Diesel XJ Swap
#31
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 50
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From: White Bear Lake, MN
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: Diesel Swap
Not quite yet. Progress has been slow, but still steady...
After the lift, I recently redrilled the transmission to clock the transfer case counter-clockwise (wrangler vs. cherokee mounting of the t-case). I don't have any pics of that I don't think.
But largely, I've been working on the accesory belt area of the front of the engine. Originially this engine was in a wrangler. It didn't have AC. Now that the Cherokee has AC, I wanted to incorporate it. This means I need a serpentine belt setup instead of V-belt, so I've been putting all that together, working on mounting the AC compressor, and moving the power steering pump and alternator.
Here is a picture of my new pulley. It's a make-a-pulley with a ribbed pully welded to it. I had the v-belt on the engine already, so I just kept that, and welded the new one to it. Made sure it was very straight, and welded all the way around to not have any dead spots in the weld for weight balance reasons. Should be fine:
Also after switching the turbo around 180°, I'm going to use the OEM air cleaner. Need a rubber 90° elbow on the turbo and the air cleaner, and then probably a 45° metal elbow between the two. Should work good:
In other news, I purchased a suburban recently, with the intent to do a duramax swap... Selling my Cummins swapped chevy 1-ton as well.
After the lift, I recently redrilled the transmission to clock the transfer case counter-clockwise (wrangler vs. cherokee mounting of the t-case). I don't have any pics of that I don't think.
But largely, I've been working on the accesory belt area of the front of the engine. Originially this engine was in a wrangler. It didn't have AC. Now that the Cherokee has AC, I wanted to incorporate it. This means I need a serpentine belt setup instead of V-belt, so I've been putting all that together, working on mounting the AC compressor, and moving the power steering pump and alternator.
Here is a picture of my new pulley. It's a make-a-pulley with a ribbed pully welded to it. I had the v-belt on the engine already, so I just kept that, and welded the new one to it. Made sure it was very straight, and welded all the way around to not have any dead spots in the weld for weight balance reasons. Should be fine:
Also after switching the turbo around 180°, I'm going to use the OEM air cleaner. Need a rubber 90° elbow on the turbo and the air cleaner, and then probably a 45° metal elbow between the two. Should work good:
In other news, I purchased a suburban recently, with the intent to do a duramax swap... Selling my Cummins swapped chevy 1-ton as well.
#33
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
From: White Bear Lake, MN
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: Diesel Swap
Hard to say. I think that now days they are mostly seen in bobcat loaders built in the 90's, maybe some generators, not sure what else. Usually they aren't turbocharged either. If I were to start all over, I would use a VW diesel... Smaller, but more power than this engine... Plus, there is a large following of the TDI, so being able to find parts and service, and modifications would be much easier.
Long story short, look for something other than this rare 4AT that I have if you want to do this haha
Long story short, look for something other than this rare 4AT that I have if you want to do this haha
#35
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 50
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From: White Bear Lake, MN
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: Diesel Swap
I personally love the idea of a VW TDI or a benz diesel in jeeps.
#36
CF Veteran
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 4,825
Likes: 2
From: Indianapolis
Year: '99 and '91
Model: Cherokee
4BT in an XJ is shoehorning. Lol
I second the notion of a VW TDI. It'd be awesome in the mpg department and have sufficient power.
Anyways, looking forward to hearing a video of this thing running.
I second the notion of a VW TDI. It'd be awesome in the mpg department and have sufficient power.
Anyways, looking forward to hearing a video of this thing running.
#38
Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 247
Likes: 0
From: Brookville, OH
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
My DD is actually an 03 TDI with a stage two clutch, Stage 3 tune, Bosch .216 injectors and a few other goodies and unless you put a built TD in an XJ pushing over 200HP which would cost you a 3-4000 they way under powered for an XJ swap. I would say mine is around 120hp right now and there is no way it would turn my 33's even with a set of 4.88s
#39
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
From: White Bear Lake, MN
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: Diesel Swap
My DD is actually an 03 TDI with a stage two clutch, Stage 3 tune, Bosch .216 injectors and a few other goodies and unless you put a built TD in an XJ pushing over 200HP which would cost you a 3-4000 they way under powered for an XJ swap. I would say mine is around 120hp right now and there is no way it would turn my 33's even with a set of 4.88s
If I were planning to do a lot of muddin for example, or something similar where I need a lot of wheel spin, sure, I wouldn't be happy with the engine selections I've used.
I've had this engine in a wrangler already, and it worked great. So I have no doubts I will be happy with the XJ.
I'll post this here again for reference (compare to a stock '03 TDI engine at 90hp and 150ft.lbs):
Last edited by Kriesel; 07-11-2013 at 02:01 PM.
#40
Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 247
Likes: 0
From: Brookville, OH
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
I guess it depends on what your planning to do with your jeep... Daily driving and rock crawling I have plenty of power out of my jeep (originally a stock 2.5L gas engine, now a 2.3L diesel). A tdi has much more power than the 2.5L gas engine I had, and more power than the 2.3L diesel I have now.
If I were planning to do a lot of muddin for example, or something similar where I need a lot of wheel spin, sure, I wouldn't be happy with the engine selections I've used.
I've had this engine in a wrangler already, and it worked great. So I have no doubts I will be happy with the XJ.
I'll post this here again for reference (compare to a stock '03 TDI engine at 90hp and 150ft.lbs):
If I were planning to do a lot of muddin for example, or something similar where I need a lot of wheel spin, sure, I wouldn't be happy with the engine selections I've used.
I've had this engine in a wrangler already, and it worked great. So I have no doubts I will be happy with the XJ.
I'll post this here again for reference (compare to a stock '03 TDI engine at 90hp and 150ft.lbs):
#42
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 50
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From: White Bear Lake, MN
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: Diesel Swap
The diesel you show seems very underpowered but the stock 2.5 has about 30 more horsepower and like 11 less foot pounds of torque. I just feel my 4.0 is underpowered for what I have now and I feel my car is under powered in a few situations. I just couldn't see swapping in a motor with less power and being happy with it. Maybe if I could run 5.13 in it with a 150hp vw diesel but I feel 4.88 would be my happy place with the 4.0
#44
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 50
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From: White Bear Lake, MN
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: Diesel Swap
Got sidetracked lately. Started my masters degree last year, and just finished up this month, wife had a second kid a couple months ago, did a bathroom remodel, and front sidewalk remodel:
Sidewalk:
Bathroom before:
Bathroom after:
So, I pushed the jeep outside yesterday, and washed it! Now to start working on it again:
Sidewalk:
Bathroom before:
Bathroom after:
So, I pushed the jeep outside yesterday, and washed it! Now to start working on it again:
Last edited by Kriesel; 08-26-2014 at 01:12 PM.