Hey guys, I have a 1999 Jeep Cherokee with over 200,000 miles. I know these engines are known for going up and over 400,000+ but since I don't have much history and the previous owner didn't care for it, I was looking into a diesel swap. I've poured over the Mercedes engine swaps into these and was keen on doing that when my engine gave up.

But my dad had informed me that for the Jeep to be legal the engine has to be out of a car from 1999 or newer. I know there is the 2.8 and 3.0L CRD that came in the Liberty and Grand Cherokee but those engines are worth more that the truck is. So my question is what engine is a good swap into my Cherokee that isn't over kill or underpowered, or is it even worth it?

Thanks

 

The OM617 Mercedes engine is a good swap. Check out my thread "Cherokee OM617 swap"
I have a Liberty CRD, they are great engines.....

John

 

I know the CRD engine is great, its just that coming across a used one, or one at a decent price is rare. Right now the cheapest I've seen is about $4k which is what I have invested into my rig with a lift and tires, etc.

 

I personally think the OM617 is the best bang for the buck. Get an adapter kit for a 700R4 and you'll be good to go. Vlado has one in his Wrangler, FTE has one in a Jeep almost identical to mine. Check out their threads, those guys do great work, their conversions look factory!!!

John

 

thanks for the info

 

I think you guys are missing the root of his problem. xcspeedy obviously lives in a state like mine where you can only swap in an engine the same year or NEWER than the vehicle. To do the swap he needs an engine that was built in 99 or later. They stopped making the OM617 in 1984, so that's not an option for him...

 

Thats what bothers me, I'm guessing I have to hope it holds out till it becomes a dedicated trail rig. Unless anyone knows where I could pick up a CRD engine for a decent price. Thanks

 

Or you could do what I did and find a much older XJ to put the OM617 into... and now that I think about it I believe they build the OM617 until 1986...

You could also try picking up one of the slightly later model Mercedes engines, OM602, OM603 etc. from a later model 300 series - like the 3.0L 6 cylinder Turbodiesel out of a 99 Mercedes E300, or even one of the 2.5L 4 cylinders from the mid 90s.

 

the only issue is finding one that was taken out of a car thats not that old, or doesn't have high miles. Whats a usual failing mileage on those engines?

 

Hey, you talk about old style Mercedes engines. If they have been taken care of they last forever.
You might have to replace chain and sprockets sometimes.