SD33T into a GU

G’day guys. The ZD shat the bucket and now I’m looking for reliable old donks to put in. I’ve had the thought of putting an SD33T into it, but I don’t know anyone who has done it, and I want to know what’s involved with doing it? I’m not worried about engineering, as it will only be a farm/bush pig.

My plans are to get everything needed for a TD conversion (crd ecu adaptor from GCpatrols, TD gearbox crossmember, TD accelerator, SD bellhousing, engine mounts etc.). I already have 4.3 diffs and reductions in, and I will be shedding some unneeded weight off the Ute.
Thanks in advance

Not sure why you want to go backwards but it’s your vehicle…
I imagine it’s going to be a logistical nightmare lining the mounts up for the motor and gearbox. But with the right tools and enough booze it could be done.
Getting the motor to run would be the easy part. Getting the electrics to work, Speedo, tacho and gauges etc. Not sure.
Good luck with it though.


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I’ve thought about using the ecu adaptors for a TD conversion for it, because apparently the TD plugs go up to the SD without much hassle

Might plug in yes but i doubt the ECU will read anything. Unless the tacho sensor is the same as a TD, which I doubt, and the Speedo is electronic on the GU, where its cable on the SD.

Vicroads might not let you register an older engine because of emissions. I don't know if that is the same in all states. I would suggest contacting your relevant state authority before going ahead with it.

Like I said, I’m not worried about engineering it, because it’s not really going to be on the road

Do you know if the TD Speedo and tacho use cables? My interior is from an S3, so I reckon a TD dash from an S3 should be interchangeable

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Originally Posted by Mitch_L

Do you know if the TD Speedo and tacho use cables? My interior is from an S3, so I reckon a TD dash from an S3 should be interchangeable

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In a GU, no.
In a normal world where one would going from ZD to TD, there is no need to change the dash as they’re the same, it’s what drives the components that differs. Been there and done it before. All was needed to get the tacho working was a control unit to convert the signal via the ZD ecu. Everything else works as it should.

In your case however. I seriously doubt you’ll get the tacho to work, and also the Speedo. Possibly any of the gauges also.
But if it’s a farm truck, does this matter.


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It wouldn’t be a huge issue, but just in case I need to run it into town or something like that. I have seen blokes do it with the early GUs, but they were RDs and the early DI ZDs

No idea on this specific conversion but I'll just throw in a "YOZA"

SD33T are pretty solid donk.
Personally for the weight-she-gained-after marriage (1997) I think a GU really wants a TD42/T in it.

But...impossible is nothing. A friend with a welder, another with a lathe, you can do it!

No idea on computers and shit. You don't need one of them for (a real) engine to run. SD33 is real.

There are plenty of SBC or even phone apps now that will meet requirements of a speedo/HUD. And if you need a tacho to drive...you probably shouldn't be driving.