Going Diesel Need Opinions

[bigun]

Well this makes 2 diesel threads running right now that I know of for those who keep on about the 4BT have youseen the prices? Copy and pasted from thread running the general area
Actually there are several adapters out there for the MB engine
one uses the AX 15 found behind late model jeeps if you get a 94 and up the slave is on the outside you can buy an clocking ring that will allow you to run the D300 transfer case!
Adapter

http://www.4btswaps.com/forum/showthread.php?t=10388

Clocking ring

http://www.novak-adapt.com/catalog/kit_153.htm

Diesel forums of interest

http://www.superturbodiesel.com/std/

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/index.php

[RCB]

I keep hearing about the expense of 4bts. While brand new ones are the typical price of any new diesel engine, I have found many 4bt's for a very reasonable price. Of course, living in close proximity to Cummins headquarters probably helps out a bit with availability, but still.

I was torn between a Mercedes and Cummins at the outset, but for me, there seemed to be more options and better documentation for the 4bt swaps and issues.

There is a guy around here with the mercedes in his Jeep and it does pretty good from what he says.

In the end I still have to vote for the Cummins.

[Badawg]

Have you considered a marine dsl? I have done swaps to boats with dual marine Gm 350s. Engines used were Yanmar 4 cyl Turbos.

It could be expensive to buy a new one, but the chances of finding a used one is pretty good.

[EnigmaticEngineer]

MB OM617

I am by no means stating that the MB om617 is the Best Engine Out There...and there are many advantages to the 4bt, but around these parts...a Running, High Mileage 4bt with No trans is a minimum of $2000 bucks. I have 3 options right now on craigslist for 500 bucks Running, driving MB 300SD's. Throw on a proper side drop divorced transfercase and make shafts...just my opinion

Nathan

[joe]

Money is important for sure but so is power/driveability and keep in mind all USA 300D's came with an AT and though the 300 is a good motor the AT adds to it's serious dog reputation so you'll need a manual tran/clutchs and flywheel set up on top of the $500 for the motor.

[poolmike]

Cummins is the only real industrial diesel out of the big three. Powerstroke and Duramax are both good engines for trucks, but at the end of the day they are not built for industrial applications.

A 4BT is a perfect match for a FSJ. A 6 would be great if you can make it work.

[EnigmaticEngineer]

Hmmm....

Money is important for sure but so is power/driveability and keep in mind all USA 300D's came with an AT and though the 300 is a good motor the AT adds to it's serious dog reputation so you'll need a manual tran/clutchs and flywheel set up on top of the $500 for the motor.

Are you sure that All came with Auto's? I saw one for sale the other day (too clean and too pricey to hack up) that had a 5 speed in it here in AZ...(not claiming its a USA car, just happened to notice the 5 speed trans instead of the auto)

I was hoping that I would Find a 5 speed car when I do my swap....that might be out the window though lol.

Thanks for the tid bit
Nathan

[Towtruck]

The 4 cylinder Isuzu NPR engines are a no brainer if you're not stuck on four wheel drive. The later engines are available in 175 and 205 horsepower versions. Transmission is an overdrive automatic or six speed O/D manual. Spectacular setup for a tow vehicle or commuter. If you must have 4wd...somebody should snap up that setup from Jeepinpete. Why anyone would put an ancient technology 4bt in a vehicle when these state of the art gems are available at a decent price is...puzzling...

[poolmike]

The 4 cylinder Isuzu NPR engines are a no brainer if you're not stuck on four wheel drive. The later engines are available in 175 and 205 horsepower versions. Transmission is an overdrive automatic or six speed O/D manual. Spectacular setup for a tow vehicle or commuter. If you must have 4wd...somebody should snap up that setup from Jeepinpete. Why anyone would put an ancient technology 4bt in a vehicle when these state of the art gems are available at a decent price is...puzzling...

The 4bt is a simple machine. No tech/low tech is really nice. No glow plug nonsense, no wiring, etc. It is a simple swap.

[RCB]

The 4bt is a simple machine. No tech/low tech is really nice. No glow plug nonsense, no wiring, etc. It is a simple swap.

Absolutely. You have a lot of options with it. There are many more powerful options, but I prefer straight forward engines that are easy to work on with good parts availability. Some engines are not so much fun to get parts for.

[j-10 junkie]

Which Diesel

Not to complicate the question here but I knew of a local guy that had a 3208 Caterpillar V-8 diesel in a chevy 1 ton that used it to haul farm tractors to Mexico for resell. Don't recall what trans he was running. But recall looking under the hood at the installation and looked like a pretty straight forward setup. I do recall that for the weight he was pulling and the engine weight he had to add some additional springs, front and rear. I do know that these cat diesels came in a one eighty horse power and a two ten. Have know idea of the weight or what transmissions would fit. I know some people thought that these engines had reliability issues. But, I also knew a local man that ran these engines exclusively in tandem axle grain trucks that got excellent reliability from them with just good maintenance. AS far as I know, the older engines required no computers and are very plentiful, as they came in a lot of ford medium duty trucks and all kinds of tractors and AG equipment.

Just a thought....

[Towtruck]

The 3208 is too big to fit the space. Not a great engine to start with in my experience (twins in a boat).

But on the subject of marine applications, here's a link to a variation of the GM/Hummer 6.5 that would fit...supercharged (not turbo) V8 in a nice package. Used to be built in Stillwater Oklahoma...not sure if they've moved assembly to Sweden or not. Expensive, of course, but very interesting concept if you're a techie...check it out. I'd prefer it to the Yanmar six for a boat...or a truck. Check out their twin supercharged 6.6 Duramax hot rod...

http://www.marinedieselengineering.com/md/

[BGW]

I'm going to look into the dimensions of a Ford 6.9. They're cheaper than 7.3s around here and there aren't as many electronics. I wonder if I could shoehorn one in the J20 I've been looking at.

[MAPit]

Go with a 93-98 P pump Cummins 6BT They have the best reputation for being able to upgrade and for not falling apart. You can also find some sort of adapeter plate or bell housing to fit them to almost any trans. finley excpt for the fuel pump. the moter was the same from 89 to 98 so you have 9 years worth of engines to pull parts off of. My 91 6bt with a 727 3speed gets 20mpg. A stock 4bt is going to be a DOG when compared to the 6bt. and if you want more power your going to end up with the same fuel mileage.

[bronco23]

i say 6bt cummins for the fact that the 4bt looks goofy under the hood with so much extra space that if lifted you wont be able to reach anything and the fact that you can find gen 1 matted to the TF727 would say that would be less fab work and save on that 500 dollar adapter and you keep your t case trans and axels down side is you will be forced to lift it and put bigger tires so so so sorry