Recon or replace TB45 GU 2000 Auto?

Hi guys

Have a tired 4.5 ltr that is on gas/petrol, I was planning to get the gas removed as our only fuel station for 160kms no longer sells gas. We live rural South West of WA. But before I do that ...

It has done just under 250000 kms, it is really tired and struggles towing and going up hills. I've owned it since 2009 when I got it at 92000 kms. It has been getting worse over the last 12 months to a point I need to do something with it. For the last 3 years it has primarily been used as a towing workhorse vehicle for a large 2 horse float. We have lots of hills and winding roads. on a steepish incline we often have to go back to 2nd (Auto) to get up the hill, even when not towing it is not a lot better. It guzzles fuel that I may need to hire a tanker to follow me.

Unfortunately I don't have the funds to just go out and get a newer vehicle, so I am looking at my options to recon or replace the tired 4.5.

I've read quite a few posts where the recommendation is to add a turbo to it to overcome the sluggishness

Anyone have an idea what this would cost to do? Is it worth doing? Am i better to use my existing motor or buy a already reconditioned motor?

I'm not interested in buying a motor from a wrecking Patrol as I don't know its history.

If anyone knows someone that can do this for me in the South West of WA (Bunbury to Albany region) let me know.

Cheers

All

Think I'd be more concerned about the auto gearbox and the state that is in before spending any money on the motor

Why is that?

where abouts are you

South West WA, rural

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Originally Posted by gwmbox

Why is that?

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Lots of hills and heavy towing will usually put a lot of stress if not eventually kill an auto gearbox, I don't believe going back 2nd in an Auto to get up steep incline is uncommon.

You could recon or replace your motor and find your gearbox has issues more so than the motor

Dammit, I did reply but lost it

Ok 2nd try but in summary

I'm planning to do a maintenance service and change the fluids (oil and auto trans) and replace filters (oil, trans, fuel, air) so will progress with that. I'm no expert on car mechanics but have done all the maintenance post warranty end maintained it that way with it going to a mechanic if I notice any issues I can't solve or look to be a bigger issue than I can do. I think I have left the auto trans fluid this time way too long which does not help. Auto seems to work fine, drops down gear ok but not great as the car is very sluggish so slow to respond, hence we manually drop it to 2nd when needed.

Our location has some very steep hills that even our 5 year old Mazda struggles in high gear, plus being windy the Troll has little time to speed up for an oncoming hill.

Rebuild will set you back $1200-$1700 plus labour
https://www.car-repairs-slacks-creek...product_id=180
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Engine-R...-/192284814916

And an off the shelf turbo kit will set you back around $6500
https://gcg.com.au/nissan-patrol-gu-...ger-kit-detail

Add to that an upgraded fuel system, stand alone transmission controller and a new ECU plus tuning and I doubt you would have much change out of $15,000 buying off the shelf parts.

You could probably cobble together a turbo kit yourself for around $2000 using mostly cheap china parts - which can be quite good whilst others can be very poorly constructed.


I reckon you could convert the old rig to something more towing friendly for less money and have a vehicle worth a little more in the long run.
I'd be suprised if you couldn't convert it to a TD42 and then turbo that for half that sort of money, have better resale in the long run, and use half the fuel while doing it :thumbup:

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Originally Posted by neet_wagon

Rebuild will set you back $1200-$1700 plus labour

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Yeh, I'd need someone to build for me, so probably better to look at one already to go.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by neet_wagon

And an off the shelf turbo kit will set you back around $6500

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That crosses that off the list, the car is not worth much more :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by neet_wagon

I reckon you could convert the old rig to something more towing friendly for less money and have a vehicle worth a little more in the long run.
I'd be suprised if you couldn't convert it to a TD42 and then turbo that for half that sort of money, have better resale in the long run, and use half the fuel while doing it :thumbup:

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That is more a possibility, any idea what else I need to change to do a convert from P to D? It is never as easy as remove A and replace with B :). Same Auto trans? Engine mounts, Air Con, Alt, Starter etc....

Quote:

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Originally Posted by gwmbox

Yeh, I'd need someone to build for me, so probably better to look at one already to go.



That crosses that off the list, the car is not worth much more :)



That is more a possibility, any idea what else I need to change to do a convert from P to D? It is never as easy as remove A and replace with B :). Same Auto trans? Engine mounts, Air Con, Alt, Starter etc....

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There's a few threads floating around here from others that have done it:

http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forum...D42-transplant

http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forum...D42-Conversion

http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forum...uto-conversion

http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forum...TB42E-TO-TD42T

http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forum...-Lots-of-pics!

http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forum...Auto-to-Diesel

http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forum...D42-from-TB42)

From what I understand the motor will drop straight onto existing mounts, remove associated EFI wiring when installing the diesel, you can retain the factory fuel lines and fuel tanks, a ZD30 flexplate will bolt up to the TD42 and you can have a ZD30 torque converter modified to have a lower stall to suit the TD42.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by neet_wagon

There's a few threads floating around here from others that have done it:

From what I understand the motor will drop straight onto existing mounts, remove associated EFI wiring when installing the diesel, you can retain the factory fuel lines and fuel tanks, a ZD30 flexplate will bolt up to the TD42 and you can have a ZD30 torque converter modified to have a lower stall to suit the TD42.

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Excellent, I have some reading to do and more research :)

Thanks for taking the time to provide advice everyone :)