Ignore my Username as it was a prospect long gone and forgotten.
I have a '91 Jeep Cherokee XJ that I am seriously considering a diesel re-power for. Currently it has the stock 209k mile 4.0/AW4/NP231 drive-train getting 19-20 highway if it's happy, 14 town. My wife and I keep my Jeep for blizzard duty as it does the job well, and I want to try and boost the low end grunt while getting a few more MPG's.
If I do a diesel swap, I have it narrowed down to three engines: the Mercedes-Benz OM617, the Isuzu 4BD1T, or the VW 1.9 TDI.
The OM617 has been extensively swapped into Cherokee's, but it's gutless with a max tuned output of about 140hp and maybe 240 lb.ft of torque unless you spend $2k on a Finnish modified IP. The Isuzu 4BD1T is a monster and would fit my torque requirements and shear grunt well, but it is a large motor with a safe max rpm of 3600 that would require a serious lift and mod to fit.
I like the more I read on the 1.9 because they can be tuned for good power, can be tuned to rev up to 5k rpm (which is my stock 4.0's limit), and can be adapted to Yota tranny's which means I can retain my AW4 (rebuilt of course with a tuned VB and solenoids for higher line pressures, firmer truck-like shifts, and higher torque capacity). Plus, it is a little engine compared to the 4BD1T, and I think I could easily get away with my planned 2-3" of lift.
SOO, I need edumacated. I see there are various types of TDI's and I need to know which one's have what attributes. From research, 2002+ is ECU controlled with a dedicated engine management harness that would transplanted and modified. I'd like to see close to 200hp if possible, but slightly less will be fine if these engine's hit max HP and TQ at lower RPM's (the stock 4.0 gasser hits max HP at 4800 or thereabouts). With 170-200 hp, where would that put me at torque? With the AW4 mods listed, the trans could handle 450lb.ft IMHO.
Also, I understand the VW's are timing belt driven. Are these notorious to break? I am all about maintenance, but I know some TB setups can break before their maintenance schedule calls for replacement. Are they hard to replace? Are these engines interference types?
With my power goals, what fuel economy can be expected? I know that I won't see anything near their 40+ mpg car setups being in a box on wheels, but I have seen Toyota Pickup swaps claiming 30mpg highway.
I appreciate any and all help everyone. I am open to all recommendations and feedback!!
I have a '91 Jeep Cherokee XJ that I am seriously considering a diesel re-power for. Currently it has the stock 209k mile 4.0/AW4/NP231 drive-train getting 19-20 highway if it's happy, 14 town. My wife and I keep my Jeep for blizzard duty as it does the job well, and I want to try and boost the low end grunt while getting a few more MPG's.
If I do a diesel swap, I have it narrowed down to three engines: the Mercedes-Benz OM617, the Isuzu 4BD1T, or the VW 1.9 TDI.
The OM617 has been extensively swapped into Cherokee's, but it's gutless with a max tuned output of about 140hp and maybe 240 lb.ft of torque unless you spend $2k on a Finnish modified IP. The Isuzu 4BD1T is a monster and would fit my torque requirements and shear grunt well, but it is a large motor with a safe max rpm of 3600 that would require a serious lift and mod to fit.
I like the more I read on the 1.9 because they can be tuned for good power, can be tuned to rev up to 5k rpm (which is my stock 4.0's limit), and can be adapted to Yota tranny's which means I can retain my AW4 (rebuilt of course with a tuned VB and solenoids for higher line pressures, firmer truck-like shifts, and higher torque capacity). Plus, it is a little engine compared to the 4BD1T, and I think I could easily get away with my planned 2-3" of lift.
SOO, I need edumacated. I see there are various types of TDI's and I need to know which one's have what attributes. From research, 2002+ is ECU controlled with a dedicated engine management harness that would transplanted and modified. I'd like to see close to 200hp if possible, but slightly less will be fine if these engine's hit max HP and TQ at lower RPM's (the stock 4.0 gasser hits max HP at 4800 or thereabouts). With 170-200 hp, where would that put me at torque? With the AW4 mods listed, the trans could handle 450lb.ft IMHO.
Also, I understand the VW's are timing belt driven. Are these notorious to break? I am all about maintenance, but I know some TB setups can break before their maintenance schedule calls for replacement. Are they hard to replace? Are these engines interference types?
With my power goals, what fuel economy can be expected? I know that I won't see anything near their 40+ mpg car setups being in a box on wheels, but I have seen Toyota Pickup swaps claiming 30mpg highway.
I appreciate any and all help everyone. I am open to all recommendations and feedback!!