Modified XJ Cherokee Tech XJ (84-01)
All modified tech questions. If it modifies your XJ beyond stock parts ask it here.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

4BT Cummins Swap

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 08-26-2018, 12:08 PM
  #1  
Newbie
Thread Starter
 
Straight6XJ's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Default 4BT Cummins Swap

So I’ve been contemplating doing this swap on my 2000 Jeep Xj..

Maybe it’s just me but every website I go to I get different answers...

I hope y’all can shed some light on my questions...

First.. Is it even worth it ?
Second... Aside from the engine, what type of transmission would I need?
Third... Do I use the wire harness the 4BT comes with? Or would I need to modify it to work on the Jeep...
Old 08-26-2018, 03:52 PM
  #2  
CF Veteran
 
Cummins93's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Northern CT
Posts: 1,197
Received 149 Likes on 126 Posts
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: Turbo 4.0
Default

What are your goals?
With a custom converter plate transmission selection is endless. If you have obd2 emissions where you live it will need to stay compliant or get an exemption.
Old 08-26-2018, 04:24 PM
  #3  
CF Veteran
 
XJlimitedx99's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Andover, VT
Posts: 2,973
Received 229 Likes on 178 Posts
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0 L
Default

I think most people decide against 4BT swaps into XJ's because its impractical due to the engine's size and weight. It has been done, but I feel like its more to say you put a 4BT in an XJ rather than actually benefit from it. There are better choices for diesels to swap in.
Old 08-26-2018, 05:39 PM
  #4  
CF Veteran
 
Cummins93's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Northern CT
Posts: 1,197
Received 149 Likes on 126 Posts
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: Turbo 4.0
Default

http://www.cumminshub.com/4bt.html

782lbs wet. Yea it's kinda heavy.
Old 08-27-2018, 09:58 AM
  #5  
Member
 
derf's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Castle Rock, CO
Posts: 223
Received 47 Likes on 39 Posts
Year: 1987
Model: Comanche (MJ)
Engine: 5.3
Default

It's big. It's heavy. But you can make it work, assuming you or your shop is good at fabrication. There are tons of adapters out there to any mainstream transmission you want to use. The 700R4 automatic and NV4500 manual are probably your easiest choices. You will get a lot of low end torque but the fuel mileage improvements probably won't offset the cost of the install for a very long time.

One alternative to look into is the Cummins repower program. https://cumminsengines.com/repower.aspx

It's a 2.8 liter 4 cylinder that's smaller and lighter than the 4BT. The ISF platform it's based on is sold internationally so it has a lot of history and is a pretty solid design. They added emissions compatibility for vehicles up to 1999 (pre-OBD II). It will fit under the XJ hood a lot easier. And at just over 500 pounds, it won't require suspension upgrades in the front. It puts out 267 ft-lbs of torque so it'll do reasonably well in an XJ. It's relatively new in this market but you can get bellhousings and adapters to mate it to Jeep transmissions like the AX-15 and AW4. However, I don't know of anyone selling a transmission controller that will work with the AW4 yet. You can probably use the factory TCM but you need to adjust the shift points, and then you need to have something convert the CAN bus output to the signals the TCM needs. You'll still need to fabricate engine mounts, figure out an intercooler setup, probably run dual electric fans, run an exhaust, replace the gas pedal with the electronic one that comes with the engine kit, and so forth. But if I was going to do a diesel XJ, this is the engine I would choose.
Old 08-27-2018, 11:49 AM
  #6  
CF Veteran
 
00t444e's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Southern OH
Posts: 3,604
Received 456 Likes on 369 Posts
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Default

Rad designs makes a controller for the aw4. However if I was doing that swap I would put an NV4500 5 speed in.
Old 08-27-2018, 12:42 PM
  #7  
Member
 
derf's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Castle Rock, CO
Posts: 223
Received 47 Likes on 39 Posts
Year: 1987
Model: Comanche (MJ)
Engine: 5.3
Default

Originally Posted by 00t444e
Rad designs makes a controller for the aw4. However if I was doing that swap I would put an NV4500 5 speed in.
Looking at their website, it looks like all of their stuff is to convert to manual control of the transmission. While useful, it kind of defeats the purpose of having an automatic.
Old 08-28-2018, 12:58 AM
  #8  
CF Veteran
 
EvanM's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Idaho
Posts: 1,734
Received 288 Likes on 245 Posts
Year: 89
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: Peddles
Default

It's still an automatic only difference is the rad shifter makes it so the aw4 can be shifted by the driver without working through the jeeps computer.
yes you have to move the gear selector but it still drives like an auto.
the aw4 with a solid torque converter is supposed to do well. I actually have one that I'm debating putting in place of my 5speed that's lost the 4th gear synchros.
Old 08-28-2018, 07:55 AM
  #9  
CF Veteran
 
caged's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Northern Ontario, Canada
Posts: 7,874
Received 94 Likes on 85 Posts
Year: 1990, 1999, 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

why don't you give greg at overland diesel conversions a call. he makes adapters for many engine/trans configurations.
he is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to jeep swaps.

https://www.overlanddiesel.com/

https://www.facebook.com/OverlandDiesel/
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
bad_idea
MJ Comanche Tech. Stock & Modified.
5
09-16-2018 05:56 PM

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


Quick Reply: 4BT Cummins Swap



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:21 PM.