View Poll Results: Would you consider performing a VW TDI swap on your jeep?
Yes, definitely!
29
31.87%
Yes, but only if it is a bolt-in affair.
35
38.46%
No thanks, I'm happy with what I have.
27
29.67%
Voters: 91. You may not vote on this poll
Gauging interest for a Jeep VW TDI Swap kit...
03-05-2010, 04:26 AM
#16
Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Bozeman, MT
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO
What about an inline five from an older mercedes? dont know much about them except that they rule, and alot of them are turbo...
03-05-2010, 06:33 AM
#17
Seasoned Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Blairsville, PA
Posts: 429
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L home brew Snorkle
Ok, Heres how I weigh in on this. I did a 1.6L TDI swap into a Zuk Sami. It was a PITA!!! I am against turbos on the trail. They get too hot and when you hit the water, CRACK. I have seen it happen, It's happened to me. I understand that they put out a Ton of power but unless you do all your wheeling in the desert, don't bother.
03-06-2010, 02:03 AM
#18
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Model: Cherokee
While that's a good point, I don't think it's quite valid. WRC, Dakar, and many other vehicles in harsh conditions use turbos and they don't suffer a ton of failures. With that being said, there aren't a lot of deep water crossings here (Colorado), at least not where I wheel, so I'm not too worried about that. But thank you for the suggestion, it is definitely something to think about.
03-07-2010, 01:36 AM
#20
Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Bozeman, MT
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO
I have heard of people taking the cummins out of a frito lay truck (or UPS) and putting it in a wrangler. I read a write up of it at some point. I dont remember all of the details, but those little engines have a fair bit of torque, and about the same hp as the 4.0. At some point i would love to convert my cherokee to diesel. I havent ever seen or heard of anyone putting one of those cummins in a cherokee, but i imagine if it will fit in a wrangler, it would work in a cherokee.
03-07-2010, 08:20 AM
#21
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Model: Cherokee
Well, as luck may have it, my cheap supply for a wrecked car fell through, so now I'm having to find another source for an engine/harness/ecu that won't charge me 3x what my Jeep is worth. I've been trying to get some of the OEM pieces together to compare them, but until I physically have a TDI engine in my posession to measure, I'm stuck.
As for the cummins, that's known as the 4bt. The turbo version is something like 140hp and around 400ft-lb, but the engine itself is about 800lbs from what I've been told. Because of that, you would have to get custom front springs and reinforce the front suspension and chassis for the extra weight, to get it to ride and drive the way it would with even the 4.0. That's why I was looking at the VW's, they are smaller, much lighter, and with a few well-chosen parts, can still make enough power to move most any TJ, CJ, YJ, JK or XJ along just fine, whether it's crawling a trail or doing 80 on the highway to the trail.
As for the cummins, that's known as the 4bt. The turbo version is something like 140hp and around 400ft-lb, but the engine itself is about 800lbs from what I've been told. Because of that, you would have to get custom front springs and reinforce the front suspension and chassis for the extra weight, to get it to ride and drive the way it would with even the 4.0. That's why I was looking at the VW's, they are smaller, much lighter, and with a few well-chosen parts, can still make enough power to move most any TJ, CJ, YJ, JK or XJ along just fine, whether it's crawling a trail or doing 80 on the highway to the trail.
03-09-2010, 06:56 AM
#22
Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: south florida
Posts: 85
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Year: 93
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
ive been pondering this in the back of my head for a while now. instead of using an easy to find vw engine, ive been looking for an old ranger/mazda diesel. they are hard to find and the ones on ebay get up to around 2k. but there are min electronics to worry about. just my .02
03-10-2010, 12:13 PM
#23
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Model: Cherokee
Well, benefit of the VW 1.9 is all the parts are available to switch to mechanical injection, so it can suit someone who wants an extremely simple installation with minimal points of potential failure, or you can install it with all the electronics as it came from VW and possibly have a more fuel efficiency.
01-14-2011, 11:39 PM
#24
Newbie
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Model: Cherokee
here is a link for a website that performs tdi swaps in yj's which have for the most part the same drivtrain so it should help
http://www.hpamotorsport.com/TDI-YJ-AX5.htm
http://www.hpamotorsport.com/TDI-YJ-AX5.htm
01-15-2011, 08:08 AM
#25
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Hampton, Virginia
Posts: 660
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Model: Cherokee
Engine: none other
i am all about doing the diesel. i would like to keep my ax-15 or go to a nv4500 that would be kiss ack. rolling black smoke each gear.
01-15-2011, 08:29 AM
#26
CF Veteran
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: WNY
Posts: 1,971
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes
on
4 Posts
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 High Output
If your going to do a swap like this id reccomend just going to the junkyard and finding a diesel passat or something equvilent and just taking the whole car so you dont have to keep going back and forth for parts. Plus itd probably be cheaper.
01-16-2011, 10:27 AM
#27
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Model: Cherokee
Alas, the project has stalled, mainly due to a lack of funds and time, and regrettably I've actually sold my XJ to pay some other bills because it was just a 3rd vehicle and my HOA wouldn't let me keep it sitting around like it was. I will give it another go when I have more time and money...Trying to go to college, engineer this, and take care of 2 kids is a rough proposition I found out...
Thanks for the support,
Sean
Thanks for the support,
Sean
01-24-2012, 02:51 PM
#28
Newbie
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Model: Cherokee
TDI XJ Swap Thread
http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread...04#post3680504
That guy did it!
These guys might: http://www.hpamotorsport.com/tdiconversions.htm
01-24-2012, 03:14 PM
#29
CF Veteran
Ok, so I've been working on acquiring some of the parts needed, and working with my partner in this project, we decided we want to get some input from the other people who are interested, because they may not be as insane as we are. So, let's get some feedback! For those of you who are interested in this conversion, what are you looking for EXACTLY? What model, engine, trans would you want it for?
100% inclusive, including engine?
Complete swap kit without engine?
Just the basics (engine mounts, trans adapter) and you figure out everything else?
Wiring harness included, or just a schematic to wire it yourself?
Complete fuel system, or just instructions?
Would you want a complete intercooler, or figure that out yourself?
What would you be willing to pay for a complete kit sans engine?
What would you be willing to pay for the basic hard parts and instructions for the rest?
What would you be willing to pay for just the components you want?
I know everyone would want to say "I want it free" but let's try to be realistic. Find a TDI in a pull it yourself junkyard and you can get the complete engine for probably well under $1000, so figure on what else you would want.
100% inclusive, including engine?
Complete swap kit without engine?
Just the basics (engine mounts, trans adapter) and you figure out everything else?
Wiring harness included, or just a schematic to wire it yourself?
Complete fuel system, or just instructions?
Would you want a complete intercooler, or figure that out yourself?
What would you be willing to pay for a complete kit sans engine?
What would you be willing to pay for the basic hard parts and instructions for the rest?
What would you be willing to pay for just the components you want?
I know everyone would want to say "I want it free" but let's try to be realistic. Find a TDI in a pull it yourself junkyard and you can get the complete engine for probably well under $1000, so figure on what else you would want.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
clangstaff
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
3
05-30-2019 10:34 AM
Gtrsrlly
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
5
08-25-2015 11:50 AM
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)