg but won't know until i finish.

NMTerras · Apr 14, 2012

So cool...unique and epic build sir!

Roninjiro · Apr 14, 2012

sold my car finally... should have more time and funding toward the project.... really need my daily driver back

Sionnach · Apr 15, 2012

I would want this in a heartbeat!

Roninjiro said:
Apparently, my business is still registered as active and not dissolved. This is what the comptroller told me yesterday, and I have been thinking. If I started doing conversion full time, how much interest would I get? I was thinking turn around time would be around 3-4 weeks as long as I have all parts needed in stock and not backordered. If I have to order the engine/trans it would add around 30-60 days to that. Just a thought right now since I can't get to my truck right now to finish it. Oh how I would love to make messing with xterra's full time with no distractions!

Roninjiro · Apr 16, 2012

GRRR just tried to order my shrock front and rear bumper and was told 3-4 month wait!!! AHHHH but like the way they build them.....

Roninjiro · Apr 17, 2012

Ordered my Shrock front and rear bumper and will be done in 6-8 weeks. Paid for expedited service, but not before talking with all manufactures with bumpers I liked including Jim at Shrockworks. Jim is a great guy and took time to answer all my questions and concerns, and sold me on their product. Now while I finish the xterra I can look forward to bumpers in the summer.

Roninjiro · Apr 18, 2012

update: just took delivery of the xterra at my new home today!

J Everett · Apr 18, 2012

New home? You're not in Killeen anymore?

Roninjiro · Apr 18, 2012

Nope, my mom lives there and I was doing all the work there, didn't have space at my old apartment garage (I live in austin). I moved about a month ago and have a nice attached garage apartment to finish the xterra in, so now I am able to save an over 80 mile roundtrip to work on the thing. Gets expensive after a few trips and it sucks when I forget to bring a tool I needed that day. Today I ordered a new radiator that should work, a transmission cooler, new fuel filter setup, 2 more rims, and an a/c machine I have always wanted to get. I think I am off to a good start today. Gotta rewire my Tig welder for the new outlet system so I can finish the motor mounts. After I finish the mounts finally I will tackle the wiring harness among other things. Gotta gas on it if I wanna finish before May

RANT · Apr 18, 2012

Been "lurking" on this thread..
I must say Bravo Man !! - Very Cool..

Roninjiro · Apr 20, 2012

ty Rant

update:
finished fabricating the pass side mount, just gotta tack it in there after I buy some bolts to bolt the mounts together. I have started taking the engine harness out, but I have to recover the r134a as the system is still intact and the core assembly has to come out. Removed original radiator assembly (summit radiator kit should be here tomorrow). Started cutting the dumb mechanical cooling fan clutch off and ruined 3 sawzaw blades. The kit I have coming is an electric fan setup. In down time I have removed all stickers on the rear of the xterra (no advertising unless its a sponsor)

xterror04 · Apr 20, 2012

does the fan not unbolt?

Roninjiro · Apr 21, 2012

xterror04 said:
does the fan not unbolt?

no the water pump and fan clutch are one part. When I first looked at it I didn't notice it, but when I tried to take it off; all I could take off was the fan blade. I checked the FSM and it is one part and cannot be separated without cutting it off.

Roninjiro · Apr 21, 2012

STILL GOOD.. JUST NOT MY CUP OF TEA:

OUT SHE GOES:

I HAVE WAITED FOR THIS DAY ALL MY LIFE IT SEEMS:

JUNK IMO BUT FOR SALE IN GOOD CONDITION

All engines laid out

vg33e removed, Motor mounts cut out and diesel auto transmission installed

My lovely wife showing me how to put the diesel in (this is the 6th test fit, 1st with transmission mating for exact fitment)

Starting the day with starbucks, and hooking everything up and prepping for proper positioning (look at that big arse wiring harness I need to sort out!)

Putting the body back together as it doesn't get in my way at this point and to get an idea of how it will look completely finished.

Another angle

It belongs in there...

Here is a vid of the second test startup, running

Roninjiro · Apr 30, 2012

a little update..

Researched and called Wic, Fleetguard, but settled for Baldwin for my oil and fuel filtering needs and received my oil filter from them and waiting on the fuel filter. I have also received my 2 oem steel rims for my spares. I have had both front and rear driveshafts rebuilt.

wiring harness really kicked my butt with removal, identification, and modifications... Still trying to figure out my tach signal and modifications for that... Had to order another FSM

started with this and now there is about 1/3 of it left and being wrapped up.

529248_10151587690695564_875395563_24110406_618127760_n.jpg

little teaser

535070_10151587690370564_875395563_24110404_1621434571_n.jpg

TheFauxFox · Apr 30, 2012

Haha, that is awesome!

All I see are a mesh of colors that are blowing my mind.

Roninjiro · May 1, 2012

modified harness 98% done

engine going back in with new compressor

other side before dropped in

engine back in and also to give you an idea of the tiny garage I have

little better look after reinstall and starting to wire it up to the new harness (and make plans to modify in-truck harness adjustments), hook up power steering, hook up a/c system (have one more custom hose in the mail). still lots to do.... didn't make my deadline

Looks like a mess right now, but I am still waiting on the new FSM for the engine so I can complete the wiring.. I have just ordered parts to modify the throttle cable just now too. The entire cooling system is still an issue and that will be what I will tackle until parts I am waiting on get here. I tell you what... this is harder than it looks!

Macland · May 1, 2012

Nah, I'd bet it's every bit as hard as it looks lol!

RATTFINK · May 2, 2012

Coming along nicely.

J Everett · May 2, 2012

You may have missed your own deadline, but the build is still coming along nicely. Can't wait to see your X move under diesel propulsion!

Muadeeb · May 2, 2012

That is one sick, sick build. You, sir, will be a deity of engine swaps when this is done.

Roninjiro · May 2, 2012

well received the new fsm and it is in Russian.... so I guess I am going to have to wing it

RATTFINK · May 2, 2012

Or meet a Russian in TX.

dhyde79 · May 3, 2012

not as hard as you'd think, start hanging out at truck stops....LOTS of russians via canada are truckers here....

ChiXterra · May 3, 2012

Thanks for being the guinea pig though; at least those who do this swap in the future have your stuff to use as an aid! lol

Roninjiro · May 3, 2012

My Remote filter mounts came in yesterday. So Today I built my filter bracket today for my remote fuel and oil filters. still needs to be dressed up... don't mind the huge mess and clutter

mock up

bracket made (not dressed up and still missing 4 holes)

filter housings and filters on

Also on a side note, the new a/c hose I needed came in and it was the wrong one.... Ordered another one from a different supplier and we shall see what happens this time. I emptied the fuel tank and have also removed the fuel pump and fuel level unit and broke part of it... so I spent part of the day repairing it.

idratherbe · May 3, 2012

Looking great! I'm sure you already thought of it but just incase, you'll need a bigger fuel fill hole to accommodate the diesel hose nozzle at the gas station.

Roninjiro · May 4, 2012

yea way ahead of you, filler neck is coming out to have that reducer removed.

idratherbe · May 4, 2012

I figured. I just wanted to sound like I knew what I was talking about.LOL.

J Everett · May 4, 2012

idratherberidin said:
I figured. I just wanted to sound like I knew what I was talking about.LOL.

This. I'm a pretty competent mechanic, but Roninjiro's engine swap make me feel like I don't know crap.

Roninjiro · May 15, 2012

FYI i'm still alive!!! I just have to figure out the air box and still waiting on coolant hoses

here is your gas nozzle restricter...

remote filters completely installed and plumbed....

a/c stuff plumbed and leak tested, still trying to figure out the air box situation...

coolant pipe... going to get one mandrel bent out of stainless when I get tired of looking at this... welding aluminum after over a year on a new machine is a royal PITA....

Roninjiro · May 22, 2012

[video=youtube;Kdy_iU3kqQA]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kdy_iU3kqQA&feature=youtu.be[/video]

a/c compressor is locked up and have to replace it... bad egg (salvaged part)
clamps will be trimmed and dressed, exhaust pieces coming in today and tomorrow to weld up, still no clue on how I'm going to do the air cleaner.

Muadeeb · May 22, 2012

IT'S ALIVE!!!! IT'S ALIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(and some lower case to clear the filter)

J Everett · May 22, 2012

Awesome work, sir. Be even more awesome with an exhaust, I bet. And A/C. Can't live in Texas without A/C. Especially with summer almost here.

Roninjiro · May 22, 2012

Just rebuilt the a/c compressor and servicing the system as I type. still no ups with my exhaust, but I plan on test driving it anyway later today.

RoninJiro's Build (now diesel)

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