Need direction on a possible build

[Balzer]

What I have is a 1971 jeep gladiator J-4000 (its a j4800 model or in other words a 1 ton) It was in a front end colision but otherwize in great shape. It has a 360 V8 and an automatic. I would like a diesel engine. It has a very noce alum shell that was custom built for it. Anyway this thread is for ideas and inspiration. I will do an actual build thread in eitherjeep or domestic fullsize. You can chime in about that as well as I dont know where to put it.
Thanks

 

[bftank]

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1027838

diesel j4600 with 10 speed




posting in either forum would be welcome, every body seems pretty knowledgeable around here.

what do you want to use it for?

 

[88Xj]

I myself have been looking for a presmog wagoneer, 75 or older. I've come across a few presmog or diesel burbs, but I can never seem to pull the trigger! I just prefer the wag's.

Anyway I looked up diesel swaps, found out a OM617 CAN be used, but its not going to be very fast, or get the mileage your after..probably low 20s at best. Plus side is the cost is next to nothing! I'd look into a 4bt or a isuzu 4bdt. The Isuzu seems to be cheaper & easier to get ahold of, and rivals the 4bt in perforamce & reports seem to be slightly better mileage as well!
They will have more than enough scoot to more your J series. And I would look into a 5speed..better mileage & its much more fun controlling the gears yourself! The nv4500 would work well & can be had for a decent price. They are behind the bigger 6bt cummins so they will take plenty of abuse!

 

[Revco]

Cummins 12-Valve. That is all.

 

[Balzer]

It would be a camp/adventure rig and a tow vehicle. I would like to be able to tow my TJ to wherever, and camp in the truck. It would probably get drove often as a daily driver and general truck duties so just an all around truck.
I would love a 12v cummins but they are getting hard to find within a decent distance. I would like a 5 speed or an auto with overdrive would work too. Im not totally against a 4bt but would rather a 6bt or even a non electric 7.3L navistar/ford. Either way I want all mechanical non computer diesel.
heres a pic everyone loves pics right?

 

[88Xj]

a 4bt with a few basic mods will get you over 200hp and something like 480-500ftlbs in a 4bt. Thats more than a stock 6bt 12v! Also less weight, less parts, less worry!
And 200-220hp in a 4bt is nothing at all, and it won't effect reliablity that much at all! Cost is less for a rebuild & turbos are cheaper because the smaller motor! Most people are picking up the stock hy35's off the 6bts (which go extremely cheap cause 6bt guys upgrade) And that turbo will be more than enough for 200-220hp.

Weight is a big factor to. A full dressed 6bt weights something like 980-1100lbs. You will need a custom leaf pack up front for sure! More weight - more power to move it! A simple 4bt with a slightly larger snail, a wee bit more fuel & a nice 4" exhaust with an intercooler will tow just about anything & get better mileage & be equal if not better than a stock 12v.
Think cheap here as well! Most dodge, Dmax & powerstroke guys got a 4" exhuast factory and they upgrade to 5"...craigslist hunt for their old 4" and cut & weld, make it work for you! A cheap intercooler..which ever will fit! Stock 6bt turbo, slightly more fuel & 3200 gov springs & your good to go. That setup is actually capable of more than 200 but I'd keep it around there for reliabilty sake.

 

[Revco]

A 4BT would be great, but they are even harder to find than a decent priced 6BT. Either one of those would be my first choice, depending on which one I could find first, and at the right price. After that, it'd be a Chevy LS engine, like a 5.3 or 6.0 out of a '99+ Silverado/Tahoe/Suburban. They can be found CHEAP. Keeping the stock EFI is cheaper than converting to a carb setup. They bolt up to the older GM transmissions easily, and make good power and torque. I picked up an '02 5.3 with 82k miles, complete with wiring harness and ECU for $375 at the local Pick & Pull.