Best engine for Jeep build
 

Hi guys, I am getting ready to start building a Jeep for my wife. I know I want a diesel engine, but I am kinda in the air as to which one I wanna put in it. I am building it from the ground up to include fabricating my own frame so that won't be an issue.

My overall goal is to keep it fairly light, but sturdy. I tend to over build because I'm a rookie (My truck weighs over 7,000 pounds). My first thought was a 4BT because in my opinion Cummins motors are the best out there, but in the interest of keeping it light I was thinking maybe a Kubota V2203 might be the better choice. I'm also open to maybe a Yanmar, or Perkins, but really don't know where to start. :humm: I just want something that is capable of playing around out in the mud and still driveable on the highway. Not trying to break any records or anything like that.

All opinions and suggestions are both welcome and appreciated, thanks.

i say go with a 4bt because you have the the dodge option for automotive type parts where as the perkins and kubota arent going to have parts in the junkyard

Yeah, good point. I have already run into issues finding parts with my truck and it is a pain in the BUTT! I guess I will have to do more research to see what the weight difference is.

OM617 Benz. Affordable and fits a jeep great.

X2 on the om617, plenty of cheap aftermarket parts available and low initial investment.

That's kind of sweet first of all and secondly i'd suggest you to go for the cummins engine as they may not be that light but the sturdiness and the durability is just unmatchable and most of all you don't want your wife to stuck in the middle of the road just because of a lighter and unhealthy engine.

Might be a tad costly, but if weight is a factor, what about trying to source one of the CRDs Jeep used sporadically between '05-2010 in the Liberty/Grand Cherokees?

I have helped do a few 12v 5.9s and 7.3s in CJs, I am always partial to them.

Cheers,
Lee

@ Dalesteyn, I agree that there is nothing out there that beats a Cummins, that's my "go to" for everything. I suppose what it really boils down to is that I just kinda want to go a different way with this one. I put the 6BT in my '55, and I'm in the process of putting a 4BT in a '57 panel truck. I just kinda wanna do something a little different with this one and try to learn something about another power plant.

@Jellyroll, if I could find a CRD for a reasonable price that would be definitely be an option. My biggest fear with them is that they are relatively new to my understanding and it seems like there are always some growing pains with the newer engines.

@Captain Jack and Fordheaded, I think you've got me leaning towards the OM617 if I can find one. The Kubota V2203 was my first choice, and if I happen to find one at a good price I might still go that route. I still have some time to look at my options (Right now the "Jeep project" is a pair of axles sitting on the floor in my garage) so I'll keep looking and learning before I make a purchase.

@all, thanks for the advice and information!:c:

I have a 94 4Runner. Bought complete car for $700 with 168,000 miles. I have an offer of $500 without engine and small parts I will need.

I am going 700r4 trans, dana 300 transfer, LoMax :1 kit in transfer, 32 inch tires, 4.88 gears, E-Locker rear, Lock-Right front.

With the 700r4 trans, over-drive for the highway and great gearing for offroad.

Now the good part. Less than $2000 for everything including the 4Runner which was free.

Just to a 5.9 Cummins swap! Would love to see a 24v swap in one. I am planing on getting an '05 5.9 and put it into a Cj7 buggy running B100 bio diesel (don't want to smoke out my buddies) As soon as I am done with my ASSET training and have the family moved.