Corky54

First off I'll lead in by saying that I blew my Cherokee's H.O 4.0 :'( and now I'm pressed to look for a new engine. A buddy of mine at work informed me that people "often" drop little 4cyl turbo diesel engines in them, but doesn't know anything about it. I was wondering if there was anyone here who has done it or knows anything about it?

I.e how to mount one? Where I might locate one? What other modification(s) might need to happen? Do they have lots of issues? Etc

Thanks much for any help/insight

That Jeep Guy XJMJ

he's talking about a 4BT cummins swap.... as far as the swap goes.... its just like any other swap with a different style motor... new mounts and prolly a deal of custom fab... Look up 4BT jeep swap in google and then vedge on the info

kenthorseman

First Im no mechanic, Second Theres a lot to do, Third its a job for a diesel head.
I blew up my 4.0 xj and thought the same as you, oh Ill drop a diesel in, well it all went well I bought a real good 2.5 turbo diesel lump, got it home and telephoned a friend, he IS a mechanic and he just shook his head and said wheres all the electrics for the plug heaters fuel pump etc, so that was problem one, next the engine went in and the hole were gone, out came the engine, next a connector ring was made and a clutch bobin, in it went , noe everything was one inch away from where it was to start with, out came the engine, next i sold the xj went out and bought a diesel xj and found everything fits and works as it should, and the fuel mileage is much better than the 4.0 and the bottom end grunt is much better as well,

Corky54

What kind of mileage and power doors the diesel XJ have? I'd rather not scrap my XJ but I don't want to deal with too much to convert it. It seemed like a lot of hassle from the start. Maybe I'll part her out but keep the mods that will transfer over if the diesel XJ does what I want it to.

xjmarc

The diesel versons in the US are very rare and not a diesel you'd want. The 4bt is a great motor but you'd need a different tranny, axles, fuel tank, wireing harness, ECM etc. Best and easiest route would be to find another 4L.

allsierra123

Why a different fuel tank?

xjmarc

Mostly because of the fuel pump. Diesels and gas motors have different fuel pressures and the factory pump isn't adjustable. I went through 3 aftermarket pumps on my Cummins tow rig and ended up going back with a stock unit.

ProudXjOwner

Go big or go home 6BT For The Win!

xjmarc

And move the front seats to the rear. It's only about a foot longer than a 4L. Deff need bigger axles for it. My Cummins has a D70 rear and I could easily break it.

99 Purple XJ

For a diesel swap youll be in for alot more then you can bargain for just starting youll need unibody reinforcing new wire harness adapter plates a welder new fuel system

allsierra123

I didnt use a pump on my vw conversion it was in a vanagon And the tank was farther away then it would be on the xj. The injection pump created all the pressure it needed.

carter442

on top of that 4bts are extremely pricey. i dont believe i have seen one for under 2k around here. in my opinion while its a cool swap its really not a good fit for an xj

xjmarc

The P pump on a 4bt needs an electric or manual pump as well to make enough pressure for it to run. P pump on a Cummins doesn't make pressure per say but pushes the fuel to each cylinder.

allsierra123

Yeah that's a.whole other animal. Lol if I put a diesel in it will be a vw. That way I will be sticking with what I know.

Jeepineasy

What year dodge? The stock pumps are the worst! My vp truck it's stock pump put out 8psi at idle 5psi at wot. My aftermarket air dog puts out 18 psi and hasn't given me issues for a year and has a life time warranty. The stock pump is the last thing I'd run