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I made it out to "Terra Del Sol" for its first major outing and I my XJ made me very happy!
Took a 4 hour ride with several other XJs, And I did stuff that scared the hell out of me. Got to use the body armour and sliders a couple of times too.
Also won 1200 bucks worth of cool stuff when they called my number for the raffle, pretty cool Jeep related stuff. Good day
Last edited by GRAYMAN SPOTTER; Mar 17, 2016 at 02:34 PM.
Reason: Details
Bought this Electric full suspension mountain bike for the back of the Jeep to use as a back up vehicle for my Hikes.
Going to mount 2 spares on the inside, to make room for the bike at the rear.
I like to go to the end of the trail and park the Jeep and walk. If I break down for any reason on the way out or back, I have a way to get back to civilization or at least to an area of Cell service.
My first choice for the Ultimate Build would be to install a 3.3BT CUMMINS!!!.....but It may be "to rich for my blood!" as they have only been out for about 6 years, but I have heard AWESOME reliability
and MPG stories about them.. So,,,
Found it in Idaho on CL, had to have it, Factory Diesel, 2.1 Renault!
Shipped it home to San Diego, day one in the driveway
I am considering the following combination. a 2004-2007 2.4 Honda Accord 4CYL, with a AW4 Auto 4wd, as a drivetrain for my 1986 Cherokee. Currently my 2DR - XJ has a 2.1 Renault diesel and a 4WD, 5 SPD manual (A5). It currently runs "OK" for a 2.1 Renault!! LOL ,,,oh and it has a 4 inch lift with truetrac locker up front and a 8.25 Chrysler in the rear.
There is such a knowledge base out here, I just want to brainstorm my idea before I start. I am open to all constructive ideas. I am seriously considering this combination.
With this 1986 2.1 Renault diesel 4wd....conversion,,,,
I am looking for 20-25 MPG, a good Daily driver that is smog exempt in California. A little more power than what the Renault offers, and a lot more dependability and parts availability. i will use the vehicle for a small amount of off roading, probably 10% off road and 90% DDing. When it is used off road it will not be extreme, i would estimate I am looking to use it around 70% of its capability.
The California angle probably needs an explanation to many of you so here is that information.
I HATE the smog laws here in Ca.
Every two years they "tax" us, about 50 bucks, to make sure our vehicles are compliant. You have to go to a smog station and get your vehicle checked/ sniffed/ and visually violated to ensure you are in compliance.
There is a great loophole around the smog laws,,.
If a vehicle came with a factory equipped diesel, and it is older than 1996 it falls into the "exempt" category. You just send in your renewal fees each year. So owning a factory 1986 diesel powered Jeep is a great set up in my opinion. I can put any motor in my vehicle and never have it checked by big brother.
I am considering all engine swap and tranny combination ideas. I have done a good deal of reading the various forums for months.
I was leaning toward the MB617 diesel idea, but,
I have already used a Honda package in a off road buggy/sandrail that I built a few years back and I was very happy with the motor package.
The 2.4 Honda makes about 185 HP and 190 Torque, it was very good with throttle response and had a wide power band. So I really liked that engine for many reasons. In a stock Honda with much less drag friction of course the engine vehicle combo got 35 MPG. I am expecting 20 or so MPG when installed in a lifted XJ, with 32-33's.
I have not been able to locate anyone that has adapted a Honda to an AW4.
I have a connection to build a motor/trans adapter, does not seem to costly either.
I have several vehicle builds under my belt and I am not opposed to a massive amount of fabrication and work.
Like I said I am open to ideas, and I figure I am going to get a fair amount of grief/feedback on this idea.
Lets hear it!!
I currently have a 98 sport with a factory 425OHV VM 2.5 TD (Italian partner of Detroit). I like it quite well but thinking of transplanting a 2.7 CRD from a late WJ. Diesels are way more common here in the UK. One of the things that keeps me here. Have you thought of a 4BT if you want the cummins route? Lots about but they are pretty heavy. Another person on here has done a VW 1.9 PTDI swap that looks pretty awesome. Have fun with your rig.
I would like to hear why you would make the change from a 2.5 to a 2.7.
Also info on the VW 1.9 Diesel swap would be great too.
Looks like you read my first post and no further before posting,,, I did end up with a 3.3 Turbo Cummins Diesel out of a Kabota forklift. I am very happy with it!
Although ,,,, the water pump just started weeping. but that should be super easy.
Cool ride. Lot of work there. Are you done? Are they ever done?
Thanks!
Not Done, just been enjoying it and working on other hot rod projects for a while.
I totally agree, are they ever done.
Gotta get back to posting stuff and pictures. I did some Dyna- mat type insulation and that helped a lot even though I only did the passenger door and a small area of the floor.
Also just finished up a skid plate for the transfer case protection, next is some fuel tank armor.
Been driving it A LOT and it ALWAYS gets 20 MPG, I am real happy with that mileage, all things considered.
A while back I posted it up for sale. I had a weak moment when I thought I wanted to build a Camaro I have in the garage to go racing, but now if someone wanted to buy my Jeep I would have a hard time accepting what I was asking for it. I am getting real attached to it.
The Camaro will have to wait for funds from a different source.
Installed a skid plate for the transfer case last week, it was left over from another project,,, I sold that car and had this skid plate laying around, so I did a few modifications and it came out great!
Th Stainless steel muffler from BORLA also shows in the picture, it was one of the first MOD's I did right after the diesel install, it sure helped with the typical "GROAN" of a diesel under load.
I picked up a never used motorcycle hauler at the local "Big Three Day Car Swapmmet" last year.
Finally got round to modifying it, I needed more ground clearance and I do not want it to rock around while off road. So I moved it up about 6 inches and added a tension-ing rod, that is snugged up with the 3/4 nut (at the center-line of the receiver hitch).
I got inspired to complete this hauler when I purchased my MOTO-PED and put a big-bore kit on it, it runs great and is just the right size for a full sized guy at 6'4" and the bike is not to heavy, just 125 lbs (plus it is street legal as a bicycle).
The plan is to have this small motorcycle to get me back to civilization if my XJ breaks down and there is no cell coverage.
I tend to like to explore the local deserts on weekdays when no one else is around. Just a bit of survival thinking.
The removable/adjustable mount that I have built is a piece that I fabbed up. It attaches to the spare tire hauler. Makes it rigid for off road travel instead of relying on just tie-down straps.
This "Bicycle" is one of the coolest "work arounds" I have ever seen. In California it is legally the same as a moped. But it is very capable off road. although there are pedals they are not required to take off from a start.
It is a bicycle, no license needed to operate, no annual registration (one time - 19 bucks if you want), no helmet required, no peddling needed.
Have you thought of a 4BT if you want the cummins route? Lots about but they are pretty heavy. Another person on here has done a VW 1.9 PTDI swap that looks pretty awesome. Have fun with your rig.
