Hi, im new to this so I presume I just describe our problem and hope someone can help us.
We have been converting a 1981 Toyota coaster into our new RV, we are now at the most important stage of finding a new engine and putting it in. our hardest part is trying to find an engine that will fit in without modifying anything like the chassis etc. some people suggest that maybe a dyna truck engine or toyota Land Cruiser or Toyota Hillux??? Or will a Toyota coaster engine from a later model fit in as well? We want a diesel maybe with a turbo, we don't have a big budget either. Any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks heaps.
Thanks mate, just found a 2b engine for sale. are they very good? And would I have to get a cruiser around 81 model to fit into coaster? cheers
Hi Koni
There is a lot that could be said here about changing engines. However I do not know how much you know about things engineering and about doing the work required, so hard to say much.
What engine do you have now, and what gearbox and what diff ratio ? They all need to be a match really. Almost any 4 cyl engine will fit and a six will go with more work and V8s are OK too. Diesel engines fitted to later Toyota buses and trucks(Dynas) and some imported Toyotas will probably fit easily if a 4 cyl. The B series engines of many types were made over 30+ years and come turbo and non turbo, indirect and direct injection and power from very little to a lot more.
The 2B engine would be old and low power so not a good starting point IMHO. Some people think they are too underpowered for the Coaster and so fail early. If the diff is a low ratio that also makes it rev too high at speed.
Landcruisers had a six cylinder diesel engine which can fit with more work, but again they were made over 30+ years too in many variations and powers. A good one will be expensive and a better gearbox may be a wise move too. Need a higher diff too.
Any thing is possible but it may depend on how deep your pockets are, and how much you can do yourself. !! Many people have fitted Holden or Falcon petrol motors and ran them on gas, over the years. Might be a cheaper option in the long run. Old diesel engines are expensive to repair if they fail. Newer ones are even worse !!
Some thoughts Cheers Jaahn
-- Edited by Jaahn on Tuesday 2nd of February 2016 09:45:57 AM
About 15 years ago we had a late 70s Coaster as a motorhome.
4 cyl. petrol was slow and drummed inside terribly.
Found the right mechanic & engineer and fitted a Holden 253 V8 petrol on gas.
Took several months to be sorted and was lucky finding good used parts.
The end result was brilliant and way cheaper than going for a diesel.
Kick myself for ever selling it.
A GOOD SOHC Falcon motor and box with ECU could be bought for well under$2k.. An AU with 4 speed auto. 3.4 to 4.1 final drive will do fine.. As you know with taxi's these engines run fine on LPG.. Engineering on commercial vehicles is easy to pass.. Just get RTA approved engineer approval first from there site..
You could go even cheaper and fit a 4.1 crossflow "carb" motor and 3 speed auto?
Being same EPA year it should be legal ..
No issues with EFI but final drive would need to 3.08 to 3.45.. being no auto overdrive..
-- Edited by Aus-Kiwi on Tuesday 2nd of February 2016 10:23:19 PM
Good luck with the engine finding, I hope though you've thought this thru as the older Coasters rust like billyo. Also the old smaller diesel 4 cylinder motors weren't that great on the highway. My mate has a 4 litre four cylinder in his eighties Coaster and I have the 4 litre six cylinder and they both seem to pull well on the highway.
Cheers Jaahn 
