Overview of Vehicle:
"Eco 4WD" is a our custom off-road and vehicle-dependent expedition vehicle that is currently being built by Biodiesel Motor Projects, to promote of the Biodiesel Motor Projects concept ("environment friendly by use of clean diesel technology and clean biodiesel fuel," "environmentally friendly motor projects,").  At appropriate opportunities, we will use the vehicle to promote the concept by grabbing the attention of consumers in person, on the Internet, and in print-media.

The goal is to point out that even a large SUV with large off-road tires can be eco-friendly when powered by the right clean diesel technology with clean biodiesel fuel.  This vehicle will produce approximately 14% of the greenhouse gas it originally did in 1969 by using this combo of clean diesel technology and biodiesel fuel.

This is actually the second time we have built this vehicle.  The first one (ECO 4WD #1, seen in the pictures), had notable publicity successes and was featured in several local and national magazines, and scattered throughout the Internet.  However, a few years after we constructed it, rust that we had removed began to reappear due to poor choice of the body of the truck related to the condition it was in.  We purchased another of these FJ55 bodies to replace on ECO 4WD, which are so unique and head turning, and initially planned to morph the two into a new vehicle.  However, we did the math and found that we could get a better bang for the buck if we simply sold it and started from scratch and this will allowed us to build the vehicle to more complex standards and original-equipment type quality.

When we began construction, in June of 2006, over a year ago, we started a thread on the popular Toyota Land Cruiser enthusiast web site, www.ih8mud.com.  Today, this thread is 25+ pages long and has received over 30,000 visitors, and the project is only 60% completed.  Click here to view the thread -- it documents the entire buildup of the vehicle.
 
 

The vehicle itself is approximately 95% recycled using mostly refurbished or rebuilt parts, and will run on 100% biodiesel all the time.

Details and specs on the vehicle:

• 95% or higher, recycled.

• Runs on 100% biodiesel or carbon-negative vegetable oil, all the time (extremely limited use conventional diesel fuel).

• Will emits 14% of the greenhouse gas it did in its original configuation, and less than that of many gasoline-electric hybrids.

• The vehicle is already approximately 50-60% completed with almost all major fabrication work done.

• Powered by Cummins 4BT 4 cyl turbodiesel TDi 3.9L engine.  Approx torque and approximate overall power "feels greater than most V8 gasoline engines."  Will receive approx 27 mpg highway mileage.  Mileage and efficiency will be prominently displayed via legal Utah vanity license plates that read "27 MPG."

• 6 speed New Venture 5600 transmission, fully rebuilt, from a 2004 Dodge pickup. Dana 300 transfer case (popular with off-road crowd, originally from 1983 Jeep) built with heavy duty input and output shafts, custom 29 spline input gear, and 4:1 low range.

• 1969 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ55 station wagon body.  Body bought in Oregon and has no rust.  The body style is interesting looking and rare, looks like an old "surf wagon" that will be two tone paint with modern scheme and color.

• Sits on a (modern technology) Toyota Land Cruiser 80 Series chassis from the late 1990's that has been shortened 6" to accommodate smaller wheelbase of 1969 FJ55 body, and has been trimmed in the rear for "less ass" and a sporty overall appearance and to increase departure angle.

• Utilizes late 90's Toyota Land Cruiser 80 Series axles and coil-spring suspension.  Features factory 4-wheel disk brakes, factory electric locking differentials.  Will use have approximate 4" lift and 35" x 12.5 x 17" BF Goodrich off-road tires.

• Custom hand built bumpers, front and rear, that represent popular off-road "ARB" style design.  Rear bumper will have swing-out tire holder and second small fuel tank mounted to rear bumper.

• 12,000 lb winch.

• Custom fully modernized interior, internal roll cage, and dash that will feature a slew of diesel specific gauges.

• Full "expedition" off-road roof rack, mountain bikes mounted on the roof, off-road lighting and look and design. 

• Again, a complete record of the buildup appears online.   Click here to view the thread.

Principle contact: Andre Shoumatoff, Biodiesel Motor Projects.

(435) 631-0021 Cell