G23crawler

Hey guys, Iv been trying to read up as much as possible but need some guidance. Built up a 90 2.5L with 6" lift and 35's. I bought everything to convert it to 4wd, right before I started the conversion the 2.5 started to produce a pretty bad rod knock. I'm afraid it won't last much longer. I race ultra4, so this is just my cheap trail rig when I don't want to use the race car. The MJ will get one tons and 37's or 40's this winter. But until then I need to do something about the motor so I can at least have fun with it for now. I have built multiple race car/buggies/rigs so I'm more than capable of throwing in an LS or 4.0L, just looking for some guidance on what will be the quickest easiest for now. Let me know your guys thoughts, thanks! LS swap and be done for good? (more expensive and time consuming) Rebuild the 2.5L, finish 4wd swap and drive it (is it even worth rebuilding a 2.5?) Find a donor rig and swap in a 4.0L that already has 4wd (might be hard in my area to find the correct trim/year, in todays market they are worth more than they should be?)

Run and idles decently well after starting. I also wondered about vacuum, ill check those tonight. Ill also look at the grounds.

Could you explain what the ISA is? I do believe it makes a noise on shut down, kinda sounds like an external fuel pump or something.

I have messed with it, did not change the starting issue. Its currently set where I want it, so if I had to adjust it high enough to start the idle would be way too high once running.

I have a 90 2.5 2wd that iv been fixing up, truck has been sitting for awhile. Did new head gasket, plugs, wires, thermostat. It will not start on its own, but a slight amount of throttle applied and starts right up. Runs great after starting, the problem is 100% consistent. No matter the temp or how many times I prime the fuel pump. If I don't touch the gas pedal it would never start, but the second I touch it fires right up. Not to familiar with these engines. Any ideas?

Figured I'd finally start a thread as I already see this snowballing into a full build. Been keeping an eye out for a nice candidate for a trail rig / pit rig. Iv had my Ultra4 car for about a year now, as cool as it is its not very practical for weekend wheeling. I want something that can hang with the buddies on some hard trails but still drive it whenever I want. So found this 90 2.5L 2wd sitting in a field waiting to die. Gave the guy $700 cash and towed it home. First thing I did was get it running, didn't take much. There was an obvious head gasket issue, so replaced that quick. Then tried to clean up 30 years of dirt inside. Most of it cleaned up nicely, floor pans are shot and someone crudely fixed them. Frame almost has no rust though! Once I knew it ran decent and drove good enough I jumped on Marketplace and pieced together a short arm lift kit. 6" lift, 35's on 15's etc.. Now I need your guys help... This will most likely get an Ls this winter, I have a good idea on what I'm going to do for suspension. But what's the go to axles for these? Ideally TJ/LJ rubi axles, but in my area those are going for $4,500 to $6,500.. For $2k I can throw a set of Super duty 60 one tons in (iv done this one multiple other vehicles). I will throw in some pictures of my last LJ build, that one got alittle carried away.. But like I said, I want to be able to drive this where ever, I don't really want tires sticking completely past the fenders. Let me know your guys thoughts, now onto pictures!