input on 5.2L swap

[Jaxso32]

Hi all, the title says it all, I'm in the early stages of putting together a plan to swap a 5.2L magnum into my 88 swb MJ and I'm looking to get some input from others who have done this or something similar. I'm considering this instead of an obd2 4.0L because the jeep basically needs to be rebuilt anyways, and for a bit more work why not have a v8? As of right now i want to retain the older style dash so i believe that i am restricted to using only 1996 donors. To anyone who has done this swap is it easier to use a grand Cherokee or Dakota donor? because the Dakota is somewhat similar to the Comanche/Cherokee it seems like it might be easier as far as getting the dash and pcm to communicate and getting the interior components to work, like HVAC, lighting, and audio. I have a rough idea of how indepth, time-consuming, and intensive this swap is and have read through the few write ups there are on this, but i also know that there is a lot that i am missing or havent thought of, so any input would be very much appreciated.

[shelbyluvv]

Grand Cherokee 93-95, and get a 91-95 dash and under hood harness. See project Black Betty in my signature.

[Jaxso32]

Trying to get obd2 or I would use the older style.

[shelbyluvv]

Just so you know the 93-95 ZJ was OBD-I. The dash uses all dumb gauges and it is damn near a bolt in. Use a Ram engine too. That way the manifolds and starter cause interference issues. I'll bow out now. Good luck!

[Jaxso32]

I'm thinking I'm not on the same page. I know that 93-95 zjs are obd 1. That is why I was asking about the 96 donor, because that gives basic obd 2 which if I'm going to put all the work into it I'm going to want.

[Jeepman]

You can Have OBDI or OBDII without changing your dash but if you want the newer OBDII dash but not the 97+ then yes you need a 95-96 XJ dash and interior harness...

 

I wouldn't go with the Dodge Engine as the starter and battery are on the opposite side and you would need the trans to match at least it was for the 92 Dakota engine I transplanted into a 95 Jeep YJ so its doable but not ideal...

 

Basically install engine and be sure to have pulled the engine harness from the donor vehicle...

​

You strip back the new harness and either just add it (its 3 wires that need to be connected in the most basic way) or remove all items that are not used (I prefer this method as its a cleaner look)

 

to simply get your oil pressure and temp gauges to work you just install your old sensors into the new engine with the new engines sensors and its easy as that in the simplest of ways possible that is old sensors go to your old gauges and the new sensors talk to the PCM...