Since so many people seem to want a diesel I have been wondering if it really is worth it to trade in for a diesel or buy a new one if Toyota made it, if fuel mileage is the only reason you would do so. So I compared the gas FJ to the 2007 diesel Prado. It looks like with todays premium and diesel prices, you would save about $10 a fillup with the Prado. Might be worth it but the cost of diesel vehicles seem to be higher than buying a brand new gas car. Also I know diesels are much different to drive with all the tourqe they have, but the diesel Prado only has 170hp compared to the FJs 240.
More automotive companies and developers need to focus on trying to make efficent running diesel engines that run on B100 (100%) pure biodiesel, corn, hemp, veggie, w/e make it work and readily available so that the people are able to use it. My dad has the FlexFuel Suburban and the nearest gas station that sells E85 is close to two hours away, each way. Car companies should be trying to make diesel engines to drop into pre existing car models so that the switch is easy and relativly cheap. I believe that biodiesel has the most potential to replace gasoline for transportation uses.
every single one of our work trucks is a diesel. either duramax or cummins. lets just say that they recently replaced the exhaust on all of the trucks because it is giving us the edge of 2-4 mpg more depending on the driver. i had to wait to leave today because my boss wanted me in the duramax i always drive. i had to do a few miles and would gladly have taken an older cummins that was in the lot, but times are that tough for diesels.
Biodiesel= bad idea for a solution to our gas woes. Food prices are bad now because of increased fuel prices. What happens to food prices when food crops are being turned into fuel because farmers can make a larger profit on corn and other products that they sell to biodiesel makers? Hey... I'm just sayin'.
Also want to add that I have heard some people doing this and actually saw it on 4x4 extreme. where they make a diesel engine burn old vegatible oil. I don't know anyone personally that does this but they get the old vegtiable oil from restaurants for free, they do the conversion in their garage and well once the initial expence of buying the gear it seems like free vegitable oil diesel fuel?
__________________ Black fj loaded
arb bumper
IPF aux light
warn xp 9.5
PIAA 525 lights
king shocks
You can use old fry oil as fuel. There is an episode of Mythbusters where they talk about it and try it out. It works pretty well. The problem is that there is a limited supply of used french fry oil, and like all other things... once somebody finds out they can charge big bucks for it, then it won't be such a great deal. It might be cheaper than regular diesel, but it isn't like there is enough oil sitting behind McDonald's restaurants to solve the gas crisis.
As far as a diesel truck engine, the first diesel we'll see will be a big Land Cruiser or Tundra-class V8. My best guess it it's still at least two years before we see that.
Then it'd be additional years before we make a smaller class or V6 diesel that would fit in the FJ Cruiser / Prado / 4Runner platform.
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Flying Made Simple
"Three things that are important:
No red lights---good.
Pull back on the yoke, houses get smaller.
Push forward on the yoke, houses get bigger."
As far as a diesel truck engine, the first diesel we'll see will be a big Land Cruiser or Tundra-class V8. My best guess it it's still at least two years before we see that.
Then it'd be additional years before we make a smaller class or V6 diesel that would fit in the FJ Cruiser / Prado / 4Runner platform.
True dat. It's only a matter of time before they offer a diesel into that big Tundra. It's GOING to happen.
Why is Volkwagen really the only big manufacturer to offer diesels in the US that are somewhat a small engine?
The Prado's 3.0L D-4D diesel is mated to the same automatic transmission as the FJ (A750F w/4wd), that would seem to be the natural choice for toyota when they do put a diesel in the FJ and 170hp 302tq isn't too shabby. Toyota's new 4.5L V8 diesel is powerful but the weight of that engine has to be a consideration image the tears and bulges with an extra 200lbs+ up front.
Bio diesel would be a good choice for fuel as long as we don't use food crops to produce the fuel. A hybrid or and electric hybrid would be an even better choice. I'd like to see a small gas or diesel engine powering a generator and an electric motor at each wheel something similiar a train! Very old technology and very efficient, Ferdinand Porsche solved the fuel efficiency, range and power problem in 1901.
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2007 Voodoo Blue 4wd
Pkg #2, Sliders, Mount Chop, 295/70-17 Toyo MTR, 17x8.5 Razors, Hi-lift, On-Board Air, All-Pro Front Bumper, Bilstein Struts,150k lbs mooring line
If the price for a new diesel FJ was the same as a gas FJ, I think that the power would be a problem for me. My brother has a TD Suburban which does weight 1000lbs more than the FJ, but it does have 25hp and 130 ftlbs on that Prado engine and the Suburban is slooooooow. The 6.5L V8 does get the same fuel mileage as my FJ though.
If a diesel FJ had enough power and could accelerate as fast as a gas FJ, would the fuel mileage still be better? Thats what I would be looking for.
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07 Black Diamond 6 Speed
Last edited by FullTimeStud : 05-01-2008 at 04:36 AM.
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