[TrailTrackers]

Is there a diesel engine that would fit in my Jeep? For those who don't know, I have an '08 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited with the 3.8L. I'm just in the "thinking about it" stage, and to be honest, I probably won't do anything until my warrenty is expired. Right now I'm just wondering what options are out there, and I'm wondering what all you guys know about the subject off the top of your heads.

If there are multiple options, please indicate by $$ you think would be required. Like "Money is no object" down to "Guy is on a serious budget". Thanks.

This post has been edited by TrailTrackers: 07 February 2010 - 09:56 PM

[Lordhelmet]

Cummins, lots of torque and power. Probably won't fit though. :devil:

[del0075]

only thing i can help with is, there is a guy down here that put a diesel in a jeep........ desertrat would know more about it........

[DAA]

Are you wanting to keep your rig registered/street legal in Utah with this Brad? If so, I "think" your options will be very limited. Heck, it might not even be possible to get a JK registered with a diesel, I'm really not sure.

Don't know of it actually being done, but I would guess the 3.0 CRD out of a Grand might be the easiest to do. And the most likely to be able to get registered too, since you can get one the same year as your JK. But, far from cheap. And even though I just said I think it "might" be the easiest, I'm still guessing it won't be very easy. I bet it would be easier and cheaper to put a Hemi in it.

If you don't care about passing emissions and getting it registered, you'll have a few more options, but still not many. I know the Cummins 4BT has been done in TJ's, so I'm sure it could be done in a JK too. But if you want your guages to work and keep your AC and stuff like that it won't be easy.

A Liberty 2.8 CRD is another possibility and wouldn't be any more expensive than the 4BT. But, probably wouldn't have any luck getting it "legal" either (if that matters...).

I've driven Cummins 5.9's and now a 6.7 as my daily drivers for years. Love 'em in my pickups. I'd never want one in my Jeep though. They're too heavy for offroading even in the 2500's. One of the beauties of a Wrangler is the weight distribution. One of the big CTD's out of a 2500 would screw that up all to heck. Not to mention you would need to replace the entire drive train to go with it. Be easier just to put a JK body on a chopped Ram frame like those magazine guys did.

- DAA

[chev350]

Go with the 4BT cummins

[00jeepxj]

do them hemi! there was and maybe still is an LJ up north with a hemi in it, it was sick! ill have to see if i can find the link! here it is!

[jevyguy]

DAA, on 08 February 2010 - 07:44 AM, said:

Are you wanting to keep your rig registered/street legal in Utah with this Brad? If so, I "think" your options will be very limited. Heck, it might not even be possible to get a JK registered with a diesel, I'm really not sure.

Don't know of it actually being done, but I would guess the 3.0 CRD out of a Grand might be the easiest to do. And the most likely to be able to get registered too, since you can get one the same year as your JK. But, far from cheap. And even though I just said I think it "might" be the easiest, I'm still guessing it won't be very easy. I bet it would be easier and cheaper to put a Hemi in it.

If you don't care about passing emissions and getting it registered, you'll have a few more options, but still not many. I know the Cummins 4BT has been done in TJ's, so I'm sure it could be done in a JK too. But if you want your guages to work and keep your AC and stuff like that it won't be easy.

A Liberty 2.8 CRD is another possibility and wouldn't be any more expensive than the 4BT. But, probably wouldn't have any luck getting it "legal" either (if that matters...).

I've driven Cummins 5.9's and now a 6.7 as my daily drivers for years. Love 'em in my pickups. I'd never want one in my Jeep though. They're too heavy for offroading even in the 2500's. One of the beauties of a Wrangler is the weight distribution. One of the big CTD's out of a 2500 would screw that up all to heck. Not to mention you would need to replace the entire drive train to go with it. Be easier just to put a JK body on a chopped Ram frame like those magazine guys did.

- DAA

I think this is pretty accurate... X2

[TrailTrackers]

Thanks for the information and advice so far everybody. I'll start checking this stuff out; at least I have a starting place now to start some serious research.

For sure I want to keep the Jeep street legal, and I don't mean "under the radar" legal. I like to fly straight and not have any problems.

For now I'll check into the good information provided so far. Thanks again guys... And if you guys or anyone else thinks of some other good stuff please let me know.

I also wouldn't mind hearing some thoughts on the Hemi. I think I was stuck on the diesel idea because of how much I love driving my truck ('04 Dodge Ram 3500) and how much power and torque that thing always has in reserve. But like was mentioned, I could see how the extra weight may be an issue.

[leslord]

I think it would be cool, but keeping it legal would be the hard part. Let us know what you find if you research this.

[Lordhelmet]

I have a buddy that put a hemi in an older TJ, worked out very well. Almost to much power, but it would scoot right down the road.

[cruiseroutfit]

Brad, check out 4btswaps.com for information on the Cummins 4BT as well as many other popular diesel swap power plants. Legality is actually easier than most think. While swapping a gasoline engine requires you keep all the the same emissions components in place with a same or newer engine... when converting to diesel its not quite the same. However given the diesel standards of newer vehicles you may have to comply as they would. Everyone I know that has done a swap thus far has been late 90's or older but few have had any issues. Of course you could always buy some property in Summit County (PO Box :devil: )

[red]

the registering part might be difficult make sure to check that out, some states are very picky that if a vehicle was originally a gasser that it must stay as a gasser, and visa versa.

another 2 motor options are the older gm 6.2 and 6.5L motors. roughly the same size as a small block v8 or a cummins 4bt, similar weight to the 4bt. for money either of these motors would be cheap, expecially the 6.2L because you can buy them surplus from the military at govliquidation.com. not super powerful but able to make plenty of power for a lighter weight vehicle.

[wr250]

those older gm diesels were really bad. tended to break alot.
if it were me id look into a small block v8. chevy is the best bet. ford 5.0 HO is another one
plenty of hop up parts good power and plenty of torque,
not sure if a 5.2 (318) dodge motor will be a near bolt on or not. i think the bellhousing patterns are the same at least.
you may run into a problem with it being an 08, many states will only let you swap in a same year or newer motor.

[Outlaw TJ]

If your looking for a deisel motor the 4BT Cummins is the way to go. Several of them here. Easy to come by and run forever. UPS, Freto Lay, ect. step vans used them. Tons of torque and can run on most anything including bio deisel. I agree with WR250 the Chevy deisel motor stinks. I wouldnt use one after all ive seen around here. There are a ton of write ups on the swap to the 4BT motor. And can even buy one if needed.

[Skylinerider]

Brad, check out AEV's J8. They use a 2.8L diesel.

http://www.aev-conve...com/news/?p=172