Why Are TDI Swaps So Popular?! (TDI Swap Series)

[@HuckWizard]

Nice one Nate! As someone who hopes to do a TDI swap one day this is a gold mine of information! Can't wait to see how the build goes

[@jeremy8715]

Spencer R same

[@modifiedmetalworks4892]

I have a tdi and a little project waiting for it. the information will be appreciated. I will be waiting with popcorn for this series !!!

[@WTF-oj6ez]

You put the Smack Down on the Scorpion Crawler😎

[@DashnCars]

I'm huge on this swap. I've been convincing a lot of engine swap keyboard warrior type on the gospel of diesel. We bought a diesel Porsche Cayenne last year, 700 miles to a tank of fuel. Plus it'll tow my racecar and still get 20 mpg.

[@truckerrickakamanowar]

I saw a similar setup with a Cayenne that was hauling a porsche track car. I remember being very impressed that it was towing the car, spare tires and all the other gear that comes along with it. I also loved the plate it said GOALS. 👍👍👍👍

[@littlerhino2006]

Diesel makes the world turn

[@TheBibleExplorer]

Now I know I gotta do it in the XJ ,😊 just have to wait till the 4.0 dies but with only 235,000 mls I only have to wait another 750,000mls... Everyone I've ever had has been like a cockroach and won't die as long as the fluids are keep up....lol You got me motivated once more brother 😁👍

[@cadillacdan3404]

Dude I'm glad you stopped working to make more videos now I dont have to wait so long to watch new episodes keep it up

[@DirtLifestyle]

Lol thanks man

[@jnljnl8485]

Im suprised that people are not swaping in vtec honda motors in jeeps . the cam system gets great economy while just putting but they make good power when you stand on it. They make a reliable 400hp with a turbo. Are light weight. Best of all they are dirt cheap at scrap yards across the country and everyone makes parts for them.

[@DirtLifestyle]

They are good motors! I have a number of friends that would make 500 hp regularly and one who made 1000hp wheel! But the problem is these are no good offroad. All the torque is at really high rpm. You don't want to rock crawl at 6500 rpm to stay in good torque. Not to mention the amount of air they flow makes it easy to heat soak at slow speeds. For a light weight desert runner these would be beast! But for trails and rocks I don't think a Honda would be practical unfortunately. But you could try! I would love to be proven wrong on this!

[@mnsterbruiser]

I love how educational yet entertaining the videos are. Gets the dream wheels turning.

[@DirtLifestyle]

Thanks! Happy to see you enjoyed it!

[@tonytrilex2555]

your shop is actually pretty clean

[@benwebb7754]

Nate, I always enjoy your videos and this was no exception. Just one point of clarification (and I'm going to nerd out here for a sec, sorry)... trains are diesel electric - they aren't pulling a load with the diesel, that just turns a generator to power the electric motor that moves the train. If you want to talk torque, I'd love to do an electric swap some day!

[@DirtLifestyle]

Very interesting, I was unaware! And diesels are extremely torquey!... still nothing compared to electric lol. Electric is the future, everything else is history

[@05glisedan]

I thought about LS swap but this is going in a whole other direction. Gonna stop looking to v8 and see how this swap goes.. Really looking forward to mission......

[@user-ju3ns2cz1u]

@Joe man ,If it is any help I currently have a stretched YJ on 37s D60 rear ,D44 front 5.3/4l80e single turbo . depending on your aptitude and goals /funds you might find a clear winner between the the LS and TDI . If you have never done a swap before it is important to factor in figure out what swap has the most support info wise and parts. Depending on where you are in life ...wife/kids/work, time my be limited so easily sourced answers and parts is a game changer or say prefabbed engine mounts, like say Novak . I have mocked up an engine and had it tacked in on a Saturday morning, vs engine in and out 20 times and taking all weekend and all your brain and your still not sure you like it lol . My experience with the LS 5.3 was a massive improvement over the 4.0l like driving a peppy newer chevy truck thats with proper gearing.(bought a complete truck for $1200 running and driving like stated in the video it is way easier that way. won't nickel and dime you so bad) , but not life changing, but I wanted dirt bike like power so I have sense put a cam and a single turbo. if I were to do it again . I would do just the 5.3 and a cam. The diesel looks very appealing though . I will most likely put one in my other jeep. Just because I cant help myself. Plus I have a cool wife @ dirt lifestyle, great videos you speak and present well. you are great to watch

[@joshcollard7834]

My bud at work told me about your channel this am, sub and like, I’m a big fan on TDI swaped 4x4’s I did an ahu into my sidekick but went caveman style and put a mechanical fuel pump from a rover 300 on it. Bigger injectors, a lot of fun and way better fuel economy than any gas motor I could’ve put on it. I agree with everything you said in this video, including the fabrication work needed even though you can buy a “kit”

[@DirtLifestyle]

Thanks man! I'm glad you found the channel 👍

[@fastdadgarage-northsouthch4418]

I love he didn’t throw parts in a big pile, hate when good parts get cut in half and turned into scrap. Someone will need or want almost everything.

[@nickstewart1218]

You should do a video on cost break down for TDI swap. Similar to the dana 30,44 and 60 video you did. Pros and Cons of the swap

[@MrMatt0184]

Your videos are very classy. Well done.............when in doubt, throttle it out.......

[@MrELIAN602]

This kind of explaining makes it a lot easier 👍👍👍

[@Jbennett070]

I looked into doing a 1.9l swap into my XJ, then looked at the OM617. But I wanted to keep my AW4 and not have to worry about a shift controller, etc. So, the 4.7 stroker build stood out the most for me!

[@daveybernard1056]

fun to see. good luck with this

[@mountainlessmtb9940]

L83 and a 8l90 going into my jku but a diesel would be rad as well

[@mazevx2451]

Torque gets the job done. That's why we're glad to have the 2.8L diesel in the jk from stock in Europe 😉.

[@paulus387]

i seen a couple of your videos on the bleepin jeep channel and thought it was hella awesome. i got a 84 ford ranger that i plan on swapping a TDI into it. a few of my friends keep hinting at putting a 5.0 into it, but im not budging. i wont be able to for a while, but ill get to it one day after i get the space to do so. gona love every second of it. watching your videos convinced me to do so, thanks!

[@alain99v6]

interesting fact for off road swap, with the first gen TDI you could swap a pure mechanical injection pump that was available in european light trucks and get rid of the engine computer, electronic pedal, wastegate controller etc a friend of mine did it and could run is engine all the way up to 5500 rpm

[@cgsather3309]

You have a natural ability to communicate clearly and efficiently, which is hard to find on YT, or anywhere. Not a second wasted and all the information is useful, much appreciated!

[@DirtLifestyle]

Thank you! I appreciate the positive comment 🙏

[@charlespeel7078]

Awesome info. Cant wait for part 2

[@Grant.Tatum98]

I would Really love to do one of these to my 79 Cherokee Chief, 40's, 3 linked in the front , 63's in the rear, A respectable 5000 Lbs. I Would love to be able to cruise around town without throwing my entire wallet in the fire, I've done some research and most people are averaging around 10mpg on 40's with A typical LS Swap. I currently get around 5 With the original Amc 360. Definitely need to do a little research on this little diesel motors.

[@baileyerickson6544]

I have a 2.5L 97 TJ and would pay for a complete build up of parts, what you had to fab, expected roadblocks etc. live these builds

[@actorzone856]

I have a 2013 2.0 VW/Skoda TDI engine, trouble is they use CanBus ecu's, complicated electronics, i pulled out 3 complete wiring looms from 3 cars, it all sounds like a good idea but i bet its going to be a headache to put engine's like that into something else, although the engine wiring is complete to the ECU, but i'd imagine the problems start when connecting the ecu to the instrument cluster and what wires can be cut out, big job, hopefully yours from a 2005 engine is less complicated in the wiring.

[@matthewhauke6975]

My brother has a 1990 jeep Cherokee and months ago I found out about tdi swaps into jeeps. So he decided that would be the way he's gonna go. Excited to help him out with it and see how it turns out so maybe one day I'll do it to one of my vehicles

[@ZephIAddy]

this is now on my thoughts to do with my 92 k1500

[@tedtolentino4955]

Greetings, have you gone ahead to do a TDI swap into a GM truck? My thoughts the same. I have a 88 chevy half ton that I would like to convert to a diesel. Have also a BEW TDI engine bought from our local pull-a-part that I was going to place into my Passat with a V6 gasoline engine, but now that I have run into this video I am rethinking to keep the Passat as is and using the diesel in the truck. So far, I have found no other projects on line where such a swap was accomplished in a OBS GM truck.

[@Snailmailtrucker]

I bought a 2002 VW Jetta 1.9 TDI Automatic Trans last year for $2,100.00.. No Reverse and the trans was acting up. The seller included a spare 1.9 TDI engine with 163,000 miles on it with another Auto trans that was supposed to be good....Plus 3 large wooden crates with other VW TDI parts from that spare car. I found a guy like you who had done a 1.9 TDI swap into his Toyota pickup truck...he wanted my spare 1.9 engine and offered to put a 5 speed manual trans into my original 2002 Jetta for my extra 1.9 engine and parts... I jumped all over that deal as the parts were just in my way and the trans had recently lost 4th gear. 2 days later he brought my 2002 back with a sweet 5 speed manual and I have been smiling ever since ! 45mpg makes me smile...... pretty quick too ! I also have a 2004 VW Jetta TDI that I bought after I bought the 2002 above. It started and ran but has Low oil pressure. It's a 2004 1.9 BEW (I think) TDI Wagon with 99,000 miles on it...not sure what direction to go with this 2004.

[@rhyswilliams695]

The Passat is a nice vehicle. Common rail direct injection changed the game. Stick it in the Land Rover, wind up the boost and let it breathe. Very cool swap.

[@FoamSquatch]

I am a Jeep owner that works at ECS Tuning. I am so ready for this series to really get my gears moving on ideas. Thank you for starting this, and I have to say the focus on KZbin as a Job, has turned into a nice step in quality of the videos you are doing.

[@DirtLifestyle]

Thanks! I've bought a number of vw specific things from you guys over the years. Enjoy the series man 👍

[@jeshuaoffroad9791]

One of my favorite Jeep channels

[@matty8272]

Where was this vid a year ago? I'm in process on small block swapping a 95 xj on a super tight budget... Good video. short sweet and to the point. Keep it up. Good seeing you doing your own thing.

[@tadstephen8802]

YES! Thank you, Nate. I so want to do a TDI swap and now there will be no excuse, well except money and time....

[@ec6933]

Ok I know you just started this channel more or less but I just found it last week and this is some goooood content.... I'm not sure why, fun to watch, helpful info, not alot of info you don't need or stuff everyone knows but enough to help people and be informative and interesting and applicable... Idk I usually get bored of these car vids with alot of ... Time lapse that's too far away to tell what's happening, or it'll be rambling about someone's plans later on but not what they're doing in the video, thanks man I'm stoked about the next episode!

[@vaitx]

nice vid. I'm doing a MK6 into a Caddy. I've done this job on this very car. Built several of these wrecked. Bad trans indeed. Very good diesel talk as well.

[@trevordavis4728]

Tdi is super cool, but I think we all want to see a head to head om617 vs tdi. AKA the “cheaper” diesel swap vs the pricier one.

[@Gonecheenin]

YESSSSS!!! I have an ALH in my crawler with a British Rover mechanical pump, 5spd W56, and dual 2.28 geared cases turning 37's. At only 110:1 it crawls over boulders at dead idle & will still spin the tires well if you get the turbo spooled up as you dump the clutch and that's without any mods other than the smoke screw in 1.5 turns & fuel pin indexed. Can't wait to actually turn it up!

[@slateslavens]

I have a 1948 Willys CJ2A with a two foot stretch we could stuff it into. Currently powered by a 67 Dauntless...

[@geraldfletcher7225]

I plan on doing this to my suzuki samurai. Video is very helpful, thank you.

[@thomastaylor408]

Hey dude love the video! If you live common rail engines look at the isuzu 4jj1. They are a monster once tuned !

[@matts_.4494]

As a happy owner of a TDI Golf I thought I knew everything I needed to know about these wonderful little engines but, seeing a TDI powered Jeep with 40 inch tires drag racing I guess V8 powered 4 x 4‘s really opened my eyes and now I know exactly what I engine I need for my third generation Toyota 4runner.

[@rideakhomie]

I have been dreaming of LS swapping something for a couple years now. Didn't expect one video to conviince me i should start boosting/rolling-coal instead. Awesome video!

[@DorianMartins]

In portugal we have tdi's pump douse on 550hp 600 hp on a 1.9 tdi

[@dre04mach]

As soon as I find a comanche that's not 10 grand (I blame Matt solely for driving the price up on those), i'm eyeballing a TDI swap... would be a bitchin' daily driver IMO with some 31s and decent fuel economy...

[@iamblaineful]

As a former Seattle native, your shop area is incredible, you have MASSIVE space for fun and excitement. I’ve moved to CA near the Rubicon Trail, and I don’t miss the Seattle area weather one bit, I did my 40yrs. I love Swap videos, especially diesel, so go for it. VW, Mercedes, Cummins, its all good in my book...all pre-DPF bullshit.

[@kevingilson7917]

I can't wait ! Nice one Nate , I am almost finished on a 1978 CJ 5 frame off rebuild I love the sound of my Jeep . I have a 1986 Suzuki Samari that needs a motor. " You have my full attention!!!"

[@casscountyrejects]

My 86 CJ7 needs this swap. I like how you always go against the grain and do your on thing. Keep up the good work.

[@MrDudeCZ]

Nate, I'm so on the same boat with you on TDI swaps. I have swapped the old diesel in my Cherokee XJ for a BMW M57 inline 6 common rail turbo diesel and it kicks some major ass. And I have not done any tune to it yet. It is only a 3 liter and the economy is great. Don't get me wrong, I love my hemi WK but this diesel is half the size engine and will outperform it any time.

[@MisterRisk]

I've driven VWs since I could drive and have had a few TDIs. A few years ago I purchased a 96 TDI Passat (1Z) for $600 and drove it home from Boston to Detroit on ONE TANK OF FUEL! Parts I sold off the car more than paid for what I had in it. Great engines!

[@themechanicsingh4159]

gave me inspiration to tune my Suzuki ddis 1.2 diseal engine in my 2012 swift,(India) same as tdi, also two of the best engine are Gd series Toyota and 2.5 Isuzu inter cooler. Best 4 cylinder engine.

[@roccobro]

Another great thing for the swappers interested, passats are DIRT CHEAP. Like free sometimes! I bought 2 complete, driving ones for under $500.

[@micahhaislett3792]

When my 4.0 shits out this is my plan. Keep em coming man. 👍🏻 now.... to find that doner...

[@thatoneguy4319]

As a BHW owner myself I'm extremely jealous of how clean that engine is ITS LIKE BRAND NEW!!

[@chriscary5302]

I have a '95 Rover D1 with a 300TDI (Rover motor), Discos are pretty heavy for a 2.5l diesel a 1.9l is going to have to be pretty heavily modded. At least you won't be stuck with the R380 trans.

[@LMLtrever]

I LOVE this video. I am atempting a BHW swap on my Comanche!

[@DirtLifestyle]

Nice! I've always been interested in those trucks 👍

[@ashtonmariefranklin1981]

That land rover overlanding rig Look into a cummins repower 2.8L turbo diesel.

[@nathankesler8974]

Thanks Nate, this was a good one!!! I have a Land Rover disco 1, so I am really hoping you put the TDI in the disco!!!!! I’m stoked on what you are doing.

[@nathankesler8974]

I’m am looking it to swapping a 300tdi, how do you think a Vw 1.9 would compare? It would be easer to get parts.

[@nathankesler8974]

My disco will be a family adventure camp rig

[@gavilan578]

Watching you on the trail to sema this year made me want to go diesel. But put one in the same kit lj that Ian johnson built for the trip. Now if I only had the skills and space to build one. Can’t wait to see the rest of the series.

[@mikehoffman3690]

You actually look rested in your latest videos.

[@DirtLifestyle]

Lol I feel rested!

[@hellayellajlurubicon]

Enjoyed the video, when I bought my 05 LJ brand new, my build plan was to put a VW TDI in it when the 4.0 gave out, life got in the way and I sold the LJ, still a future plan of mine when I find another LJ, after i'm done building the wife's JLUR.

[@xozindustries7451]

I've been looking into a TDI or Chevy Cruze Diesel swap for a year now, I'm glad to see you doing a video series on it

[@infantryfreak]

Nate look forward to this build. I have an 08 jku that I'm considering my swap options; LS, rebuild and procharged the 3.8, or a TDI.

[@kevinsavas7173]

Awesomeness! I have a samurai I want to swap a TDI into. Looking forward to more.

[@austinwinkles3146]

I've been debating what motor to swap into my samarai and I think this may be the winner. Love driving that little thing but man it's a gutless wonder!

[@kevinsavas7173]

@@austinwinkles3146 the 1.9 TDI is a popular one. There are some good Facebook page groups that will give you a lot of help too. Suzuki samurai owners and Suzuki Diesel. I definitely know what you mean about the lack of power. That little 1.3 gets a workout turning the 33s. I seen a couple months back on the Facebook market place a 2003 VW bug with the bad transmission but a running 1.9 for 500$.

[@crusTodd]

ACME ADAPTERS is a specialist for the TDI/ Samurai/Toyota pu swaps. Check'm out👍

[@quadpit]

I had a 2004 VW Golf TDI with the BEW motor. It would get 52+ mpg on summer diesel and was probably the best, least maintenance motor, I have ever had. I pulled a trailer with (2) quads like it was nothing but I could feel a 2-up covered clamshell snowmobile trailer on the back when I hauled because of the wind resistance. It was a great car and loved driving 85 in 5th and feeling acceleration when I floored it and no downshifting. I would love to someday do a TDI to TJ swap some day in the future as I think that would be a great project. Thanks for the post and I have also subscribed.

[@ericmillier6652]

Looking forward to see the engine build. I have a 96 Passat and have been thinking about swapping my 4Runner. Thanks for the info.

[@duneattack]

I have always hoped you were going to talk about this swap! I remember hearing your jeep diesel clatter down the trail during a video quite some time ago. Another youtuber did a video or two on this swap, but I don't recall a whole lot of details on how it was accomplished. All I remember is one headache after another. This series may just change the world, Nate! Good on you, Bro!

[@ec6933]

I've got one in my 95 YJ. 180hp 310tq, and 30mpg with 5.10s and 35. They're tough to beat power to weight

[@joryclouthier]

What gearing would you recommend for a 37" keeping in mind I need to drive highway... 6 speed 06 rubicon

[@worldhello1234]

@11:14 Without a significant amount of horsepower you cannot move the wheel regardless of torque figures. It is actually the most important factor. Fuel economy is an important factor of a hauling business. 🤔

[@benrittenhousedotcom]

Great video Nate. Been looking for a 4cyl 5 speed jeep to replace the one I "accidentaly" sold.... tdi swap sounds like the way to go.

[@truckerrickakamanowar]

Loving this channel! Looking fwd to the next one.👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@DirtLifestyle]

Thanks!

[@kyleburgess6475]

Got me thinking.

[@malonetuning1870]

Keep up the great work Nate!

[@jasonjones7321]

had a alh i built in a golf, vnt 17/22, pp 150 nozzles kerma tune and a auto pump swap, thing was the most fun vw ive driven regularly put the hurt on vr6 cars

[@moggiethejeep1828]

Awesome UA hoodie! I’m in Local 72 in Atlanta. Great vids brother.

[@DirtLifestyle]

Thanks brother! I'm a union member for life 👊

[@heyyitsandy]

Not to mention that famous TDI spooooool! I’ve had a few modded TDI’s 1Z/ AHU, and can confirm they are amazing 🧃🧃

[@andrewziegler9560]

I can't say again how great this channel is . Keep up the great content . I've got an 06 rubicon that needs a tdi swap bad !

[@michaelval7264]

Looking forward to seeing this project progress. Hope you're getting good family time now too.

[@DirtLifestyle]

Absolutely! I see my family way more now! It's awesome 👍

[@XzzXINSANEXzzX]

So many doubters on diesel power, currently swapping a 2.0 BKD golf motor into my xj, in Australia we play different

[@jakemckee9303]

My favorite video so far. Im interested in swapping a diesel into my lj after my 4.0 heads out so these are what i get most excited about👍🏼 great video

[@j.j.sgarage1457]

Great video Nate.👍🏽

[@rickrayn]

I had 3 Jetta diesels. The last was a 2002, It got rear ended at 375,000km on it. I have a Jeep Grand Cherokee (1995) with a 4.0L in it. Wish I had know about this as an option. My daily driver is a 2017 Escape which is nowhere as much fun as I had with the Jetta nor does it give the fuel economy.

[@nicholasbaldwin1674]

Might have to start mine soon. CEL on my 3.6 and can't seem to keep it off

[@tykethomison7676]

I am actually going to do this because what you have done. My plan to use a Cummins has changed since I started watching you ! Awesome content and awesome job you do with your build videos.

[@jonahdehart4874]

Love what you’re doing Nate. The knowledge that you have is vast and in my opinion it’s underrated. And the courage that it took you to quit plumbing was insane. Keep up the good work boss.

[@DirtLifestyle]

Thanks man! We really appreciate the support 👊

[@abpsd73]

Do the balance shaft delete for reliability. TDIClub is a good place for lots of info, including swaps. I'm planning a BHW swap into a Ranger.

[@broverss]

Awesome! I just got my project truck running, a 1966 land rover series 2a with a bhw swap. Glad to see someone else out there is keen on the bhws for swap!

[@kylelewis3504]

Why does youtube not have a super like button? Because this deserves one!

[@DirtLifestyle]

Lol thanks!

[@alburvill7034]

I have an older Nissan d21 so this looks like it might be an option for a good run about /overland vehicle

[@independentcontractor1633]

Awesome Nate!

[@overlandtraveler979]

Love your channel. Currently in the middle of a 4bt bolted to a 47rh auto trans going into a 93 jeep XJ. Found this xj last summer with only 99,000 original miles on it. After 3 years of a 2500 diesel ram cant do gas any more. Looking foreword to more of your videos.

[@jebwatson]

Really eager to see the install of this (into whatever)! Super excited about this channel's potential.

[@timsully8054]

Nate... I've done a number of swaps and a complete wiring merge even before I was finished competing my auto degree years ago. That being said, I would still be very curious to pick your brain one day about your TDI swap and might like to do something similar in my TJ build. Maybe one of these days I'll make it out to one of your tahuya/elbe trips and bug you about it. Big fan dude, keep up the good work!

[@jimschmidt4089]

Loving the content Nate, going to follow your build all the way through and taking notes along the way. Thank you for choosing to document this and bring us along. Glad you are taking the plunge ...and going full throttle KZbin. I hope others see the same value and learning that I'm seeing in your videos.

[@moabwheeling]

I've been thinking about a TDI swap in my TJ so this is perfect timing . Looking forward to your next installment . Thanks Nate . Until next time take care .

[@setholiver1581]

Good video I’m doing an Ls swap in my Cherokee now but bought the donor truck and made all my money back and some and go the free Ls swap complete

[@aaroneldridge8117]

I own 101 performance garage in FL. We build rally cars and Jeep's. Our main rally cars are Audis. I don't know why I never thought of swapping a TDI into one of our Wranglers. We were getting ready to do a 4bt. But now TDI looks like a better option. Look forward to watching the rest of the series!

[@aaroneldridge8117]

Already bought the donor car!

[@jamesws08]

If you have too hard of a time figuring out what to put it in, you can install it in my 03’ rubicon. (The black one that wheeled with you at Tahuya not too long ago.)😂 On another note, I just saw the “rubicrawler” doubler by advanced adapters. What an amazing option for my rubi with the 4:1 tcase that it has!! It gives you 2.72:1, 4:1, and 10.88:1 low ranges and dual sticks! The 2.72:1 is a must have lol.

[@DirtLifestyle]

I've always wondered way more people don't get the rubicrawler. It's a really sweet option 👍. I didn't know they fit TJs and LJs?! Awesome man!

[@jamesws08]

Dirt Lifestyle only for the 42RLE, which I have.

[@Whitt_Built]

Just picked up an XJ for a fun off road project, even with 33s on it it feels like a dog. Definitely considering a TDI swap after seeing this video. Would be fitting since the day to day job is a diesel mechanic on larger trucks. Will definitely watch if you make this a series. New subscriber also, jealous your at 55k, im just shy of 50k haha.

[@DirtLifestyle]

Thanks brother! I'm happy you found the channel 👊