Review: You want to diesel swap your Jeep?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 12 ม.ค. 2021
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A glimpse at how I fit a Volkswagen ALH TDI turbo Diesel engine in my 1949 willys Cj3a Jeep. I get a lot of questions and criticisms about my diesel swap. I decided to address many of them in this video.
Diesel swaps are great but they’re not for everyone. It takes a lot of tools, time knowledge and patience to complete a successful swap. I strongly encourage anyone who is thinking about a swap to do lots of research before they jump in!
#jeepswap
#diesel
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Frome some one whose from the philippines a diesel jeep isnt all that surprising but what surprised me was the diesel engine used being a VW and not the isuzu engines I'm used to seeing. Looks like a lovely swap
Great video 👍 That intro had me laughing 😂
Thanks for sharing! You did a fantastic job fitting that engine in there, really clean install!
PS I wish you a quick recovery 👍
Mike, thank you for the well wishes... the Jeep was quite a project but it’s been totally worth it.
Wow! This was fun (and funny) to watch.
A week ago I was doing my morning Scripture reading and came across an obscure verse in Exodus 36:1, which says in part, "Then called Moses...every wise hearted man, in whose heart the LORD had put wisdom, even everyone whose heart stirred him up to come unto the work [of building the tabernacle]:" When I read that, I considered the great skill and creativity each of those men possessed, which gave them the unique ability to work on the peculiar design of the tabernacle. As I watched what you were able to do, I recalled this verse.
God most definitely has bestowed upon you special wisdom to do what you can do so well. Clearly your heart is "stirred up" to work on and have fun driving your jeeps. I think what you're doing is great! Thanks for sharing this video.
I absolutely love this comment. He is so gifted. Thanks for sharing that verse and perspective!
Ha ha, best Q&A that I’ve seen in a long time! Great fab work with that swap, it looks and sounds awesome. Our ALH powered Golf may donate its motor to a swap eventually but at almost 300,000 it’s still running strong!
Haha thank you! 👏 those things run forever. My daily is a 2003 Jetta tdi wagon. It has 210k on it and I love it. The donor for the Jeep had 135k on it so hopefully it will be around for a long time.
Man that Jeep is coooool!!!👍
Hey there how are ya? I hope you feel better, it’s no fun having sore feet. Thank you for answering the zillions of questions I had rolling around my noggin. You are so right swaps take time and money. I’ve done 2 swaps when I was a young fella. I really like how you did this one, so clean, cleaner than if willys would of done hehehehe. I’m enjoying you content thanks for all ya do and show. God bless you and your beautiful family. Stay safe
Very impressive skills! You should be proud of that sweet Jeep!
Wow that's so much hard work! Kudos to you!
Great video! I don’t know how many times I’ve read through your forum posts doing this build cool to see it condensed in one video!
Thank you! I’ve been wanting to make this video for a long time. 😆
Great looking and running Jeep and thanks for the backstory,very informative.
You’re welcome! Thank you for watching!
There's a line in a movie that says a man's got to know his limitations. I do. I'm never going to attempt this. I sure appreciate your expertise! Fun to watch.
I did a blog covering my 1992 Dodge Caravan with 5 speed manual from the factory... installed a 1.6 VW from a 1983 Jetta (Pure mechanical). Did my own turbo conversion with a 2" aluminum intercooler loop around the entire engine bay. Had to custom fab CV shaft (new), SS Exhaust, engine mounts, cooling lines, etc. etc. Gets 50 mpg @ 70 mph. Pulling a 14' popup camper very well at 75 mph, getting 26 mpg. Converting the gas tank to diesel was fun as internal fuel pump and unleaded nozzle were not welcome. Oh, yeah, converted to a reman manual rack & pinion. Easy to steer in a parking lot as the Caravan (Not Grand Caravan) is actually light.
now looking for a JKU roller to put a 2nd gen 3.0L VM into.
I have a 43 Willys MB that I haven't driven in over 10 years. It was a basket when I got it. Now it has 26K miles on it and just sits. But I do start it every year to keep it limbered up. has a 1975 MB 300 D in it with the 4 speed MB trans with the older floor shift top cover then my steel adapter and spline drive collar to a Scout transfer case with a Warn overdrive. Has over size brakes from later jeep with Spicer power lock in the rear and warn IH auto lock hubs on front. With about 110 hp it's a tractor and when warmed up would run 70 on the freeway. Some day I'll get it going again if I live long enough. I used to go through the bar ditch and up the bank onto a old road or whatever and with the military tires it would leave almost no tracks. In case you'r wondering I'm a machinist and make ANYTHING I feel like. Garry in Oregon
That first start is so satisfying. I didn't do anything this advanced but I did swap a new engine in my '85 Jeep CJ7. I took it on a 900 Mile road trip over Christmas vacation for some off-roading,no issues. So satisfying knowing I rebuilt most of the Jeep myself. Uncomfortable as h#ll but the fun outweighs that by far.
A lot of changes since you did yours , adaptors now to jeep transmissions , forums. Glad I watched your video you are the first to cover exhaust. Found you have to use a cat that is made for diesel , I guess since the exhaust is the simple part they wouldn't cover it. Nice Jeep and a nice job with the swap, you have skills .
Good video! It is amazing what goes into swaps like this. Amazing the work you did. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you! Like all projects I was wondering why I do this to myself about half way through. 😆
@@redeyecafegarage7484 Because you can.
You done nothing short of an excellent job. That includes teaching yourself to TIG weld,those were some nice looking beads you laid down.
I have a 98 TJ and a Yanmar to put in it. It will be a one off too and a lot of research and work. I won't have to buy a TIG torch and teach myself to weld though, I've been doing it for decades.
One word. OUTSTANDING!....Thank you for sharing. I love this! Instantly hit the Subscribe tab and YES to the Thumbs up!
Awesome! Thank you so much for the like and sub! I’m glad you enjoyed the video!!
Right on . That's how you do it . Thank you. Always have something going on. Nice work.
Thanks man!
Great job on the Jeep and the Video! I recognize a couple of those places in the woods in the opening!
Yeah some nice guy let us tear up his woods! 😉
Intro is great! So true. Very nice build.
Thank you!
Amazing work . Very professional..
NICE!!!!!😎👍
I love vehicles that r brought 2 life from bits an pieces from other vehicles!!!
Beautiful job. I just picked up a 79 DJ5G and was considering a diesel swap but I think I’ll stick with the original drivetrain. I was looking for a video like yours. Thank you. Darlington, South Carolina
Great video! I once swapped a Mercedes om616 240d in a CJ-5 Back in the days. I used the 4speed Mercedes gearbox from a Mercedes transporter and made an adapter plate to mate it to the jeep teansferbox. It still works great and the jeep is fun. I run it on 31-10.5-15 tyres and 4.09:1 axle ratio. I couldn't go bigger on tyres as the rpm would drop too much. Mercedes diesels are quite revving and they don't like to be lugged. I have 3000 rpm at 100km/h-62.5m/h which is fine.
I like the volkswagen tdi. Nice compact design with loads of low down torque. Good choice for your willy's👍
Cool! Nice project! Thanks for watching
Great video! Love the torque from the diesel!!
I really like this video. I have alot of power terrain swaps under my belt. It's alot of work. Normally more money than you think. Can be rewarding. I think you have to like the process or just go buy something anyway. You have done a good job on this video! Well done and well put 👍, Mt.
Thanks!
Wow I'm impressed and you're absolutely right this project is not for the light-hearted
However it would be great for next-generation Jeeps who knows instead of getting bigger get smaller like the design concept of a small four-wheel-drive like the Suzuki samurai.
What a professional job!
Thank you!
Thanks for the smiles.
Sure! 😊
Beautiful work!
Thank you buddy
Fantastic job man. That came out clean and beautiful. Definitely the envy of many a jeep guy. Not many people have the know how let alone the time to do that. BTW I hope your feet get healed up quick
Thank you! This video was awhile ago and I’m all healed up from that surgery. Thank you!
@@redeyecafegarage7484 That's fantastic. On to the next project 😉
Excellent video. Thanks RT
You’re welcome. Thanks for watching
@@redeyecafegarage7484
After I watched the video I got on the CJ2A forum and read all 36 pages of your build. I learned a lot about Jeeps in general as well as engine swapping. I use AutoCad software. I wish you had sketched the adapter plates. I could have drawn them for you and put them in PDF format.
Anyway great build.
BTW I love the color. I drive a 2014 Toyota FJ Cruiser TTUE almost the same color. Thanks again RT
I love it I got to try that with mine
I want to build one, it’s my ideal jeep: efficient, reliable, and lots of low end torque.
Very nice and clean diesel swap! I just bought a used 2.8 CRD Liberty for $500. Im gonna try to swap it into a ‘02 TJ. Hope it looks half as clean as your Jeep when done.
Thank you and have fun!
Love the jacket
Thanks James!
A work of art
Thank you!
Thank you!
really nice build man !!!
Thank you!
So rad!
Nice job 👍
Love it!
Thanks for watching!
wow good job. I put you in the master class.......
Thank you!
hi there real fine job thanks john
Nice Willys Jeep build!
Thank you!
My head hurts just thinking about doing this. LOL
My head hasn’t been the same since! 😆
Great jeep
Love it.
Thanks!
I knew you in Insta! I will follow you! Great great job! Its a dream than you can came true. I would like to do it with my grandpa CJ3B, but I can't. I do not have the knowlage.
Just one more question: What break system you have? Disc? has this beast ABS??
awesome job ! may i ask what part of pa ya from ? couldnt help but notice all the moutians
That thing is pretty darn cool. I’m impressed with what you’ve done here. How much improvement in HP/torque does that TDI did you over get what came stock in that Jeep? I’m not a Jeep nut, but I can’t imagine they had much power.
Thanks! Yeah it’s a big boost in performance and economy. Stock the Jeep made 60hp and around 120ft lbs of torque at around 12-17 mpg. With the tdi I’m making 120hp 215ftlbs or torque and averaging 35mpg. I love it.
Enjoined your struggles and can do it attitude….based on your battle and others….a vw repower would never be on my list…but a kubota or Cummins of course….
Haha thank you but Cummins is too big/heavy/noisy and kubota is expensive and underpowered! 😆Vw is perfect!
@@redeyecafegarage7484 one of my future projects is a samurai Kubota repower …… and two Incomplete projects are a 56 travel-all 6bta and 80 traveler 4bta…..heavy yes but not powerless.
@@redeyecafegarage7484 also wanted to wish your footsies a bouncing recovery….and what did they remove..?
Please tell us about your jeep front spacer and tyre size
I like your q&a, I am still laughing. I was wondering what gears you are running and if you are still running a stock t90 trans/ spicer18 t-case?
Haha thanks! I’m running a t-18 and a spicer 18. The axle gears are 5.38.
Sounds like a old Detroit Haha good job
👍
Now that was just Hilarious!!!!!🤣 The pretty nurse let you off the couch huh? 😆
I was not aware of him being out in the garage! I had an appointment. I’m gone for 2 hours and he’s out in the garage! Lol
@@andreahensler6624 he's a sneaky one.🤣 but that was comical with all the character personalities he played. 😄
He’s very funny and clever! I’m glad he shared a couple of his impressions with the world. He’s always making us laugh.
😂 😆 I snuck out! 😉
SaWEET install! Hell of a lot cheaper than getting one of those Cummins 2,8 liter crate motors (though not quite as 'stout').
I had thought...what if? What if I were to stuff a TDI into, say, a Mazda Miata? In the OLD VW Rabbits, the non-turbo diesels (from back in the late70's/early 80's) would regularly get 40-45 mpg. In something much more aerodynamic (like a Miata)...and with a turbo...might I get something more akin to 50-60 mpg? I'm just a (well-seasoned) shade-tree mechanic (though I've got several years under my belt of being a professional line mechanic)...but I have these weird semi-dreams and visions of such creations. Diesel powered Baja, anyone? (And I know for a fact that THAT could really happen....)
Why not. Nothing wrong with a diesel engine in a Willys or Ford Jeep. Good for the environment, makes more co2 .
that is slicker than owl shit! Very Cool......
Thanks!
Two of the best "sounds" ......diesel clatter, and......racking a shotgun. Love the smell of diesel fuel in the early AM.
Howdy. Great work. What machine tools did you use to complete? Not brand as much as capacity. What specialty measuring tools do you think had the most value? Thanks so much. I've been collecting and note taking and reading for over a year. Still short one part or one decision and a bunch of parts. Not sure.
Yeehaw
Hello, my machines are pretty small this project was about as big a parts as they can handle. Jus have to take very small bites and go slow. I have a full shop of indicators and micrometers. That is pretty important. Layout and measurement has to be spot on. You won’t really need to go to 10ths for this project but I kept my tolerances at +/- .002 any more than .004 and you’re going to have issues. There are people running stuff worse than that but it’s only a matter of time
Till it causes and expensive ooops at an inconvenient time and place, my prototype was off by a few thousands and wrecked a pilot bearing in about 2000 miles. Had to pull it all back apart... replaced the clutch pilot and remade the adapter. It’s a very critical part.
I was waiting and looking for this video! thanks a lot, that was great. And the intro was hilarious!
The question i still have is why did you put the motor so far back? Did you have clearance issues with front diff? Is the oil pan lower than the one from the F134 engine? thanks
Thansk! Sure, glad you liked it. The oil pan is actually a little higher than the f-head. The engine isn’t actually any farther back than the f-head. I left the transmission in the stock location. This allowed me to retain the factory transmission mounts and I didn’t have to make new driveshafts. The Vw engine is just that much more compact. It’s lighter and keeps the weight more centralized in the chassis. Moving it forward would have been more work to move everything forward. But it does surprise most people when I pop the hood. The front diff is close but is just enough to the right that it doesn’t hit. Just like with the f-head.
@@redeyecafegarage7484 thank you very much!
Absolutely! Anytime I can help let me know! Thanks for watching!
Mahindra made DI turbo diesel with Five transmission with four wheel and rear wheel drive available
India.It is widely used in Bolero,Bolero pick up ,Mahindra commander ,MM540 in India.This engine with transmission is directly fitted to the willys easily .You have try to import the used engine from India.
It is least maintenance engine .Whole originalspares are cheap and available .It is supplied by
Mahindra
hahahaha so funny you get many personality for the comments
I had fun filming it. Thanks for watching!
Thanks for doing this vid! Very much enjoyed. Can you comment on why you went the tdi route and not kubota? Contemplating the kubota swap with the overland diesel kit myself. Cheers
That’s a question that will require more than the comments section to cover. Haha! But....in a nutshell, I chose the tdi because of the low cost high performance and ease of finding the engine. You can buy a whole car for $500-1000 the make around 100hp stock and can easily make lots more... and they are capable of high rpm so you’re not limited to with top speed. The kubota engines are hard to find and very expensive. They have 37hp so you have to put an expensive turbo on them. Then you’re at maybe 70hp but still limited to 2500-2800 rpm. With the tdi I can also roll into and autozone and get parts... and if my tdi blows up I can get on Craigslist and buy two more...(they commonly last 400k miles) But that’s just my opinion.
The biggest advantage to the kubota is that it’s the only Diesel engine you can buy the adapter kits for. So....if you are unable to make your own adapter but have the money to do a kubota swap then it’s your only option.
@@redeyecafegarage7484 Thanks for the reply, makes sense. I must admit, shocked to hear you bring top speed into the convo! LOL Im def into the later category of more money than machining skills. Its on my list to buy a vertical mill and learn a thing or 2. It would be my first swap, so feeling more comfortable with a premade adaptor I think. There would still be room to put some custom touches on the swap IMO. Has the rest of the drivetrain held up to 100+hp?
@@brettrogers4485 haha yeah after the fact I remembered the top speed question. 😆 that would have been perfect! Yes the drivetrain has he’s up well nuts not completely stock though. The 10 spline axles are definitely my weak point. I did break one of them but it had been beat on by the previous owner so who knows what condition it was in.
@@redeyecafegarage7484 The TDI is probably the "smarter" swap but the kubota has 50hp n/a and with a turbo makes anywhere from 70-100hp depending on boost. The hp is pretty low cause like you said they only rev to ~3100 if you swap the gov spring(its a factory part that allows 3100rpm). HP is work X time blah blah blah
Conservatively you're looking at 70-80hp and 175-190tq to the wheels with ~10-15psi from dyno runs/charts I've seen.
I've seen 100hp 300tq at 30psi to the wheels on a dyno but I think thats too much for the engine reliably. From what I've read about em from non willys swappers safe boost is anywhere under 20.
Part of me thinks I'd be smarter to do something like a tdi but I really like the idea of the kubota, especially with it being all mechanical. Time will tell I guess.
How could you possibly put those all together in one lifetime?
How fast does it go? 😁
None of your business!!!! 😆
I think if you want to diesel swap anything you should buy a rusty old 300D and drive it for a few winters first.
Meh.. already done that. I swapped a 617 into a jeep. The tdi is way better for a jeep.
@@redeyecafegarage7484 ya I just mean get the frustrations out then everything seems better.
My only question: do you plan to do it again with another Jeep?
My next question: do you know any history of this Jeep? Because they've ALL got stories.
I would totally do another diesel Jeep.... but I’m doing the gmc diesel swap right now. Sadly I don’t have much history on this Jeep. It was a million pieces when I bought it. The owner started working on it and bought some parts then decided to sell it.
Hey man, fantastic build brother. I’ve considered it myself. I may have missed it, but of curiosity what size tires, what axle ratio and what transmission are you running?
Hi, I’m running 7.50-16 tires 5.38 gears and a t18 4speed. Thanks for watching!
Hmm, interesting! That’s a pretty normal setup; nothing too wild or unobtainable. So in one of your other videos I saw you rowing through 8 gears. Was that a different Jeep then or....?
@@andymorgan7675 it’s the same Jeep. It has an auxiliary overdrive/splitter on the back of the transfer case. That gives it 16 possible forward ratios and 4 reverses.
Ok, I figured you had an OD on it. WARN? Something similar?
@@andymorgan7675 Saturn.
I love it so much. I just finished my 84CJ7 with the ALH. I agree that this isn't a difficult swap, but it is VERY time consuming.
I did an ALH as well with a GTD1756VK turbo, .260 injectors, and a Tekmektronics tune. I too, wanted it to be clean, so I'm tuned down.
I did the wiring, rebuild the engine and transmission, welded the mounts, and everything else that was needed.
Here's mine: th-cam.com/video/fyU175Xym_M/w-d-xo.html
That’s awesome! Very nice project you have there!
@@redeyecafegarage7484 Thanks!
nice job, what happened to your feet? hope they jeal quick.
Thanks! Just some old running injuries catching up to me.
Stud
If it was easy girls would be doing it 😅
Does that thing roll coal? 😂😂😂
Haha not exactly!
Spoiler alert, next dumb question is ; “Hey dude! That vibration killed your feet didn’t it?”
Haha the doctors said I have to quit diesel swapping stuff or I’ll need this surgery again! 😆
I recently just picked up a 1950 jeep Willy Overland currently has a V-8 Ford flathead. I am truly interested in Kabota swap diesel. I’ll be removing the Ford as soon as I get a chance.
Consider a tdi or something else. Kubotas are expensive and offer very little power gains over a stock 4cyl flathead.