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Has anyone ever swapped any type of diesel engine into a XJ?

R

Roughnek7

NAXJA Forum User
Location
Boise, Idaho
I know that Jeep has come out with XJ's that have diesel engines already in them, but I want to know if anyone has ever swapped taken out the stock gas motor and replaced it with a diesel, if u have I'd like to hear how u did it. Also what is the biggest engine that u can put into an XJ?
 
Have you searched?

Someone put a 5 cyl Mercedes into an MJ, as I recall.
 
I run a 2,1 Renault diesel, a factory option

a 2,5TD VM diesel was put also in the factory,

Both of them in Europe,

If you do not have a possibility to buy cheap diesel (fuel), it is nonsense, its not worth of it! You will loose the power of I6, you will need to regear with larger tyres more than with I6

If you are really into it, than a Mercedes 5 cyl is a good option, my friend runs it in LC73 toy and it has quite a lot of power, or maybe a Fiat 2,5TD, the second one I have in my YJ .....

You should consider also your location, as these "small" diesels are more prone to failures, sou if spare parts (valves, pistons, etc) are available?

Just to imagine I am running 31" and 4,56!! and it is at stock specs ....
 
Check this out: http://www.islandnet.com/~canev/Jeep.html

I know its a Grand, but the running gear is similar enough. I googled around a bit and the 2.8L Isuzus make 110 - 150 hp depending on boost. The weight is ballpark (525lbs vs 500lbs for the 4.0L). I found some Landcruiser guys using the Cummins 4BT, but I think it would be too heavy for an XJ (750 lbs). This is a project I would like to get around to, unfortunately a *used* 4JB1-TC is around $3K US.

280 lb-ft of torque and 28 MPG would be sweet, regardless. :D

CRASH, do you know the torque capacity of the AW4 off the top of your head?

-i
 
andrew2516 said:
I was thinking about taking the cummins out of my buddys 05 dodge ram 2500...(i wish)
Click to expand...

is he just gonna give you that engine??? you better take the tranny, tcase axles and computer and wiring and basically everything else that that truck is made of and put it into your jeep cause as soon as you hit that accellerator the torque is gonna make that unibody twist up like a twist tie!
 
We have the diesel option here on the XJ's, KJ's and WJ's and WG's. The VM Motori TD ones are really crap and are so prone to head problems with many guys facing it here and a $9000 re-build of the engine!! They are now looking into a V8 swap should it happen again. The Mercedes ones in the WJ's and WG's though have had no such problems and are a sweet engine. If the Diesel JK version of the Unlimited comes in with that I would think of buying one but not if it is the VM Motori one due to so many having the same trouble!
 
A 4bt is WAY too tall to fit in an XJ, if you want to keep your hood and your front axle. I know, I measured all of this out before I started on my new rig.

That, and older diesels suck at something i need in my Jeep.: throttle response. They just do not like to have the throttle blipped in any way.

A newer common rail engine is much friendlier in this department, however. That's why the KJ engine seems like it may be desirable.

The AW4 can hold 320 ft/lbs or so quite easily, more for short periods if you keep it cool.

Slacker87XJ said:
Check this out: http://www.islandnet.com/~canev/Jeep.html

I know its a Grand, but the running gear is similar enough. I googled around a bit and the 2.8L Isuzus make 110 - 150 hp depending on boost. The weight is ballpark (525lbs vs 500lbs for the 4.0L). I found some Landcruiser guys using the Cummins 4BT, but I think it would be too heavy for an XJ (750 lbs). This is a project I would like to get around to, unfortunately a *used* 4JB1-TC is around $3K US.

280 lb-ft of torque and 28 MPG would be sweet, regardless. :D

CRASH, do you know the torque capacity of the AW4 off the top of your head?

-i
Click to expand...
 
I agree with Gojeep to an extent. The early VM's are prone to head problems but diesel XJ's from 1999 to 2001 don't seem to suffer anywhere near as much. I don't think the diesel that's in the Liberty is even the same engine as the XJ 2.5TD VM.

At $9,000 AUD for a rebuild it may be cheaper to import a rebuilt engine from VM Specialists in Chesterfield, UK http://www.vmdieselspecialist.co.uk . Their price for an exchange Jeep engine start at $3600 AUD.
 
Last edited:
Vince said:
I agree with Gojeep to an extent. The early VM's are prone to head problems but diesel XJ's from 1999 to 2001 don't seem to suffer anywhere near as much. I don't think the diesel that's in the Liberty is even the same engine as the XJ 2.5TD VM.

At $9,000 AUD for a rebuild it may be cheaper to import a rebuilt engine from VM Specialists in Chesterfield, UK http://www.vmdieselspecialist.co.uk . Their price for an exchange Jeep engine start at $3600 AUD.
Click to expand...

I will pass on that link to them as right now there is another couple facing the same repair bill. But getting it from there would mean being without it for quite some time though which most will not be able to do.
 
jason4130 said:
there is a 4 cylinder cummins that would fit in an xj but the problem is finding one for sale
Click to expand...


Really, which cummins model is that? Surely you don't refer to the 4bt?

There is the older A series 4 cylinder, but i still do not believe it will fit.
 
Are you talking about the 4bt? Its a 4 cylinder cummins, but like what was said before, I dont think it would fit an XJ. I was looking into this swap for my YJ and have read alot on the 4bt. Its been done in a YJ that I know of and I'm sure some one has done it in a TJ also. They are easily found in bread trucks and Frito Lay trucks. You can call Frito Lay and get information on the fleet they are getting rid of.

jason4130 said:
there is a 4 cylinder cummins that would fit in an xj but the problem is finding one for sale
Click to expand...
 
Ok, I made this big reply to this thread, but by the time I had it finished, the board had logged me out and in anger I closed the window without copying my reply to paste. Verylongstoryshort: Yes, I put a mercedes 3.0l 5-cyl turbodiesel engine in my 88MJ. it was 2x4, still looking for suitable divorced transfercase to go 4x4. Great rpm range, excellent highway performance, excellent low end power, Towablility was great so long as I didn't have to STOP in a hurry. Honestly, it felt alot like driving my wife's '04 Rubicon with just a touch less romp, and I could pass MANY fueling stations in comparison. I was averaging 27mpg highway running stock d35 4:11 with 31's at 80mph.

Hurricane Katrina sucked, water got deep enough to float out my 31" spare tire out of the bed, salt water that is. Engine/tranny salvaged, truck... well, the truck was never never ever meant to be submerged in saltwater.
 
Now That SUCKS!!

Vee Dubb said:
Ok, I made this big reply to this thread, but by the time I had it finished, the board had logged me out and in anger I closed the window without copying my reply to paste. Verylongstoryshort: Yes, I put a mercedes 3.0l 5-cyl turbodiesel engine in my 88MJ. it was 2x4, still looking for suitable divorced transfercase to go 4x4. Great rpm range, excellent highway performance, excellent low end power, Towablility was great so long as I didn't have to STOP in a hurry. Honestly, it felt alot like driving my wife's '04 Rubicon with just a touch less romp, and I could pass MANY fueling stations in comparison. I was averaging 27mpg highway running stock d35 4:11 with 31's at 80mph.

Hurricane Katrina sucked, water got deep enough to float out my 31" spare tire out of the bed, salt water that is. Engine/tranny salvaged, truck... well, the truck was never never ever meant to be submerged in saltwater.
Click to expand...
 
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