Your comments on the JT 3000 Ford conversion on a Hilux

[Niel]

Guys, will you say that this is a worthwhile conversion? Is this motor a long lasting one or a problematic one? Is it prone to problems and if so what are they. What are the symptoms should one look out for? What is this motor’s fuel economy as an average? General comments welcome.

[DOELLOOS]

Overheating problems. 5km per litre. Stalls easily on inclines.

Relatively cheap to do. Parts available everywhere. Reliable.

Not a bad conversion if you can live with a Ford motor in your bakkie....

Why, what's up?

[Niel]

Was asked these question yesterday in a conversation and hell I did not have a clue, so if you don't know what better place to ask. Thanks for the feedback.

Overheating problems

Due to radiator?

5km per litre

solutions?

Stalls easily on inclines

what cann be done? diffrent carb?

Not a bad conversion if you can live with a Ford motor in your bakkie....

:) :) :)

[ThysdJ]

My previous Hilux had a Ford V6 3000 motor in it, and I was very happy with it. I didn't have problems with overheating, but then again I had a custom triple core radiator made up for it, plus 2 electric fans and vents in the bonnet to get rid of heat. The electric fans ran off a thermal switch with a manual override, but I never once used the manual override.

To stop it from stalling on inclines I also added an electric fuel pump to push more fuel to the carbie, as the mechanical pump was not up to the task of getting enough fuel up there. I also had the return-fuel line beefed up to handle the increase in fuel flow.

Another problem I had was fuel "percolating" in the fuel lines. This was overcome by re-routing the fuel lines inside the chassis rails and not through the engine bay. The fuel lines took the shortest possible route from the chassis rail to the carbie. This was done to limit the exposure of the fuel lines to the heat generated by the exhaust manifolds.

Fuel consumption was almost the same as with the original 4y that was in that bakkie prior to the conversion, but I had the added advantage of having more horses and higher cruising speed.

If the conversion is done properly by a competent mechanic it is a real pleasure. I enjoyed that bakkie a lot and drove it for almost 3 years until Kaspaas came along. The only reason I sold that bakkie was because I dont have enough space to store all my vehicles...

I hope this helps, if you have any more questions please ask.

[Sifu-Lux]

Hi Niel,

I have the JT3000 conversion in my Hilux, although it was not done by JT. I "inherited" another Hilux with the conversion and then stripped everything out, re-built the engine, and transplanted it myself as a home project.

I used a Hilux 3 core diesel radiator and a nissan 9 blade fan with direct drive(no viscous).

No overheating problems at all. Fuel consumption +- 20l/100km (5km/liter) so a range of ~ 220 km on my 50L tank.

I done 2500km so far since i did the conversion, with absolutely no problems.
I am running an electric fuel pump with a mod on the Weber 38 for the return line.

Pics of the engine at: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=520

If you have any questions, just ask. I have lots of info.

[windy67]

If the conversion is done properly by a competent mechanic it is a real pleasure.

I had a Ford V6 put in my red bakkie, on the left. What a pleasure after I got past the teething problems by a "well known" conversion mechanic in Maritzborough.

The first problem was clutch related because the "ringpiece" did not allow for movement between the motor and the body.I lost the clutch before Durban and drove to St lucia, with family, beers and boat, ( 250kms ) in 4th gear.

Second problem was broken engine mounting, on the way home. I had to cut a sign post down to get the log. I then jacked up the motor enough to get the log on top of the front springs and under the sump. Drove home ( 200 kms ) with the whole family and boat.

After that, what a pleasure but not enough gears.

Trevor

[BenHur]

I had to cut a sign post down to get the log.

Jou vandalis

[DOELLOOS]

Ja jong, kom maar saam met die Ford bloed....

[Family_Dog]

Trevor,

I had a Ford V6 put in my red bakkie

What motor do you have in it now?


-F_D

[windy67]

F_D

I can only afford to have one at a time so it was sold with the V6 in, many years ago.

Trevor