CF Veteran
If you want a trail rig i would look more in to a vw diesel or something smaller,The 4bt is 700 lbs same weight as a big block chevy.If you want a easy diesel swap i hate to say it but a k5 blazer or big bronco would be a ton easier then a xj and handle the weight fine.
CF Veteran
Try pricing a 4bt now they have started to sky rocket in price around me.Last ones i seen for sale was 1500 for a long block and 2k for one running still in a old frito lay box van.And a good adapter plate for the trans is 800 bucks,The frito lay adapter plate is junk the engine has a 4 degree lean on it to fit the van better.A 4bt or 12 valve swap in a easy ford or chevy truck is around 6k total if you do it yourself.
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Cummins 4BT is a very popular swap with a ton of power, and as a result pretty good mileage in our little Jeeps. If you're just looking for something that rattles and takes juice from your deep fryer take a gander at the Mercedes OM617. Both have distinct strengths and weaknesses. Either one is a pain in the *** to get to work with an automatic because they're mechanical. If you have a standalone TCU for that transmission you can probably figure out a custom kickdown/TV cable and TPS. The OM617 is a front-sump design and warrants 3" lift to clear the pan with a 4WD XJ. I think the 4BT was available with front or rear. Not sure where the oil pump sits with the 4BT. There is a huge difference in torque between the two engines so your fab skills will be an important deciding factor. The OM617 is as close to 'bolt on' as you can get being as it's smaller and lighter, won't twist the uniframe to ****, and adapters are available to bolt right up to a factory AX-15.
Regarding years, diesel swaps are generally better in anything with an older dash IMHO. XJs newer than 1997 get dash info over the CCD bus from the PCM. Older ones you can probably rig up a tach much more easily.
The other thing to consider is emissions. In my area a practical diesel repower in a 2000+ is basically a no-go as the engine must be newer than the vehicle. However on my 1999 I just need to make sure "all factory emissions equipment is in place" and pass a smoke opacity test.
Take a look at www.4btswaps.com, there are a lot of Jeep projects over there. Here a "diesel swap" thread comes up every few months and then nothing happens lol. There are more blown XJs on here than oil burners.
Thank you for the helpful information, that was exactly what I was looking for. Originally Posted by salad
What kind of engine you want in there? Are we talking a Kubota ETVCS or an EMD 12-710G3B?Cummins 4BT is a very popular swap with a ton of power, and as a result pretty good mileage in our little Jeeps. If you're just looking for something that rattles and takes juice from your deep fryer take a gander at the Mercedes OM617. Both have distinct strengths and weaknesses. Either one is a pain in the *** to get to work with an automatic because they're mechanical. If you have a standalone TCU for that transmission you can probably figure out a custom kickdown/TV cable and TPS. The OM617 is a front-sump design and warrants 3" lift to clear the pan with a 4WD XJ. I think the 4BT was available with front or rear. Not sure where the oil pump sits with the 4BT. There is a huge difference in torque between the two engines so your fab skills will be an important deciding factor. The OM617 is as close to 'bolt on' as you can get being as it's smaller and lighter, won't twist the uniframe to ****, and adapters are available to bolt right up to a factory AX-15.
Regarding years, diesel swaps are generally better in anything with an older dash IMHO. XJs newer than 1997 get dash info over the CCD bus from the PCM. Older ones you can probably rig up a tach much more easily.
The other thing to consider is emissions. In my area a practical diesel repower in a 2000+ is basically a no-go as the engine must be newer than the vehicle. However on my 1999 I just need to make sure "all factory emissions equipment is in place" and pass a smoke opacity test.
Take a look at www.4btswaps.com, there are a lot of Jeep projects over there. Here a "diesel swap" thread comes up every few months and then nothing happens lol. There are more blown XJs on here than oil burners.
I am fairly competent with the 4L60E transmissions and I know the adapter to the 4bt is fairly common. Bruiser conversions uses that set up on their JK swaps. My fabrication skills may be a little rusty but I'm pretty capable. My biggest hurdle is time. It's going to be a while before I even get the jeep and then a while yet before I get the tools or cherry picker to carry out my master plan. I am just curious if there was a better solution to the 4BT that was more practical.
CF Veteran
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The 4.0 with proper maintenance will out last most of the stuff on your jeep. Originally Posted by mjcxking
But if you did do the 4bt swap then you'll have and ultimate trail jeep and the engine will last longer then most of the stuff on your jeep,
Honestly OP if you can do the work yourself go for it but if you can't get ready to drop anywhere from 10 to 20 thousand dollars easy on this mod. Maybe you will be the first person on here that I have seen that says they want to do a diesel swap that actually does it but I doubt it.
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Thank you for the helpful information, that was exactly what I was looking for.
I am fairly competent with the 4L60E transmissions and I know the adapter to the 4bt is fairly common. Bruiser conversions uses that set up on their JK swaps. My fabrication skills may be a little rusty but I'm pretty capable. My biggest hurdle is time. It's going to be a while before I even get the jeep and then a while yet before I get the tools or cherry picker to carry out my master plan. I am just curious if there was a better solution to the 4BT that was more practical.
"Practical" IMHO would be something small, cheap, and done before. That's pretty much the OM617. Similar in size and power output to the 4.0L so very minimal fab is required. No firewall work, no frame reinforcement (though a crossmember up front isn't a bad idea), weight is the same so you don't need HD springs and can run the same bumper,etc. Plus bolting up to an AX-15 is very cheap. Folks with 4L60Es however seem to be using 4BTs and Isuzu 4BD1Ts and their ilk so adaptation would be much easier. Of course those engines generally come out of current service commercial vehicles which makes 'em pricey.Originally Posted by gearwhore
Thank you for the helpful information, that was exactly what I was looking for.
I am fairly competent with the 4L60E transmissions and I know the adapter to the 4bt is fairly common. Bruiser conversions uses that set up on their JK swaps. My fabrication skills may be a little rusty but I'm pretty capable. My biggest hurdle is time. It's going to be a while before I even get the jeep and then a while yet before I get the tools or cherry picker to carry out my master plan. I am just curious if there was a better solution to the 4BT that was more practical.