Originally Posted by Tartarus

Well, I started this thread, so I guess I'll weigh in.

After hauling the TJ down to a friend's shop and doing measurements, I decided to go with the Cummins 3.9L ISB. The deal I got on it was too good to pass up, and the whole point was to put a commercial-grade turbo-charged diesel in the vehicle and use it as a wicked off-road climber -- qualifications that the Chevy 6.5 doesn't satisfy in terms of durability or torque/rpm profiles, IMO. Plus, we're playing around with it, so we don't have to be too cheap and easy.

The engine arrived at the freight dock this morning, but I doubt if we're going to have time to begin the project until April.

BTW, the 3.9L develops 170 hp and 420 lbs. torque at 1600 rpm. Motorfreight company weighed it at 714 lbs. It is turbo-charger ready; I'll probably go with an HX35 from Piers, or equivalent. The weight is within the capability of a TJ Wrangler with aftermarket suspension redesign, although it'll be front-heavy.

I remember someone here or on TDR once saying that inline diesel four cylinders put out a lot of vibration -- so we're doing some thinking about motor mounts and ways of dampening.

Now for the really important question -- any suggestions on what color to paint the Jeep?