well im new here and in general to xj's.i had one about 4 yrs ago but sold it now im back with a vengeance and a 96 xj.
i want to document my progress on here just so i can look back and c what i accomplished.
i am building the 96 into a om617 mercedes diesel with a nv3550 trans hoping for 26mpg but not the sole purpose of the swap.i may be putting a 4" lift on it as well to clear oil pan.would rather not lift it but thats supposedly what has to be done.
im wanting to build a daily driver/camping/creek runner/decent small trailer towing and the mpg to go with it would be awesome.

so i got the xj from 15 miles away from home paid 400.it had a siezed engine in it so i pulled it scrapped the engine/trans brought $195 with all my junk laying around and i kept the 231 t-case.

im heading out saturday morning to pick up the nv3550 for $300 which is hella deal with 138k on it.

and of course some pics





my engine puller.lol has pulled many motors

and i plated the frame for steering box



well i picked up the nv3550 tonight with a good clutch and flywheel for $400 with 138k on it.
was this a good deal?
and some pics

 

Lookin good! I love diesel xjs

 

yea i think it will suit my needs just perfect.and i am a diesel geek to lol.

 

well i picked up the nv3550 tonight with a good clutch and flywheel for $400 with 138k on it.
was this a good deal?
and some pics

 

I will be very interested in your build, as I am also putting in a diesel, well actually replacing the Renault 2.1 diesel that is in it now, and installing a B3.3T Cummins.

Thanks for the pics of your progress, I tried to post some pics but I received an error message, gotta figure that out.

 

what does that engine come in? Specs?

 

Mmmm diesel...I love the sound and smell of diesel...plus that's all everyone wants here. If you're in high school and have a Duramax or Cummins with stacks and your own lobster boat, you're awesome in the eyes of the vocational school kids that go here for math and stuff

 

I am seriously considering doing this swap please update us! im very interested to see what all is involved. Im inexperienced with swaps and really would like something to reference. Sweet build man im jealous.

 

This engine can be found in older mercedes 300D's. Look for 1985+ as those are the ones with the turbo

 

first thing is this is not unlimited budget i am not spending over 2k on this whole project i will have to be very picky on what where and how much the parts i buy cost and what not to stay within budget but i dont want much money tied up in the jeep.
i will update as things happen as of right now u may can c my garage only has a dirt floor and deff no heat.i work 3rd shift driving a trk locally and its been 25-35 degrees all week so basically nothing got done except for me picking up a used air compressor for $50 with blown headgasket.pretty stoked as this is the first time i've had what i call a real compressor.$75 later she is back together now just gotta wire it up.
i have big plans for the jeep even after the 2k budget but i will be doing that work over a period of time not all at once.

now heres info on the om617
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_OM617

and garyman for the pics host them on a site like imgur.com and then post the image code here then when u post it the pics will lokk like mine.

and anyone interested in using the jeep trans mercedesdiesel4x4.comhas adapter plates that use all jeep parts as in flywheel,clutch and starter.
they are currently make 20 sets of engine mounts to bolt to the benz that use some older jeep motor mounts and very cheap to replace.i was told these mounts would run in the range 0f 120-150 but they do require some welding still.they consist of frame plates that replace the stock xj motor mount brackets then the arms and mounts that bolt to the om617 .after thats all in u have to set the height on your engine and weld the mounts to the provided plates and there done.the reason there not bolt in is bc of the diff jeeps.2wd,4wd,sizes of lift kits and such

 

welp i cheated lol. found a 96 2wd cherokee sport within 3 hrs from me already together but deff. needs some more work and to be 5 spd swapped and 4wd.but the biggest issue is above 50 mph death wobbles.yep i drove it those 3 hours on back roads home which was more like 5 hrs at 45 mph.
GRABBED IT FOR $1700

it has the mercedes auto and a 3" lift all gauges work except speedo and tach

when we were headed home



pics of everything



























anybody have questions pm me or just ask i can help or take as many pics as u need

 

let me know what you all think and if u have any suggestions.the steering deff. needs to be redone

 

 

just and update.i ordered upper and lower control arms.the lowers are adjustable and all with rubber bushings.also ordered the adapter plate for the nv3550 to om617 from koch interprise.so now im waiting on some parts.but for now heres some pics.

 

Yeah you cheated alright! LMAO But hey, when you do your SECOND Jeep (ehhh???) you'll have something to reference!

If I didn't have a VW TDI that I don't want in my Golf anymore I'd be going the OM617 route. Hard to find just the engine around here though, those cars are frickin' tanks.