Jeep to offer diesel engine retrofit kit using 2.8 CRD four cylinder?
When Jeep cancelled the diesel engine option for the Liberty, there was great wailing and gnashing of teeth, at least from the scribes here at AutoblogGreen. The diesel engine option was actually a bit of a surprise hit for Chrysler, and there is still a market of offroaders clamoring for the engine. We've now heard a rumor that, to help meet this pent-up demand, Jeep is considering offering an engine package to convert Jeep TJ's, YJ's and CJ's from gasoline to diesel using the same 2.8 CRD engine that was available in the Liberty. The kit is said to be complete and include everything needed to perform the swap.
While this is indeed good to hear, we still wish that Jeep would go the extra step to certify this engine for new vehicle sales again and offer it as a factory option for the Wrangler, Wrangler Unlimited and Liberty.
[Source: 4wdandsportutility via JeepNewsNow]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
3-14-2008 @ 8:27AM
Phil L. said...
Offering it as a kit means they can pricey certification efforts. I don't believe this engine can meet T2B5 emissions without lots of investment (i.e., a Bluetec-level effort). Money and risk Chrysler can't afford right now.
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3-14-2008 @ 8:34AM
rgseidl said...
700cc per cylinder is an extremely high value, most car engines are in the range of 300-600, with 400-500 most common. This 2.8L CRD engine must be very heavy for its rated power.
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3-14-2008 @ 9:09AM
Mattias said...
A kit? Here in germany the 177PS diesel is the base engine (and the best choice at all). By the way: The diesel is the only engine offered in the Dodge Nitro here.
The I4 diesel surely is not T2B5 compatible, so it won't be an option for new vehicles. T2B5 would require either the VM 630 series or the MB 3.0l CRD. These six bangers are much more expensive than the loud old cargo van VM 428...
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3-14-2008 @ 10:51AM
BassClef said...
I wonder if Chrysler would consider offering diesel kits for all 2006 or older vehicles? I know a good number of Dodge Ram owners who would love a ~4L diesel to replace their 360's and 4.7's.
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3-14-2008 @ 11:07AM
Wildgoosechase73 said...
We will begin seeing a lot more of retrofit kits, and factory "aftermarket" performance parts in the futuer due the CAFE boost. Cars will leave the factory tuned for mpg but as soon as they leave the showroom turbos and superchargers will be added.
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3-14-2008 @ 11:45AM
Charles S said...
I think ABG needs to interview some past Liberty CRD owners, and see what they think about that fiasco. I know of at least one ex-owner who parked that thing in a dealership at least once every few months.
One thing that people do not read about, and it's important if this is a kit, is that a gasser transmission may not be suitable to handle the extra torque. Tesla had to learn it the hard way with hi-torque electric motors, and Liberty CRD owners had similar complaints.
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3-15-2008 @ 1:44PM
JeepLJ said...
From everything I've heard/read about the liberty crd it's a pile. Check out this guy's site, he's running an isuzu 2.8L Turbo bolted (with a small adapter) to an AX15, http://www.canev.com/Jeep.html
Pulling 43 (US) mpg in a grand.
Maybe the question for Chryco should be "Why are you offering us such crap?" Maybe Isuzu\GM will buy Jeep.
Reply
3-17-2008 @ 2:26PM
Dave S said...
I WANT ONE IN MY YJ! Chrysler - I'll gladly test it out for you if you install in my 93 Sport.
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