Diesel swap XJ Cherokee

I swear a year or so ago there was thread about people doing these, couldn't remember if it was the OM617 or the 4BT.

And someone had posted a site/company that sold complete kits to do it.

Anyone remember what it was? Just searched for a good half hour or so and couldn't find anything but custom home-brew swaps and one company that sells transmission adapter plates for OM617s to AW4s.

TDi perhaps?

http://www.cotybuilt.com/

Someone has an adapter for the old VW diesel to a Samurai transmission.

4bt swaps are popular. Matter of fact on the newsstand right now is a one of the diesel rags that has a compilation of swaps and companies and I know at least YJ's are listed in it.

pres589 wrote: TDi perhaps? http://www.cotybuilt.com/

Oh... that's the one that the thread was about, looks like XJ still isn't ready to go.

Wonder what true cost would be on that, looks like just their conversion stuff totals just about $7k shipped.

Our XJ has 193k miles on it now and doesn't really show any signs of giving up, but the head is kindof noisy (pretty normal from what i understand) and the exhaust manifold is probably slightly cracked. Plus, being a 00, it has the "bad casting" 0331 head. Was thinking about tearing it down this coming summer to put the older 97ish head on it and throwing a good header at it, do water pump and oil pump at the same time, etc etc etc...

But if i'm going that far, it's hard to pass up an opportunity to get more power or more MPG out of it "while i'm in there." (Stroker, or diesel swap.)

But on the flip side, i'm not real interested in dumping 10k into the engine bay of this thing.

HRM.

I'd seriously consider a truck LS. I bet you get better MPGs and more power/torque.

http://www.novak-adapt.com/knowledge/xj_swap.htm

RossD wrote: I'd seriously consider a truck LS. I bet you get better MPGs and more power/torque. http://www.novak-adapt.com/knowledge/xj_swap.htm

Well, if we want to get freaky, i happen to have the bellhousing i need to bolt a 2jz/1jz to the AW4 sitting in my garage....

I'm intrigued by the LSx. I'm kindof a hater of LSx swaps, but this one seems to make sense.

Swank Force One wrote:

pres589 wrote: TDi perhaps? http://www.cotybuilt.com/

Oh... that's the one that the thread was about, looks like XJ still isn't ready to go. Wonder what true cost would be on that, looks like just their conversion stuff totals just about $7k shipped. Yeah you can buy a lot of gas for that much coin... Striker sounds like fun... Our XJ has 193k miles on it now and doesn't really show any signs of giving up, but the head is kindof noisy (pretty normal from what i understand) and the exhaust manifold is probably slightly cracked. Plus, being a 00, it has the "bad casting" 0331 head. Was thinking about tearing it down this coming summer to put the older 97ish head on it and throwing a good header at it, do water pump and oil pump at the same time, etc etc etc... But if i'm going that far, it's hard to pass up an opportunity to get more power or more MPG out of it "while i'm in there." (Stroker, or diesel swap.) But on the flip side, i'm not real interested in dumping 10k into the engine bay of this thing. HRM.

I think I'd pull the head you've got an have it inspected by a competent machine shop and do a good tune-up plus your mentioned header. If the head you have has made it 200k miles by then and isn't cracked or showing bad valve seat regression I think it's probably not so bad after all.

If it's bad or questionable then by all means go after a different casting. But if I had the number of irons that you've got already in the fire, so to speak, I don't think I'd complicate your life further with another big costly project. But that's me, I sometimes lack motivation, and funding is sometimes difficult as well.

RossD wrote: I'd seriously consider a truck LS. I bet you get better MPGs and more power/torque. http://www.novak-adapt.com/knowledge/xj_swap.htm

I second this motion. It would be a super fun Jeep with 350HP.

Ooof. The LSx swap is pretty salty, and seems i'd have to stick with the LS motors, can't use an LQ in the XJ without some hood modifications that i'm not real interested in. Which kindof sucks, because an LQ9 looks like it could be fun.

The other downside is that the swap looks like it needs about $4k in parts from Novak, and i'm not even sure i got it all. And that's not including a donor car/drivetrain yet.

Ouch.

Looks like this probably isn't the greatest idea. Which sucks, because i could really use more power after going to the 30" tires, and probably moving to 31s next year.

Mercedes: mercedesdiesel4x4.com

Volkswagen (may need mods to tans): http://www.acmeadapters.com/index.php

For the TDI the adapter is designed for the Toyota W56/R150 transmission which is basically the same/very similar to the Jeep AX-15. I'd think AW4 would be easier other than figuring out how to control it. I know there are manual conversions for the AW4, but if I'm going to have an auto, I want it to be auto.

• Lee

When I had my XJ I wanted to swap in a Toyota/Lexus V8. They use the same AW4 in the XJ as in the LS400, Tundra, Sequoia, so you should be able to keep the stock driveline, and there is enough 1UZ swap knowledge out there to get it going, especially keeping a stock auto trans.

Sonic wrote: When I had my XJ I wanted to swap in a Toyota/Lexus V8. They use the same AW4 in the XJ as in the LS400, Tundra, Sequoia, so you should be able to keep the stock driveline, and there is enough 1UZ swap knowledge out there to get it going, especially keeping a stock auto trans.

Ok well... would it fit?

Because i bet i could get a 2uz-fe VVT-i for cheap, and looks like it makes 271hp/315ftlbs out of the box.

Nevermind, found a video of a 1uz running in a Cherokee.

That's... interesting.

4bt weighs what, 2x what the 4.0L does?

yamaha wrote: 4bt weighs what, 2x what the 4.0L does?

Looks like 200-300lbs more than the 4.0.

Having spent some time in a 4.7 liter Tundra, they make some sweet revs.

bigdaddylee82 wrote: Mercedes: mercedesdiesel4x4.com Volkswagen (may need mods to tans): http://www.acmeadapters.com/index.php For the TDI the adapter is designed for the Toyota W56/R150 transmission which is basically the same/very similar to the Jeep AX-15. I'd think AW4 would be easier other than figuring out how to control it. I know there are manual conversions for the AW4, but if I'm going to have an auto, I want it to be auto. - Lee

http://m.grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/200x-classifieds/benz-300sd-5cyl-td-and-auto-trans-300-nfl/75580/page1/

Answer! quickie refresh, new/bigger turbo, adapt auto to transfer case or adapter plate for existing trans/transfer case. DONE weighs a bit more, but 5 cyl turbo goodness. I'm sure I can arrange to move this thing up the I-95 corridor in next few weeks.

http://www.mercedesdiesel4x4.com/category_s/1831.htm CHEAP! holy crap, may have to reconsider selling that motor.

I vote Nope.

I like the idea of a Wrangler TDI, though. I really like the idea of a TDI Jeep with the Gladiator kit.

Spinout007 wrote:

bigdaddylee82 wrote: Mercedes: mercedesdiesel4x4.com Volkswagen (may need mods to tans): http://www.acmeadapters.com/index.php For the TDI the adapter is designed for the Toyota W56/R150 transmission which is basically the same/very similar to the Jeep AX-15. I'd think AW4 would be easier other than figuring out how to control it. I know there are manual conversions for the AW4, but if I'm going to have an auto, I want it to be auto. - Lee

http://m.grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/200x-classifieds/benz-300sd-5cyl-td-and-auto-trans-300-nfl/75580/page1/ Answer! quickie refresh, new/bigger turbo, adapt auto to transfer case or adapter plate for existing trans/transfer case. DONE weighs a bit more, but 5 cyl turbo goodness. I'm sure I can arrange to move this thing up the I-95 corridor in next few weeks. http://www.mercedesdiesel4x4.com/category_s/1831.htm CHEAP! holy crap, may have to reconsider selling that motor.

The OM617 is what i was kindof really wanting, too.

Blargh.

I'm not gonna be ready to do anything on this in the next few weeks, including purchasing anything. Just trying to plan the attack.

In reply to Spinout007:

I remember researching this as an option for my TJ some years ago. There was concern of the OM617 using a Jeep flywheel/flex plate because the OM617 is allegedly externally balanced on the rear, internet hear-say, though something to consider. It's not like you're spinning any crazy RPMs on a diesel, and there are plenty of working examples on the road already. If it vibrated a little more, who'd notice, it is a 5 cyl diesel?

I also looked into the Cummins B3.3T, smaller, lighter than the 3.9, but great googely moogely are those boogers pricy. There's a handful of documented swaps on the interwebs.

If going the 'yota route, buy an imported Hilux diesel half cut, and go to work.

• Lee

Sonic wrote: When I had my XJ I wanted to swap in a Toyota/Lexus V8. They use the same AW4 in the XJ as in the LS400, Tundra, Sequoia, so you should be able to keep the stock driveline, and there is enough 1UZ swap knowledge out there to get it going, especially keeping a stock auto trans.

Uhh.. well I formally change my vote to this. Do it! I'll come help for a weekend even!

Understood. It would have involved getting my old man to put a hitch on his car, and dragging a harbor freight trailer north with him anyway. Not so sure he would be happy about being part of something involving GRM. He still doesn't understand my fasination with this place. That being said, I'm getting no action from CL, and besides Tommy, nothing here. I'm probably going to be heading towards MA from FL sometime in the spring. Who knows. Would love to see how much boost you could push through this thing.

clutchsmoke wrote:

Sonic wrote: When I had my XJ I wanted to swap in a Toyota/Lexus V8. They use the same AW4 in the XJ as in the LS400, Tundra, Sequoia, so you should be able to keep the stock driveline, and there is enough 1UZ swap knowledge out there to get it going, especially keeping a stock auto trans.

Uhh.. well I formally change my vote to this. Do it! I'll come help for a weekend even!

I think i'm going to actually research this, because...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/01-02-03-04-TOYOTA-TUNDRA-Engine-4-7L-i-Force-2UZ-FE-/400610945487?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item5d4645e9cf&vxp=mtr

And i'm also seeing full dropouts with far less miles in the $1500 and under area.

I'm somewhat convinced i could reasonably expect to do this for under $5k including a different final drive to make proper use of the revs. I'd expect mid 20s MPG on the highway, and a GIGANTIC performance increase.

The 2uz is cast iron block so the weight is probably similar, maybe slightly lighter, if i went 1uz, it'd drop a good chunk off the truck.

Jeep Land Cruisikee?

Are you set on diesel? If you want to put something fresh in there, why not a Stroked 4.0?

INB4 2jz suggestions.