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Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Diesel

91 messages,  Last post on Dec 06, 2011 at 9:43 AM

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Messages Page 8 of 10

#63 of 91 TJ Turbo Diesel by cdrahos

Jun 27, 2007 (12:01 am)

Hey guys, I thought this forum was pretty interesting. I have a diesel Jeep Wrangler 1997. It is all after market. I am currently getting 30 mpg around town and 32 mpg on the highway. IT IS POSSIBLE!! This would be killer if jeep could come out with something like this right off the line! The combination that we went with is as follows: 3.9L 4-cylinder turbo-diesel out of a grummins bread truck (custom engine mounts), linked up with an AX-15 transmission(same one that comes stock on 6 cylinders from that year), 3.55 gearing (geared it way up to get use of the 355 ft. lbs of torque). It is about 40-50 hours of work, but it's done! Drives like a dream, and smells like a champ.

#64 of 91 Re: TJ Turbo Diesel [cdrahos] by erickpl

Jun 27, 2007 (6:07 am)

Replying to: cdrahos (Jun 27, 2007 12:01 am)
Pics, prices, etc would be VERY nice!
 
-Paul

#65 of 91 Diesel Wrangler by dieselwrangler

Jul 07, 2007 (7:57 pm)

I would think that with the success of the 4 door Wrangler, Jeep would want to expand the line up. I think that Diesel is a logical next step. I also think that a Hybrid that can be charged from 110v as well would be another step in the right direction. Jeep does not have the image that it even cares about the environment. I would think that Jeep’s fuel economy will limit the sale of their vehicles for both the environmentalist and the pragmatic. I have held off buying a vehicle waiting for the more fuel efficient vehicles to roll in. I just hope that Jeep does not miss the boat on my next purchase.
Personally, I like the look and the name brand of Jeep better than the FJ, but if the FJ goes convertible, it will be my next purchase. It is a smoother better performing car.
Just my 2 cents

#66 of 91 Re: Liberty CRD into Wrangler [wolfpak] by gagrice

Jul 09, 2007 (4:31 pm)

Replying to: wolfpak (May 14, 2006 5:58 am)
Buy a condo in a good tourist area of Canada. Then buy your diesel Jeep and license it in Canada. You can then drive it to your home in the states. If the cops don't like tell them to get it licensed for you. I ran into that years ago in CA with their 49 state BS. They backed down and I kept my truck licensed in Alaska. Saved me a ton on CA license fees.

#68 of 91 Re: TJ Turbo Diesel [cdrahos] by jeepdiesel

Jul 15, 2007 (7:13 pm)

Replying to: cdrahos (Jun 27, 2007 12:01 am)
cdrahos,
 
I would really like to talk on the phone about the
 
diesel from the truck being installed into your jeep,
 
any chance you're near northern New Jersey? Thanks.

#70 of 91 TJ Diesel Aftermarket at Burnsville Offroad by gijeff11

Sep 11, 2007 (11:20 pm)

I have been very interested in the diesel power and economy. Foreign markets are offering the TJ Diesel. Jeep needs to get its game on and reward the US market with this capability as well!
 
I actually found a very small article in TRUCK TREND of Burnsville OffRoad (MN) installing diesels in almost any SUV/truck you could want. They did a standard Wrangler, Here's their web site (burnsvilleoffroad.com).
 
Cleaner diesels are here!!! Get them to the market!

#71 of 91 Re: TJ Turbo Diesel [cdrahos] by murphyl37

Nov 21, 2007 (8:43 pm)

Replying to: cdrahos (Jun 27, 2007 12:01 am)
Hey cdrahos,
 
I'm VERY interested in your wrangler conversion... I have a '97 TJ and have been considering ways to convert it to diesel. Do you have any photos of the conversion? What problems did you encounter with the engine swap? How difficult was it to mate the engine and tranny? Are there any downsides to the conversion? Any additional information you could provide would be great. Also, if you would rather send me a pm instead of writing another post I'd appreciate it.

#72 of 91 Re: TJ Turbo Diesel [murphyl37] by cdrahos

Nov 22, 2007 (9:17 am)

Replying to: murphyl37 (Nov 21, 2007 8:43 pm)
Hey Murphy - I am actually designing a web-page for you guys out there who are interested. If you want we can even do you installation for you. We have done 1 TJ, 1 YJ, and 1 Cherokee. All of them are great. Of course there were some learning experiences, and some initial problems. I'll try to answer as many of your questions as possible but I am most certain I will leave some details out that you want. I will surely post the URL to the web-page here when I am done.
 
As far as space goes - you need to put about a 3-inch body lift on the TJ because the Cummins engine is like a small refrigerator. It is tall and skinny, rather than a "V" series gas engine that is more block like.
 
The engine will most likely have a Grummans (Ford) bolt pattern because that is the bread truck we stole it from. So a simple adapter plate from ford to Chrysler pattern will work. We used the AX15 that is in the standard 6-cyl TJ models. It has given me no problems to date. I would replace the shifter and most of the linkage with hurst linkage because the body lift will make your shifter really "slushy"
 
Let's Talk cooling - you need an external fan that is electronically controlled to engage when your engine starts getting hot. Do this by simply installing a fan behind the radiator. Fuel - needs to be cooled because as the diesel passes by the engine it gets too hot, and does not burn right. To solve this simply put a fuel cooler ( like a radiator for your fuel) in front of the radiator (they sell bolt on kinds) so when you drive you get your fuel cooled. All trucks built now have built in fuel coolers for this reason.
 
Downsides - it really sucks having unreal torque and unbelievable fuel mileage (27-30mpg). Ha! Just kidding, but diesel is expensive around here, about $3.60 a gal. But I suppose it will fluctuate throughout the year. Best bet is to buy off road diesel or home heating fluid tax free and run that, because the odds of getting checked are slim to none.
 
Hope this helped, and let me know if we can do the operation for you, we can discuss costs at a later date. But lets get you burnin' oil!
 
Chip

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