First Step down the Diesel Swap Path

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  • The PIG Smith
    King Browless

    Moderator
    • Nov 30, 2001
    • 6538

    First Step down the Diesel Swap Path

    I've taken my first step down the Diesel Swap path.
    I have been talking about it for quite some time, but now, I own a Diesel Donor.
    OhioJ20 turned me onto this:

    1993 GMC Vandura 3500 Utility VAN 6.2L Diesel 1 ton (I hope this link works)



    It is a 1993 GMC Vandura 3500 Utility VAN powered by a 6.2L Diesel and backed by a 4L80 tranny.

    The PROs
    ? 1993 was the last year for the 6.2L Diesel and should have all the refinements/updates/upgrades for a factory 6.2.
    Such as, modern real main seal, serpentine belt system, updated DB2 injector pump, etc..
    ? VAN Diesels are different than Truck/Blazer/'burb motors as they have different exhaust manifolds, water pump inlets, other smaller items
    ? 4L80 has a stand alone computer and are easy to rebuild! (thanx JeepInPete)
    ? Suppose to run 'great' (we'll see, I hope it does)
    ? The Mirrors, large fuel tank(?) and 16" load range E tires will go on my J20.
    ? As the 14 bolt rearend is too wide for my Wag, I might could sell it to recoup some of my cost.
    ? It was cheap!

    The CONs
    ? It's 340 miles from me. (time)
    ? It has 197,753 miles on the clock, but I've been told that if a 6.2l has been taken care of, that should be okay with this many miles.
    Being that is a cargo van, I am hoping these are highway miles.
    ? It's 4L80 slips bad, but can lot drive (tranny rebuild $$$)
    ? I need to trailer it or flat tow it home (gas $$$)
    Any suggestions as to which would be better?
    ? I need to find a place to park it while I pull the drivetrain out (I need to be good neighbor) (space)

    My goal is to make my '86 Grand Wagoneer a DD to replace my ailing '99 Grand Cherokee (WJ).
    My WJ gets approx 18 on the highway (I may have gotten 20 once)
    and about 15-16 in town.
    I would love to get as good if not better MPG with a larger vehicle while using cheaper fuel.
    Besides, my Waggie is way kewler than my WJ would ever be!

    This is a long term project that I will work on a little at a time.
    My budget is very limited for such hobbies.
    I will most certainly will be asking many more questions and post pics as I go along.

    If my WJ get any worse, which I am sure it will, I may accelerate this project.
    It really depends on which is cheaper to fix at the time.

    Today, it's a wash, about the same amount of investment of time and $$$ to either repair the WJ or swap a Diesel into the Wag.
    Which should be an indicator of how bad the WJ is.

    I'll make another posting with the details and pics of when I go collect it.
    Bryan Smith
    2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited
    - 75th Anniversary Edition - 1941 Trim Package - Recon Green
    1986 Jeep J20
    - Super clean rig from the AZ/CA state line
    1982 Jeep J10
    - Has become a Long Term Project.
    1981 Jeep J20
    - Commercial flat bed - Lost in a Divorce --gone
    1987 Jeep J20 Pioneer
    - Former Rick Bielec aka Ricbee plow rig. Major rust!! --gone

    IFSJA Member #1933 Joined November 30, 2001

    Originally posted by Jayrodoh
    ...but if it works, I wouldn't touch it.
    Originally posted by Lindel
    Best laid plans, yada yada yada...
  • ohioj20
    304 AMC
    • Nov 26, 2001
    • 1567

    #2
    Congrats Bryan! You won't be sorry, well during the process you may think that at times. Feel free to email me or call me or my dad for help. You should try to make it out to our NE Ohio/Mich meet.

    You got a good deal, I spent $500 on both of my donor 6.2 and so did my dad.
    Kenny
    1982 Jeep J10 body going on 1991 Dodge W250 frame with a Cummins and 5speed
    1999 Dodge Durango 5.2 V-8

    Comment

    • ohioj20
      304 AMC
      • Nov 26, 2001
      • 1567

      #3
      Kenny
      1982 Jeep J10 body going on 1991 Dodge W250 frame with a Cummins and 5speed
      1999 Dodge Durango 5.2 V-8

      Comment

      • chr1s
        360 AMC
        • Jun 17, 2003
        • 3232

        #4
        Originally posted by The PIG Smith

        The PROs

        • It was cheap!
        Glad to hear you got a deal!

        Originally posted by The PIG Smith
        The CONs

        Being that is a cargo van, I am hoping these are highway miles.
        I was in construction for longer than id care to mention, and I had racked up TONS of miles on my company Vans... highway mileage was minimal.

        At any rate CONGRATS.. a diesel project is always in the back of my mind. If i decide to keep this wag forever.. its getting a diesel when the 360 gives up the ghost.
        87 Grand Wagoneer -(UNDER CONSTRUCTION)- "TROLL SMASHER II"
        88 Grand Wagoneer- GONE
        "many miles away, there's a shadow on the door, of a cottage on the shore, of a dark Scottish lake......many miles away..."
        ________________________________________
        *** Current Jeep Status ***
        JEEP IS : . . .

        Comment

        • The PIG Smith
          King Browless

          Moderator
          • Nov 30, 2001
          • 6538

          #5
          Nice!



          I thought of replacing the stock Grand Wagoneer hood emblem for one of these:
          Chevy 6.2 Litre Diesel hood ornament as-is



          Maybe much later, one of these decals:
          6.2 L Diesel Turbo Decal Chrome

          Bryan Smith
          2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited
          - 75th Anniversary Edition - 1941 Trim Package - Recon Green
          1986 Jeep J20
          - Super clean rig from the AZ/CA state line
          1982 Jeep J10
          - Has become a Long Term Project.
          1981 Jeep J20
          - Commercial flat bed - Lost in a Divorce --gone
          1987 Jeep J20 Pioneer
          - Former Rick Bielec aka Ricbee plow rig. Major rust!! --gone

          IFSJA Member #1933 Joined November 30, 2001

          Originally posted by Jayrodoh
          ...but if it works, I wouldn't touch it.
          Originally posted by Lindel
          Best laid plans, yada yada yada...

          Comment

          • The PIG Smith
            King Browless

            Moderator
            • Nov 30, 2001
            • 6538

            #6
            Originally posted by chr1s
            Glad to hear you got a deal!
            I think a great deal! (so far)

            Originally posted by chr1s
            I was in construction for longer than id care to mention, and I had racked up TONS of miles on my company Vans... highway mileage was minimal.
            All the van where I work out have tons of highway miles.
            Very little stop and go stuff.
            Anyways, I hope none these nearly 200K miles are bad ones!

            Originally posted by chr1s
            At any rate CONGRATS.. a diesel project is always in the back of my mind. If i decide to keep this wag forever.. its getting a diesel when the 360 gives up the ghost.
            I've been talking about this swap for few years now.
            Recently, I've been quiet on the topic, for I do not want to burn folks out with all talk and no do.
            Well, I can feel good about yammering again, for I'm a DO'N! HAHAHAHA
            Last edited by The PIG Smith; 06-19-2007, 06:09 AM.
            Bryan Smith
            2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited
            - 75th Anniversary Edition - 1941 Trim Package - Recon Green
            1986 Jeep J20
            - Super clean rig from the AZ/CA state line
            1982 Jeep J10
            - Has become a Long Term Project.
            1981 Jeep J20
            - Commercial flat bed - Lost in a Divorce --gone
            1987 Jeep J20 Pioneer
            - Former Rick Bielec aka Ricbee plow rig. Major rust!! --gone

            IFSJA Member #1933 Joined November 30, 2001

            Originally posted by Jayrodoh
            ...but if it works, I wouldn't touch it.
            Originally posted by Lindel
            Best laid plans, yada yada yada...

            Comment

            • JeepinPete
              304 AMC
              • Dec 09, 2003
              • 2190

              #7
              Now its time to watch out for a 4L80e 4x4 output shaft on ebay. And a 32 spline input TC to go with it (NP241s are common). Sounds like the makings of a grand Grand Wagoneer!
              Pete

              '55 Willys Wagon, the original FSJ
              Sitting on a '77 Cherokee frame, Dodge D60's
              Isuzu 6BD1, NV4500, NP241

              Comment

              • JeepBountyHunter
                GrimJeeperReaper
                • Jul 08, 2002
                • 10250

                #8
                Kewl glad to see you got it!
                1992 Cherokee XJ Laredo

                Comment

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