4BT vs 1.9 / 2.0 TDI

[Rhonda the jeep]

I've finally had it with the gas guzzling 4.0 love the engine just not the fuel economy
So I really want to do a diesel swap. I thought about mercedes/bmw diesels but part availability isn't good where I am in canada
So I'm left with vw of American diesel I'm not concerned with wieght but can't figure out exactly what motor to go with
I'm shooting for 180-200hp

 

[RHanna]

http://www.cotybuilt.com/

 

[Chris]

All poor choices for a swap if you ask me.

 

[Shank]

What are your actual goals in terms of fuel efficiency and drivability?

 

[Rhonda the jeep]

What are your actual goals in terms of fuel efficiency and drivability?

I'm hoping for mid to low 20s for mpg better then the 12mpg I'm getting now and I cruse at 60/65mph at 2300/2400rpm and drivability it to much of a concern as I've driven very sketchy vehicles lot

 

[Rhonda the jeep]

All poor choices for a swap if you ask me.

I'd rather have a diesel then a gas. I use torque more then hp

 

[JP_in_STL]

I drove well over 500,000 miles behind a VW 1.9L ALH (2000-03) and 350K was in a '00 VW Golf that was mildly tuned with RocketChip and some Kerma parts. Mine was probably 165hp but closer to 300ft/lbs as I upgraded to SBC flywheels and clutches because it slipped on steep hills when it was cold temps. My foot is not light, but I consistently saw mid 40s mpg running 75-80mph on the Interstate.

Jeep TJ is about 3300lbs and a brick.
VW Golf was 3000lbs and more aero.

I'd think upper 20s would be doable and the ALH has comparable power or more to the 4.0L. I just bought an LJ that I plan to keep forever and I'm casually keeping an eye out for a donor VW.

 

[Rhonda the jeep]

I drove well over 500,000 miles behind a VW 1.9L ALH (2000-03) and 350K was in a '00 VW Golf that was mildly tuned with RocketChip and some Kerma parts. Mine was probably 165hp but closer to 300ft/lbs as I upgraded to SBC flywheels and clutches because it slipped on steep hills when it was cold temps. My foot is not light, but I consistently saw mid 40s mpg running 75-80mph on the Interstate.

Jeep TJ is about 3300lbs and a brick.
VW Golf was 3000lbs and more aero.

I'd think upper 20s would be doable and the ALH has comparable power or more to the 4.0L. I just bought an LJ that I plan to keep forever and I'm casually keeping an eye out for a donor VW.

How was the reliability. If I went vw I would tune it for the power you have maby a touch more

 

[NDSpeed]

I'm hoping for mid to low 20s for mpg better then the 12mpg I'm getting now and I cruse at 60/65mph at 2300/2400rpm and drivability it to much of a concern as I've driven very sketchy vehicles lot

i am pulling in 24mpg with the R2.8

that’s on 4:10 gears and 31”.

i see how that changes when i mount the 35”

 

[JP_in_STL]

How was the reliability. If I went vw I would tune it for the power you have maby a touch more

Plenty of VW TDIs running around in the 200hp/300tq range these days, and no major emissions crap to deal with. Plenty of motors and parts around. Motor reliability was top notch.

I bought the car with 50K on it and out almost 350K on it over 10yrs. Only thing beyond "maintenance" was an injection pump around 275K. The motor was still going but I had a bad glow plug that was stuck. That meant a CEL, and failed inspection. So in the process of pulling the head to repair (which meant a new timing belt that was done 30K before) the cam had some wear, 1 cyl needed some ring attention, needed a head and valves while in there, and a rebuild was suggested. I had a busted rear spring, needed struts and some other issues. So $6K worth of work in a $3K car with peeling clear coat, I was ready for a change of scenery after 10yrs. Sometimes I think I should have spent the $6K, cheaper in the long run.

 

[PNW_LJ]

One thing to consider is the total cost of the swap. How long is it going to take you to break even on it, with those fuel savings?

 

[Chris]

I'd rather have a diesel then a gas. I use torque more then hp

To each their own!

 

[Rhonda the jeep]

One thing to consider is the total cost of the swap. How long is it going to take you to break even on it, with those fuel savings?

My biggest thing is better mpg gets me better range / less fillups

 

[Rhonda the jeep]

My biggest thing is better mpg gets me better range / less fillups

And to add onto that the fun and learning pays for the swap

 

[Morks]

I am not close to being able to do this kind of swap but as of now the trips I take are all 5hrs plus all highway to get to my offroading spots etc... I love the idea of a fully mechanical alh under the hood... Definitely wouldn't be as efficient as a computer controlled engine but would be a super simple engine bay and a cool little jeep for exploring.

 

[JP_in_STL]

I am not close to being able to do this kind of swap but as of now the trips I take are all 5hrs plus all highway to get to my offroading spots etc... I love the idea of a fully mechanical alh under the hood... Definitely wouldn't be as efficient as a computer controlled engine but would be a super simple engine bay and a cool little jeep for exploring.

Old Flat Fender with a mechanical pump diesel has been my goal for awhile. Stupid simple mechanically. Would be a toy, cruiser and only fun Spring and Fall. Just too many other commitments. But I really wanted this, then Mahindra came along. I want a Roxor, but no electronics.

 

[StG58]

Lots of info here-
https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/building-a-diesel-powered-rhd-tj-wrangler-picture-heavy.15375/
@RustyAutoholicGuy has done the swap.

 

[thedustyboot]

Another thing to consider with OP's questions about diesel swap is the price of fuel up in Canada. Now I know it can be all over the map for everyone in the US as well, but to make my point I pay $2.09 per litre for 87 octane fuel.

My TJ has the 4cyl and an ALH swap would just about double my fuel mileage so even just doing the swap for fuel cost alone is worth it IMO. Not to mention doubling the torque figures compared to the 4cyl gas engine in mine right now.

 

[Morks]

With the amount of driving I do right now (25k km a year) it makes total sense to swap one in. I figure I spend about 4k on fuel a year, times that by owning this tj for 3 years and I'm at 12k. Now when I bought the jeep gas was definitely cheaper, so I went on more wheeling trips and did more km, so I figured it averages out. If I could cut that in half or maybe even take a 1/3 of that total that would add up pretty quickly.

I haven't been looking too hard lately but have seen some alh motors listed for 200-500 and they looked in fair shape. Obviously I would replace all the pieces and gaskets but seems like a worthwhile swap especially going the mechanical route only having to deal with getting the dash (if possible...) and ignition to work. Plus I would be able to submerge the damn thing pretty good happens more often than not on some of these old back roads and offroad trails I explore.

One concern I have is figuring out a way to have a rev limiter as I do like the skinny pedal sometimes playing in the mud/ rocks.

With the added benefit of being able to go further per tank, and not lose as much mileage when towing it seems like a good choice. I also love the idea that in the bush as long as I have 12 volts, or room/ability to bump start the vehicle and a bit of diesel it's just simply going to run (I do lots of solo adventures/wheeling and plan on doing some long trips as far as the road and trails can take me in northern Ontario a with small aluminum boats and such). Long winded but damn I want one... Plus rolling coal!

 

[ColoJeep]

Did you regear to run 35" tires ? , explore the possibility of installing a larger gas tank ? I would think 12 mpg could be improved .
Swaps are cool but expensive , have fun with whatever you figure out !