SlowJon

I have a front suspension/steering question: I am installing a Mercedes OM617 diesel in my 1991 XJ and am trying to build some clearance for the oil pan. I have a 3 inch lift, which will be enough to clear the diff, but I will still have a slight problem with the track bar and drag link being too close to the pan. Most other people who have done this swap seem to build some hokey stuff to drop or curve the track bar and drag link. I’d prefer to use some high-quality aftermarket parts instead of some one-off cobble-job!

I know that many companies sell longer pitman arms and track bar drop brackets, but they usually say these are only for Jeeps lifted much more than mine. Any thoughts on what interference issues I might expect if I tried using a pitman arm and track bar drop intended for a 6 inch lift on my 3 inch XJ? I should point out that I don’t really “wheel” this particular XJ, it’s a driver that occasionally sees very light trail use. I’m not completely opposed to getting aggressive with bump-stops either. Thoughts?

XJwonders

What about using the high clearance oil pan?

XJwonders

Do you have a build thread for the om617? I want to put one on a xj someday.

SlowJon

The pan is mostly structural with just a little sump right where the XJ front axle is, which sucks. I really wish I could just make a sheet pan for it!

And I don't have a build thread, turns out I'm not real good at taking pics between busted knuckles and bleeding fingertips! Ha ha! I'll make sure to get some pics up some time. In the meantime, Google "OM617 Jeep XJ" or go poke around at 4btswaps.com. lots of great info out there!

SlowJon

mr white

How close is it? Can you strategically dent the firewall and move the engine back?

SlowJon

That's a pretty good idea, Mr White, but it would have to go back pretty far. Without moving the trans, the sump is pretty much right on top of the axle, so you'd have to move the engine like 6 inches. You'd swear Mercedes engineers designed the OM617 purely to foil a Jeep swap! Ha ha!

The more I think about it, the more I feel like I'm going to have to build a wonkey track bar and drag link. It makes me nervous, but I guess there's probably a good reason why that's how most people do it.

Here's a video of another guy's swap that shows how he dealt with it:

TigerXJ

Why not push axle forward a few inches, engine back a few inches, can push steering box/TB forward. Might have to get creative with the front xmember, but if you are doing this swap you are probably capable of that