Hello everyone; first post here. I'm driving a 2001 Jeep WJ w/ the 4.7L and QD that I love but the gas-mileage is killing me and I'm very interested in converting to a diesel. To date, the 4jb1 seems to be the best choice, especially after seeing EV guy's conversion in his ZJ. I have several questions b/c this will all be new to me and I want to see just how feasible this will be.

1) My transmission is the 545RFE. Does anyone know or know how I could find out if it bolt to the 4bj1 easily w/ an adapter? I can make an adapter or have one made w/ my access to machine shops. This would be great for me and save trememndously on cost and labor by not buying/swapping tranny and TCase.

2) Would my original exhaust work for the diesel. I know EV guy used the ZJ V-8 exhaust, which I have with my 4.7l.

3) Any other good tips, suggestions, advice, or even alternative engine choices are very welcome until I have more direct questions.

Thanks in advance for any help!

I think you'll be hard pressed to find info on this conversion, as far as I know you're the first one to attempt it.

For the bellhousing, the 4JB1 uses a plate bolted to the back of the block, so it would just be a matter of making a new plate with the correct bolt pattern to get the trans to bolt up. Then figuring out the clutch or torque converter setup. If you have a manual trans, I think adapting the trans would be (relativly) easy. It would not be for the novice, but it sounds like you have the tools to do it.

The exhaust on the 4JB1 is on the passenger side of the engine. You would have to eleminate the cat. converter, and as far as the muffler, a muffler is a muffler. For the most part. What I mean is there is no specific "gas only" or "diesel only" mufflers.

I don't think you could go wrong with the 4JB1. They are direct injected (which is a good thing), and have tons of power in stock form, with tons more waiting to be unleashed with some tuning of the injection pump, turbo, etc. All free stuff, just some adjusting required. I am in the process of doing this on mine. I have only turned it up a little, and the power gain is unreal; like breaking the tires loose on a wet road as soon as it starts to build boost in 3rd gear!!!! I have only lost 2 mpg (down to 28) since turning it up, but I think that is because my right foot is a bit heaver now <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

One thing to watch though, is the 4JB1 is a tall engine. Especially with the top mounted intercooler. I had to put a body lift on my 82 Pup to get the hood to close.

Thanks for all your help and yeah, I think I am the first to attempt this. That's why I'm searching all over for info. I've only seen it done on a ZJ. I think the height will be fine(Certainly MUCH better than the 4bt). My Saw's-All will handle the Cat. A buddy and local Machine Shop can handle the mounting plate and I'd love to use my A/T to save some $$, but I'm afraid that'd be more complicated simply b/c the tranny has it's own computer and takes a lot of input info. from the engine. Why can't it just all be mechanical and simple??? Wouldn't that be nice.
So, in order to do it, I'd have to install a man. tranny into an auto. vehicle(buying/installing, clutch, cable, pedal, cylinders, ....). This then is added to any mounts that are fabbed, 1 new engine, 1 new tranny, 2 driveshafts, ..... I can obviously sell my old tranny which would pay for the new, but my engine will probly only sell for $1,500 at most when I'm looking at $3K for the 4jb1-t.

WJinTRSC
It is a lot of work to convert an auto to manual. I had done this in my Sonoma, and will be doing it again soon with a 1994 S10 I'm converting. Actually, tomorrow I'm going to look at another S10 for parts so I can make this conversion.

I guess the big thing for a project like this is to not get discouraged easily, and to take your time and do what you know is right.

Good luck with it.

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