derf

That 6BT is like an engine. Only bigger.

XJIrish4x4

For sure!

Freerider15

Nope, own a 7.3L myself.

I love diesels, but I'm also realistic about things.

Pretty much this. A 4BT is a hell of a fit, a 6BT will kill an XJ.

Have you seen the size of a 6BT. Have you compared the weight, dimensions, and output ratio to a 4.0L?

Whenever I see 4BT and 6BT thrown around, its usually just a straight :facepalm: It's like someone saying CHEVY 350!!! everytime someone even mentions a V8.

The Cummins 2.8 is a great swap candidate, but WAY out of most people's budgets. I could buy 3-4 full LQ9 drivetrains for what one crate 2.8 is pricing out at.

That being said, if budget is no issue, I'd like to see it.

That being said, realistic swaps for a smaller to mid sized SUV are going to something along the the lines of the CRD that was in the liberties (a close friend of mine is working on this swap).

There's other smaller diesel engines like the CRD that could be used, but they all vary in pricing, availability, output, etc.

I think most people like the 4BT since it doesn't take much to get one running. Electrical seems to scare people, especially the diesel Bros

XJIrish4x4

I get it there is a place out here who will put diesel motors in a XJ for about the $10k-$15k price range. Full on conversion if you choose to let someone do it for you. I imagine it is a cost factor and anything can be done as long as your pockets are deep.

I understand the practicality factor here but where is the fun in that if you live life not willing to take on a challenge? I mean I'm not saying I would do something that is never been done before but that is part of the challenge if you decide to do it.

My pockets by the way are not deep enough to consider so I will stick with alternate plans! My diesel truck 6.0 is enough diesel for me at the moment but I would love a XJ converted one day.

Freerider15

A diesel conversion could be fun, but at the same time, I'd rather take an LS over one. More power, lighter, etc. etc.

Sure, it won't be a diesel, but at least in Colorado a 4BT swap would not be road legal (motor cannot be older than the vehicle), hence why a 2.8 or something like the CRD would be needed.

All the "well with a diesel it would be my SHTF" vehicle.

Sorry, but an XJ with a diesel in it would not remotely be high up on my list for that.

There is a full sized Toyota Landcruiser running around my city with a 12 Valve in it (it came into work a few times when i worked at Discount Tire). That was a nice swap, but then again the FULL size Cruiser was sized to handle the motor.

Pricing I've seen lately on any 4BT that is worth a damn, has been...rediculous...to say the least. $2k for one that isn't seized and could probably use an overhaul.

derf

I'd be interested in that CRD conversion. A buddy of mine has two CRD liberties, one that's pretty well built for a Liberty.

He's been looking into swapping that engine over to an older Jeep project but the electronics being fully integrated from the ABS sensors to the t-case and transmission, and engine seems a bit daunting.

Freerider15

It's been a...long...build, as he'll go many months without working on it. That being said he's picking back up on it.

He's got a longbed MJ he's doing that swap into, and doing a full Jeep 2500 front end, and late model interior on.

It is definitely a lot of wiring, and isn't for someone with the ability to sit down with both FSM's and wiring/pinout diagrams and go through.

XJIrish4x4

If anything I'm happy to see my thoughts on a diesel has people talking and formulating plans. I like to see that I'm not the only one who would like this.

derf

I've had a couple projects like that. The transmission swap in my truck took a good 5 years and ended up adding an engine swap in the middle.

I imagine trying to make both computers work together would be "a bit of a challenge". If it were me, I'd probably take out the original wiring and replace it with the donor's harness. Then all you'd really need to do is tie in the lights, power windows and locks, and maybe a handful of other stuff. That would probably end up being easier.

BwanaBob

I have a Toyota 2.4l diesel (called the "2L" by Toyota, no turbo, mechanical injection, came from a wrecked mid-80s pickup) in my 98 XJ. I've put 60,000 miles (100,000km) on it since the swap in 2009. I live in Ivory Coast, Africa and did it to keep my Jeep out of the junkyard after the original VM 2.5l TD gave out (long, expensive story).

The Toyota bellhousing and clutch bolts right up to a Jeep AX-5 with the input shaft/gear from a Toyota transmission swapped in (both Aisin-made and nearly identical). Had to make motor mounts and adapt the clutch hydraulic line to the Toyota external slave cylinder.

Mine is reliable, starts every day, easy to fix, not very fast, tops out at 65mph with 4.10 gears, does well on trails, and carries a lot of people and loads.

I once saw another XJ here in Ivory Coast with a later model Toy 2.4l with a turbo and electronically turbo controlled injection (the 2LTE, found in later pickups and some Land Cruisers) that was nicely done. A little more power on the highway. If you can do the wiring, that requires the Toy ECM, harness, etc.

Freerider15

He has a complete CRD donor. Hell, outside of Chrysler I'd say he's one of the more SME level people on the CRD out there. It's a bare bones stripped MJ, so he's not going to be using two computers (I never would in an engine swap). It's more about getting it to work with and communicate with the Dash Cluster (he got one from a TJ) and other various things.

As someone who's been through every single wire and connector there is on an XJ (98' model), it's not too hard, it's just very time intense.

derf

Sounds like the right way to do it.

andrewmp6

Most of us like diesels,Just with the xjs size and weight most diesel swaps worth doing are either not worth it or would be a down grade.

derf

Trouble is, most of the cool diesel engines aren't sold in the US.

Hunter Styres