http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/TOYOTA-PREVIA-TURBO-DIESEL-VERY-COMPARABLE-TO-SIENNA_W0QQitemZ300070549342QQihZ020QQcategoryZ6440QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Wow, of all the cars to convert to a diesel a Previa is an interesting choice to say the least.

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-justin

1987 300TD, 1987 300TD
2008 R32, 2000 Passat Wagon

No.

I gotta say that I like the diesel badge. It looks familliar

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http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i1...Untitled-1.jpg

What a nightmare - want to buy another person's headache?

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- Brian


1989 500SEL Euro
1966 250SE Cabriolet
1958 BMW Isetta 600

It probably doesn't need anything right now, but it will in the future. Are you going to have to go to Japan for every part?

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Junqueyardjim
Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important. C.S. Lewis



1983 Mercedes W123 240D 4 Speed 285,000 on the road with a 617 turbo, beautiful butter yellow, license plate # 83 240D INDIANA

2003 Jaguar Type X, AWD. beautiful, good mileage,
Mom's car, but I won't let her drive it!

This is pretty interesting. I'd like a front cut or half cut Toyota truck, to mate with one from here. This way, you have the original truck, plus the mechanics from a whole second truck (motor, tranny, brakes, often exhaust, radiator and all that). It would last a while. As for parts, uh, ever heard of Ebay?

Anyone know why front/half cuts imported from Japan are always super low mileage? Do they have some law against vehicles older than X age or mileage, to prevent traffic jams in Tokyo because someones car broke down?

"The 35-40 mpg depends what speed your driving at (this engine is can reach high speeds unlike some diesels) it also depends on the quality of the diesel which varies apon different fueling stations."

Whatever. Sounds like the EPA estimated rating: If you drive it 50 mph down a hill with a tailwind, AC off you'll get 40 mpg. If you drive it normally, figure on less.

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1985 300D, 237k.
1994 F-350, 6.9 diesel, 5 spd manual, Banks Turbo. 261k.
Sold: 1985 300CD- 267K

I'd like to see that pass emissions in several states. VIN no doubt registers to a gasser and states that emission test gassers e.g. VA would want to emission test it even though diesels are exempt. Of course it would fail with flying colors.

Sounds like a major headache unless you live in a state with NO emissions inspection.

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1982 300TD 210K miles ("The Replacement" aka "The Anvil") - SOLD
1979 300SD 245K miles (never ending project)
2007 Pinarello F3:13
1995 Ducati 916 (SOLD, sniff)
1999 Ducati 900SSie (SOLD)

In japan it is easier to insure/register a new car compared to that of an older one. A friend of mine bought a Nissan skyline RHD with AWD and had it imported.. But to get around the issues with dealing with customs he had the engine removed in japan and shipped before the car.. then the car in a container to mexico and trucked it over.. He has the money to do these things.. According to him it was worth the effort since he got the car faster and probably cheaper than dealing with customs... And he has it registered..

This is interesting to say the least. The Previa had the same 2.4 L gas engine block as the Celica, mounted at a slant between the front seats. Accessories such as the AC compressor and alternator were driven by a high speed shaft and housed in the small compartment under the hood.

All engine maintenance was done by lifting off a cover between the seats or from underneath the vehicle. Rear wheel drive set up and almost perfect fore and aft weight distribution. Bomb proof transmission. I had one for 7 years and loved it.

Disadvantages - poor seats like all Toyotas for tall drivers, AC compressor fails often, bad rust trap where rear bumpers are attached to fenders.

I do know that 5 speed manual shift diesel Previa's were shipped to Europe (been in one as a taxicab). Maybe this is the real thing and he got the right engine. Otherwise getting it to fit would be a bear....

Unfortunately they went out of production and were replaced with the much more boring Sienna in the US and Canada.

My brother and I have lamented the small number of diesels available in the States and have wondered how to get our hands on a nice and newer diesel SUV or similar without the hassle of customs. That is an awesome idea to remove the engine and ship both as "parts." Love it!

Registering it is just the fun part. too bad you can't buy a CKD car and have it shipped over.. (Complete Knock Down... basicly a big box of all the parts and related stuff for the vehicle)

Sienna's may be boring, but the wife's van could be the best vehicle I've ever owned. Fit and finish has been great, runs better than any motor I have ever had, and has staggering acceleration. It is a '99 model, and I can't remember ever having repaired anything except the rear hatch handle broke......
Folks love those Previa's too. Cult like following, and they don't look bad for a minivan. Good resale value, but most Toyota's do.
Geeze, me and my first wife had an '86 Toyota van. The square box with the front wheels 5 feet back from the front bumper. I always felt like it was just begging to be flipped......

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Jimmy L.
'05 Acura TL 6MT
2001 ML430 My Spare

Gone:
'95 E300 188K "Batmobile" Texas Unfriendly Black
'85 300TD 235K "The Wagon" Texas Friendly White
'80 240D 154K "China" Scar engine installed
'81 300TD 240K "Smash"
'80 240D 230K "The Squash"
'81 240D 293K"Scar" Rear ended harder than Elton John

I would love to have that thing. I grew up in a Toyota family, and a diesel Toyota van is pretty much my dream car. Too bad I'm broke, and my Benz doesn't even start.
Sigh... Would you guys ever try and build your own diesel minivan? Where could someone find something like that in the US? (minus ebay, of course)

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1976 300D 115 at 1??K, doesn't run!