terrawombat

Gas mileage will vary heavily depending on the season. In the winter I can barely muster up 17-18MPG on the highway with my '01XJ. In the summer, that same Cherokee will get 20-21MPG (with A/C off). You're not going to be able to make our bricks more aerodynamic so that really limits good fuel mileage to driving habits. I have found that if I keep my XJ in the 65-70MPH range on the highway, I will net better fuel mileage than if I stay in the 70-75MPH range - most likely has to do with the RPM I'm running at and where our 4.0L engines are their most efficient. Something else I've tried, but haven't really seen noticeable results, is to air up your tires a few PSI more than the recommended amount.

The news of these riots really irritated me. I've been a long-time hockey fan and have played for over 20 years. The sport simply isn't popular amongst many American citizens and we've always looked to our border buddies in the north for some inspiration since all of the Canadian hockey teams seem to have an extremely strong and passionate fan-base. However, when you see the fans (or rioters/looters posing as Canucks fans) vandalizing their own city after an important loss, it isn't exactly leading by example. But to get back on topic - it was quite a roller coaster of a series. I really am not a big fan of Luongo so watching his meltdown was somewhat satisfying. Gotta love seeing old man Recchi hoist up another cup. How does this guy still play at such a competitive level?

Figured I'd update this "build." I stayed true to my word and found a nice set of Jeep 5-spokes and got them installed on the truck. Now it looks like it did when it rolled off the factory floor - minus the fading paint and dents, of course. This MJ doesn't get driven around too much. I took it off insurance a while ago and the registration has just about run out. I mainly use it around my property to clean up sticks, take out the trash, and haul large items that won't fit in my '92MJ with the topper on. I'd like to eventually fit all of the dents and get some fresh paint on the truck, but that equals time and $$ - both of which I'm very short on these days with my 5.9L MJ project going on.

Last night I worked on getting the drivers side motor mount (re)-fabbed. If you've been following this thread, you'll recall that I originally had made a frankenstein of a mount for the drivers side using a ZJ and XJ mount. In order to fit my Mopar Performance headers on the engine, I needed to scoot the entire assembly forward approximately 1/4 to 1/2" for clearance purposes. By doing so, I screwed up the positioning of the mount. I ground off the existing "tabs" of the engine mount, cut out a new tab from 3/16" plate, positioned the engine where it needed to be, and tack welded the new tab in. I still need to measure, design and cut out the second tab for both the driver and passenger mounts. Once I have those completed, I can start to work on the additional bracing that I'll need to handle the increased power and torque that this power plant will eventually produce. I didn't take any pictures last night, but I'll get some later today and update this post.

Replaced the factory plastic clutch line and quick disconnect with a -3AN stainless steel braided line. The quick disconnect kept randomly popping off, leaking brake fluid all over the exhaust downpipe - causing a smoke show for anyone behind me - and causing me to lose all clutch pedal pressure. Had to start the truck in first gear from a stop and rev-match shift to get home a couple of times. Decided I didn't need that kind of headache when I was 100+ miles from home visiting my girlfriend so I installed something that should be fail-proof (knock on wood). Out with the old: In with the new: Connection at master cylinder: Parts courtesy of Advanced Adapters and Race Part Solutions. See this thread for details: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=30530

Hidden winch!

Definitely another solid option. I had actually started to gather the parts to build a stroker for my build, but ultimately decided against it for the sole reason that too many others have done the same thing and I wanted to try something new and innovative. I did a good amount of research to try and determine how many people have dropped the Mopar Magnum engines in XJ/MJ/TJs and was surprised at how infrequently it has been done. What was even more infrequent was tying the two systems together (OBDII ZJ Magnums to 97+ OBDII XJ interior systems). Of the people that have done the swap I'm currently in the midst of - and I'm not just talking about dropping an engine into an XJ/MJ/TJ and getting it to run; I'm talking about completely integrating the existing XJ interior with the Magnum PCM out of a ZJ so that it looks completely stock - none of them were very well documented. So, out of that, I had my goal - complete the swap in its entirety and document my steps along the way.

Well this being my first engine swap and the most mec. work and the biggest i have ever done. I wanted to do something that was "cheap" and "easy"... easy being relative to dealing with computers and what not... Mostly I think my Uncle, and cousin will be helping me... None of us really have any experience so I plan to take lots of pictures and ask lots of questions. I have a few friends, that know exactly is needed, I will ask what I need to do and get some help on things i can't do, like welding.... If I get a 3rd MJ ,I just might for the right price, I would stick with something like you where saying, Jeep, Mopar, Chrysler. By then I might actually know what I am doing :hmm: Well, if you want it to be as easy as possible, then go for a carbureted Chevy small block with one of their hydraulically controlled transmission. No need to worry about many wires, computers, modules, etc. etc. If you ever run into an issue with fitment/compatibility, you can always turn to Novak adapters for assistance (but it'll cost you $$$$).

haha, I suppose. 1984-1986 are kind of like the bastard years for the XJ/MJ that some of us would like to forget ever happened (at least engine-wise, although the AMC 2.5L gets a pass).

Yep - only way you can get in there and access the register that holds the odometer reading is with the DRBIII Chrysler scan tool. I need to find me one of those...

I've never been a big fan of an engine/trans swap from manufacturer X into a vehicle from manufacturer Y, especially when manufacturer Y has a plethora of very nice engines available. Granted, my current 5.9L build is barely staying true to its heritage since Chrysler bought Jeep in '86-'87, my MJ is an '88 and the Mopar Magnum V8 5.9L wasn't used in a production vehicle until 1993. But, I'm doing my best to stay true to the Jeep/Chrysler/Mopar brand (even though many of you will say that Chrysler was the eventual death of Jeep - we can't go back and change history so it is what it is).

Just about any vehicle with an electronic odometer is done this way. On the 97+ XJs, the mileage is actually stored on a chip in the cluster itself. On ZJs with an electronic odometer (96+, I think), the mileage is supposedly stored in the computer and transmitted to the cluster via the CCD bus network. Speaking of, I need to test this theory with the 5.9L engine/trans/PCM I picked up out of a '98ZJ - should be able to swap the PCM into my running ZJ and see what mileage is stored on the PCM. PO said it was 116K....so I guess we'll see :D

You're probably speaking of the 4L60E transmissions which are found in just about everything manufactured by GM after 1982. Then they revised it in 1997, then some stronger variations came out in 2001. They're a pretty stout transmission and can handle some good power. I believe they are the auto trans used in the C6 Corvettes.

Mine came out of a 1998 grand cherokee

Yes mine came with a 46re transmission but no transfer case. I will be going with a 242 case.

I bought a 5.9L, trans, PCM and engine wiring harness for $600, I think. Defintely wasn't over that though.

Auto will get me down the track quicker :D

The 2JZ engine will require that a Toyota bellhousing is swapped on the AW4, but that's reasonably easy if you can find a swappable Toyota bellhousing. According to the Supra fanboi's the AW4 (or the A340 in Toyota Land) is said to handle about 350HP when equipped with a good trans cooler. As you're aware, the 2JZ can easily become an HP monster :D

DIY AN Clutch line install: -3AN fitting for "pin" type Clutch Master Cylinder: http://www.advanceadapters.com/products/pn-716130/ -3AN 60" SS braided hose with one straight fitting and one 90: http://www.racepartsolutions.com/prodde ... od=FRA3000 -3AN to 7/16"-24 hard line fitting: http://www.racepartsolutions.com/prodde ... od=FRA6502

The fitting from Advanced Adapters got stuck on a late train and didn't come in on Friday like I had originally hoped. Got it today and got everything installed and the clutch bled. Very pleased with the results - the clutch pressure seems much better than it was before with the crappy plastic line and the gears seem to engage a whole lot nicer. Here are some pictures I took along the way: So far I've driven about 10 miles on it and no leaks. I'll be keeping an eye on the clutch fluid level for the next couple of weeks and check for leaks.

Nah, don't agree with that statement in the slightest. Just because it can't be lifted 10", fitted with 35" tires, and can tackle any off road terrain doesn't mean you can completely discount it as a Jeep. If I did, I would have to completely discredit the Grand Cherokee SRT-8 as a REAL Jeep because it features an independent front suspension setup. That'd be a real shame...especially since that it one of the most bad @$$ JEEPS ever produced.

Hell of a deal for all of the work he put into it! Wonder if he would take 50 cents...?

Personally, I've never seen above 17.5 on my 5.9L V8, but I'm a member on a couple of ZJ-specific forums where members claim MPG ratings in the 19-24 range for their V8 Magnum engines. Almost hard to believe considering the size of the engine and its antiquated technology, but we'll see...

Based on my average fuel readings for my '98ZJ with a 5.9L and taking into consideration the lighter weight of the MJ (vs. ZJ), I would estimate that the 5.2L and 5.9L Magnum V8's get similar gas mileage to the 4.0L.

Meh - it looks like it was designed with the intent to be a street truck, so leaving it RWD is okay in my book.