Build a Diesel Jeep Wrangler

AA130FIREMAN · Post by **AA130FIREMAN** » Sat. Apr. 16, 2011 6:55 pm

I was looking for a diesel vw rabbit, now I am thinking of building a cummins diesel jeep wrangler. Their is a company that has the motor mounts and related controls to do the swap. The big thing seems to be transmission/transfer case/bell housing and clutch configurations. The engine I would use is the 4bt cummins, the same as the 6 cylinder 6bt in the dodge pick ups, less 2 cylinders. I was told by someone to look for a dodge donor truck for the bell housing,flywheel, clutch,slave cylinder, starter, and nv4500 5 speed trans and do an adapter to the jeep transfer case. Any dodge cummins guys have any input or a scrap doner dodge ???

AA130FIREMAN · Post by **AA130FIREMAN** » Sat. Apr. 16, 2011 7:51 pm

Their are alot of 4bt diesel conversions

Sting · Post by **Sting** » Sat. Apr. 16, 2011 8:12 pm

is this just a jeep thing -- or are you looking for hi MPG

AA130FIREMAN · Post by **AA130FIREMAN** » Sat. Apr. 16, 2011 8:28 pm

Sting wrote:is this just a jeep thing -- or are you looking for hi MPG

A little of both worlds, 4 wheel drive,good mileage, go to work and fun vehicle. Also I do like the sound of the cummins diesel, their are some out their really making some power at the drag strip, check out the 1 ton crew cabs running 11 second 1/4 mile times at 120 mph, 1000 horse power (not what I am looking for,but neat

) I did have a cj7 jeep years ago,I would like the newer tj with the coil springs for a better ride.

AA130FIREMAN · Post by **AA130FIREMAN** » Sat. Apr. 16, 2011 8:37 pm

Any they say coal causes polution

Berlin · Post by **Berlin** » Sat. Apr. 16, 2011 8:37 pm

If it would fit, i'd put in a detroit 2-71, cheap, reliable as hell, decent fuel efficiency and about the right HP, 70 for good economy.

Scottscoaled · Post by **Scottscoaled** » Sat. Apr. 16, 2011 8:44 pm

How about a 1993 4wd Dodge Dakota? Fit the bill? Or not heavy enough?

Post by **Rob R.** » Sat. Apr. 16, 2011 8:46 pm

The sound of a little Detroit would sure get some looks at a Jeep meet.

AA130FIREMAN · Post by **AA130FIREMAN** » Sat. Apr. 16, 2011 8:49 pm

stokerscot wrote:How about a 1993 4wd Dodge Dakota? Fit the bill? Or not heavy enough?

It would need to be a diesel dodge 5speed for the adapter/bell housing to fit. The 4bt cummins is around the 105-130hp range, torque is around 400

SMITTY · Post by **SMITTY** » Sat. Apr. 16, 2011 8:59 pm

If horsepower is what your after, I'd steer clear of the VW Rabbit engine. I remember my buddy's rabbit being the slowest internal combustion engine I had ever seen or operated, then & since!

freetown fred · Post by **freetown fred** » Sat. Apr. 16, 2011 9:04 pm

I suspect that after I put a 283 Chev. block in a VW way back when, you could do whatever you set your mind to.

the back seat did become the drivers seat (bucket of course)

AA130FIREMAN · Post by **AA130FIREMAN** » Sat. Apr. 16, 2011 9:11 pm

SMITTY wrote:If horsepower is what your after, I'd steer clear of the VW Rabbit engine. I remember my buddy's rabbit being the slowest internal combustion engine I had ever seen or operated, then & since!

Not a rabbit for the diesel engine swap, just cheap running transportation (have changed my mind on looking for a rabbit)

SMITTY · Post by **SMITTY** » Sat. Apr. 16, 2011 9:14 pm

Ahh, gotcha.

I've been cobbling together vehicles here for winter beaters. The wifey went through 10 of those 5 qt. blue Wal-Mart 20W-50 jugs in 3 months ... so gotta make a swap. The Jimmy engine will soon make it's home in the '89 Blazer. I have until the next sanding/salting to get 'er done.

AA130FIREMAN · Post by **AA130FIREMAN** » Sat. Apr. 16, 2011 9:19 pm

I have a diesel in my truck, ford 7.3 crew cap with 8 foot bed, to big for every day use, 17mpg on the interstate or short trips, the 4.10 gears eat alot at higher speed. I figure a jeep with overdrive and 3.08 gears with the 4 cylinder should do 30+ mpg, and sound good doing so

Coalfire · Post by **Coalfire** » Sat. Apr. 16, 2011 9:39 pm

AA130FIREMAN wrote:I have a diesel in my truck, ford 7.3 crew cap with 8 foot bed, to big for every day use, 17mpg on the interstate or short trips, the 4.10 gears eat alot at higher speed. I figure a jeep with overdrive and 3.08 gears with the 4 cylinder should do 30+ mpg, and sound good doing so

Would be kind of cool. What do these motors get in there stock applications? I know a guy that put some 3.7l diesel I think a small detroit in a dakota. Then he had overheating problems, and not enough room for an intercooler to make it really efficient. How much do these 4bt's weigh??? that is the other thing to consider that is a lot of extra weight in the front of a wrangler.