First let me say I have only just started learning about cars.

I am from NYC and only learned to drive two years ago when I moved to Cali. First car was a 1998 Jeep Wrangler 4L manual. I will never sell it as I have fallen in love again with cars and want to redo it. I say fallen in love again because despite never driving most of my adult life I loved playing with toy cars as a young boy. Childhood toys die hard.

My plan is to turn my jeep into a work of art. I did the same thing with my BMW r1200 Gs adventure bike and learned alot. I am still mocking the body up but think of a cross between the Halo warthog and a desert race buggy.

Diesel seems the perfect choice for such a vehicle as it's requirements are.

1. Durability
2. Torque
3. Fuel efficiency

I want to put huge 20 inch irrigation tires on it while not lifting it to much ( wranglers are already known to tip) Max speed should be no more than 95 and even then it might tip so I want it to be as low as possible.

The only thing I am keeping from the Wrangler is the chassis.

My main concern now is which engine to use and how to accomplish four wheel drive. Either I can put in a nice powerful v8 duramax diesel and get the four wheel drive from the transmission or I can put two 4l engines in it, one for front wheel drive and one for rear.

The duramax engines seem great but I am very open. The only thing is "all parts must be made in THE USA" Call me a patriot.

What do you guys suggest?
I am open to anything, transmission recommendations, shocks, gearbox, exhaust etc... are all accepted. Please share gentlemen.

Pirate4x4.com.

Go there and check with them. They will be able to help you. Post this in general 4x4. I can tell you that duramax combo is going to be too long for a jeep.

Having driven a CJ with a small block Chevy, may I suggest an engine different than the Dmax, simply for the piss poor handling that you'll achieve with that much weight up front.

If a diesel jeep is the thing you want, then consider the Cummins 4BT, a newer diesel out of a wrecked Jeep Liberty, or a smaller diesel out of a Mercedes Benz 300D (although these are down on power they are cheap).

Good luck! Sounds like a great project!!

You may want to consider the 4BT. I have seen lots of YJ and TJ Wranglers with 4BTs. They are about 300 pounds lighter than a Duramax.

Of course there are ways to make the Duramax fit. I've seen a 6BT in a Wrangler but it was a very expensive build.

Hey buddy, if you really have the enough time and the ca$h for drop a Duramax in a jeep Just Do it,

BUT

I'ts a incredible amount of work ! :D
I say that 'cause I'm putting a Duramax in my Jeep scrambler

I'd consider a 4-BT instead of the big duramax ass !

Having driven a CJ with a small block Chevy, may I suggest an engine different than the Dmax, simply for the piss poor handling that you'll achieve with that much weight up front.

I thought the same thing, that's the reason why I going to notch the firewall to be able for the engine to seats not to much in the front

do the dmax, it would be a nice challange but it will deffently be worth the work in the end!!!

I've done the 4BT into a YJ. It is expensive enough. Don't forget you will need to swap out diffs as well. It does sound like a hoot though

First buy a Jeep out of autotrader with the diffs and driveline in it. If you still intend to put a Dmax in start if you quit change to the 4BBT since it is more sensible but it's your jeep. Curries 9's or D60's are good but your base plan has many expenses.

Awesome suggestions from all of you.

I really do like the Dmax, it's pulling power is the best I know of, not saying much considering my lack of experience in the field. It being made in America really sells it for me. the new 6.5 l v8 seems like the best engine of it's kind.

I am drawing a mockup of the design and will post it soon. I think you guys will get a real kick out of it.

I have a 1998 Jeep Wrangler 4l manual right now that I want to transform. The only thing I am keeping is the chassis. I know there are better truck frames to start with but I am doing this because it is my first car and I'd like to keep it.

Money is not a big object here. I am allocating 50k to start and another 50k if I decide to go with the two engine design. The Jeep Hurricane concept uses two engines , one of each wheel set. This is where I got the idea. While two engines might even out the balance it will make altering the chassis a necessary as it would be too long of a wrangler. This was mentioned above.

One duramax v8 should have all the power necessary. Two would take this car over 700hp ? yikes. The fuel economy is what worries me then. I'd like this to be a daily driver actually. The whole world should see this art and I want to enjoy it.

Does anyone think the two engine design is feasible? I know it can be done, but would anyone here go for it if money was not an object?

Also what suspension, brakes, diff's etc.. do you all recommend? It must be the best and made in the USA :)

pics coming soon! u guys rock!

First buy a Jeep out of autotrader with the diffs and driveline in it. If you still intend to put a Dmax in start if you quit change to the 4BBT since it is more sensible but it's your jeep. Curries 9's or D60's are good but your base plan has many expenses.

Get some DANA 60, 3 link with panhard in the front, rear 4-links

I would definately just do one dmax and you can make it whatever horsepower you want ,and less fab work . Tons of people put them up to 700hp and still drive them alot .

Where are your plans? I want to hear more about this twin engine, 105" WB money pit you are coming up with.