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Jeep Wrangler YJ
YJ Build Threads & Member's Rides
Diesel YJ Flat Bed Truck
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<blockquote data-quote="dieseljeep" data-source="post: 425119" data-attributes="member: 18592"><p>Just depends what you want. I would never go back to gas after having diesel 4x4s and equipment and for the price of a brand new, rare in US diesel engine, the R2.8 has a lot to offer, even if it's not the best diesel ever. It is small and cast iron on cast iron, with sleeved cylinders, so it's not bad, but chain timing and weak bottom end and higher cooling requirements, is kinda unfortunate. </p><p></p><p>All of those engines I've mentioned previously, once rebuilt from a reputable builder will have you near the R2.8 price and the R2.8 is almost as easy to install as the 4BT, wiring-wise. The Kubota is easy in theory, but you gotta change up the piping and turbo stuff and tune it, just to make it more streetable. 4BT really needs to be tuned once it's ready for being fun on road and off and those blocks are going for like $4k used and often need to be rebuilt. Also the 4BT needs lifted and the whole front end redesigned to handle the weight. However I must admit that I really want a 4BT or similar engine if I can get one. I did have a source for one for like $1,500, but I'm sure it's gone by now. I kinda think that with good motor mounts and body mounts and springs, the YJ could handle the 4BT pretty well. There's almost no penalty in MPG for the added displacement either, in fact having more will give much much better results than too little.</p><p></p><p>As far as gas engines go. V8 is obvious, but they don't really shine until they're revved up and when I'm off road I don't want to be revved up, but I'm not going for the, "I think I can jump it", type experience. I like to go through obstacles very slowly and spin as little as possible. Not to mention that they guzzle the gas so you're always thinking of refueling and gas cans. It's the worst fuel to deal with as well.</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]115492[/ATTACH]</p><p></p><p>That's what I've ran into before, when I need to refill some gas cans. They literally won't hold more than a gallon or so in that state and you gotta wait until it gets really warm to bloat the cans again. Gas destroys the Nato fuel can (these plastic cans are so thick they barely budge) gaskets as well (pressure not a material issue per se), so you end up using stale gas if you don't spill it everywhere and in a carb injection system, you may have trouble starting up with stale gas. We don't have that problem in our diesel tractors, even if the fuel is growing algae.</p><p></p><p>I've filled up gas cans in the winter and then on a warm day and like an idiot, stood over top the can while removing the top and been sprayed in the face with gasoline. Though hilarious, it does suck while your nostrils are filled with fumes and your eyes are burning.</p><p></p><p>Now would I keep a gas engine in a vehicle, Absolutely. They are fine, but there's no way I'm going through the effort to swap one into a vehicle that wasn't designed for that engine. It's a pita in my experience, so if I'm gonna do it, it's gonna be a diesel. The diesel WILL NOT SAVE YOU MONEY either. It's just the low end torque, fuel economy, engine life and reliability, fuel characteristics, non-flammable fuel, etc. And it's not really the fuel economy, rather the extended range. But off-road they're basically better in almost all scenarios of gas counterparts. There's a lot fewer issues that can get you off the trail and to a trailhead as well. Busted radiator, non-issue. Blown head, cracked block, messed up injection, air system, exhaust, sensors, etc. You might limp out but none of those matter which makes buying used such a problem, because those don't matter until you've tested a loaded engine.</p><p></p><p>There's too many great engines already in many great 4x4s to go through that effort and then you can get all the other stuff like easy to find parts and stuff you get for gas engines. </p><p></p><p>If it's a specialty situation then I really would rather tow a gas powered 4x4 on a long trip with a diesel powered truck.</p><p></p><p>With this YJ starting off with a 2.5L, it didn't really start life with anything other than an engine swap in its future. If you go with V8 or whatever, I can certainly understand, but to me I'd find a 4.0 or go with another vehicle all together if I'm staying with gas. Part of me thinks the Grand Cherokees are almost better choices, just because the small engine was the 4.0 and the 5.2 or larger is very handy. Sucks that wasn't the Wrangler option. It also sucks the Grand Cherokees were unibody, but those were the times.</p><p></p><p>I'm not sure I could argue with a 5.2L YJ from the factory. I'd just buy more gas cans and stretch the frame to swap in a bigger fuel tank.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="dieseljeep, post: 425119, member: 18592"] Just depends what you want. I would never go back to gas after having diesel 4x4s and equipment and for the price of a brand new, rare in US diesel engine, the R2.8 has a lot to offer, even if it's not the best diesel ever. It is small and cast iron on cast iron, with sleeved cylinders, so it's not bad, but chain timing and weak bottom end and higher cooling requirements, is kinda unfortunate. All of those engines I've mentioned previously, once rebuilt from a reputable builder will have you near the R2.8 price and the R2.8 is almost as easy to install as the 4BT, wiring-wise. The Kubota is easy in theory, but you gotta change up the piping and turbo stuff and tune it, just to make it more streetable. 4BT really needs to be tuned once it's ready for being fun on road and off and those blocks are going for like $4k used and often need to be rebuilt. Also the 4BT needs lifted and the whole front end redesigned to handle the weight. However I must admit that I really want a 4BT or similar engine if I can get one. I did have a source for one for like $1,500, but I'm sure it's gone by now. I kinda think that with good motor mounts and body mounts and springs, the YJ could handle the 4BT pretty well. There's almost no penalty in MPG for the added displacement either, in fact having more will give much much better results than too little. As far as gas engines go. V8 is obvious, but they don't really shine until they're revved up and when I'm off road I don't want to be revved up, but I'm not going for the, "I think I can jump it", type experience. I like to go through obstacles very slowly and spin as little as possible. Not to mention that they guzzle the gas so you're always thinking of refueling and gas cans. It's the worst fuel to deal with as well. [ATTACH type="full"]115492[/ATTACH] That's what I've ran into before, when I need to refill some gas cans. They literally won't hold more than a gallon or so in that state and you gotta wait until it gets really warm to bloat the cans again. Gas destroys the Nato fuel can (these plastic cans are so thick they barely budge) gaskets as well (pressure not a material issue per se), so you end up using stale gas if you don't spill it everywhere and in a carb injection system, you may have trouble starting up with stale gas. We don't have that problem in our diesel tractors, even if the fuel is growing algae. I've filled up gas cans in the winter and then on a warm day and like an idiot, stood over top the can while removing the top and been sprayed in the face with gasoline. Though hilarious, it does suck while your nostrils are filled with fumes and your eyes are burning. Now would I keep a gas engine in a vehicle, Absolutely. They are fine, but there's no way I'm going through the effort to swap one into a vehicle that wasn't designed for that engine. It's a pita in my experience, so if I'm gonna do it, it's gonna be a diesel. The diesel WILL NOT SAVE YOU MONEY either. It's just the low end torque, fuel economy, engine life and reliability, fuel characteristics, non-flammable fuel, etc. And it's not really the fuel economy, rather the extended range. But off-road they're basically better in almost all scenarios of gas counterparts. There's a lot fewer issues that can get you off the trail and to a trailhead as well. Busted radiator, non-issue. Blown head, cracked block, messed up injection, air system, exhaust, sensors, etc. You might limp out but none of those matter which makes buying used such a problem, because those don't matter until you've tested a loaded engine. There's too many great engines already in many great 4x4s to go through that effort and then you can get all the other stuff like easy to find parts and stuff you get for gas engines. If it's a specialty situation then I really would rather tow a gas powered 4x4 on a long trip with a diesel powered truck. With this YJ starting off with a 2.5L, it didn't really start life with anything other than an engine swap in its future. If you go with V8 or whatever, I can certainly understand, but to me I'd find a 4.0 or go with another vehicle all together if I'm staying with gas. Part of me thinks the Grand Cherokees are almost better choices, just because the small engine was the 4.0 and the 5.2 or larger is very handy. Sucks that wasn't the Wrangler option. It also sucks the Grand Cherokees were unibody, but those were the times. I'm not sure I could argue with a 5.2L YJ from the factory. I'd just buy more gas cans and stretch the frame to swap in a bigger fuel tank. [/QUOTE]
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