My truck has decided to take a holiday..

[M8WHR]

My KZN130 blew up tonight... it has been getting hotter and hotter on every run. Now it is dead, No compression and lots of life fluid about the engine bay.

Truck is used for a bit of towing and shooting. no big runs really.

Do I...

buy another KZN130 and bolt it in hoping head and gasket is ok..

convert to 1UZFE.. need 4wd for rough ground, How reliable are they?
Doing the work myself how much would it cost if i had a lexus sitting?
Id prefer to keep my own auto box, is that possible?

Convert to Rover V8.. Engines are cheap and reliable but would difficult getting it to match to my auto box.

[shokenore]

My KZN130 blew up tonight... it has been getting hotter and hotter on every run. Now it is dead, No compression and lots of life fluid about the engine bay.

Truck is used for a bit of towing and shooting. no big runs really.

Do I...

buy another KZN130 and bolt it in hoping head and gasket is ok.. Engine could be in as bad a state as yours.

convert to 1UZFE.. need 4wd for rough ground, How reliable are they?
Doing the work myself how much would it cost if i had a lexus sitting?
Id prefer to keep my own auto box, is that possible? Have a look at Vinces's pages quite a bit of info there

Convert to Rover V8.. Engines are cheap and reliable but would difficult getting it to match to my auto box.They are cheap and plentiful for a reason.

Why not go VW ?

[M8WHR]

Vw? What's my option there?

I have a new golf but its no good for shooting

[shokenore]

Vw? What's my option there?

I have a new golf but its no good for shooting

One was referring to the possible engine options from VW, but if you want to be smart, how about off roading in your VW (Taro)

[M8WHR]

Just having a laugh.

Seriously though I'd buy a taro if I could find one. Never knew they existed until today.

As for vw engines I done a bit of research and it seems to be a fairly new conversion into the surf.. I just wonder if the knowledge is there when I encounter problems. Also would these engines be powerful enough to push the hilux on?

I'm swinging towards V8.

[shokenore]

As far as I know the conversions have been going on for at least 8 or so years, so I would say there is already a good knowledge base.

Yes I would agree the 1uzfe conversions seem more popular, whether on a totally practical basis V8 petrol power is the way to go for your requirements is a question only you can answer.