Diesel Conversions

[dwtaylorpdx]

The early 80's toyota and Nissans were available here. My Aunt owned the Nissan bought it here in PDX brand new... Only available in the 2wd for some reason...
Same with the Toyota, although there were some weird loopholes allowing some rigs in from Canada that  have since been closed up. There were some ford rangers as well, which oddly enough use the same block as the diesel in some Reefer truck and railroad units... :)



Dave

[firebrick43]

I wouldn't attempt a diesel conversion at all in California.  They have made existing HD trucks and off road equipment add Diesel particulate filters and regeneration systems.  Many of the late model electronic engines can have this added, with a penalty in fuel efficiency.  However older mechanical injected diesels can not and have basically been outlawed in california or will be in the near future.  The cost for the Diesel Particulate Filter and regeneration system(DPF for short) is expensive as well I doubt it would even fit under a jeep. 

I think its only a matter of time before they try this stunt with the light diesel vehicles, and no, they are not grandfathering in older vehicles, you up grade or you don't drive them.  They are even outlawing out of state trucking companies from driving through california with non california compliant diesel engines.  They have to have a sticker on the hood that states that they are in compliance. 

[Jeffy]

I wouldn't attempt a diesel conversion at all in California.  They have made existing HD trucks and off road equipment add Diesel particulate filters and regeneration systems.  Many of the late model electronic engines can have this added, with a penalty in fuel efficiency.  However older mechanical injected diesels can not and have basically been outlawed in california or will be in the near future.  The cost for the Diesel Particulate Filter and regeneration system(DPF for short) is expensive as well I doubt it would even fit under a jeep. 

I think its only a matter of time before they try this stunt with the light diesel vehicles, and no, they are not grandfathering in older vehicles, you up grade or you don't drive them.  They are even outlawing out of state trucking companies from driving through california with non california compliant diesel engines.  They have to have a sticker on the hood that states that they are in compliance. 

Well, light trucks diesels do get Emission Tested but only 2003 and up.  Older diesels are exempt.  Still, there are very few diesels that would be usable.  VW's 1.8L Turbo is a bit small for the job.  Mercedes 300D is going to be expensive as it's a early 90's model car.  That really only leaves the Jeep Liberty and the Grand Cherokee.  The problem with the 2.8L is that the EGR is prone to failure and is a $200 part to fix.

I mentioned this once before, it's the DMV's decision to choose if you should go to DOT or not.  A switch to diesel only requires a change of one form and some DMV's have been more lenient/or unaware then others and just let you go with the form alone.

[firebrick43]

I don't think your following me jeffery.

CARB has retroactively passed emission standards on onroad and offroad diesels.  So far its just for Class 6-8 trucks and heavy equipment, some of these machines have effectively been shut down for good or at least in the state of california.  But the question is will they pass the same type of laws in the future for light diesels?  DPF filters are 1000+ and that doesn't include the control systems.  Previous to this standard being set you just had to meet emission standards that were valid at the time your vehicle was manufactured.  Now they are taking current regulations and making vehicle owners bring them up to that standard. 

[Jeffy]

I don't think your following me jeffery.

CARB has retroactively passed emission standards on onroad and offroad diesels.  So far its just for Class 6-8 trucks and heavy equipment, some of these machines have effectively been shut down for good or at least in the state of california.  But the question is will they pass the same type of laws in the future for light diesels?  DPF filters are 1000+ and that doesn't include the control systems.  Previous to this standard being set you just had to meet emission standards that were valid at the time your vehicle was manufactured.  Now they are taking current regulations and making vehicle owners bring them up to that standard. 

That's because trucking doesn't have an organization like SEMA hitting for them.  Also, the green movement which is well supported here still like to drive their pre-90 diesels.

[YoungJeeper]

What about a 4BD1T/2T?
This swap seems very promissing to me..

[TrailsLessTaken]

What about a 4BD1T/2T?
This swap seems very promissing to me..

Here's a site I found that has a lil information on that motor:
http://cruisers.shoumatoffmedia.com/4bd.html
http://www.4btswaps.com/forum/showthread.php?3635-STICKY-Isuzu-4BD1T-4BD2T-Reference

[jagular7]

JP Magazine will be coming out with a VW TDI diesel swap for the AX-5 drivers. HPA Motorsports doesn't have a lot of info on their website, probably due to JP Mags influence.

I'd like to do one of these but with an intercooler and an auto so I can use my doubler.....I don't see why not!!! In researching quickly for a TDI, $2500-3000 for an engine under 100k and $1600-2300 for 140k to 260k milers. Guess I'll have to look for an auction of wrecks. Wonder what their kit would cost.

[Jeffy]

JP Magazine will be coming out with a VW TDI diesel swap for the AX-5 drivers. HPA Motorsports doesn't have a lot of info on their website, probably due to JP Mags influence.

I'd like to do one of these but with an intercooler and an auto so I can use my doubler.....I don't see why not!!! In researching quickly for a TDI, $2500-3000 for an engine under 100k and $1600-2300 for 140k to 260k milers. Guess I'll have to look for an auction of wrecks. Wonder what their kit would cost.

There's another thread specifically on this somewhere in the forums.  I still haven't got around to contacting them.

*Found it: http://4bangerjp.com/forums/index.php/topic,8644.0.html

[jagular7]

There's another thread specifically on this somewhere in the forums.  I still haven't got around to contacting them.

*Found it: http://4bangerjp.com/forums/index.php/topic,8644.0.html

Thanks. That is one part of the forum I don't visit.

[FourbangerYJ]

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=902401
This won't last to long ^^ Seems like a pretty good deal.

[jaxtell]

JP Magazine will be coming out with a VW TDI diesel swap for the AX-5 drivers. HPA Motorsports doesn't have a lot of info on their website, probably due to JP Mags influence.

I'd like to do one of these but with an intercooler and an auto so I can use my doubler.....I don't see why not!!! In researching quickly for a TDI, $2500-3000 for an engine under 100k and $1600-2300 for 140k to 260k milers. Guess I'll have to look for an auction of wrecks. Wonder what their kit would cost.

Jeff at Acme can get you the stuff to mate the 1.9 to the AX5 MUCH cheaper, using the Toyota bell housing adapter!
http://www.acmeadapters.com/store_engine.php

jerry

[Jeffy]

Jeff at Acme can get you the stuff to mate the 1.9 to the AX5 MUCH cheaper, using the Toyota bell housing adapter!
http://www.acmeadapters.com/store_engine.php

jerry

Hmm, never thought about the Toyota angle.  Good find!

[arveetek]

I'm a diesel fanatic, and have always had a diesel as my daily driver since I was 19.  My current rig is a 95 Chevy Tahoe 2 door with the 6.5L turbodiesel.

I have seriously considered swapping a 6.5L n/a diesel and TH700R4 tranny into my Jeep.  It should be fairly easy, as the 6.5L uses the same motor mounts and bellhousing as a regular smallblock Chevy, and there are tons of Chevy kits for Jeeps out there.  However, weight is a really big deal.  A fully dressed 6.5L tips the scales around 1000 lbs!  I think that might be a bit of overkill, and would require stronger axles, boxed frame, etc.

Of course, it has been done before:

http://www.thedieselpage.com/readers/fleming.htm

I already have a 6.5L in my garage that needs a home....but I really think the weight issue is a real concern for a rig that is actually used off-road.  I could see my front end sinking down in the mud instantly....or my front end flopping off the rocks and pulling my end over end on a hill climb.

Casey

[stan98tj]

i read through the specs on that VW swap. For what it costs, i dont think you are getting much in the way of power gain. 165hp, 280 torque is not all that much power when you could drop a v8 for cheaper. There is the added mpg as an advantage of going with the diesel, however...but the cost is so much, you may as well still go with a v8 swap. The 1.9 is quite light (lighter than the 2.5l) so that too would be an advantage, but i still think a 2.8l swap or a 4bt would be the best deal. the 4bt can produce far more power than the numbers the VW engine is putting down. The 2.8l would also produce some good power for a wrangler, but the swap is pretty pricey and requires that all the sensors (tire pressure, etc) get transplanted with it. I think all that wiring would get pretty complicated for someone looking to do this themselves.

Then again, if they could somehow pull more power out of that VW..somewhere in the neighborhood of 200+hp and 300+ torque while still returning 25+mpgs, THEN i would prob be more interested in going with that.