Most of us are old enough to remember the '80s. Those of us who aren't still remember the '80s diesel cars going 40 in the fast lane, belching smoke, and clattering like mad in the 90s and beyond. Whether your nemesis was a turbo-diesel Mercedes coupe or a diesel-powered Volkswagen, that feeling of having just touched something dirty remains after following one of these pigs.
In the last 20 years, diesel engines have made leaps and bounds in noise, power output, and emissions. Still, we've spent a lot of time this past year bench racing to decide which project we are going to put a diesel in first.
Whatever we end up with, you benefit. This story is all about sharing. Here are our CliffsNotes of diesel-swapping, which we've stumbled across in the last year or so.
You didn't think that one of the leaders in Jeep-swap facilitation was going to miss out on the diesel engine craze, did you? Advance Adapters has a complete swap ready to go, featuring an International 2.8L TGV diesel engine and your favorite GM transmission. As of press time, the company is also exploring other diesel swaps that make sense for the Jeep owner.
Contact: 800/350-2223,advanceadapters.com
If you are thinking of swapping a latemodel diesel engine into your late-model Jeep, but don't want to screw it up, take your Jeep to Burnsville Off Road. Burnsville has been there and done that. Sure, the Web site is very Hemi-oriented, but rest assured the company has experience with diesel swaps, too.
Contact: 952/890-3990,burnsvilleoffroad.com
If your diesel itch is for a Cummins power plant, and you want the best, go right to the source. As you might expect from the company that supplies Dodge and others with diesel engines, it has every engine you could want.
Contact: 800/343-7357,everytime.cummins.com
For you guys in the Southeast, or within driving distance of the Southeast, Cummins Power South has what you need and is conveniently located. Whether you are looking for a 12-valve, hook-one-wireup- and-go 5.9L or a 24-valve, computercontrolled, late model-unit, or anything in between, Cummins South has it.
Contact: 800/768-7278,powersouth.cummins.com
It started with Fords, and for you Jeep guys with Ford transmissions already, that works great. Ford Cummins, as you might imagine, specializes in repowering Fords with Cummins engines. The company is branching out into Jeeps, but right now, it has adapters, flywheels, and flexplates to bolt that Cummins engine to your Ford transmission
Contact: 406/755-8878,fordcummins.com
Everyone knows that Gale Banks Engineering is a major force in the aftermarket for diesel-equipped vehicles, but now, in addition to just about any power modification you can think of, it's adding complete engine assemblies. Now in stock is the 6.6L Duramax engine, brand-new as assembled by Dmax-ltd.
Contact: 877/278-0213,bankspower.com
The site might not have anything to sell, but this grassroots group of Jeep enthusiasts has put up information and a mailing list that includes information on Volvo, Mitsubishi, Isuzu, Cummins, Mercedes Benz, and just about any other manufacturer you might think of. If the diesel engine exists, chances are that you can find info about putting it in your Jeep here. If it isn't on this site, the link to what you want to know probably is.
Contact: jeep2diesel.org
If you've got a CJ, YJ, or TJ and want a diesel motor, and are looking at the 4BT Cummins engine, save yourself some grief and go to Jeff Daniels Jeeps. The company has got this install down to a science. If you want, even on the TJ, your factory gauges can be made to work with the new engine, and the install looks factory original.
Contact: 215/256-8999,jeffdanielsjeeps.com