2.8 to 4.0 SWAP

[jeepaholic]

Hey i may have found me an MJ..One problem..It has the 2.8L...I was really hoping for a 4.0L but i can get a good deal on this one..How tough is it to swap the2.8 out for the 4.0?

[Pete M]

Very tough. You'll essentially need a complete donor vehicle and even then you need to make some semi-serious mods to your truck to make the 4.0L fit. A better swap is the Chevy 3.1/3.4 engine. See these links for details:

http://www.off-road.com/jeep/cherokee/x ... 4swap.html

http://www.lunghd.com/Tech_Articles/Pro ... ect_XJ.htm

[87manche]

you could also drop in a 2.5. Not a 4.0, but probably better than the 2.8. 2.5's seem to run forever.

[jeepaholic]

you could also drop in a 2.5. Not a 4.0, but probably better than the 2.8. 2.5's seem to run forever.

I think I'm gonna need the extra power cause I'm gonna be running either 33's or 35's if i ever find one

[mj_lover]

i'll second the 2.5L bulletproof, little low on the hp, but off road they match the 4.0L, as its lighter, and, added bonus, keeps your speed low, so no tickets!

 

ha! posted just before me, 33's and 35's are ok, just need to regear.

[mjeff87]

My only negative comment on the 2.5 (TBI) is no low-end grunt in 4HI, like if I get bogged down on a hill, or in really sticky mud. Restarts are difficult, unless I drop to 4LO, but once you get the wheelspeed/rpm's up and keep them up :D she goes good.

 

I've got a doulble remedy planned to address that, tho. 4.56's, and an inertia ring are going in this summer

 

My experience is with a 5 spd, don't know if it's so much of an issue with an auto and a TC (?) And as far as bulletproof.....I'll be turning 170K on the odo come this weekend sometime, and the only thing I've ever done "inside" the engine is pull the rockers/lifters/pushrods and clean them. Never had the bottom end opened up to date :D , although it does suffer from a self-diagnosed worn/loose timing chain (to be replaced along with the gears, etc. very soon)

 

Jeff