I've been without my trusty CJ-7 for too long now. I'm starting to get the itch again. This time I'm thinking about going with something older maybe an early CJ-5 or M38.

My question is what engine/transmission combinations are feasible for a conversion? I want to try and keep the Jeep light and simple. I've seen the 1.6L TD VW engines mated to Toyota transmissions. I believe there is a 6 cyl Volvo engine that might bolt directly to a T-18? Some of the 240D Mercedes engines are about the right size. Like I said I would prefer to keep it light, cheap, and as simple as possible so that there are no crazy wiring issues.

I'm currently hunting down a project jeep. If at all possible I'm gonna try and stuff all this in a tiny flat fender. CJ-2A or CJ-3B. That's the main reason I'd like to keep it light. With the older offset rear diff on these guys I'll probably swap the entire drive train. Given the way Jeep was passed around and used parts from every manufacturer I won't feel too bad about it.

So remember no ideas are dumb. I just want a good idea of what can be done.

 

i would personally use a cummins 4bt mated to any good manual tranny and a very strong tcase that would be a great combination because 1 it will give you great low end torque and the simply produce more power than a VW diesel. Although i do not kno how light a 4bt actually is

 

a 4bt is close in weight to a big block chevy, definitely not what you want for a small, light trail rig. I think I'd be inclined to bomb a VW diesel but I think they may be more expensive/harder to find than a mercedes diesel.

 

I'd go with a Vortec V6. Fuel injection is great on the trail.
I put a carburated Chevy 350 in my CJ-7 ( hence my screen name). If i find a Vortec it's going in. I'm running a NP435 trans Dana 300 with LoMax 4-1 & Dana 44's front and rear & 4.56 gears.
Go over to Pirate 4x4, they've got plenty of info on swaps.

 

I have decided that I would like for Chases First Vehicle to be a Jeep With a Cummins 4bt in it , I have 10 years to get things together

 

OK, thanks for the quick replies so far. So I've been researching more. I've found at least one Volvo diesel mated to a T-18. There's not really any good contact info on the page and it's a few years old. The Volvo diesels were made by VW. So is there a Volvo bell housing that will hook a VW 1.6L or 1.9L TD to a Ford T-18? I know the tranny is heavier than what I was looking for but not much so compared to dumping a ~700 Lb 4bt into the jeep.

 

I had a 240d engine and trans in a Sami for a while and that engine really upset the balance of the rig offroad. Probably close to what a 4b would do to a CJ. I would try to find a 300d or turbo D engine. The 4speed manual from the 240 is very similar to what Gwagen diesels have. The turbo's Automatics are internally the same as the v-8 car trans. Both are tough. A toyota T-case can easily be made divorced is light tough and can be geared like 4.7:1. The bummer about swapping a Benz motor is the front sump that is not easily changed. That can make steering a challenge. Good luck!

 

Heres some of your best choices.

A 4BT Cummins

A 6BT Cummins

A 6.0 Powerstroke

A 6.6 Duramax

A 1.6 or 1.9 VW Diesel

They are all really good choices. It would be very interesting to see another diesel JEEP conversion.

 

I think he wants to use what he has. He also had weight as an issue The top four engines weigh nearly half of the rest of the vehicle as soon as you bolt a transmission to it. The last two are alright but a 1.6 is very poochey and a 1.9 isn't a whole lot better unless it is a TDI.

 

since when was a 6.oh-no a viable engine to swap into anything?