Toyota Land Cruiser with Diesel Power Goes Retro for 70th Birthday

“No worries, mate. It’s a diesel”

Need an excuse for a party? Toyota fans in Australia are celebrating the 70th birthday of the Land Cruiser. To mark the occasion, Toyota has released a limited-edition version of its 70-Series model. The interior has embellishments, but the style is definitely retro. It's being called the 70th Anniversary truck.

The story by Ronan Glon appeared early this month on the Autoblog.

Toyota is making only 600 units for this occasion with three options for its basic foundation: single cab, double cab or wagon. The color options are fun: French Vanilla, Merlot Red, or Sandy Taupe. The article runs through the various talking points regarding exterior styling before opening the door for a look inside the cabin. 

The 70-Series incorporates a number of first time embellishments, which you can also read about in the article. What interested us most was what's under the hood. As it turns out, the power plant is a 4.5-liter turbodiesel V8 with a 202 horsepower rating and 317 pound-feet of torque. There's no automatic on this truck, only a five-speed manual transmission. "Every commemorative Land Cruiser will offer users a snorkel, low-range gearing, locking front and rear differentials, plus a 7,700-pound towing capacity," Glon writes. 

For those unfamiliar, the snorkel enables an engine to breathe while underwater. During World War Two, jeeps were equipped with ten or fifteen foot breather extensions that enabled them to drive underwater while making a beachhead. (Here are some tips for installing a snorkel on your off-roading machine.)

Toyota has decided to make 320 double-cabs, 200 single-cabs and 80 wagons, only for Australia. We've heard no rumors about anything similar for the U.S. market. In fact, according to the Autoblog story, the next-gen 300-Series will not be sold in the U.S. either. On a positive note, Toyota did announce that it plans to re-release a selection of hard-to-find parts for the 40-Series Land Cruiser (FJ40) which was built from 1960 to 1984.

The last part of the article contained a lot of trivia that you may not have been aware of. Did you know....

--The Land Cruiser name plate appeared on a Studebaker decades before Toyota used it.

--The Toyota Land Cruiser is not actually turning 70 this year. Rather, this is the 70th anniversary of the BJ, a Jeep-like 4x4 used by the Japanese armed forces.

--The BJ became the BJT, a touring car sold in select markets. No more than 300 were built.

--The name Land Cruiser was first used by Toyota is 1954.

--Land Cruiser sales began in 1958, the year after Toyota opened an American division.

--Only one Land Cruiser was sold that year. It is now in a museum in Salt Lake City. 

There are lots of photos and a video at the Autoblog site. Find the full story here:
https://www.autoblog.com/2021/08/03/toyota-land-cruiser-70th-anniversary-australia/

Car & Driver Puts 2021 Chevy Suburban Diesel to the Test but You May Have to Wait to Get One

A week ago Car & Driver published an enticing review of the 2021 Chevrolet Suburban. The story, titled Tested: 2021 Chevrolet Suburban Diesel Should Be the Default Choice, gave a mouth-watering review of the 2021 Suburban, went so far as to suggest that all Suburbans should be powered by the diesel Duramax 3.0 engine. 

Automotive journalist Ezra Dyer describes how "the 3.0-liter six is perfectly adapted to Suburban duty. Its 460 pound-feet of torque arrive at only 1500 rpm, imbuing the 6272-pound behemoth with an air of nonchalant muscularity in real-world driving."

The diesel Suburban is not a race car, and you wouldn't expect it to be with a 277-hp engine, but it does jump from zero to sixty in a quick 8.4 seconds, and adequate pace for merging into traffic.

For Dyer, one of the high points on this SUV is its stability. It's smooth. "With that luxurious 134-inch wheelbase and four-wheel independent suspension, the Suburban glides imperiously down interstates, whether perched on its base steel springs or the optional air suspension with magnetic ride control," he writes of the full-sized SUV. 

The noise volume on this car -- or lack of it -- is noteworthy. When cruising along at 70 mph, the volume is equivalent to a Lexus ES350. And of the noise you do hear, most of it is wind and tires, with only a mild hum coming from the straight-six on the other side of the firewall.

When it came to the low points of this story, there really wasn't much to say. The Suburban gets decent numbers when it comes to city and highway driving. And the diesel can tow around four tons if need be. Other "low points" read like high points, with the only real gripe being that the diesel Duramax is not the default engine and you have to request it. 

You can read the full story here. There are lots of photos.

And now the bad news. If you are one of those who was sufficiently enticed into considering this as your next purchase, hold your horses. The Fast Lane Truck (TFLTruck.com) just broke the news that GM is temporarily stopping production of the 3.0 Duramax Diesel Inline-6 engine due to a parts shortage.

These Covid-era supply shortages are more than annoying. Chip shortages have caused the automakers plenty of headaches already this year. Over the weekend GM confirmed that this will impact the Chevy Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500, Chevy Tahoe, Chevy Suburban, GMC Yukon and Cadillac Escalade.

Fortunately it's only a temporary setback. They promise to resume production as soon as possible.   

A Tribute to Diesel Farm Trucks and Their Kin

Photo by Matt Palmer on Unsplash

Here's an interesting article about Farm Trucks that was originally published in the Idaho edition of Ag Proud. The article by Allen Schaeffer, Executive Director of the Diesel Technology Forum is packed with information about this very specific application of diesel technology. The DTF is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of diesel engines, fuel and technology. The article is titled simply "What is a farm truck?"

Now you'd think everyone would know this, but when you read a little further you'll see that nothing is really as simple as it seems, especially when you get into legal matters and governmental explanations. 

Wikipedia describes a farm truck as "a vehicle designated for agricultural use, and may include anything from small pickup truck or even vehicles fashioned out of old parts, to class 8 eighteen-wheeler trucks."

Mr. Schaeffer's definition is more detailed: "According to the U.S. DOT Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)a farm vehicle is one that is: registered in a state with a license plate that identifies it as a farm vehicle … transporting agricultural products, livestock, farm machinery or supplies to or from a farm, and is not used in for-hire motor carrier operations."

The next sentence amplifies the initial definition. "Some states in the United States have a special registration for farm trucks that includes restrictions such as distance the vehicle may travel from the farm." This is where it gets complicated because some states have restrictions that others do not. There are also licensing issues. That is, certain vehicles require a Commercial Drivers License (CDL) in some situations and in others you do not.

In 1900, when the nation was 60 per cent rural, trucks didn't exist yet. Horses did all the grunt work of bringing produce to market. Today, all the horsepower come from under the hood. 

"The most iconic farm truck of course is the pickup truck: half-ton, full-size, extended bed, crew cab, dually, fifth wheel – the list of options and configurations is near endless," he writes. And for the past few decades the Ford F-150 has been the leader of the pack.

Just how much of a leader Ford has been was revealed in a Great American Truck Survey involved 2000 truck owners. Here are some facts that you'll enjoy if you are a loyal Ford fan.

--More than 3,000 TV shows mention Ford trucks.
--Over 180 songs also mention Ford trucks.
--79% said they would give up alcohol for an entire year rather than give up their truck.
--15% have tattoos that reference a truck or their favorite brand.

Photo by LC Rebelo on Unsplash

Farm trucks usually arrive on the farm after undergoing wear and tear by a previous owner or two. Because these vehicles are used seasonally, they often don't accumulate as many miles as daily drivers. Schaeffer spends time explaining that despite limited season use farm trucks still require maintenance. Brakes, filters, fuel systems all need attention. The importance of fuel stabilizers and cold-weather additives can't be ignored either.

The article goes into detail regarding the tendency to overload trailers and truck beds when bringing in the sheaves, or whatever else you're harvesting. Be careful. Old equipment can suffer in those situations. A groaning engine is one thing, breaking a belt is much bigger issue. Having a tire go flat while carrying a heavy load across the middle of nowhere is something you just don't want to do. In fact, the author experienced that situation himself once. It wouldn't surprise me to learn that he's been warning farmers ever since, as he did here.

Diesel enthusiasts, he notes, received some uplifting news entering the 2021 season. It is the first year that all of the big three manufacturers offered a diesel engine option on all full-size pickup trucks. Pickups are today's workhorses for farmers, no question about it.

His closing statement shows how much the author is a real truck guy. "The FT/farm truck designation has real meaning – both to those behind the wheel and those in the motor vehicle enforcement world. But one thing is for sure, we all love (and need) our trucks, farm or otherwise." 

Read the full story here: 
https://www.dieselforum.org/files/dmfile/what-is-a-farm-truck-0721ap.pdf 

First Impressions: Whacked Out Diesel Rat Rod

See full screen photo and videos at The Drive.

A rat rod is a custom car with a deliberately worn-down, unfinished appearance, typically lacking paint, showing rust, and made from cheap or cast-off parts. In the rat rod scene the cars are as unique as snowflakes, each reflecting the eccentricities of its owner. That's what makes the rat pack so much fun. 

One other common denominator in this automotive genre: every vehicle has a story. 

Last week Caleb Jacobs of The Drive posted a story about a very cool Chevy drag truck named Burnie.  The name itself is a story, which we'll return to shortly. 

The truck's own, Robert Berry, has his sights set on becoming the fastest 2-wheel drive, street legal diesel truck in the world. Yes, that's an ambitious goal, but he's clearly marking a path to get there, learning the ins and outs of nitrous, and all the other tricks he can from others who have been in active pursuit of diesel drag records. 

The opening line in Caleb Jacobs' story on Burnie is clever. "Old trucks should never die—they should just be repurposed," he writes, and then admonishes us each to do our part to keep cool old trucks from being turned into scrap.

The aim of this story, besides highlighting features of a very cool truck, is to dissect what it takes to create a top-notch record-breaking drag truck. The world, Jacobs says, needs more eight-second trucks. Here is what Berry Builds has done with Burnie.

The power plant is a 5.9-liter Cummins built by Industrial Injection, a diesel shop located in Utah with a gold star reputation. "It runs a compound turbo setup with an 88-millimeter Garrett GT55 on one side and a BorgWarner 7378 on the other, helping it pull 1,283 horsepower on a dyno without nitrous." That's a pretty solid foundation as a starting point, but add in the Nitrous Express system with 46-136 and you've got a screamer. "Pair that with Burnie's dual FASS Fuel CP3 delivery systems," Jacobs adds, "and it's getting plenty of sauce to fly down the strip."

The name Burnie has a double meaning. Drag racers love doing the burn-out thing. Builders, however, dislike it when things catch fire inside the truck. Evidently there were rats nests in the truck that caught fire when Berry Builds first started working on it. (Remember, this was a 1945 Chev that must have had a stretch of downtime before its resurrection and renovation.)

One of the main obstacles to achieving record-setting paces on the track is traction. This rod has a Moser M88 rear end with 45-spline axles designed to harness the power which has been channeled through a Goerend-built 48RE tranny. Even so, they've had trouble getting their 17-inch-wide Hoosier drag slicks to hook up. Sigh. 

Burnie had a "best time" of 8.90 seconds at Tulsa Raceway. Jacobs says the time could have been better had the windshield not been sprayed with fuel while rocketing down the track. 

It's noteworthy that Burnie is street legal. Every effort is being made to get the truck down into the 7s, but whether successful or not, this rod is guaranteed to turn heads wherever it goes. 

Related Links

1,283 -HP Chevy Diesel Rat Rod Truck Runs 8s and Is Still Street Legal

More Stories by Caleb Jacobs

Page of Images Featuring Burnie  

Champion Introduces Two New Products to Keep the Interior of Your Diesel Truck Looking Good

Truck owners have a range or priorities. For many, performance at any cost is top-of-mind. Others delight in making their machine look the best it can be. This is why Diesel Motorsports and other event sponsors have both performance challenges -- dyno, tractor pulls, races -- and Show 'N Shine competitions. What follows is a recent announcement regarding two new products designed to help keep your vehicle looking as stunning as it can be. 

(Clinton, MO / 08.20.21) Champion Oil, a recognized leader in specialty lubricants, has recently announced two new appearance products: Interior Detailer Spray (Part #4527) and Fabric Cleaning Foam (Part# 4529). 

Champion's safe and easy-to-use Interior Detailer Spray is formulated to protect and shine vinyl and plastic surfaces of your vehicle interior. Covers hard to reach areas. Cleans, Shines & Protects Vinyl and Plastic in one easy step. Professional use formula, fast drying shine. Not for use on rubber surfaces. Cherry scented. 4527K – 12/12 oz.

Interior Detailer Spray contents include: Propane, Butane, Hexane, Naphtha (petroleum), hydrotreated light, Siloxanes and Silicones, di-Me, 2-Propanone, Cyclohexane, Heptane, 1,2-Benzenedicarboxylic acid, 1,2-diethyl Ester, Solvent Naphtha light Aliph. Flash point: -104.4 °C, Initial Boiling Point- Estimated 56.05 °C. Aerosol.

Champion Fabric Cleaning Foam is an effective and easy-to-use fabric cleaning foam formulated to quickly penetrate soiled carpet areas - while leaving a wintergreen scent. Removes soils from upholstered fabric while not soaking in. Can be used on velour, cloth, and carpets - leaving a “like new” smell. Cleans and Scents in One Easy Step. Professional use formula designed with no residue. 4529P – 12/19 oz.

Champion Fabric Cleaning Foam contents include- Butane, Diethylene Glycol Monobutyl Ether, Alcohols C9-11 Ethoxylated, Propane, EDTA Tetrasodium Salt. Flash point: -103.3 °C, Initial Boiling Point- Estimated 100 °C. Aerosol.

About Champion Brands, LLC
Champion, a PLZ Aeroscience Company, is a globally recognized industry leader in specialty lubricants for over 65 years. Champion also produces and blends over 300 products including fuel, oil, engine additives, and lubricants for the racing, automotive, heavy truck, agricultural, industrial, and specialty markets. For more information call Champion at 660-890-6231 Champion Brands, LLC; 1001 Golden Drive, Clinton, MO visit championbrands.com

About PLZ Aeroscience
PLZ Aeroscience is a leader in specialty aerosol and liquid product technologies. PLZ specializes in the development, manufacturing, packaging, and distribution of a comprehensive line of contract fill, branded and private label products. PLZ has a robust and proprietary portfolio of products in household cleaning, personal care, food service, maintenance, specialty and industrial, and automotive. For more information, visit PLZAeroscience.com

About Pritzker Private Capital
Pritzker Private Capital partners with middle-market companies based in North America with leading positions in the manufactured products, services, and healthcare sectors. The firm’s differentiated, long-duration capital base allows for efficient decision-making, broad flexibility with transaction structure and investment horizon, and alignment with all stakeholders. Pritzker Private Capital builds businesses for the long term and is an ideal partner for entrepreneur- and family-owned companies. Pritzker Private Capital is a signatory to the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI). For more information, visit PPCPartners.com.

Diesel Inspection: National Brake Safety Week

I'm not sure how these things get started but it seems like there are plenty of them. National Pollinator Week celebrates the work of bees. National Dog Week, the last week in September, celebrates man's best friend. 

This week is Brake Safety Week, emphasizing the importance of brake systems and components during roadside inspections across North America. Here's a press release from Champion Brands followed by a link to a Fleet Owner story about this important topic. 

This Week is Brake Safety Week

You may want to take time to check your vehicle. The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance's annual Brake Safety Week is in full swing. It’s when law enforcement inspectors across North America will be looking for any commercial motor vehicles found to have brake-related violations that might place them out of service.  

During last fall's brake inspection blitz, more than 5,100 commercial vehicles were placed out of service because of brake-related violations. In addition, brake system and brake adjustment violations accounted for more vehicle violations than any other vehicle violation category, accounting for 38.6% of all vehicle out-of-service conditions. 

What can you expect if pulled over for inspection?

Law enforcement officers checking brake systems will look for:

• Loose or missing parts
• Air or hydraulic fluid leaks
• Trouble-indicator lights on the dash, including antilock brakes
• Worn linings, pads, drums, or rotors
• Mismatched air chamber sizes across axles
• Warning device functionality (such as antilock braking system indicator lights)
• Proper brake adjustment
• Brake hoses and tubing condition 
• Measure pushrod stroke to ensure brakes are properly adjusted.

“While you are at it, it’s a good idea to either top up or flush your brake fluid,” suggested Karl Dedolph at Champion Oil.  “Brake fluid is an important component in any hydraulic braking system. The fluid is subjected to hundreds of pounds of pressure but also needs to lubricate rubber components in the master cylinder, wheel cylinders, calipers, and hoses. In addition, brake fluid has corrosion inhibitors that keep the bores of hydraulic cylinders from rusting and pitting.”

 

“Most of today’s brake fluids are made of polyalkylene glycol, which is hygroscopic, meaning it absorbs moisture. The absorption of water prevents “pooling” of the absorbed water in the brake system, where corrosive acids can form and make the components deteriorate.  Water in a brake system will also cause fluids to freeze or boil faster.”

 

“Champion DOT 3 Brake Fluid is typically recommended for cars and trucks prior to the mid-1990s, but DOT 3 brake fluids still makeup a large portion of service fills in newer vehicles. DOT 3 brake fluid has a dry boiling point of 490 degrees, which is fine for brake systems with large brake drums and thick disc brake rotors, where brake heat can be easily dispersed. It has a viscosity of roughly 1500cSt at -40 F. Exceeds the specifications of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard #116 and SAE J1703 for DOT 3 brake fluids.”

“Champion DOT 4 Brake Fluid is recommended for most disk brake vehicles and is also a poly-glycol base. DOT 4 has a boiling point of 494 degrees F., and it is rated at a viscosity of 1800cSt at -40 F. This DOT 4 brake fluid differs from DOT 3 due to the ability it has to chemically scavenge water, reducing the rate at which performance deteriorates when the fluid is exposed to humidity in service. Exceeds the specifications of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard #116 and SAE J1704 for DOT 4 brake fluids," added Dedolph.  

Read the Fleet Owner story here: 

https://www.fleetowner.com/safety/article/21164730/cvsa-sets-date-focus-for-brake-safety-week

The Four Key Lubrication Tactics to Extend Diesel Engine Life

Model diesel engine. Luc Viatour, Wikimedia Commons

One of the benefits diesel engines offer over gasoline engines is longer service life. That being said, it's useful to know that there are steps you can take to get the maximum life from your engine before it needs its first overhaul. Here are some things you can do drawn from an article in Machinery Lubrication titled "Lubrication Tactics to Address Diesel Engine Life."

The article is essentially a practical outline of matters to address in answer to the question, “Are there any specific lubrication tactics that can help extend the service life (overhaul interval) of a diesel engine?”

The answer is yes, and the author proceeds to outline the four "rights" of lubricant application: 
The Right Lubricant
The Right Amount
The Right Component/Machine
The Right Change Interval.

It's a clever way to think about lubrication and it applies to all things that need lubrication, whether in the form of oil or grease. In this case we're talking about oils for diesel engines.

The first action suggested is to select a high-performance oil, rather than the one with the lowest price. This can be synthetic or mineral de[ending on the engine's requirements. 

Engines are designed to hold a specified oil level, so using the right amount of oil is important. This oil should not be mixed with other products, the author states. The specified oil is designed for a purpose. Its effectiveness can be altered through mixing with assembly lube or other products.

Because lubes age over time and during service life, they need to be replaced from time to time. This article notes that the "when" for changing oil should be not based on a time period or mileage limit. Rather, oil should be changed when it is ready to be changed.

To know the "when" you can perform oil analysis or utilize online sensors. This kind of monitoring will help you optimize the oil's use which still protecting the engine.

After explaining the four "rights" we are reminded of the need for proper filtration so that the oil is free of contamination, whether solid of liquid. The author suggests that the oil should be filtered before being put in the engine, and maintained in this condition using high-quality filters.

Many people use by-pass filters which take a portion of the oil out of circulation to continuously filter more slowly and more effectively before reintroducing to the oil stream. Premium air filters are also recommended because a majority of debris that gets into the oil is sucked in through the air.

Periodic oil analysis is the most effective way to monitor contaminants in the oil, whether fuel, glycol or soot, as well as other particulate matter. By this means you'll know when corrective actions need to be taken.

Because water contamination can be an issue in many machines the author recommends keeping your lubricants dry. They should also be kept cool, because the higher the operating temperature the shorter the lubricant life. For maximum service life, pay attention to operating temps.

If you're really looking for the most out of your engine life and lubricant performance, the article notes the importance of several additional variables: good training for your maintenance personnel, good procedures, the right tools, communication and team alignment. You may  even consider a pre-lube system. And last, but not least, use a high quality fuel and a periodic engine flush.

If it seems like a lot to consider, it's good to know what is possible.  This is the "white glove" treatment, if you know what I mean.  Read the original story here.

Related Link

Why Does Engine Oil Break Down