It's basically the same 2.8L VM Motori engine offered in the JK Wrangler overseas. Because of its industrial background (it's also used in overseas equipment) it should be easily swapped into older Jeeps. In fact, only a thin adapter plate is needed to install it behind any of the later 4.0L Jeep transmissions. The most likely candidate would be the NV3550 because of it's durability. The Jeep used for this Mopar swap started as a 4.0L TJ with a NV3550. Does the driveable torque and 30-percent increase in fuel economy make you drool with envy? Don't whip out your credit card just yet, the crate diesel introduced during Easter Jeep Safari is only a concept product for Mopar at this point. In the past Mopar crate engines have been a little on the expensive and overpriced side. How much would you pay for a 2.8L crate diesel?

Mopar also introduced a Dana 60 rearend that will likely be available for JK Jeeps and other models. Mopar says its working with a major axle manufacturer to offer the Dana 60 in more useful configurations than for the military J8 Jeep it comes on (it has leaf springs). We say the fab work and the red sticker on the axle shaft of the full-floater option points to Dynatrac. The 60 is said to use existing Dana 60 gear sets, but in stock form it features 35-spline c-clip axles. Currently only an ARB Air Locker, a Traction-Lock limited slip, and and an open diff are available. We suspect other differentials will be available soon. We were also led to believe the new axle will likely be available in many different configurations, including with TJ or JK suspension brackets.