Diesel Cummins ?Improvements? and Swap

[jmedia]

Hey all, I've been a way for a while, school is keeping me real busy(but I'm studying to help make the world a better place )

but when summer stars I want to dive in on my project, a 1988 Jeep Grand Wagoneer (a flying brick) conversion to diesel. The diesel in mind is a 5.9 Cummins out of a dodge.

Now most of the people on the cummins forum could care less about the environment and take pride in black smoke which really drives me nuts(I'm not saying all do, just a lot) so many are mostly concerned with power or mpg with no regard to the environment.

I wanted to hear your ideas for improving the mpg once I drop it in. I don't have a lead foot and usually am a pretty sensible driver. I am interested in the BD brewing process as well.

If I were completely dreaming and had more money(a lot more) I would find a way to make the vehicle a diesel hybrid. Hopefully I can pursue this in tHe future.

So besides that, any body have this engine? Even if you don't, what kind of diesel improvements are out there? I am open to all suggestions and thank you for your help ahead of time!

[vskid3]

Why not a Cummins 4BT? Would probably be better for you if your main goal is fuel mileage, unless you will be towing a lot. The 4btswaps forums look like they would be more sympathetic to your mileage endeavors than most diesel forums, whether you use a 4BT or 5.9.

[jmedia]

I would LOVE to do a 4BT but due to California Smog Laws that swap is not legal.
At this point I am actually not 100% that the 5.9 is legal either but I'll be talking to a CARB referee soon enough

[Big Dave]

You do realize that a Cummins six weighs as much as two Chevy rat motors?

If you wanna go Cummins, I'd recommend a bigger vehicle - a Surburban as a minimum.

[jmedia]

Well aware, and its been done before.

AND if I was gonna change anything I'd change the engine not the vehicle. Love my wag

[bgd73]

Originally Posted by Big Dave

You do realize that a Cummins six weighs as much as two Chevy rat motors?

If you wanna go Cummins, I'd recommend a bigger vehicle - a Surburban as a minimum.

I agree completely. My family hung onto jeeps per grandmas request.. the inline gas was a front end muncher.. (in maine , where jeeps have to act like one.)

Where do these ideas come from? a 5.9 six could bend a truck frame.. they are never ever balanced EVER. (I am mauled by a six cyl that bent a frame) Don't play games with that jeep.

go get a 5.2 liter and carb it..with carb cams, 2 barrel.. mid 20s is easy. ask questions at a hot rod forum. The 318 had some lean burners over the years.
the jeep cherokees even had a short lifed four banger.. if you can find any, maybe keep a spare and go that route.

[bryn]

what about a Mercedes diesel? an older 5 cyl with a turbo ought to be more than enough to get you down the road just fine. if its a california model should be simple to get it smoged. someone awhile back was dropping a four cyl into an s10, i'm sure there is some info around

[jmedia]

Originally Posted by bgd73

I agree completely. My family hung onto jeeps per grandmas request.. the inline gas was a front end muncher.. (in maine , where jeeps have to act like one.)

Where do these ideas come from? a 5.9 six could bend a truck frame.. they are never ever balanced EVER. (I am mauled by a six cyl that bent a frame) Don't play games with that jeep.

go get a 5.2 liter and carb it..with carb cams, 2 barrel.. mid 20s is easy. ask questions at a hot rod forum. The 318 had some lean burners over the years.
the jeep cherokees even had a short lifed four banger.. if you can find any, maybe keep a spare and go that route.

Personally just don't like gas engines. But I guess your right even though the Grand Wagoneer is a 5,000 pound behemoth. Guess I'll keep my eye out for both, but I still would prefer the 5.9 and it has been done several times and time tested.

The Mercedes diesel would be nice but they are quite pricey. And anothe CA laws says the engine has to be from the same year or newer

[jmedia]

Though I am having a hard time believing pulling mid 20s easy out of a v8 gasser....

[ShadeTreeMech]

You might also look at the 3.3L QSB common rail Cummins. It gets excellect economy but has roughly the same power as the 3.9L 4BT and is a bit lighter.

The 5 cyl mercedes found in Dodge Sprinters are excellect, from what I've heard and are economical, plus they rev a lot higher (about 5k rpm IIRC)

the 4BT has been around forever, and it is a 6BT (5.9 L) minus 2 cylinders, so there is a lot of parts that swap plus the 4bt, being around forver, has myriad available parts and support, and is easier to find trans that fit it easily. While the 6bt is a great engine, so is the 4bt, yet it has the ability to get better economy.

I'd definitely recommend you go the Cummins forum. Lots of good info and many of the folks are really into economy.

Living in Cali as you do, you need to talk to a CARB ref ASAP before your dreams are smashed.