banjobill80 Posted October 6, 2013 Share Posted October 6, 2013 Hello all was hopeing to gain some insite for an upcoming project I have researched the forum and read as much as I can find on the topic but thought there might be a few tips or tricks or things to look out for. So I have an 86 comanche lwb 4x4 2.8 5speed motor is locked up . I also have a 93 cherokee 4.0 auto 4x4 ho. Have decided to do compleate swap. Engine trans interior the hole 9 yrds. I'm aware of the firewall issue and figure on cuting what ii need from the 93 as well as core support hood exc. Guess my biggest concern is wireing and dash anf all that goes into that. Any help or suggestions are appreciated. Starting on floor boards this week front clip motor and tranny removed. Hopeing to have in primer and running by spring. Thanks so much for the forum anf the info. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GirsMJ86 Posted October 6, 2013 Share Posted October 6, 2013 Deja vu A few members have done the 2.8 to 4.0 swap, so I'm sure they will chime in with more info. A better, more specific title would help ensure that they actually look at the topic though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minuit Posted October 6, 2013 Share Posted October 6, 2013 The biggest concern for swapping in the 4.0 will be the firewall and wiring. Later 86s may have the firewall change in preparation for the next model year. You'll need most of the XJ's wiring that pertains to the front half. If I were you I would convert the entire truck up to the 91+ wiring to make everything match up. There's quite a few wiring differences between the 86 and later models that might be problems for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimoshel Posted October 6, 2013 Share Posted October 6, 2013 After comparing the options of 2.8-4.0 swap I went with a 2.8. Took a 2.8 from a '93 S10 and downgraded it to '86 MJ specs. Maybe it doesn't have the power of a 4.0 but it has enough for my purpose and wasn't near as much work and rtrouble. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
banjobill80 Posted October 6, 2013 Author Share Posted October 6, 2013 Yeah it does seem like its going to be a whole lota work. In 1989 I bought a 86 mj 4x4 it had the 2.8 with auto trans I lifed it 4 inchs and ran 31 10.5 15 mudders and it wouldnt hardly get out of its own way and gas millage was horrid I loved that truck tho was in a horrific accident where a guy ran a stop sigh and I t boned going about 45 shoved bumper and everything back around the frame horns but drove it home it was quite unreal anyway I was never happy with that motor combo and have had a number of cherokees since and the 4.0 speaks for itself. I'm building this truck for my son he is now 13 so guess we better get started and would like the reliabilty of the 4.0 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onlyinajeep726 Posted October 6, 2013 Share Posted October 6, 2013 This should aid you some. http://comancheclub.com/topic/39539-links-for-25l-to-40l-swap/ Also, follow my build thread as I have successfully swapped in a 4.0 into my '86. I have taken lots and lots of pictures of everything I've done so far to make it fit. The link is in my sig below. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
banjobill80 Posted October 6, 2013 Author Share Posted October 6, 2013 Thanks onlyinajeep726 just confermed by looking ar your pics miine is an early 86 . Looks like some massageing is in order Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onlyinajeep726 Posted October 6, 2013 Share Posted October 6, 2013 Yessir. Are you staying with the AW4 from the donor XJ or going to try to find a AX15? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shelbyluvv Posted October 6, 2013 Share Posted October 6, 2013 Do a Magnum V8 swap, less work honestly. The wiring is about the same. Why not? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
banjobill80 Posted October 6, 2013 Author Share Posted October 6, 2013 Well for one thing I have the 4.0 ho donner and another its for a 16 yr old lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mpace6a Posted October 6, 2013 Share Posted October 6, 2013 Do a Magnum V8 swap, less work honestly. The wiring is about the same. Why not? Thats what I plan on doing. Was orignally looking at putting a 4.0 in my 86 to replace the 2.8 but seemed like a lot of work. Can put in a 5.9 for equal or less work and have more power, so why not? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shelbyluvv Posted October 7, 2013 Share Posted October 7, 2013 Well for one thing I have the 4.0 ho donner and another its for a 16 yr old lol I'm building mine for my son as well. He'll be 16 next August. Get them deeply involved in the project, make them buy some parts with their allowance, teach them the value of the truck. They will respect it more in the end. My truck happens to be one of the very first MJs ever built. It didn't stop me from building it the way I wanted it. Enjoy the time with your kid building the truck. Those are memories they'll cherish forever! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onlyinajeep726 Posted October 7, 2013 Share Posted October 7, 2013 What do you do for motor mounts for a V8, though? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GirsMJ86 Posted October 7, 2013 Share Posted October 7, 2013 Get them deeply involved in the project, make them buy some parts with their allowance, teach them the value of the truck. They will respect it more in the end. And there is the true wisdom you were looking for. Doing that just about guarantees they won't see the vehicle as a throw away, or something they could neglect or take risks with while driving. Usually ensures the vehicles lasts much longer rather than turning into a salvage title like 80% of the mustangs and stuff I see for sale around here that were teenagers first vehicles... or worse of course. Just about nothing we hate more than to see an MJ declared totaled in a wreck around here. Cherokees are a lot easier to come by, make that their first vehicle and fix the MJ up. Taking the time to do things right with him helping out, buying parts and stuff like Shelbyluvv said, then give that to him once he's driven the XJ for awhile and learned to respect the MJ. Just my Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shelbyluvv Posted October 7, 2013 Share Posted October 7, 2013 What do you do for motor mounts for a V8, though? Stock ZJ mounts bolt right in with a couple new holes being drilled. I had to make some drop brackets to lower the engine 1 1/2" or so. Look through the Black Betty build in the projects section for some pics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mpace6a Posted October 7, 2013 Share Posted October 7, 2013 What do you do for motor mounts for a V8, though? Stock ZJ mounts bolt right in with a couple new holes being drilled. I had to make some drop brackets to lower the engine 1 1/2" or so. Look through the Black Betty build in the projects section for some pics. Wonder if thats the same for the 5.9? Probably end up having to make my own...i want to add a couple more horses before i put it in anyway... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shelbyluvv Posted October 7, 2013 Share Posted October 7, 2013 What do you do for motor mounts for a V8, though? Stock ZJ mounts bolt right in with a couple new holes being drilled. I had to make some drop brackets to lower the engine 1 1/2" or so. Look through the Black Betty build in the projects section for some pics. Wonder if thats the same for the 5.9? Probably end up having to make my own...i want to add a couple more horses before i put it in anyway... The 5.2 and 5.9 have the same mounts. It's the same block. Get a nice running ZJ as a donor. Then let the wrenches fly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mpace6a Posted October 7, 2013 Share Posted October 7, 2013 What do you do for motor mounts for a V8, though? Stock ZJ mounts bolt right in with a couple new holes being drilled. I had to make some drop brackets to lower the engine 1 1/2" or so. Look through the Black Betty build in the projects section for some pics.Wonder if thats the same for the 5.9?Probably end up having to make my own...i want to add a couple more horses before i put it in anyway... The 5.2 and 5.9 have the same mounts. It's the same block. Get a nice running ZJ as a donor. Then let the wrenches fly.Actually been leaning towards a ram with a 4x4 5spd because id prefer a standard over an auto, and to date ive seen one 5.9 zj on craigslist. any big benifits to using a zj donor over a ram? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onlyinajeep726 Posted October 7, 2013 Share Posted October 7, 2013 What do you do for motor mounts for a V8, though? Stock ZJ mounts bolt right in with a couple new holes being drilled. I had to make some drop brackets to lower the engine 1 1/2" or so. Look through the Black Betty build in the projects section for some pics.Wonder if thats the same for the 5.9?Probably end up having to make my own...i want to add a couple more horses before i put it in anyway... The 5.2 and 5.9 have the same mounts. It's the same block. Get a nice running ZJ as a donor. Then let the wrenches fly.Actually been leaning towards a ram with a 4x4 5spd because id prefer a standard over an auto, and to date ive seen one 5.9 zj on craigslist. any big benifits to using a zj donor over a ram? Harness wires might be a little longer, making placement easier. But I'm just going off of suspicion on that one. Other than that, their pretty identical. Valve covers might have the Ram logo on it. What about a 4.7 HO from a WJ? Anyone ever done that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mpace6a Posted October 7, 2013 Share Posted October 7, 2013 Had a wj(?) with the 4.7 that was rolled offered to me for $400. still runs and drives. But i want 5.9 power and the associated bragging rights lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onlyinajeep726 Posted October 7, 2013 Share Posted October 7, 2013 Bragging rights, I can see. However, the 4.7 HO puts down 265 hp / 330 lb·ft of torque. The 5.9 Magnum puts down 245 hp / 345 lb·ft of torque. This is assuming the information I found on the vastness and erroneous prone interwebz is correct. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oyaji Posted October 7, 2013 Share Posted October 7, 2013 Bragging rights, I can see. However, the 4.7 HO puts down 265 hp / 330 lb·ft of torque. The 5.9 Magnum puts down 245 hp / 345 lb·ft of torque. This is assuming the information I found on the vastness and erroneous prone interwebz is correct. . What is the weight difference between the 2 engines? That's another consideration to take into account... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mnkyboy Posted October 7, 2013 Share Posted October 7, 2013 Its also good to consider the 5.9l will still be running when the 4.7l is sitting in the scrap pile. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onlyinajeep726 Posted October 8, 2013 Share Posted October 8, 2013 Bragging rights, I can see. However, the 4.7 HO puts down 265 hp / 330 lb·ft of torque. The 5.9 Magnum puts down 245 hp / 345 lb·ft of torque. This is assuming the information I found on the vastness and erroneous prone interwebz is correct. . What is the weight difference between the 2 engines? That's another consideration to take into account... Its also good to consider the 5.9l will still be running when the 4.7l is sitting in the scrap pile. These are valid points. As far as weight, I'm not sure on either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mpace6a Posted October 8, 2013 Share Posted October 8, 2013 Also important that ive been balls deep in a 5.9 and a 97 5.9 ram is my substitute dd while the mj is down. plus i want to add some horses to the 5.9 and stick with a manual trans. autos are lazy horsepower robbing slushboxes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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