Repowered my jeep with kubota turbodiesel

KubotaMightyMite

New member

Equipment
kubota powered micro jeep
Sep 3, 2012
5
0
0
sultan, wa, usa
After owning a kubota powered excavator for 6 yrs with zero issues, I decided to use a kubota engine in my newest project...it is a very rare aluminum micro jeep with independent suspension...

I was unhappy with the original air cooled V4 gas engine, so I transplanted a V1505-T engine into the lightweight Mighty Mite...had to have an adapter plate made to fit the 4 speed tranny, and a combination of off-the-shelf clutch parts.

After a few months of researching, and collecting parts, and a weeks worth of labor, I have it up running and drivable.

Wow is it fun! Torquey, and quick...and an added bonus is that the little 4x4 now gets in excess of 40mpg!!!

Knowing I would be pushing the little 4 cyl hard, and that I would be wringing more power than stock out of it, I decided to go through the whole engine I bought.
I installed new pistons, rings and berrings. Also, more importantly, I added piston oil coolers to the undersides of them...I did this by having two tiny holes drilled in the con rods and also had the rod berrings machined with a U-groove in the center with holes that match the new ones in the rods...this way pistons get a constant spray from two oil squirters.

I removed fuel rack stop screw, throttle stop screw, and turned in torque screw one turn. Lastly, I installed an extra spring on the wategate for more boost...

The power is awesome! Boost pressure jumped from 7psi stock to around 14psi...
 

Lil Foot

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
1979 B7100DT Gear, Nissan Hanix N150-2 Excavator
May 19, 2011
7,259
2,200
113
Peoria, AZ
Pics! We need pics! Sounds cool!
 

OkieDavid

New member

Equipment
L 3010
Aug 29, 2012
46
0
0
Valliant, OK
I second the "pics" comment. I am a firm believer in the internet forum mantra of "if you don't include pics, it didn't happen"... Sounds like a really cool project and would LOVE to see some in progress shots.
 

Bluegill

New member

Equipment
L3750DT Shuttle, L3800DT FEL both
Jan 11, 2012
1,560
3
0
Success Missouri
I have a 1994 Toyota 4wd truck with 270,000 miles. Runs great but it might eventually need a motor. I would like to put a Kubota diesel in it.

So, pics of what you did will help. :cool:
 

Lil Foot

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
1979 B7100DT Gear, Nissan Hanix N150-2 Excavator
May 19, 2011
7,259
2,200
113
Peoria, AZ
I have a 1994 Toyota 4wd truck with 270,000 miles. Runs great but it might eventually need a motor.
You've got a ways to go yet...... my '78 Toyota pickup had 431,634 on it when I traded it in on a '95 Tacoma.
 

Stumpy

New member

Equipment
L175
Dec 1, 2011
848
3
0
NE Ohio
Better late than never!

That is very cool! Looks a little tight in there you using an electric fan?
 

skeets

Well-known member

Equipment
BX 2360 /B2601
Oct 2, 2009
14,094
2,755
113
SW Pa
What is it??? That aint like no Jeep I ever saw, or is it some kind of ricer????
I think the install is a pretty slick set up !