Looking to possibly swap a kubota diesel into a 2001 Jeep Cherokee xj. Which motor would you recommend and what major challenges will I have to figure out? Reliability and mpg will be my main goals. Also anyone make adapter plates?
I have the V2203 in a Ranger, made my own adapter plate. These motors are Carrier reefer take outs and are good to go with minor mods + turbo. I see mid 40's and have well over 12,000 mi so far with no issues. No one that I know makes an adapter for the Cherokee, but Phoenix adapters may have one that works for sae to small chrysler, so if you have the 5spd, then swap the bell for a dakota v6 and it sould work. There is alot of custom fab work, but if you have skills it's well worth it.
Kubota makes up to a 3.3 (v3300) in these "fun-size" engines. I am constantly on the look-out for one this size. Many have used the smaller Kubotas from 1.5-2.2L and report being very happy with the performance (after turbo'ing and tweaking) in vehicles much larger than you'd expect these little units to shove around adequately. As light as the XJs are I see no reason why you wouldn't be equally happy with a 2.2 when the build mods are kept within reason. You can also look into the VW 1.9, esp since there are adapters readily available to mate it to Toyota 5 speeds! If doing a auto->manual swap I think this route is about the best to consider-from cost, ease, and reliability considerations. This would be an especially attractive option if emissions are a factor where you live. The VW is about the only readily available engine brand out there in these sized engines that are EPA approved in passenger "cars".
I have done one xj with a Mercedes and the jeep AW4 automatic, and I am in the process of doing a XJ with the Kubota v2203 and a jeep AX15 manual trans.
the Mercedes has the big benefit of already being an auto engine, so you don't have to make all the accessory mounts, plus there are store bought adapter plates available for reasonable prices, and the MB engines are cheap, cheap, cheap. There was a pretty big draw back in the jeep with the automatic. I still have not been able to get the shift points correct, and I don't have torque converter lockup. These problems are fixable if I convert to manual shift automatic, by purchasing or building a shift controller, or just manual trans
The Kubota should give better fuel economy I hope, and I wanted to make my own adapter plate just for the sake of making it.
FTE is correct; pretty much any diesel conversion will be a lot of custom fab work, even if you buy store bought adapters. It also does not hurt to start with a good condition vehicle. If you put a nice diesel in a POS, you still have a POS. My first XJ was a $100 jeep and it shows that way and has $100 jeep problems which are/were too numerous and expensive to mention.
whichever engine you choose the jeep is a nice light platform, and should be a fun project, in that order FUN and PROJECT.
good luck
I have done one xj with a Mercedes and the jeep AW4 automatic, and I am in the process of doing a XJ with the Kubota v2203 and a jeep AX15 manual trans.
the Mercedes has the big benefit of already being an auto engine, so you don't have to make all the accessory mounts, plus there are store bought adapter plates available for reasonable prices, and the MB engines are cheap, cheap, cheap. There was a pretty big draw back in the jeep with the automatic. I still have not been able to get the shift points correct, and I don't have torque converter lockup. These problems are fixable if I convert to manual shift automatic, by purchasing or building a shift controller, or just manual trans
The Kubota should give better fuel economy I hope, and I wanted to make my own adapter plate just for the sake of making it.
FTE is correct; pretty much any diesel conversion will be a lot of custom fab work, even if you buy store bought adapters. It also does not hurt to start with a good condition vehicle. If you put a nice diesel in a POS, you still have a POS. My first XJ was a $100 jeep and it shows that way and has $100 jeep problems which are/were too numerous and expensive to mention.
whichever engine you choose the jeep is a nice light platform, and should be a fun project, in that order FUN and PROJECT.
good luck
considering that in overseas markets it had that 2.1L renault diesel as a factory option, i would not be afraid of a 2.2L kubota, but if you could get the 3.3L one you would be able to choose some gearing less compromised for all-around operation and still retain some nice towing ability
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