Found a Cherokee...

Alright I found a late 80's Cherokee local that is for sale but a non runner (asking $600 but I'm sure I could get them lower). I have been looking for something like this to build into my ZAV/off road fun rig/photo rig.

Anyway the rig is originally a 6 cyl auto trans 4x4 and they say it hasn't run for a couple years. Now assuming it isn't just something stupid simple that I was able to fix I figure a engine swap is needed. Now with the recent conversations of ZAVs and the like I got thinking about how to make the rig as "bullet proof" as possible mechanically speaking that is. I'm kinda thinking a Cummins 4BT is in order as long as I can find one for a decent price. However I'm not huge diesel guy so I'm not so familiar with setting one of these up.

What transmission and rear would be good to setup for this kind of a rig with that engine? Anyone know the weight difference between a Jeep 6 cyl and 4BT? Is there a better engine option out there for something like this?

Anyone here ever do this sort of swap?

EDIT: hmmm seems the 4BT can be a hard swap but it looks like another option is a Mercedes diesel?

My co-worker, who has done the 4BT swap in a Jeep Wrangler, says he knows of a couple of guys who have started to do the 4BT swap into their Cherokees. From what he has heard, the problem with that swap into that non-framed unibody Jeep is that the torque that motor creates will twist the chassis and the owners are scared that they won't be able to open their doors...

In reply to DukeOfUndersteer:

i would imagine if you made the JeepSpeed type of unibody reinforcements that wouldnt be an issue. especially if there was a cage included in the build. along with reinforced motor mounts...

that was something that I thought of, would the unibody of a Cherokee really hold up that well to the torque of a 4BT?

Hmmm do the 80's generation of land cruisers have a full frame?

The stock 4.0 is about as bullet-proof as motors get. When I bought mine it had a rod through the block and a crankcase filled with what looked like sludge (looked like the oil hadn't been changed in 100k or so). It still moved under it's own power, albeit smoking and making a horrible noise.

In reply to WilberM3:

ya, one would assume. I dont know much about the Cherokees.

rebelgtp wrote: that was something that I thought of, would the unibody of a Cherokee really hold up that well to the torque of a 4BT? Hmmm do the 80's generation of land cruisers have a full frame?

They do. Putting the 4BT into them requires a serious lift kit, though.

I'd throw an Isuzu diesel into an XJ in a heartbeat.

The stock 4.0 is about as bullet-proof as motors get.

True dat. If the stock 4.0 was unfixable (unlikely) id put another, better (newer basically) 4.0 in it.

You can build a hell of a stroked motor using the crank and rods out of an AMC 4.2 motor. http://www.jeep4.0performance.4mg.com/stroker.html

Check for rust. It really is a pretty bad issue. Even here in Florida, most of them rust out at one point or another. Check from both sides. Floor boards are pretty cheap, but is a very good bargaining point.

Talk them down to $300 or $400. At that point, you can likely part it out if it doesn't work out and end up with some extra money.

Osterkraut wrote:

rebelgtp wrote: that was something that I thought of, would the unibody of a Cherokee really hold up that well to the torque of a 4BT? Hmmm do the 80's generation of land cruisers have a full frame?

They do. Putting the 4BT into them requires a serious lift kit, though. I'd throw an Isuzu diesel into an XJ in a heartbeat.

my friend is doing one a 4bt xj. He basically cut the whole front end of the chero off and built a frame out of box tubing to support the engine. He then converted the front end to leaf spring vs coil. He's built it right. It runs but is far from moving down the road. 4+ years in to this project.

There are toyota diesels you can import that will go right into a land cruiser with little to no mods. They are sold all around the world like that.

Look at a 1.9 TDI swap. That'll get you a great vehicle with basically the same power as the 3.9 4bt cummins.

rebelgtp wrote: that was something that I thought of, would the unibody of a Cherokee really hold up that well to the torque of a 4BT? Hmmm do the 80's generation of land cruisers have a full frame?

just cage the XJ. A local offroad place here sells cage kits for them for $550.

Look at a 1.9 TDI swap. That'll get you a great vehicle with basically the same power as the 3.9 4bt cummins.

Hah, mad burn but pretty much true.

The 4bt isnt exactly impressive in stock config. I did some research into them as i was considering a swap and what i found quickly bored the hell out of me.

Vigo wrote:

Look at a 1.9 TDI swap. That'll get you a great vehicle with basically the same power as the 3.9 4bt cummins.

Hah, mad burn but pretty much true. The 4bt isnt exactly impressive in stock config. I did some research into them as i was considering a swap and what i found quickly bored the hell out of me.

The brazillian F250 has an electronic version 4BT that puts out 220-250hp and something stupid for torque. That is an awesome engine.

The 4bt sold in the US is a wheezing gutless pig compared to that brazillian engine.

In reply to ignorant:

yeah some of the diesel landcruisers from other parts of the world make me jealous.

I found a project someone else did and they put a Mercedes diesel in a old Land Rover

I also know of someone working on a merc diesel into a scout and grease converted

In reply to Strizzo:

hmmm there is a scout for sale local for $1000...

really expensive..

custom made..

but i'm just going to put this right here..

http://www.coyoterv.biz/

popup, sleeping area over the front part, it has a sink, fridge furnace, sink, and a couch seating area...

Ohh that would be fun..