What is good? Looking for small truck recommendations in 4WD

**JB2GO** · 25th May 2018, 05:34 PM

Turns out my present vehicle is not an ideal candidate for conversion, so just wondering what else people have enjoyed success with?

The HJ79/1HZ combo looks popular but I'd like a little more capacity. I probably need the ability to run dino as well. Somewhere around 4t or better and in 4WD.

TIA,

J

**Tony From West Oz** · 26th May 2018, 12:22 AM

Any of the light diesel trucks before 2000 should be good to go. Please refer to this post to determine the suitability of vehicles you are considering.
You might also consider joining the WARFA. We meet monthly with alternate meetings being a social BBQ. Our next meeting will be in Narrogin on Sunday the 10th June.
Check out our Facebook page or our web page warfa.asn.au
If you want to run diesel and have a separate system for veggie oil, then a second fuel tank and changeover switch would be on your wish list too.
That said, I f I want to run diesel, I just add it to my veggie oil in the main (only) fuel tank. Runs well on either fuel.

**JB2GO** · 27th May 2018, 01:12 AM

Thanks for the reply Tony. I did have a peer through that thread, it was interesting. My folks 6t hino from 2004 looks ok just I'd like 4WD. Maybe an Oka with a 6BTA

Funny question but you didn't have a boat that burnt on the battery charger a few years back now?

**Tony From West Oz** · 27th May 2018, 01:45 AM

I am happy to say that I did not lose a boat, (I have never owned one), but I did have a fire at home while charging my big home battery bank. Some items were placed on the power cord which over heated and caught fire. No major damage and Insurance company came thru for us.
Does the Oka have a a Common Rail engine? If not, that should be good.
You could try a Mercedes 911 4*4, they were used by the Aust Army for a while.

**JB2GO** · 27th May 2018, 08:05 PM

The OKA was standard with a 4L Perkins and they predate certainly mainstream CRD, I guess they made them between '97 and maybe '05? Certainly very few of the later ones. They were made to try and break the landcruiser stranglehold on mining, and had a 3t payload.

You do see the occasional 911 around, I guess the inter acco 4x or 6x would also be in the realm. Might just be better off with an older canter or the like at least they're newer.

I don't suppose you know of anyone into biodiesel around Gnowangerup? Glad it wasn't your boat and the insurance coughed up in your case.

**Tony From West Oz** · 27th May 2018, 10:24 PM

Afraid I don't have any contacts in Gnowangerup area. Why biodiesel? Why not veggie oil (possibly with up to 20% ULP or any combination with diesel)? Biodiesel in most cases is not required. For most vehicles it would be cheaper to add a second fuel tank and some changeover valves, operated from the cab. This would allow you to start on diesel, run all day on veggie oil and switch back 5 minutes before turning it off, so that there is plenty of diesel in the fuel pump and injectors for the next cold start.

**JB2GO** · 28th May 2018, 05:28 PM

I just noticed someone in that area buy a biodiesel processor, and I will be driving down that way the week after.

WVO also looks like a good option but especially after I buy a truck. My folk's truck has some fussy owner and they're unlikely to be too excited about rigging in a second fuel line. I'm in a good area for collection though, maybe I should start stockpiling

**Tony From West Oz** · 28th May 2018, 11:33 PM

Getting your supplier set up and working with you is a good first step. Don't leave it too long getting the vehicle though.
You could set up a filtering station so that you have clean oil ready to use, prior to getting your vehicle too.
Have a look at the "up-flow settling" arrangements that some here use.
My oil is strained and goes to the bottom of drum 1. The cleanest oil from the top of drum 1, goes to the bottom of drum 2. The cleanest oil from the top of Drum 2 goes to my settled oil drum. From there, I pump into my filtering setup. I have not had a blocked filter (in my filtering setup) since making this up-flow settling station, 6 or more years ago.
Some people use IBCs in place of 200L drums, some use more than 2 settling containers.

What engine is in your folks Hino. Is it a CRD engine?