4WD&SU Exclusive! Jeep Diesel Swap Kit

Diesel Jeep Swap Kit

Posted March 24 2008 02:33 PM by Phil Howell_4Wheel Drive Magazine Editor-in-Chief
Filed under: Editorials, New 4x4 Accessories, Offroad Observations, 4Word

FOR AN UPDATE, SEE http://blogs.4wdandsportutility.com/6632331/editorials/diesel-tj-wrangler-swap-kit-from-mopar-yes-or-no/index.html

Many jeepers have been waiting anxiously to swap a diesel into their Jeep. Their low-end torque and trail driveability, not to mention their fuel economy, has put diesels at the top of many jeepers wish list.

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The wait is almost over! Jeep Performance, a division of Mopar Performance, is working on a stand-alone diesel engine swap kit to drop the 2.8 diesel that first appeared in the Jeep Liberty into your TJ, YJ, CJ, or? While we'll have more details (and maybe a photo or two) after Jeep Safari in Moab, this is the real deal and is going to happen.

Everything needed to install the diesel mill into a Jeep will come with the kit - including a stand-alone wiring harness and non-EGR motor! You may have heard that some Liberty diesels had problems that were caused by a malfunctioning Exhaust Gas Recirculation system. The Jeep Performance diesel swap kit's 2.8 diesel doesn't have the troublesome EGR, so expect it to be problem-free. We'll get you more information when we get it. Stay tuned...

Reader Comments:

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1. I wonder what trans will mate to it?

jdemonto - Posted March 10 2008 10:44 PM

2. Looks like it should work for stock auto and manual's. Most custom conversions I have found run auto's.

leehype - Posted April 7 2008 03:06 PM

3. The TJL uses an NV3550, I think this jeep did too.

Mieser - Posted April 22 2008 10:02 AM

4. Will this kit be available for the XJ? I really do not want to hack an Isuzu engine into my Cherokee.

nottus - Posted April 28 2008 12:34 PM

5. The kit pictured here is for a TJ, not for everything as I wrote. I'm sure you could install this into an XJ and it would be much easier than swapping an Isuzu diesel in.

Mopar is still working on the kit. We've heard conflicting stories on what vehicles the kit will work in or be for. The TJ is for sure and we'll let you know about more as soon as we hear about it.

Phil Howell_4Wheel Drive Magazine Editor-in-Chief - Posted April 30 2008 07:08 AM

6. Anyone have a ballpark of how much?

1speedlos - Posted May 6 2008 01:04 PM

7. what do you think would be better this diesel or eaton supercharger for a lj rubicon with 6 inch lift and 35s and the rest stock

brekke - Posted May 14 2008 12:40 PM

8. Any updates on the progress of the kit availability? I haven't seen any new information since May from any reporting sources. Seems to be the same rehashed information from 2 primary sources, this article being one of them.

xdownfornowx - Posted August 13 2008 05:49 AM

9. How are Chrysler's white collar cutbacks affecting this? Hopefully the guys working on this did not get put on the layoff list.

jamesgpeck - Posted August 15 2008 03:12 AM

10. I bought one of these engines out of a 06 liberty to put in my Dakota. Would like more swap info. I need a engine wiring harness and computer.

puter413 - Posted September 7 2008 07:39 AM

11. Kinda got an update today. JeepForum.com had a Q&A with the Jeep engineers with the conversation focused on the Wrangler.

My question and their answer about the progress can be found at the forum, http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/showpost.php?p=5681892&postcount=32

Then my response, http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/showpost.php?p=5681954&postcount=40

Just trying to keep the hope alive.

xdownfornowx - Posted September 9 2008 06:10 PM

12. I've heard that the Italian manufacturers of the 2.8L diesel aren't very interested in supplying the relatively small number of engines Jeep would want for these kits. Remember, 10,000 is a small order for these companies. Jeep is still working hard on making this happen.

Phil Howell_4Wheel Drive Magazine Editor-in-Chief - Posted October 9 2008 06:33 AM

13. I made some calls and found that Jeep is still working hard to bring this kit to the public. As I mentioned, engine availability is hampering the introduction.

I wouldn't mind if Jeep brought out the rest of the swap kit sans engine. I'm sure we could all find a 2.8 diesel in a salvage yard Liberty.

Phil Howell_4Wheel Drive Magazine Editor-in-Chief - Posted October 13 2008 12:50 PM

14. Keep up the good work Phil. I have also been monitoring the diesel swap kit since I heard about it in May08. Its good to know that the idea has not been killed. I can most assuredly tell you that if they come out with that kit, I will be one of the first in line to get it. Again thanks and Keep us posted.

niolons - Posted November 5 2008 04:23 PM

15. Will do. As the economic meltdown continues, news from Mopar gets darker and darker. I get the impression that the diesel kit is less important right now than it was, for obvious reasons. Many have been "retired" and new staffers are manning the helm in some departments. Luckily, those who oversee off-road performance are still there and want to see this kit become available. As I already stated, the kit's development just doesn't seem as important this month, though.

Phil Howell_4Wheel Drive Magazine Editor-in-Chief - Posted December 5 2008 10:08 AM