Just thinking about a KJ project

Hello all. I'm not new to Jeeps having owned a Cherokee and a Wrangler TJ in the past. Currently have an 08 GC. I guess once they get in you blood....

What brought me here is that everyday I drive past an independent repair shop. Sitting out in front of it for at least a year is a very straight KJ that has never moved. After awhile I sort of developed an attachment to it so I finally stopped in to find out if it was for sale. The guy told me that the owner brought it in knocking and he found a hole in the side of the block where a rod had passed through. He said the repair was more than the owner wanted to put into it so he bought it but has never got around to replacing the engine. It can be bought fairly cheap.

So I have in storage a 3.9 Isuzu diesel 4BD2TC engine and am thinking about getting the KJ and putting this engine into it. I've seen this swap on a TJ using a GM transmission/TC but the KJ engine bay is a bit smaller.

For now I'll just hang out here a bit, learn a little more about the KJ from you guys and see if the infatuation with this idea continues.

So...buy it and have fun. I loved my KJ but really love my JK. Wife calls it the other woman. Lol

Xodius said:

So...buy it and have fun. I loved my KJ but really love my JK. Wife calls it the other woman. Lol

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Thanks, I did get it and got a pretty good start. Already have the OME CRD HD lift installed, the isuzu rebuilt and sitting in the bay. Working on mounts now.

Forgot to show the lift. OME CRD with no extra iso's or spacers. Tires are 245/70/17.

Interesting engine swap, keep us updated on the progress.

Cool project.

I'm interested - sounds like a great alternative to the CRD.

bamabob said:

Thanks, I did get it and got a pretty good start. Already have the OME CRD HD lift installed, the isuzu rebuilt and sitting in the bay. Working on mounts now.

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Any news?

Josh said:

Any news?

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I sort of forgot about this thread. Jeep is up and running. Still working out a few details but I've put a few thousand miles on it. I'll create a build post and attach a link for those interested when I get a few extra minutes.

Yours is a first for this type of conversion as far as I know so we are all interested. Please update when you have time.


Dave

^^Forgot to say......welcome to the forum, Bob.


Dave

Another update. Below is a link to some videos of the liberty in action. The Isuzu diesel is a bit noisy until it warms up. I'm still working on dialing in the tuning which is primarily trial and error changes to the injection timing. In mixed 60% city driving mileage has averaged from 17 to 22 mpg. The engine has only 3500 miles on it so it may still be breaking in. I still have not sorted out the tachometer signal, cruise control and some of the dash lights but everything else works. Rpms are calculated at 2000 at 70 mph in OD and converter locked. Acceleration is respectable and towing seems to have little affect on maintaining speed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzmUVaML9l8 there are 3 videos posted. No back ground music(which I hate), just that sweet diesel rattle.

I'm fascinated how you were able to get most of the electrical/electronic systems working as well as they are! Get those dash lights and the tach working and you'll be gravy :waytogo:

Congrats!

Bob

HOLY CRAP someone actually finished a motor swap that wasnt just another 3.7!!!!!! this is amazing. with enought motivation and money anythings possible. i can wait to hear more details on this. the more people that do swaps the easier it will get for the next person. since its looking like higher milage 3.7s are not that reliable so im really interested in these motor swaps

Nice swap! How many hours of work do you have into it, if you don't mind me asking? I think this is the most footage of an engine swapped KJ I have ever seen!

TwoBobsKJ said:

I'm fascinated how you were able to get most of the electrical/electronic systems working as well as they are! Get those dash lights and the tach working and you'll be gravy :waytogo:

Congrats!

Bob

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Thanks. I created my own misery with the electrical when I allowed a couple wires to touch that should never touch and fried the pcm. A junkyard unit was put in but then ran into problems with the SKIM setup. The most fun I've had yet with the Liberty was when I took it to the Jeep dealership service department to try to reprogram the replacement pcm.

One mechanic walked up and told me he's never heard a rod knock that loud and the engine keep running. Once I let them know it was a diesel, one told me that they had not had any diesels of that year in the shop. The guy that was to program the pcm did not want to attempt it since he was concerned he would destroy the pcm. I had most of the guys in the shop around it before I left and all were complimentary of the swap.

Once I get a pcm and SKIM module working together I believe the remaining electrical issues can be resolved. Basically the pcm thinks I'm stealing the car since it does not see the correct value from the transponder key.

twack said:

HOLY CRAP someone actually finished a motor swap that wasnt just another 3.7!!!!!! this is amazing. with enought motivation and money anythings possible. i can wait to hear more details on this. the more people that do swaps the easier it will get for the next person. since its looking like higher milage 3.7s are not that reliable so im really interested in these motor swaps

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This swap wasn't too bad physically getting the drivetrain to fit. Cut away the stock motor mount points, used a big hammer to make some room on the floor to clear the bellhousing and then fab the new mounts. I was able to place the engine in a spot that allowed me to use the stock driveshaft. From there it was wiring and plumbing. And countless hours referencing the wiring schematics. Bottom line to me is the Liberty is a very smooth driving multi-purpose vehicle, has a look that remains stylish and was worth the effort and investment of the swap.

dude1116 said:

Nice swap! How many hours of work do you have into it, if you don't mind me asking? I think this is the most footage of an engine swapped KJ I have ever seen!

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Thanks. I've probably got at least 200 hours into it but if I had pushed myself I might could have done it in less than half that. A lot of time went into fabricating the exhaust and intercooling pipes.