How tough is an engine swap from 2.5L to 4.0L?

[bigmistake]

I've been looking for a MJ for a long time, and it seems like I keep seeing 2wd, 2.5L trucks.  Is it a straight swap to plug in a 4.0L engine?  Based on what I've been seeing, I'd likely swap the engine and do the 4WD conversion from a donor XJ.

 

Thanks!

[Pete M]

it's exactly as hard as stripping a truck down to the bare bones steel, then doing the same to an XJ,) and then reassembling it all into 1 awesome rig.    

 

for what it's worth, the 2.5 is a fine little engine.  it just need the proper gearing to match the tires you want to run.  a 4wd swap is much easier than a full on engine change.

[omega_rugal]

if you can get a 2.5 with little rust it`s the best for a project, the later the model, the easier to swap things over, also there`s a plus that the rear axle will be 4.11 or at least 3.55...

[carnuck]

I was going to suggest swapping the spare 4.0L I have for a good 2.5 but I’ll probably be selling mine when I get back to where it’s stored.