New guy from Minneapolis Minnesota here to learn.

[Tx9h6e4cuda]

Hello all, my name is Garret and I am from Minneapolis Minnesota. I joined this site because I would like to learn about diesel Cherokee's as I would like to convert my 2001 over to an oil burner. I also figured I would join because Australia seems to get all the cool stuff. Anyways here are some of my vehicles
Well the reason I am here my 2001 Cherokee

Its pretty much stock because it is my daily driver. I have added a XJ Dana 44 from a 1985 XJ Wagoneer when my 8.25 exploded.

My real desire is my mopars

This is my 1970 Cuda, 383 4 speed, 8 3/4 4:10. The factory colors are black outside with bright red interior. Its a little rough around the edges and needs a resto but I'm having too much fun beating the crap out of it.

This is my other baby (or curse), its a 1971 Charger Superbee, 383, auto, 8 3/4 3:23. I am doing a full 100% resto and this will be my summer driver when done.

I hope to learn alot about making my XJ a oil burner from you guys.
Garret

[layback40]

Hi Garret,
We may need to give you a nick name of Turbo ! You have probably been given that name before.
There is a VM diesel group on yahoo that may also be of help to you'
The 2.5 turbo diesel was a 5 speed manual & only in the sport.
If I was considering doing what you want, I would look at a later diesel like a 3.0 CRD.
I dont know if it would fit but a Mercedes OM 602/603/606 may be worth considering. The 602 & 603 have turbos on your side of the pond & are more common than over here.
If that is of interest to you, peachparts.com has a good diesel forum.

The diff ratios in the XJ diesel is different to your one.
They have their own engine control computer.

There is a few threads on here about the XJ 2.5 turbo.
They are much more common in the EU. There are several members on here that live in Europe.
Some of us source parts from Europe from time to time.

Hope that helps.
let us know if we can help any more.

Good Luck !!

[4WD4FUN]

Nice choice of vehicles and welcome.
We always say the states has the best choice of vehicles at the right price.
So I guess the grass is greener on the other side of the fence.
(An Australian Saying)

I have a Jk Diesel and wish to have a Dodge/Chrysler-Moper of some description one day as a mate of mine has 3 very nice ones.
Here is two

His Ausy UTE



His Cuda about 5 year project just finished

[Tx9h6e4cuda]

Thank guys sweet looking Ute and Cuda.
I've actually never been called Turbo before that's pretty funny. Anyways I was maybe looking at importing a Cherokee (well the front half) that's a diesel from a friend who does who brings utes to us and exports our cars to you all. I figure if I get everything from door post forward it would be a cake walk swap.
I guess I see the Utes, awesome horsepower sedans, and almost everything diesel (a lost art form to America and the horrible Environmental Protection Agency standards) and I do think the grass is greener.
Also what a great country where something like this was sold

I think this is the cats meow

[layback40]

It would be interesting to know how many LHD diesel XJ's were built. The battery is on the left side & the power steering pump has a shaft going straight through that then drives the aircon comp. I assume there is enough room for the steering shaft.
The RH side of the engine is a nightmare. You have the inlet & exhaust, turbo, starter, oil filter, oil cooler & water pump all squeezed together. On our RH drive ones there is also the brake/booster & clutch m/c on that side.
You may be better off trying to get a LHD one out of Europe. That way the wiring would be sweet.

[UKXJ]

Hi Garret,

Plenty of LHD diesel XJ's in Europe because of the huge fuel price advantage (at the time) particularly in Italy.

Whether you'd want that VM lump is another matter (they're scrapped as a matter of course here when a head gasket goes). Swapping in, e.g. a WJ or ZJ, diesel is an interesting idea (one I floated on a UK forum only yesterday) but they're simply not worth enough to make it worthwhile.

If you want to explore what's available, try www.jeepclub.nl - they are entusiastic and, importantly, tend to speak good English.

Nearer home, you'll find NAXJA have a surprising number of members scattered all over Europe.