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Diesel Engine Swap in an XJ?

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Old 11-22-2008, 08:00 AM
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Lightbulb Diesel Engine Swap in an XJ?

I've been looking through several different forums and hadn't found much if anything on putting a diesel into an XJ.

I'm sure it could be done ($ not being an issue and when is that not the case) but I'm wonderin' if anyone here has done it?

I'm sitting waiting to hear from you guys without spark plugs...
Old 11-22-2008, 08:04 AM
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i would like to see this too.....the only thing better than an inline 6 is a diesel inline 6! (my other ride is a cummins) I have a buddy thats trying to put a I-4 cummins in a dodge dakota, and its harder than he thought
Old 11-22-2008, 09:09 AM
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The 6 cylinder cummins is too much for the Cherokee. But the 4bt is a better fit.

There is another thread right now that has some more info.

There is a site out there with a BUNCH of info about swapping the 4bt into stuff.
Old 11-22-2008, 10:36 AM
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just look into getting a renault deisel that was originally in an xj. Would make it an easy swap.
Old 11-22-2008, 11:39 AM
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Would you really want one ??

I know most guys that play in mud dont like them because of the lower rpm's they dont seem to clean the tires well.(??)

But if it's pure torque your after than Heck Yea !!!
Old 11-22-2008, 03:00 PM
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Originally Posted by 99NCXJ
just look into getting a renault deisel that was originally in an xj. Would make it an easy swap.
That motor was okay for someone who does alot of rock crawling. But it was kinda underpowered for most folks needs.
Old 11-22-2008, 03:38 PM
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Originally Posted by whowey
That motor was okay for someone who does alot of rock crawling. But it was kinda underpowered for most folks needs.
x2 theyre a pretty crappy diesel motor. the newer ones offered in UK XJs were better, but only marginally, and getting one in the US will be an issue.
Old 11-22-2008, 03:47 PM
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I'd like to see a VW 4 poper Diesel in one from what I've read, it sounds like it might bolt right up to a AW4. But no solid info on that..
Old 11-22-2008, 04:07 PM
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Originally Posted by nick_n_ii
I'd like to see a VW 4 poper Diesel in one from what I've read, it sounds like it might bolt right up to a AW4. But no solid info on that..
really? which one?
Old 11-22-2008, 04:18 PM
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There was a guy on Comanche Club who did a Mercedes 5-cyl into a Comanche. It came out GREAT.... but the truck got lost in Hurricane Katrina.
Old 11-22-2008, 04:57 PM
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Originally Posted by 93XJLI
really? which one?
I'll have to did, I'm trying for the life of me to remember where I read it..
Old 12-11-2008, 11:18 PM
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I have a 300 turbo Mercedes in my XJ for the past 3 years. I started with a AX5 and a 231 tcase and this past year change to a NV3550 and a NP205 tcase. The next step is Dana 44 front and a D60 in the rear full width.
Old 12-11-2008, 11:25 PM
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the renault factory diesel isn't really a great choice for a swap. it's a tedious swap that requires alot of parts that you pretty much cannot get, or cannot get cheap.

I've got an 86 comanche that's factory Renault 2.1 Turbo diesel, 5 speed, amc20 rear, 4.10 gears. I average 34mpg highway with a cracked head behind one of the precups, and a crack in cylinder number two...and it has 250,000 miles on it. after we had the head repaired the first time, my dad was averaging 34mpg city, and around 38mpg highway. right now it has no ***** because you cannot let the turbo spool above 5lbs pressure, or it forces air into the coolant chambers in the head.

we have a brand new renault for it that we picked up for $75 from a guy who bought it to put in a wood splitter...the motor is brand new, never installed, and you'd pay around $2k for just that motor new.

when it runs right, it's a great little motor. plenty of power for a DD, good for household chores. rare enough though that I wouldn't stray too much from factory specs on it.
Old 12-12-2008, 08:16 PM
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What about a little 4 banger Cummins?
Old 12-12-2008, 09:00 PM
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Originally Posted by XJ?2010
What about a little 4 banger Cummins?

yup. someone already brought up the Cummins 4BT on here...


type in cummins 4bt or cummins xj or 4bt xj or mj etc. in google and you'll get some info. it's not an original idea...it's been done many times already, so there's plenty of info out there. especially on naxja, there are several guys with diesel xj's over there...


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