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When was the last time you saw a Factory Diesel XJ/MJ?

28K views 70 replies 37 participants last post by  RLE 
#1 ·
I see one everyday when I walk out of my house. :D



It is a blessing, and yet a curse. Which brings me to my next point. I am willing to offer up any info, pictures, entertainment, or otherwise whore myself out for help.

I am looking for any parts, pieces, vehicles, advertising, or anything at all related to XJ/MJ's with the factory 2.1L Turbo Diesel. More specifically, I need a gauge cluster, since the tach in my original cluster was broken.

Since not many people get to see one of these, I'll share some keynotes for the curious.



1986 Jeep Comanche "X"
2.1L Renault J8S 2068 CC Intercooled Turbo Diesel
AX5 Manual
NP207 Transfer
D30/35 4.10's

Weirdness in photos:

Engine bay:



Intercooler:



OHC:



Cluster:



Fuel Gauge:



Instead of a Voltmeter (Most people's favorite part):



Interior:



I picked it up in Virginia Beach, VA, after a long, arduous road trip. I got it home, and started the daunting task of going through it. Many things on these get neglected, due to a lack of knowledge. Intervals, fluids, general maintenance...The timing belt should be changed every 100k, but many people don't. Big mistake since these are an interference engine. I had to wait 4 months for a timing belt, the only one which surfaced was sitting on a dusty shelf in Belgium. Yet another challenge of having such an odd duck. Parts availability. The engine seal kit I had to source from Hamburg, Germany. Odd little motor. Aluminum block, aluminum head, steel wet sleeves, overhead cam. It makes 85 horsepower, and 132 ft lbs of torque... And gets roughly 30 MPG. Yep, you read right. 30 MPG. The only other guy I know that has one averaged 30 also, and could get 38 on the highway. I have yet to take mine on an extended trip.

I did have it over by the only other guy that has a Diesel MJ, and his shows the years of midwest living badly. That, and his has about 270K on it. He was helping get mine going, but I had the rare opportunity to catch a rare truck meeting a rare truck.



And how about hearing them run?



In cab view of the gauges on mine:



Underhood rev/Exhaust note (Nevermind the hillbilly exhaust, remnants of PO)



Anyway... I wanted to toss this up to educate anyone on this that might not have seen one before. Also to put the feelers out and to ask any of you to keep an eye out for me. Someone had estimated that there were fewer than 30 XJ/MJ's with the Factory Diesel left in the states. I would appreciate it that if you came across one for sale, junked, or parts of one, that you keep me in mind.

Also, if you have any questions, ask away.
Rob :cheers2:
 
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#4 ·
I would buy another one, but only because I know about their quirks now. Parts are neigh extinct. The head gasket comes in 3 different thicknesses, depending on deck height. They don't take heat well, or at all, so if it looks like it's been overheated, run. Base timing and cold idle are set by a capsule with coolant running through it.Almost forgot this little gem, Number one cylinder isn't at the radiator, it's at the firewall. Those little intricacies are what get you if you don't know about them.

XJAl said:
Nice find! I've never acutally seen one of these in person. What are your plans for it?
My plans are to restore it to its 100% stock trim. I have already completely gutted the interior, as well as replaced the dash. I've ran through it a couple of times, and I am still fixing things as they come. One of my favorite things to do is take it to shows. I just sit there with the hood popped, and wait to hear the "What the..." Or my favorite "What is that diesel out of?" Or the ever annoying "How hard was it to put a bed on your Cherokee?"

Rob :rolleyes:
 
#5 ·
Sounds like a good plan. It's always nice to see XJ's and MJ's restored, especially one as rare as yours. Keep us updated on the resto as you go along, I'm interested to see how it turns out.
 
#7 ·
I actually have a 12 page and counting step by step of purchase to current thread going over on Comanche Club. Feel free to check it out.

http://comancheclub.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=32872

jrunberg said:
I love my diesels, but such an old rig would scare the heck out of me!

Would LOVE to drop a VW TDI engine into my LJ, however...
I've been over my head a couple times with it, but I just try to keep my chin up and improvise, adapt, and overcome.

Part of my posting here is just to toss out that I have access to such an oddity. The more I have about it on the interwebs, the more I might end up helping someone like myself. It was tough going with as many unanswered questions as I started with... It helped knowing someone who had one for 170K. Now I would love to be the guide for someone.

Pics, questions, anything. Even just to satisfy a curiosity.

Rob :cheers2:
 
#10 ·
Thanks for the kind words fellas. I'll be sure to keep you posted.



This is the exact reason I want to plant as many seeds as possible. Have you tried the dealer? Also, the only other domestic vehicle to get these was a Winnebago LeSharo. You can try mobilityrv (http://www.winnebagoparts.com/lesharo-phasar.php) for used/new parts. EBay scares some up at times, but few and far between. I would imagine you could call Garrett also, as they are the manufacturer.





Rob
 
#13 ·
I saw one XJ 2.1 whizz be me, once(with out of state tags), so I pulled an illegal U turn and ran a stop light to catch up but a cop saw all this. And actually laughed when I explained why I was trying to catch that Jeep!! He found it so funny he let me go without a ticket. but it was to late the little oil burner XJ escaped!

Big thumbs up on your MJ!!! Thank you for sharing! I do not ever know when I'll be able to use all this info you gave us but I'm still smiling like a boy in toysRus!! Good job!!
 
#14 ·
Can't believe I missed the replies on this, but thanks! I get a case of the smiles when fellow Jeepers that are in-tune enough to know what it is and appreciate it. I also like the reaction from the younger crowd that doesn't know Jeep make pickups, let alone a diesel one.

Rob
 
#15 ·
i have seen an Xj that was right hand drive. it was wrecked and the guy that bought it was going to fix it up. but it was cool he was assuming it came from europe (which is obvious from the right hand drive) but it was very cool.
 
#16 ·
More RHD XJ's are domestic than one would think. The us postal service bought them by the lot load for rural routes. IIRC, you could also order one yourself. Export XJ's that still don their wares are easy to pick out though... The front markers must be amber instead of clear, and there is usually a marker above the fenders.



Rob
 
#19 ·
I live in south central KY. And there are actually allot of RHD's around here for the USPS. Every time I see one. I want one!!! So I still want one. And I know what you mean about the younger guys not knowing about Jeep trucks, I miss my MJ and am looking for another!!
 
#23 ·
automan2164 said:
:laugh:

Yeah... I had redone the entire interior, and gutted it. While I was taking out the carpet, I got a little excited and broke off the pedal. I was waiting on a junkyard trip to pick up another. I assure you that it's back in now.

It did make it a bit interesting for awhile while I was working on the engine though... In order to start it, I had to reach down to grab the cable and over my head to turn the key.

Rob
Nice. Lol sounds like something I'd do!
 
#25 ·
@automan
Can you help me with a AirCon diagram of your 2,1 TDiesel?
I've got the same engine type in mine and desperately look for such a AirCon electric diagram but did not get a FSM which includes it yet!!!
Thanks a heap for your time!:cheers2:
Great Comanche there and very very rare!
Cheers
John
 
#26 ·
John, sorry I did not see this until now! I was doing some searching and hit on the old thread of mine here. I am not quite sure what you are asking when referring to the AirCon electric diagram though... Could you explain?

Rob
 
#31 ·
I believe a complete gauge/dash set from 85 Cherokee... have to dig it up and check. It also might just be the tach and speedometer set. I have a defective tach read out, with the needle just slowly climbing or dropping, or going all the way to the top RPM... the same happened with the other tach. That is why I obtained the second set. Have to check the sender unit... or whatever it uses for a sender. Likely a problem with that. Just now switching to 192 Thermostat to try ad seal the head gasket leak!?! Otherwise it is another new hd gasket within two years, only thins time proper torquing. It is a great vehicle and in great shape in all other respects... oh, a slight water leak somewhere around the drivers door or windshield?!
JS
 
#32 ·
Moved to europe last year and am currently looking at a 2000 XJ with a 2.5 turbo diesel and low miles.
 
#34 ·
I have only seen one diesel xj before. It was in an airplane hanger with its hood up and when I walked over to it I just sat there and stared stupidly at it for about 10 minutes. Someone had to walk over to tell me it was diesel. I felt a little stupid. I didn't even know they made a diesel motor. haha opps
 
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