Diesel Conversion for Jeep Cherokee

Have been searching for the possible fit of an MB diesel into our 98 Cherokee with 4.0 inline 6.

I thimk the 2.7 or 2.8 5cyl may be the most practical way togo & may also be already in service in Europe via the Grand Cherokee.
But don't know yet if the engine mounts are the same for the Reg Cherokee?

Will not be interested in the Renault due to parts probs. And yes we know abt the 2005 Diesel Liberty but will not afford$ one.

But first a few dozen questions,

Which engine would be best?
Should an MB trans also be used with the MB engine?
Could such engine be mechanically driven in order to avoid issues with modules?
If not then what will be required to drive the IP, Engine & trans?
Are all 5cyl MB's 3.07 ratio? Our Jeep is 3.55 & weighs abt same as the 300D.
What will be required to mate the MB Trans to Jeep Aux Gear Box?

Have been around most of the Jeep Forums but not very much info abt what is what in Europe for the many diesels they use.

Also is there a German or UK parts outlet you would recommend?
And not least, whom would do this little chore for us without having to drop by Munich, Frankfurt or other place not real handy?

Thats all for now, Thanx, Gben

I am planning on a conversion as soon as I get some time. I have picked up a older Jeep and a 617 engine that looks like will fit in with out to much work. If it works well, than I will pull it out and get a late model and put it back in and run it. I chose the 617 because they are a work horse, cheap to get, and easy to work on. I also have another 617 going into a 22 foot fishing boat. I have most of the things I need for both projects now. Time is the only thing lacking at this date. Good luck on yours.

Originally posted by Bruce Lane
I also have another 617 going into a 22 foot fishing boat.

SWEET!!!!
Pictures please!

[coachgeo]

Wish I had a cherakee to put an engine in cause I have a PERFECT engine and tranny for it.

Nissan straight six diesel. Runs GREAT

[TwitchKitty]

The oil pan on the 617 sure hangs low. I don't know if it will make a good fit in the cherokee. I will check some with a tape measure, I have a Cherokee and a 300D.

Seems like it will be a low power to weight conversion. Not too bad, but not great.

The 617 is nicely self-contained for a transplant, if it fits, it is all there.

This has probably been done before, have you checked pirate4x4.com? Those guys cut-up everything and weld it to everything else. If you post before you search they will be less than friendly.

[coachgeo]

Originally posted by MapleLeaf
I know that the 2.8L engine found on european Cherokees is in fact a VM european engine. IT's made in Austria I think, they're supposed to be ok on power but not super-reliable. They put these same engines in the magic wagons over there.
Does anyone here know more about these VM diesels?

What/who is a VM european diesel engine?

Thanx Guys,

Bruce,
Do you know yet where we can get eng mounts w/o having to make them up? It is one of the things I dread the most abt this project. Our son is also interested in this effort for his offshore boat.

Coach,
Nissan although hefty is indeed a good product & will stand all the vigor that comes along in their small trucks.
Your Sig really sums it up, The Hard Way!

Twitch,
We do have a 2in lift on the XJ but don't know yet if steering or other components will have tobe modified.
The low power/weight issue is tobe sure primary & we thimk the XJ ratio 3.55 will bump up the leverage enough to compensate & still allow mileage of maybe 30mpg. Does have 31in tires.
Abt Pirate4x4, they gave a pretty good thrashing over a couple things I did wrong & unknowing last year when I went in.
If one can stomach the way they talk & just take it with a grain of salt there is some very good info such as the guy who mated the cummins to his G Cherokee=lots of cutting & forming. He has said that he would never try this again. But very high torque at low rpm, something like 340lbs at 1500 or so rpm.
We thimk the 617 being much lighter & abt 190-220 torq will be fine at cruise rpm that matches the 4.0 w/ 3.55 fairly well.
Yes some will call it a screamer but then it will not be utilized very much as a highway cruiser, mostly local & off road. We need the engine to work in the range of power it was designed for.

Thanx, Gben

[coachgeo]

Originally posted by Gbenzx
Thanx Guys,

...Twitch,...
Abt Pirate4x4, they gave a pretty good thrashing over a couple things I did wrong & unknowing last year when I went in.
If one can stomach the way they talk & just take it with a grain of salt there is some very good info ..
Thanx, Gben

Amen to needing a tuff stomach for Pirate. Been there a long time and use to moderate there too. Talk about some over inflated ego's and attitudes. Still though one of the best places for modification information, though not particularly in reference to mercedes parts.

hello,
well as mentioned, the oil pan is a consern, maybe a peek into a baby cummins may do the trick? I run across this pic.
found it at. www.fordcummins.com

there nich is turning gasser's into diesels

chip

[lietuviai]

Originally posted by Bruce Lane
I am planning on a conversion as soon as I get some time. I have picked up a older Jeep and a 617 engine that looks like will fit in with out to much work. If it works well, than I will pull it out and get a late model and put it back in and run it. I chose the 617 because they are a work horse, cheap to get, and easy to work on. I also have another 617 going into a 22 foot fishing boat. I have most of the things I need for both projects now. Time is the only thing lacking at this date. Good luck on yours.

I've seen MB diesels in a yacht before. I was on one several years ago and I went down into the engine room because the owner had a problem in trying to shut down the engines after a cruise in the harbor. What did I see in there? A couple of marine MB 6 cylinder diesel engines in there. They sure looked nice but I don't recall what kind they were exactly. That was before I caught the MB bug I have now.

[Mark DiSilvestro]

Check out the Mercedes diesel into International Travellall conversion on the 'Propane + Veg Oil = Vroom-Vroom' thread.

Happy Motoring, Mark

You need to look at the price of the engines. In my case I don't have a lot of free money to through out for those other engines . The 617 is a good engine, there is a lot of them out there and they can be had for under $300. with a lot of millage in them yet. I don't know of any other diesel engine that can be had for such low price and high dependability.
One of the local MB mechanics was telling me, that he is planning on putting a 617 in a Dodge Caravan, I haven't looked yet to see if that would work.

[lietuviai]

Originally posted by Bruce Lane

One of the local MB mechanics was telling me, that he is planning on putting a 617 in a Dodge Caravan, I haven't looked yet to see if that would work.

I'd be curious how he would undertake such a project, Caravans have transverse mounted engines with FWD.

Thanx Guys,

Diablo,

Good link & I've been in touch with these folks (Roger) in Montana.

The pic posted is the 4BT baby cummins they call it & goes from 105hp & 300tq to 125hp & 340tq & are used in FritoLay & other like delivery trucks. This engine has the power to twist a Jeep a like cardboard into a pretzel. It is indeed the engine I eventually want in our 93 4x4 Suburban & almost matches the specs of the 5.7 gas power.

Running Google search I've found some for 12-1500 sense a rebuilt can run in excess of 4k. Weight at 700 is ok but as said they are tall but Cummins parts talks abt forward & rearward oil pans? No not what they mean yet.

Not a Dodge thread but me believes the 4bt will match up with all that fits the 6bt & if so I will also shoot for 6sp manual trans for the Sub. FordCummins is looking into this for us but haven't had time to get with the Tech up at Cummins Southeast in Jax Fl.

Like the 617's these engines can be operated via direct mechanical linkage without issues from modules. Like the 6bt they do not break and will likely perform just as well at 500tq.
OK, I'll hush for now guys,

Thanx, Gben

Oh yes did I say Intercooler?

hi gbenzx,
I figure when my 2.8 v-6 dies, its going diesel, got 5 speed tranny with I belive that is dana 44's and gear ratio's are right for a small diesel. when my 6.9 dies, it will get a 5.9 cummins. the ford part is falling apart but everything else is rock soild. now if only I could get a outborad engine that drinks diesel...

chip