Can a Challenger be converted to Turbo Diesel

[levinge]

Heres a question for all the engine boffins out there.

I currently own a 6 cylinder 3 ltr Mitsubishi Challenger. Great Vehicle, excellent stability, BUT I am considering 2 things.

Retiring it in favour of a bigger 4wd to tow my Centre Cab or

Here is the left field question

replacing the current engine with something that would pull the boat, possibly a 6 cylinder 4 ltr Turbo Diesel.

Is it possible, I figure the cost might be better than a whole new rig

Thoughts?????

[scottishguy]

How heavy is the loaded centre-console? The Challenger punches or pulls I should say, well above it's weight. I think it's rated to something like 2.3 tonnes.

Failing that, I wouldn't muck about, sell it and buy what you need. I hear the new model Challenger is about to be released and will have a turbo diesel option available. Might be time for me to trade in my own Challenger

[levinge]

Yeah I heard the new one was on the way. She tows okay but we do a few trips to locations north and south of Townsville, on average 2.5 hours on the highway. It goes fine when there's no wind, but as soon as the wind starts, I slow dramatically.

My Centre Cab fully loaded with all the necessaries and some stuff the for the weekend packed in the truck (80 ltr engel etc) would push into the low 2 tonne range. so she's right on the margin for towing.

Can't remember what the diesel was going to be, was it 2.5ltr or a 3.0 diesel??

They are a great 4wd and I'd hate to get rid of it. your right they do punch well above their weight

[levinge]

Just found this on google, from the Russian Car show where Misto were debuting the new Challenger

Quote
It features a choice of three engines in its line-up - a 2.5-litre and 3.2-litre common rail direct injection diesel units and a 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine.

Unquote

I'd hope the Diesel was a Turbo????

[the lobster]

I can't see a great deal of point in doing a conversion. It'd be a massive job, especially since there is no TD engine that I'm aware of (and I could definitely be wrong here) of the size you're talking about that is likely to fit nicely into the challenger.

Even if you could find a suitable engine I'd say it would be pretty expensive. I know 2nd hand 4.2 turbo diesel Toyota engines sell for at least 8 grand and often up to 12 or 13k for examples in good condition.

The other issue is that even if you can get enough power and torque out of the vehicle with a new engine to tow the boat, there is no guarantee that the chassis will be able to handle it suitably. It would more than likely mean a suspension upgrade, upgraded towbar (probably a custom job I would imagine), maybe bigger brakes and who knows what else.

At the end of the day, this vehicle wasn't designed to be a tow vehicle for heavy trailers so turning it into that would be a huge and possibly unsuccessful job. Even if you could tick all the boxes to get an engineer to certify it, it probably wouldn't be anywhere near as nice to drive and tow with as a vehicle that was originally designed to do the job you're after.

So obviously my opinion is to sell it and get something bigger. But if you're dead set on doing the conversion project you would really need to find someone else who has done something similar to give you an idea of what's involved and how much it is likely to cost etc.

Hope that helps.

matt

[levinge]

Thanks Matt, I thought I'd just throw the question out there. Your right.

I might have to wait and see the new Diesel Challenger and what they can do.

Either that or I am shopping for a Cruiser (long term relationship that may end with a caravan in tow)

[the lobster]

I've never really understood the whole Challenger thing. I've got a couple of mates who own them and love them and the look like great trucks, so I have nothing against them as such, but why does Mitsubishi have two 4x4s in the same class with basically the same features? Surely they don't expect the Pajero to compete with the Landcruiser and Patrol since it's clearly in the same class as the Prado and Pathfinder etc etc. So Pajero and Challenger basically compete against each other (as well as Prado, Pathfinder etc) for sales.

I guess there's no real problem sales wise since it doesn't matter if they sell a Challenger or Pajero they still make some money. But surely the $ that have been put towards design, production and whetever else for the Challenger could have been put towards building a better Pajero, or vice versa of course.

Doesn't really make sense to me. This type of thing does happen. Toyota offer the 76 series cruiser wagons and the 200 series which are similar size vehicles with similar capabilities but completely different components (except the engine, obviously) but the difference there is that both of those vehicles have completely different markets. I think the 76 series wagon is a good addition to the Toyota range, but I can't see why Mitsubishi need two mid-size 4x4s in their range.

Thoughts? Maybe someone knows something I don't.

matt

[lethal098]

LEVINGE,
maybe look at the new pajero coming, will now have 3 tonne capacity and would tow much better than the new challenger. cheers lethal

[White Pointer]

G'day,

Back in the days when Challengers were being built they were on the same chassis as Pajero (when they had a separate chassis) and Triton ute. The front doors, dashboard and bulkhead on Triton and Challenger are the same!

The later model Challengers got the Pajero's rear coils and were all the better for it so if you own one of these a diesel would make a nice boat tractor. You will need the whole driveline for gearing and some serious new electrics to cold crank a diesel.

But the expense!

Keep it serviced and drive it into the ground. It will take a long time I think.

White Pointer

[the lobster]

LEVINGE,
maybe look at the new pajero coming, will now have 3 tonne capacity and would tow much better than the new challenger. cheers lethal

I think he'd be far better off with a cruiser or a patrol. A paj would really be at it's limit towing 3t, as would a prado or pathfinder. No point mucking around. If you can't afford a new cruiser or patrol, get one a few years old.

matt

[gofishin]

Diesel Challangers have been available for quite a while, just not in this country. I see a lot of them in PNG with the 3.2 DID engine I think, although haven't taken that much notice, except that when racing round through the dodgy areas they seem to go pretty well if one is in front or behind you.

If the new model is being sold with old SOHC 3.5L V6 petrol that is a good petrol donk for towing & streets better than the 3.5 DOHC model that it replaced and also the upgraded 3.6 which was quite thirsty in comparison. Had one in an NL Paj, and also the 3L V6 in an MK triton during the same time, and then again in an NM Paj. There wasn't that much difference in kW, but the torque curve difference was substantial. The 3.5L V6 left the 3L for dead, so I know where you are coming from Lev, but I am with the others, don't even waste your time, just buy another tow truck with all the right bits in it to start with
cheers

[levinge]

Yep I think I'll be waiting for the New Diesel Challenger and see where it sits with all the relevant info. In no real hurry at this stage...