SAR JK r2.8 Cummins conversion

[superbuickguy]

Picking on a Ford when your driving a Hoity Toity BUICK?

Sadly all of my Buicks are towed and none of my Fords are being towed. Of course, I don't own any Fords - so there is that....

 

[superbuickguy]

time to finish it up. One major thing is I get to rewire the rear - the battery and inverter is all now a Breeze 1600 watt e-generator. This combines a lot - and adds battery powered a/c to keep the pups cool even when it's not cool out

2 batteries for the back

a lot of clean up in the engine compartment

inside as well, I need to get a set of lights working (and rewire the other off-road lights)

this side isn't so bad but I need to fix the throttle pedal - the way it's designed puts the pedal about parallel with the floor... not comfortable

 

[superbuickguy]

so back to this... first problem, went to the gas station and realized I need a bigger hole

I have a list of stuff to fix and finish... it's not terribly long but the fuel fill and the gas pedal are at the very top of the list...
To be honest, I have no idea (not in the instructions either) about where the pedal should be mounted in relation to your foot. I know for 100% sure that spot isn't found by using the Jeep pedal studs... go figure...
What else? cabin wiring, make things look pretty under the hood, realign the steering wheel, put new tires on it... then let my wife drive it for awhile to get the 'real' list... but before i give it to her... that fuel pedal and fuel filler will be fixed.

 

[superbuickguy]

time to make voltage

now in place

and some thinning of wires in the engine compartment

next the drawers go back in

also fixed the throttle pedal...

 

[superbuickguy]

alrighty then, not a lot of posts but doing a lot of stupid stuff that doesn't picture well.
in that theme, I removed the fill tube, drilled the hole out to 1" then reinstalled... this is reinstalled

put the boxes back in the back

and the list. I plan on driving this this next week. For reasons, my Colorado hit a post.... could have been worse but it munched the rear corner of the bed - so it's down while I fix that.

and I know you're all wondering - how does it drive. Like a diesel semi. The transmission was probably the wrong choice at this point (but not after I turn it up?) - Nothing happens fast. It hauls down the freeway at ticket-level speeds (more than 10 over) but it doesn't happen quickly.

 

[superbuickguy]

back to the Jeep. The weird sound - almost like a boost leak but not quite. I hope this is the problem

I think I'll weld the flanges together then use a V-band to make it removeable. I spent some quality time on this trying to find the noise... hope it's it. Otherwise, this may go do its purpose this week.... Colorado needs some love (after all, she put 75,000 miles on it since she got it last March)... so this goes back into service. Still have several things to do but none of them prevent it from being used while doing that stuff:
- for those curious-
- back 1/2 bench
- install the zero breeze battery
- install a charge plug on the outside
- turn off the dash lights

things I'll do before it leaves
- coolant reservoir (oops, forgot that)
- exhaust leak
- shore power plug
- straighten steering wheel
- figure out backup camera
- and most importantly, figure out why I'm getting a 3597 code (unstable switched power)

it does drive fine, if not a bit slow. Once it gets up to speed, cruising at 80 isn't an issue. It's funny, you never notice the dash light issue sure - they're on, but really not noticeable.

 

[fisher205]

"It's funny, you never notice the dash light issue sure - they're on, but really not noticeable."
Put the stickers off of your bananas over them and they go away. That's what a friend of mine's daughter did.

 

[superbuickguy]

if I can't turn them off with HPTuners, I'll paint them black

Wiring
switched a wire and now have a master switch

off

on

and now with a cover

as the top doesn't leak enough.... a new hole

for shore power

and riveted in place

and we need a seat in back
so why a cooler seat?

whip up a couple brackets

just need to strap it down and craft a couple cushions

 

[superbuickguy]

new Sandpoint shop... at least, temp shop. done vehicles are there, this one is next to travel this week

but first, fix an exhaust leak

with a v-band

then install an overflow bottle

and PCV line

and finally install the cooler/seat

pad comes later this week.... then onto the trailer and northbound.

 

[superbuickguy]

Soooo
long story short, bottom end sounds like it's losing a rod cap.
Took it to Cummins to diagnose the throttle issue and an electrical gremlin. Both were more installer error.... but when they got done, suddenly it had a rod knock.
We thought it was coming from the transmission.... it's not

ATM it's parked, I'm so disgusted with this thing that I frankly don't want to look at it. I'll get back to it but tomorrow will be the fun of finding out how to get a new motor under warranty.... wish me luck

 

[AggieOE]

Oh you have to kidding. That's so frustrating. You looking at going with a direct replacement or something different?

 

[superbuickguy]

Oh you have to kidding. That's so frustrating. You looking at going with a direct replacement or something different?

I'm not buying another r2.8.... I'd rather buy nothing (or even better, find a new way to make a spun bearing noise).... but this is the 2.8's chance.

With that said, there is a 3rd possibility which channels my inner Vice Grip Garage.... but we won't mention that yet.

 

[ITTOG]

Man, what horrible luck. Hopefully you will be able to repair it fairly easily.

 

[superbuickguy]

pictures
started with a clean pan

but wait, no fuzzies

there is no airgap .... ugh, all the worry for nothing

For those who wonder what this looks like installed

I know it looks like it fills the space, thing is, to not have to shorten driveshafts, enlargen the tunnel, and figure out a new shifter for the tr-4050... the motor is at least 4" forward.... that said, it does take a lot of width

 

[Deleted Member 183]

First off let me admit, I'm biased towards Mercedes turbo diesel motors, so if I come off like I'm "trolling"... Sorry in advance!

Secondly, I know nothing about the newer Cummins motors ( I know quite a bit about 4BT, 6BTAA, & 6CTAA motors though).

My first concern would be the "electronic" integration of the motor to the vehicles "brain".

My second concern would be the your wife's work vehicle going FORD ( found off road DEAD), and putting her and the dogs in peril!

Third being that now in "modern times", you/ she will get "laughed" out of most repair shops because the new breed of mechanics only know "plug & play" ( goes back to my first concern).

ALL NEW DIESELS now have VERY complicated injection & emission systems to meet federal standards ( you can thank "bonehead" California for that!!!). Thus, making swapping from gas to diesel a more or less "mute" point!

Here is a picture of the Mercedes OM602 DE2.9LA that I put in my Jeep Scrambler.

View attachment 834906

Click to expand...

I'm not sure why you're bringing this up in here. Honestly, if I wanted or cared for an opinion; I'd ask.
What you like is fine, I don't care what you like nor do I particularly care why you like it.
Which is the nicest way you'll get me to say - post your own thread and leave mine alone.
continuing on.

Look at the bright side...It doesn't seem like you have to worry about my second concern!