I would not do more than a 4 cyl Cummins in a cherokee... I am doing the 5.9 swap into a 77 K30, that motor is double the weight of a big block Chevy motor.
For those folks that like the German diesels. A Mercedes Benz diesel (om617) can be swapped in as well. Less weight of a 6BT.
mercedesdiesel4x4. com
I’ve already added almost 800 pounds in armor to the body. Which is why I’m upgrading the motor.
Since I had the parts truck, I took panels off the old truck and will be sandwiching those over the existing steel panels on the result car.
Doors, rear quarter and roof panel. The front is going to be lightened by making a perforated steel hood.. but that’s only shaving a pound or 10. I’m building a solid rear hatch that I can swap out if SHTF.