RoninJiro's Build (now diesel)

Awesome pictures, I love this truck. IMO those wheels and tires really round the build off nicely.

KChurch86 said:

Awesome pictures, I love this truck. IMO those wheels and tires really round the build off nicely.

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Thank you! I hope the shrock bumpers complete the look and purpose I am wanting. After that I will need to level out the suspension.

[video=youtube;YH1P85QR_Sw]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YH1P85QR_Sw&feature=channel&list=UL[/video]

i love the turbo diesel badge and those shots of the engine bay! OOOO another video too!

i dunno if you can tell but i love your rig lol!

I love that little Turbo Diesel emblem! Man, I want to do this mod BAD!

I love this rig too. Any idea/plans for plumbing a snork, since your fender is already cut for it?

Thank you guys, Everett right now I am thinking something different and on the hood... but before I tackle that I need to figure out a real air box instead of the ricer filter. I will not be able to get to that for at least a month. Reason being, I am pulling all the injectors, rebuilding, and testing them. I am having fueling issues that are really irritating (stalling at random times), it is going to be either the injectors or IP. And this all happened after that fill up vid (bad diesel? who knows). I had 40 miles on it before the issue. oh well, better the problems pop up now then later.

talking with friends on the other side of the world (New Zealand) and it seems like this might be an easy fix.. too much restriction in the fuel system

Ok, fuel issue is no more! The stock inline filter that is bolted to the tank was a enormous restriction, and boy what a difference. Also fixed my boost compensator before the drive.... now it is fueling correctly while in boost. Now I need shrockworks to give me a call about my bumpers, so I can do my somewhat long trip.

awesome!

Roninjiro said:

Ok, fuel issue is no more! The stock inline filter that is bolted to the tank was a enormous restriction, and boy what a difference. Also fixed my boost compensator before the drive.... now it is fueling correctly while in boost. Now I need shrockworks to give me a call about my bumpers, so I can do my somewhat long trip.

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I really hope you didn't rebuild all the injectors before you figured that out.

Good to hear.

no I pulled them and pressure tested them, the spray pattern was perfect on them so they didn't need it. My last resort was pulling the IP and rebuilding it, but lucky for me it was just 1 filter I should have took off in the beginning. I tell you what... it has been a long and complicated journey to get there... SO WHO IS NEXT!

Not me, friend. I have neither the space to do the work nor the inclination to endure that much back pain. But surely someone on here wants it as bad as you did. Maybe that person can form a Kickstarter project and we can all contribute a little to help them buy the engine/trans off you.

Roninjiro said:

no I pulled them and pressure tested them, the spray pattern was perfect on them so they didn't need it. My last resort was pulling the IP and rebuilding it, but lucky for me it was just 1 filter I should have took off in the beginning. I tell you what... it has been a long and complicated journey to get there... SO WHO IS NEXT!

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Financing...LOL

well I have done all the trial and error runs of parts, so the expensive part is done and no one should have to go through that like I did.

here are the parts you will need:

For the engine itself:
replace thermostat
replace waterpump
clean filter in inlet line banjo bolt on IP (remove bolt and you may see one with a spring then filter, not all have these)
replace 2 coolant seniors with originals from the vg33e
replace oil pressure switch with original from vg33e
clean out intake manifold of all soot build up from the EGR and PCV system
replace a/c compressor with new compressor
replace a/c, powersteering, and alternator belts.
throughly take pictures of the engine so you know were everything is or need help identifying things!

for the swap:
2003-2004 2.4L xterra/frontier a/c compressor and hoses that hook to it
aftermarket remote fuel filter/housing with primer
custom downpipe to your cat back (if not doing full custom)
remove in tank fuel pump (replace with new hard 8mm brake line IIRC)
remove fuel filter on front of fuel tank (use longer hose from that filter to join the lines)
cut and extend accelerator cable
cut and remove old engine mounts on frame and replace with custom mounts
use nissan 280zx motor mounts as isolators
have a custom lower coolant pipe made
open up original vg33e engine harness and THIN it out/customize it

For the transmission (auto):

swap over harness from original transmission to diesel transmission. (means dropping the pan, so it's a good time to replace the filter)
before connecting engine, make damn sure the torque converter is set all the way in (missed that and had to pull the engine again)
original driveshafts "bolt right up"

With this swap you will retain your A/C, Powersteering, Cruise Control, Speedometer, and Coolant Temp. I am still working on the Tachometer, but that is about it. There will be a "service engine soon" light, but you can spoof it so it seems like it works, if you disconnect it and splice into the oil pressure warning light (for you emission guys i guess). It will read around 2 codes because there is no sensor input signal from the original injection system.

Power... the question everyone asks about.... If you keep it stock, it is lower than the stock vg33e of course, but you have the ability to add power if you chose. For those who want more power, you will need to add an EGT gauge and sensor. Once you add that, you can max boost around 19psi on the stock turbocharger and adjust the IP fuel volume accordingly. Stock boost pressure is around 10psi to give you an idea. I will eventually play with it, just now as I want to see what it can do in stock form.

Another thing I may do is buy a cc frontier and put the spare diesel it for my wife. I figure in doing that it should take from start to finish maybe 60hrs, since I know what exactly needs to be done and how to do it. If you guys want another source for the diesel engines check with these guys SoshinUSA I think the cost will be about the same

A little update:

I went though a tank of fuel, from fill up to fill up with speed correction I got 28.5mpg with mixed city (60%) and highway (40%) miles. This was with a heavy foot, and I am over fueling slightly, and need to adjust the boost pressure up a little.

Power wise... It is a slug with no adjustments. It does merge fine on the highway, and does do 70mph fine. After 75 not so much.

Shrockworks has my front bumper done, but still waiting for the rear to come back from powder coating. My order is going to be a week late.. but I am still glad they were able to expedite my order. After I pick up and install I will get some pics going and get some new pics up..... once those are up.. it doesn't get anymore finished than that

Roninjiro said:

A little update:

I went though a tank of fuel, from fill up to fill up with speed correction I got 28.5mpg with mixed city (60%) and highway (40%) miles. This was with a heavy foot, and I am over fueling slightly, and need to adjust the boost pressure up a little.

Power wise... It is a slug with no adjustments. It does merge fine on the highway, and does do 70mph fine. After 75 not so much.

Shrockworks has my front bumper done, but still waiting for the rear to come back from powder coating. My order is going to be a week late.. but I am still glad they were able to expedite my order. After I pick up and install I will get some pics going and get some new pics up..... once those are up.. it doesn't get anymore finished than that

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Lack of HP... Are there any other options in regards to boost, etc., that you can apply from the aftermarket?

ChiXterra said:

Lack of HP... Are there any other options in regards to boost, etc., that you can apply from the aftermarket?

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Aftermarket items will include, boost gauge, manual boost controller, egt gauge/sensor (fuel will be increased at the injector pump). For now that is all that is going into this build to fix the HP/TQ concerns. If I want even more, I would need to add intercooler support, better air filtering solution, bigger turbocharger and larger exhaust. There is lots of room to grow with the motor, just how far you want to go is the question. This is not your huge 6.7 8cyl power stroke or 6.7 6cyl cummins, but a smaller 4cyl 2.7l. The aftermarket is there, just depends on how you would like to approach it.

This is really cool what you've done - mad skillz! Props

Oz_X said:

This is really cool what you've done - mad skillz! Props

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Thank you Oz! i hope my build will eventually look as good as yours.

Mod day at Johanns! pics compliments of Johann

Roninjiro said:

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Effing sweet rig keeps getting sweeter! Looks great

looking sweet!

Looks awesome!

Wow. Just, wow...

I just spent the last hour reading and watching the videos. You Sir, are the man. I'm very tempted to take that other engine off your hands. Just trying to figure out how to break it to the wife.

Seeing the diesel X in person that day was awesome.

James "Ronin" is a good guy too.

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How far is Conroe from Austin? And San Antonio, for that matter?

thanks guys, now I am waiting on the SC radiator and a new water pump (need a new fan clutch, but it is one piece with the water pump). Conroe to austin is 3 hrs, and austin to S.A. is about 1.5 hrs i think.

Roninjiro said:

thanks guys, now I am waiting on the SC radiator and a new water pump (need a new fan clutch, but it is one piece with the water pump). Conroe to austin is 3 hrs, and austin to S.A. is about 1.5 hrs i think.

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Yeah, I meant Conroe to SA...Austin's an hour from SA. I'm in SA pretty often, sadly without my X tho...

oh, then about 4 hrs going speed limit

Yes, Conroe to S.A. is about 4.25 - 4.5hrs. S.A. was my second home for most of my life... Meaning I went back and forth between C town and S.A.

Conroe to either Austin or Dallas is 3hrs.

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from the UK and ordered it 2 nights ago. Now I am just waiting on the SC radiator which won't be here until tomorrow coming from Tenn.









It really doesn't help it has been 106+ degrees here....

Replaced the radiator, and water pump/fan clutch today.... even made a how to thread here


Oh yeah I forgot to mention... The remote oil filter assembly had to come off as the dang hoses would not stop leaking!!!!!

Doing balljoints so took some pictures

Hidden Falls Adventure Park

I was solo with no support trucks so stayed on the lvl 2-3 trails with my wife spotting and taking pics

Nice pics! How'd she preform?

TY, It performed better than I thought... so it did really well. Just need lockers now