Build Thread 1983 CJ7 Mercedes Turbo Diesel Conversion
-
Hello Guest, we are proud to now have our Wiki online that is completely compiled and written by our members. Feel free to browse our Jeep-CJ Wiki or click on any orange keyword when looking at posts in the forum.
Build Thread 1983 CJ7 Mercedes Turbo Diesel Conversion
- Thread starter DieselCJ
- Start date Start date:
- Last post Last post:
DieselCJ
Jeeper
- Posts
- 56
- Thanks
- 0
- Location
- Michigan
- Vehicle(s)
- 1983 CJ7
3" Suspension Lift
2 Inch Body lift
Fiberglass tub with hardtop and doors
AMC20 and Dana30
D300 Tcase
T4
Mercedes 5 cylinder turbo diesel
Thanks 
Had to get a project rig for dad. Can't replace the CJ though!
EDIT:
The CJ is getting around 20MPG. I drive it 8 miles both ways to school, and it rarely fully warms up. Should see better MPG's the longer I keep tweaking it, and fixing little things.
Had to get a project rig for dad. Can't replace the CJ though!
EDIT:
The CJ is getting around 20MPG. I drive it 8 miles both ways to school, and it rarely fully warms up. Should see better MPG's the longer I keep tweaking it, and fixing little things.
Bowbender
Senior Jeeper
- Posts
- 647
- Media
- 13
- Thanks
- 0
- Location
- Bemidji, Minnesota
- Vehicle(s)
- '67 CJ5A Tuxedo Park, Dauntless 225 V6, T86 trans, Spicer 18 tc, D27 front, D44 rear, 3.73:1 gears. Pretty much unmolested mechanically.
Daily driver is a 06 Durango SLT Hemi.
I used to have a 51 Willys pickup and a 72 Commando.
You are a talented young man! I look forward to seeing the progress.
007
Crazy Sr. Respected Jeeper
- Posts
- 3,451
- Media
- 5
- Solutions
- 1
- Thanks
- 64
- Location
- Reno, NV
- Vehicle(s)
- 1977 CJ-7 Renegade (Daisy Jane), Levis trim, 304, TH400, BW1339 (MM), D30/Auburn Max, AMC20/Detroit/G2's, 4.88's, 33" BFG MT KM2's, Edelbrock Performer intake, Holley Sniper 4bbl EFI, MSD6, MSD ProBillet distributor, OME shocks, 4" ProComp lift.
I have a good running 1985 GMC 5.7 Diesel in my pickup that I've often considered putting in my CJ7 . There's nothing at all wrong with my AMC 304 , but I'm a diesel fan as well. This one is the DX block with the roller lifters and better main and head bolts/studs.
Problem is then I'd have a truck with no engine... Perhaps if/when my AMC 304 gets weak I'll find a donor diesel for the Jeep.
Problem is then I'd have a truck with no engine... Perhaps if/when my AMC 304 gets weak I'll find a donor diesel for the Jeep.
Trucklocker
Jeeper
- Posts
- 44
- Media
- 6
- Thanks
- 0
- Location
- California
- Vehicle(s)
- Past owner 1975 CJ5 Levi's Renegade with 304 V8
Nice setup with the diesel in the CJ. I am also a big diesel fan. You've done a nice job on this so far, and that particular diesel has got to be a good choice for a Jeep. From here, it appears to be about the right size and weight. Hard to beat the mileage, too. Makes for a decent range, I'm sure.
A deisel Cj so you can tow more projects home with it? Its like that old Guiness commercial "BRILLIANT" 
Plans for the old Bronco are ?????
Plans for the old Bronco are ?????
DieselCJ
Jeeper
- Posts
- 56
- Thanks
- 0
- Location
- Michigan
- Vehicle(s)
- 1983 CJ7
3" Suspension Lift
2 Inch Body lift
Fiberglass tub with hardtop and doors
AMC20 and Dana30
D300 Tcase
T4
Mercedes 5 cylinder turbo diesel
So far I'm in love with the engine. I kept the AC compressor and I'll be putting on board air on it sometime. But for now I'm just ironing out all the bugs.
The plans for the bronco are to just bring it back to stock and use it to cruise. Who knows, maybe I'll drop a diesel in that too!
I wish my mom shared the enthusiasm of another old 4x4 project being brought home.
The plans for the bronco are to just bring it back to stock and use it to cruise. Who knows, maybe I'll drop a diesel in that too!
I wish my mom shared the enthusiasm of another old 4x4 project being brought home.
- Posts
- 11,552
- Media
- 57
- Thanks
- 11
- Location
- Frederick colorado
- Vehicle(s)
- 84 cj7, 91 cherokee, 78 chevy 3500 pu, 78 CJ7
You will find that most women don't understand. If it's not your Mom it's your wife.
JAG811
Senior Jeeper
Bah ha ha ha - He's young !!
Women are looked at a little differently when your 18
We all learn these lessons in time ...
Keep the pics coming please DieselCJ
DieselCJ
Jeeper
- Posts
- 56
- Thanks
- 0
- Location
- Michigan
- Vehicle(s)
- 1983 CJ7
3" Suspension Lift
2 Inch Body lift
Fiberglass tub with hardtop and doors
AMC20 and Dana30
D300 Tcase
T4
Mercedes 5 cylinder turbo diesel
Great! Looks like I have something to not look forward to haha
I really need to regear this thing to 4.10's, which will mean I'll need new carriers front and back also. I've got the AMC20 and Dana 30 , and it'd also be nice to have a locker in the rear and a lunchbox in the front. Let me know if you or someone you know has any of this stuff SUPER cheap.
I've been wheeling the CJ in the snow we got here! Got it buried twice in snow piles I tried to climb over.
I really need to regear this thing to 4.10's, which will mean I'll need new carriers front and back also. I've got the AMC20 and Dana 30 , and it'd also be nice to have a locker in the rear and a lunchbox in the front. Let me know if you or someone you know has any of this stuff SUPER cheap.
I've been wheeling the CJ in the snow we got here! Got it buried twice in snow piles I tried to climb over.
DieselCJ
Jeeper
- Posts
- 56
- Thanks
- 0
- Location
- Michigan
- Vehicle(s)
- 1983 CJ7
3" Suspension Lift
2 Inch Body lift
Fiberglass tub with hardtop and doors
AMC20 and Dana30
D300 Tcase
T4
Mercedes 5 cylinder turbo diesel
Here's some pics of the early stages of the build (and also warmer weather)
When I literally bolted the axles under the frame, and set the body on the frame, bolted the fenders on and set the hood and grill on it. It was the night I got back from my first driving experience with a Jeep. Got to drive a 2000 TJ with 33's, topless, doorless and with my gf next to me Right then and there I had the Jeep bug
When I literally bolted the axles under the frame, and set the body on the frame, bolted the fenders on and set the hood and grill on it. It was the night I got back from my first driving experience with a Jeep. Got to drive a 2000 TJ with 33's, topless, doorless and with my gf next to me
Right then and there I had the Jeep bug
Last edited:
DieselCJ
Jeeper
- Posts
- 56
- Thanks
- 0
- Location
- Michigan
- Vehicle(s)
- 1983 CJ7
3" Suspension Lift
2 Inch Body lift
Fiberglass tub with hardtop and doors
AMC20 and Dana30
D300 Tcase
T4
Mercedes 5 cylinder turbo diesel
Thanks!
Got a Mojave heater for christmas, and finished installing it today! Finally have some heat! I'll post pics tomorrow
Got a Mojave heater for christmas, and finished installing it today! Finally have some heat! I'll post pics tomorrow
- Posts
- 11,552
- Media
- 57
- Thanks
- 11
- Location
- Frederick colorado
- Vehicle(s)
- 84 cj7, 91 cherokee, 78 chevy 3500 pu, 78 CJ7
Does a header really help on a diesel?
DieselCJ
Jeeper
- Posts
- 56
- Thanks
- 0
- Location
- Michigan
- Vehicle(s)
- 1983 CJ7
3" Suspension Lift
2 Inch Body lift
Fiberglass tub with hardtop and doors
AMC20 and Dana30
D300 Tcase
T4
Mercedes 5 cylinder turbo diesel
No, those pics are of my AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l before I pulled it out. My AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l had an offy intake, holley 4 brl, and those mystery headers. Those are really old pics of the build before I decided to go the diesel route.
I forgot to add that I picked up some 4.56 gears for my AMC20 for $60 on craigslist. They look to be in great shape! The carrier they came with is welded up, and I don't think I can grind it apart, so I'll need to find another carrier for the rear. Looking for 4.56 gears and carrier for the front now!
I forgot to add that I picked up some 4.56 gears for my AMC20 for $60 on craigslist. They look to be in great shape! The carrier they came with is welded up, and I don't think I can grind it apart, so I'll need to find another carrier for the rear. Looking for 4.56 gears and carrier for the front now!
poppatello
Senior Jeeper
- Posts
- 500
- Thanks
- 0
- Location
- New Castle, De
- Vehicle(s)
- 84 Cj, 4 Banger, 4.5 BDS Lift, 35" KM2, Twin Stick, Nuttered...
I have to say, a Mercedes diesel in a jeep isn't anything new. For an 18 year old young buck to attempt it might be. I'm still considering it myself. I have a 4 banger in mine now running 354 gears with 35" tires. Yes try that one. I was looking for a 4bt for the longest time but just can't find any in the price range I want. I saw a fella in my jeep club install a Mercedes diesel in his Yj this past few months as well. Got me thinking again.
Wife isn't to happy about it since I purchased a rebuilt AMC 304 over the summer. Hasn't been installed yet. Maybe there is a reason for that in the back of my mind that hasn't surfaced yet.
Anyhow, great work, good luck with it. You may want to consider replacing the T-4 as well. I plan on it myself. I've purchased a T-18 and can't wait to install it with the new engine...
I'm still considering it myself. I have a 4 banger in mine now running 354 gears with 35" tires. Yes try that one. I was looking for a 4bt for the longest time but just can't find any in the price range I want. I saw a fella in my jeep club install a Mercedes diesel in his Yj this past few months as well. Got me thinking again.Wife isn't to happy about it since I purchased a rebuilt AMC 304 over the summer. Hasn't been installed yet. Maybe there is a reason for that in the back of my mind that hasn't surfaced yet.
Anyhow, great work, good luck with it. You may want to consider replacing the T-4 as well. I plan on it myself. I've purchased a T-18 and can't wait to install it with the new engine...
