Trail Monkey
Adventurer, Overland Certified OC0014
Has anyone built up a new Diesel Grand Cherokee Yet for overland use?
would love to see some photos and details...
would love to see some photos and details...
Diesel Grand Cherokee
- Thread starter Trail Monkey
- Start date
IXNAYXJ
Adventurer
I got rear-ended by one at EJS.... But it was on purpose by a Chrysler exec. 
Very cool truck, and the MOPAR lift kit they are offering is perfect for the rig and about 33" tires. It was able to go a lot of places in Moab, to the consternation of solid axle fans the world over.
-----Matt-----
Very cool truck, and the MOPAR lift kit they are offering is perfect for the rig and about 33" tires. It was able to go a lot of places in Moab, to the consternation of solid axle fans the world over.
-----Matt-----
Trail Monkey
Adventurer, Overland Certified OC0014
i was thinking about building another expo rig with abit of extra ability in the rock crawling area and a bit more comfort than my LJ. i keep coming back to the grand cherokee diesel as a viable option.
because any other truck ive considered with all the add ons and upgrades and camp loaded weight will for the most part be underpowered. which makes me want to consider repowering from the start. however its $15k-$20k for a 5.7 hemi conversion in a JK.
why not just start with the cherokee diesel..??
what are some of your thoughts on this?
Im looking to run 35" with dynatrac 60's and as little lift as needed to accomplish that, with a good shock setup to handle wash boards well.
because any other truck ive considered with all the add ons and upgrades and camp loaded weight will for the most part be underpowered. which makes me want to consider repowering from the start. however its $15k-$20k for a 5.7 hemi conversion in a JK.
why not just start with the cherokee diesel..??
what are some of your thoughts on this?
Im looking to run 35" with dynatrac 60's and as little lift as needed to accomplish that, with a good shock setup to handle wash boards well.
XXXpedition
Explorer
i like the idea! i'mlooking forward to the build-up.
is the diesel jk available in the USA? i'm surprised the GC is... (or are you doing this in nicaragua?)
is the diesel jk available in the USA? i'm surprised the GC is... (or are you doing this in nicaragua?)
Trail Monkey
Adventurer, Overland Certified OC0014
The Diesel cherokee is available in some US states. Not NY but i would buy a slightly used one out of state, then its allowed to beregistered in NY.
No diesel JK's here yet..
No diesel JK's here yet..
RedDog
Explorer
To expand on the US answer, the diesel is available in Canada in the Grand Cherokee but ranges from a $3,665. option on the Laredo to a $1,500. option on the Overland model - which has the Hemi V8 standard. No diesel is offered in Canada on the JK Wrangler.
The small town rural dealer I bought my TJ at always has at least one diesel Grand Cherokee in stock but I haven't seen one yet under $50,000. before taxes and fees.
The small town rural dealer I bought my TJ at always has at least one diesel Grand Cherokee in stock but I haven't seen one yet under $50,000. before taxes and fees.
OS-Aussie
Adventurer
I have almost 8,000 miles on my Diesel 08 Cherokee and love it.
However for any hardcore off road I don't think it is the right solution. However for Expedition type work it should be fine. I towed about 7,000 lbs from Dallas to Moab and back two weeks ago and it handled it well (Wrangler on trailer). I did think at time the mileage was lower than I may have liked but there were strong head winds both ways for the trip and I was as full legal speed.
I do plan some moderate upgrades in the future such as a small lift and some protection from 4x4 Guard. I plan and staying fairly close to stock with this Jeep as my Wrangler is a bit over the top.
I would still love to see the 3.0 CRD in the 4 door JK, that would rock.
However for any hardcore off road I don't think it is the right solution. However for Expedition type work it should be fine. I towed about 7,000 lbs from Dallas to Moab and back two weeks ago and it handled it well (Wrangler on trailer). I did think at time the mileage was lower than I may have liked but there were strong head winds both ways for the trip and I was as full legal speed.
I do plan some moderate upgrades in the future such as a small lift and some protection from 4x4 Guard. I plan and staying fairly close to stock with this Jeep as my Wrangler is a bit over the top.
I would still love to see the 3.0 CRD in the 4 door JK, that would rock.
On some jeep sites folks with 4 inch lifts and big tires are having issues with their traction control.
The current wk is a very complicated vehicle with lots and lots of sensors.
I would carefully research what you need to do if making major changes because upsetting the traction control can lead to it wanting to cut engine power.
the mercedes engine and transmission work together very well in stock form.
I plan a 2 inch old man emu lift with higher rate springs, old man emu may be close to letting their front suspension loose to the public but I am not going to do this for a couple years I expect.
the 4x4 gaurd rock sliders and some of their other stuff are well thought out and also where I will probably go for more armor for my jeep.
Some interior changes for sleeping and making camping mor enjoyable are the items I am working on now.
I don't intend to take things to extremes so the wk is an excellant starting point.
I don't know if I would want to get into going to a solid axle swap if it is going to require major changes or elimination of the traction control setup.
Then again, part of why I bought a diesel wk is because to me it is one heck of a starting point and it just looks like my finish line comes sooner than yours.
The current wk is a very complicated vehicle with lots and lots of sensors.
I would carefully research what you need to do if making major changes because upsetting the traction control can lead to it wanting to cut engine power.
the mercedes engine and transmission work together very well in stock form.
I plan a 2 inch old man emu lift with higher rate springs, old man emu may be close to letting their front suspension loose to the public but I am not going to do this for a couple years I expect.
the 4x4 gaurd rock sliders and some of their other stuff are well thought out and also where I will probably go for more armor for my jeep.
Some interior changes for sleeping and making camping mor enjoyable are the items I am working on now.
I don't intend to take things to extremes so the wk is an excellant starting point.
I don't know if I would want to get into going to a solid axle swap if it is going to require major changes or elimination of the traction control setup.
Then again, part of why I bought a diesel wk is because to me it is one heck of a starting point and it just looks like my finish line comes sooner than yours.
OS-Aussie
Adventurer
biere said:
You need the AEV computer to address this issue.
I was advised to wait until after July for Superlift and AEV to release gen II for the WK. Moab was good to finding out all kinds of info. The Superlift guys were real nice to me and let me have my Wrangler in their display area for a while as I was having some ECU work done which appeared to be the same issue as Rat Fink was having (fault in the ECU for the O2 sensors). And no I don't have a Superlift on my Wrangler so they scored a lot of points with me for the consideration.
The guy from 4x4 guard also appears willing to discount full packages.
I however agree that maybe 2" of lift and some protection will be close to being right.
Trail Monkey
Adventurer, Overland Certified OC0014
thanks for the info guys. this helps direct my decision alot. im dreaming some how of an expo/crawl rig with a diesel. i guess theres lots of that dreaming going on. just thought this truck might be the solution. sounds like its a bit off still. maybe the diesel JK will come soon...
As mentioned, there are companies working on figuring things out.
I plan to keep it mild since I am finally realizing I won't be trying to take my vehicle and prove it can accomplish anything that others can do.
I want my vehicle to easily handle what I consider middle of the road stuff, basically if you rate stuff on a 1 to 5 scale I want it built for a 3 level and most of my travels will be 2 or 2.5 I figure. And this is my scale, I don't have enough experience on real rated trails to see how realistic this is going to be.
If companies get everything figured out and it becomes a no brainer to run a 4 inch lift and bigger tires I would be much more willing to consider that as long as all the traction control issues are fixed and I mean fixed right.
I have screwed around with mods enough as a young kid without enough money to be sick and tired of the "works pretty good but has some quircks" sort of stuff.
The nice thing I am seeing from the folks running 4 inches of lift and bigger tires than I would run at that level of lift is they are not tearing up cv shafts and joints and stuff. The jeep seems to handle mods really well and the nice thing about the diesel is I already consider it geared too low for how I drive it 85% of the time.
Right now I am past 5k and headed for my 6k oil change, I can't wait until 12k even though most of my driving is longer trips of 20+ miles.
I need to get my window regulator on the driver's side messed with eventually, not imediately though.
I want a lot more miles on it before thinking about how far I want to take it.
But others are taking it pretty far, go search for jeep sites with wk sections and do some reading.
I plan to keep it mild since I am finally realizing I won't be trying to take my vehicle and prove it can accomplish anything that others can do.
I want my vehicle to easily handle what I consider middle of the road stuff, basically if you rate stuff on a 1 to 5 scale I want it built for a 3 level and most of my travels will be 2 or 2.5 I figure. And this is my scale, I don't have enough experience on real rated trails to see how realistic this is going to be.
If companies get everything figured out and it becomes a no brainer to run a 4 inch lift and bigger tires I would be much more willing to consider that as long as all the traction control issues are fixed and I mean fixed right.
I have screwed around with mods enough as a young kid without enough money to be sick and tired of the "works pretty good but has some quircks" sort of stuff.
The nice thing I am seeing from the folks running 4 inches of lift and bigger tires than I would run at that level of lift is they are not tearing up cv shafts and joints and stuff. The jeep seems to handle mods really well and the nice thing about the diesel is I already consider it geared too low for how I drive it 85% of the time.
Right now I am past 5k and headed for my 6k oil change, I can't wait until 12k even though most of my driving is longer trips of 20+ miles.
I need to get my window regulator on the driver's side messed with eventually, not imediately though.
I want a lot more miles on it before thinking about how far I want to take it.
But others are taking it pretty far, go search for jeep sites with wk sections and do some reading.
XXXpedition
Explorer
i don't know.... so far the jk only comes with the 2.8l CRD
OS-Aussie
Adventurer
WK protection from 4x Guard
http://www.4xguard.com/Products/Types%20of%20Skid%20Plates.html
and check out these rocker guards
http://www.4xguard.com/Products/Side%20Guard%20HC.v2.html
2.8 Diesel in an 2003 Wrangler ............
People are already doing the retrofit
3.0 CRD Chip
http://www.dpchip.com.au/products.html
DP-31/DP-21
This DPChip is extremely compact around the size of a small mobile phone and is used on Common-rail injected diesels such BMW X5 and Mercedes CRD engines. It features a harness with original plugs for ease of fitting and is pre-set to your vehilce by us. Further adjustable tuning is possible, either manually with the10 pre-programmed power setting dial (as shown in the picture) or electronically via lap top tuning (at our premises or one of our official distributors). This DPChip has several unique features such as the laptop tuning and easy to fit plugs. Fitting takes less than twenty minutes on most vehicles.
The DP31 system is designed to work with Common Rail injection systems that use both Magnetic Solenoid controlled injectors and the latest Piezo Solenoid controlled injectors. This style of system of injection system is very old and for example is how EFI petrol cars have operated for many years now by utilising individual electronically controlled injectors with fuel pressure being supplied to all injectors via a common source (fuel rail). Now, the DP31 is actually installed in a series connection situation so signaling is actually running through this style of DPChip. Again the DPChip DP31 is programmed to read the vehicles ECU signals and determine the engines present operating conditions. The DPChip DP31 makes changes to TWO areas; 1 area altered due to the DPChip is the injector start of injection (timing) and duration of time the injector is open (fuel volume) and the 2nd area altered by the DPChip being fuel rail pressure (fuel volume). These 3 points are altered by the DPChip through Digital signal changes and Voltage changes. This differentiates the DPChip DP31 from European Chips that are either altering fuel rail pressure only for more fuel volume, or by holding the injector open longer for more fuel volume! Not very efficient in any terms.
The DP-21 is for New Common Rail Hilux and some other CRD vehicles and is similar to the DP-31 but with Hilux and other vehicle specific hardware and programming.
Click here to find your nearest distributor
We can also post pack direct to you for an additional $15 postage (within Australia) if you wish to order direct. Simply phone or fax your order details on the numbers below and we can send same day.
Each DPChip comes with detailed illustrated fitting instructions so they can be easily self installed, alternately any auto electrician could fit it for you.
The DP-31 is a simple self install plug and play fitting using original adapter plugs and fits in around 5 mins.
If you are having the DPChip fitted please contact the individual fitter regarding their installation costs as these can vary.
http://www.4xguard.com/Products/Types%20of%20Skid%20Plates.html
and check out these rocker guards
http://www.4xguard.com/Products/Side%20Guard%20HC.v2.html
2.8 Diesel in an 2003 Wrangler ............
People are already doing the retrofit
3.0 CRD Chip
http://www.dpchip.com.au/products.html
DP-31/DP-21
This DPChip is extremely compact around the size of a small mobile phone and is used on Common-rail injected diesels such BMW X5 and Mercedes CRD engines. It features a harness with original plugs for ease of fitting and is pre-set to your vehilce by us. Further adjustable tuning is possible, either manually with the10 pre-programmed power setting dial (as shown in the picture) or electronically via lap top tuning (at our premises or one of our official distributors). This DPChip has several unique features such as the laptop tuning and easy to fit plugs. Fitting takes less than twenty minutes on most vehicles.
The DP31 system is designed to work with Common Rail injection systems that use both Magnetic Solenoid controlled injectors and the latest Piezo Solenoid controlled injectors. This style of system of injection system is very old and for example is how EFI petrol cars have operated for many years now by utilising individual electronically controlled injectors with fuel pressure being supplied to all injectors via a common source (fuel rail). Now, the DP31 is actually installed in a series connection situation so signaling is actually running through this style of DPChip. Again the DPChip DP31 is programmed to read the vehicles ECU signals and determine the engines present operating conditions. The DPChip DP31 makes changes to TWO areas; 1 area altered due to the DPChip is the injector start of injection (timing) and duration of time the injector is open (fuel volume) and the 2nd area altered by the DPChip being fuel rail pressure (fuel volume). These 3 points are altered by the DPChip through Digital signal changes and Voltage changes. This differentiates the DPChip DP31 from European Chips that are either altering fuel rail pressure only for more fuel volume, or by holding the injector open longer for more fuel volume! Not very efficient in any terms.
The DP-21 is for New Common Rail Hilux and some other CRD vehicles and is similar to the DP-31 but with Hilux and other vehicle specific hardware and programming.
Click here to find your nearest distributor
We can also post pack direct to you for an additional $15 postage (within Australia) if you wish to order direct. Simply phone or fax your order details on the numbers below and we can send same day.
Each DPChip comes with detailed illustrated fitting instructions so they can be easily self installed, alternately any auto electrician could fit it for you.
The DP-31 is a simple self install plug and play fitting using original adapter plugs and fits in around 5 mins.
If you are having the DPChip fitted please contact the individual fitter regarding their installation costs as these can vary.
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