Deisel in a 94?

[ccanuk]

Hi there

I'm a new Explorer owner, I just bought a 94 XLT for 5500 canadian, and I'm looking into a few things...

right now I'm having problems with check engine light on all the time and lousy milage(could be city driving though) that is appearantly something to do with the evap cannister... getting it checked soon

anyway, what with rising gas prices and the fact that I would like a lot of low end torque, I was wondering if anyone had looked into a deisel swap... I'm used to off roading with turbo deisel military vehicles (almost got me stalled in the river once as I forgot I had to worry about plugs getting wet - oops)

anyone know of anyone who has done this, or a likely source of an engine that might bolt in, or at least up to the tranny?

thanks

 

[bates]

I know many have talked about it, and I think there was one availible in europe. But I haven't ever seen anybody do it. You could be the first.

BTW, welcome to the site, it's nice to have another Canadian onboard!

 

[410Fortune]

It has been discussed in LENGHT, but as far as I know it has never been done.

It would require a complete revamp of the entire drivetrain, fuel system and electrical, a whole bunch of time and $$$. Anything is possible however.

Your CEL code sounds like the canister purge solenoid is at fault. You can get a new canister purge solenoid at most auto parts stores.

 

[snocross1985]

A deisel first gen.... that would be absolutely awesome

 

[410Fortune]

I saw a new Nissan Frontier the other day, I heard that usual diesel "marbeling" noise at a light, looked over exteceted to see a Superduty, it was a Nissan frontier!

SWEET!
4cyl turbo diesel in a Explorer would be right at home.

 

[ccanuk]

94s and older don't have a purge soleniod as far as Haynes is concerned, though I do have a funky round case on top of my canister...

if I were to use a Deisel that was comparible in power to the pushrod v6... I don't see why I'd have to change much on the drivetrain... as far as I know this drive train was also used on the larger engines right? and there are supercharged v6s out there that are making double the hp... with an auto tranny, shouldn't be to bad I would think...

 

[bates]

Except for the fact that the A4LD sucks on a good day. I don't know how long they would last with awesome diesel torque.

 

[ccanuk]

yesss.... but if I'm not using a ford engine I'd probably need the diesel's tranny too... which makes my list of options on where to get the engine a bit smaller for 4wd... it's not something I'll do soon I can tell you that

I'm going to do it eventually I think... I'm going to have to get really familiar with the explorer though...

was the Jeep 2.5 turbo Diesel released in north america or only Europe, does anyone know? I know the 4.0l was but thats a little too big I think

 

[mhn3773]

u could take a look at the cummings 4cyl turbo deisels..something like 250-300 hp and they dont cost more then $1,800

 

[SVO]

Used Cummins 4 cylinder turbo with 5 spd gearbox for $1300 all day long at salvage yards, they come out of NPR box trucks

 

[ccanuk]

box trucks... I'd imagine RWD only then eh? so I wouldn't be able to use the tranny

 

[SVO]

The tranny seem to be of an average variety, that could be easly converted to accept a fullsize T-case, and or use a Dodge transmission which will be easly converted to accept a T-case, in any event if you have the drive ANYTHING can be possible, you imagination is the limit

 

[Con Seann3ry]

do it!

 

[410Fortune]

AS I said fuel delivery is totally different for a diesel.
Making it all fit and mount up is one thing that will take alot of doing, routing the exhaust turbo, cooling, throttle cable stuff like that always bites you on a project like this. This is assuming you fab up all your own custom mounts etc..

Fitting the tranny, full size T case, custom driveshafts etc would prove interesting.

No you cannot keep your current tranny.

Yes 91-94 Explorer's DO have a canister purge solenoid. On the 91& 92 models it is hanging in the vacuum line right above the canister, on the later models it is burried under the upper intake plenum.
If you want to find it follow the large vacuum line that leaves the underside of your throttle body, it has a 90 degree elbow in it.
The canister purge solenoid is brass in color when new and is just larger then a file canister.

The pre 94 4.0L's dont have an EGR valve if thats what you are referring too, Exhaust Gas recirculation valve....

 

[aldive]

u could take a look at the cummings 4cyl turbo deisels..something like 250-300 hp and they dont cost more then $1,800

Where did you get that price?

 

[ccanuk]

Yes, the entire engine support systems would have to be custom. My plan would be to find a wrecked Cherokee with a 2.5 turbo diesel and buy the whole thing.

I'd drop out the 4.0l and Tranny, wiring harnes and the works out of the engine bay and custom mount everything from the cherokee into it.

Like I said this wouldn't be something I'd do anytime soon, just something to keep in mind if I come across a 4wd diesel wreck I could pick up for cheap...

I'd also need a daily driver as I'm betting this project could take the better part of a year.

Most likely if I do this in the next year or so I'd also install a lift kit and a bunch of other modifications I've been looking at. It would also give me a chance to sand blast all the rust off the underbody and coat it in about 1/2 an inch of tar and grease.

It's nice to dream, but right now my XLT is my only means of transportation, so basicly I'm just looking into what I want to do with it once I buy a little puddle jumper for daily driving.

 

[mhn3773]

Where did you get that price?

that isnt a for sure price..i remember doing some looking around a while back and found quite a few on ebay for 1,200 to 1,800 all rebuilt or like 25k miles on them