Jeep Grand Cherokee + Cummins (3.9L) ISBe + Allison 1000-Series = :)

[HoleshotHolset]

The engine/transmission and a whole pile of stuff ripped out of the donor FedEx truck is on its way.



Let the games begin! Oo.



Matt

 

[FordCummins]

Now that is gonna be a sweet machine.

 

[HoleshotHolset]

Thanks! I sure think that this will be a nice little vehicle. I've always wanted a comfy SUV with a diesel - better yet... a BEEFY diesel and stout transmission. Nobody builds one, so I'm left with the task of creating my own. I've wanted to do an engine swap like this my whole life and now I can finally do it.



Just like I said on this post in another thread, it won't be perfect and I may run into headaches, but that's 1/2 the fun.



Matt

 

[FordCummins]

That Isuzu looks pretty good in there, but not as good as the Cummins will. The only immediate problem I see is the size of the Allison. It will take a whole hell of alot of firewall/trans tunnel modification to make it fit. Are you hell bent on using the Allison, or do you think you could go with something else? The Ally would be awesome in there, it will just take some more work. Was the Jeep you bought a 6cyl, or V8 originally?

 

[Dieselnut59]

I would say you could do a body lift to get the trans to fit. You could use any transmission from behind a 5. 9 Cummins and it would last forever behind a 3. 9. I would love to do a project like that on a '93 Bronco I am thinking of getting. It currently has shot out 302. I also like the idea of a good SUV with a diesel. Nice idea there!

 

[Alphacowboy]

makes me want to put one in my wifes 02 cherokee! :-laf

 

[Alphacowboy]

I would say you could do a body lift to get the trans to fit.

dont think so, i belive they are a unibody

 

[fox]

I'd like to do a swap that is similar.

I am looking for a 4X2 Durango, and swap my 4 BT and use a 5 speed from a Dakota. Since I already have the chevy adapter, and chevy uses the nv3500 like the Dakota's do, I should be close.

 

[FordCummins]

dont think so, i belive they are a unibody

Yep, all the Grand Cherokees, and Cherokees for that matter are unibody.

 

[hammersley]

I've always loved these old jeeps

The Original SUV -



Now this is what I wish I could but this combo into... ... ... ... . Old - solid - real frame - I know weak axles - etc - but you could change all that... . now when I win the lottery.....



http://www.film.queensu.ca/CJ3B/Siblings/Wagon.html

 

[DKarvwnaris]

I honestly can not see how anyone is going to fit a 4 bt and long bodied allison into a tin box Cherokee, an older "vintage" J series Cherokee would be okay, but the new ones? They are just about the only platform I could think of besids a CJ/ wrangler/Fj-40 chassis to be a more unsuitable candidate. (Don't even joke about a Suzuki product of any size)

I am really hoping you get some realistic measurements of an entire Engine/transmission/transfer case assembly from the harmonic balancer to the transfer case tailshaft prior to gutting that cherokee out. The driveline angle is going to be really tough to get right, especially if you end up having to put a lift in it to clear the oil pan with the front axle.

 

[FordCummins]

He's talking about doing this to a GRAND Cherokee, not a Cherokee. Longer wheelbase and more room to work with should be it easier than doing this to a Cherokee. The Allison will be the tricky part, but I wouldnt be worried about driveshaft angles, a good driveline shop like Tom Woods or H. A. D should be able to make something to handle severe angles and the torque with no problem..... I think it is doable, and a very interesting project. Hell, Ive seen a couple of Wranglers with 4bts, so the GC should be a bit easier to work with.

 

[DKarvwnaris]

He's talking about doing this to a GRAND Cherokee, not a Cherokee. Longer wheelbase and more room to work with should be it easier than doing this to a Cherokee. The Allison will be the tricky part, but I wouldnt be worried about driveshaft angles, a good driveline shop like Tom Woods or H. A. D should be able to make something to handle severe angles and the torque with no problem..... I think it is doable, and a very interesting project. Hell, Ive seen a couple of Wranglers with 4bts, so the GC should be a bit easier to work with.

Grand Cherokee or not, there is little difference in the wheelbase of either unibody Jeep for an allison's longer length. Tom Woods has some great products, but when my buddy tried to get them to manufacture a bigelow joint for his CJ-5 with 35" tires they kept promoting their extra clearanced Velocity joints due to balancing issues. I haven't had good luck with rear wheel drive velocity joints and highway speed trucks etc. Might just be me and my expectations.

Most of the wranglers with the 4bt's are running nv-4500 or similar short length manual transmissions, not to mention shortened transfer case adapters made to work with the NV-4500 setups. If you could get these to work with the Allison that is different, but so far, I haven't seen anyone market parts for it.

 

[FordCummins]

105. 9 vs 101. 4 That extra 4. 5" of room should make for a little bit easier time. I dont think that making the Allison work will be easy either, but I do think that it is doable.

 

[SBertelson]

That will be a cool swap! I don't see any issue with it-sometimes you just have to get creative. I have done 4BT's into wranglers and thought they fit pretty nice. Where there's a will, theres a way! We've shoehorned a Viper engine into a Wrangler before after being told it won't work..... it just makes the challenge that more fun.

 

[HoleshotHolset]

Thanks for the comments, folks.



If the Grand Cherokee doesn't work out... I can easily part it out for more than I have into it... or just sell it as-is. If you could buy a '96 Grand Cherokee Limited (loaded with all power features, leather, climate control, CD-player, etc. ) for $1k - I think you'd try the swap I'm doing too. Sure, it's a bit beat up (no rust, though) and needs a lot of work - but I'm willing to work with it and use it as a daily beater.

That will be a cool swap! I don't see any issue with it-sometimes you just have to get creative. I have done 4BT's into wranglers and thought they fit pretty nice. Where there's a will, theres a way! We've shoehorned a Viper engine into a Wrangler before after being told it won't work..... it just makes the challenge that more fun.

Well said, man! That's the kind of attitude I have and think everyone should have when approaching projects like this and life in general. Innovative concepts don't come to fruition by following the leader and letting other people get you down.



Matt

 

[Alphacowboy]

SBertelson, a little off-topic, but are you related to any Bertelsons in Minnesota?

 

[SBertelson]

Yes I am.....

 

[Canadian Cummins]

Why Bother DC when is already doing it!

Found this on the Jeep UK site, this V6 CRD is availible from Europe to South Africa, Australia to New Zealand.

WHY NOT NORTH AMERICA DC???????

Check this link and click on the technical page, this is the v6 that MB have designed for there new E class.

PS it has more tourque than the v8 hemi, go figure!



http://www.jeep.co.uk/jeep/grandcherokee_versions.aspx?id=272,18,108



CC



PS sorry HH for turning this around from our beloved Cummins.

 

[Ol'TrailDog]

Wow, who cares about the V6 when they also offer a four banger with a six speed. Now that's nice. (butmonkey) But, its too bad they aren't offered in the Wrangler. That's what I'd be interested in.



I thought they already offered the Motori V6 diesel in Cherokees in the USA, anyway.