Engine Swap

06MegaCab

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 15, 2013
Location
Indian Land
I have a question about doing an engine swap into a TJ.

I am in the market to buy a jeep and I am seeing a lot of 4cyl TJs in great condition for CHEAP. My issue is that I dont want to run a 4cyl forever, just for a few years until I can afford something else. I have a reasonable amount of mechanical experience/skill but I have no way to weld (plus I dont know how) so I couldn't put new mounts in.

My Idea would be to put a fuel injected V8 into a TJ and either use the AX15 or upgrade to something else. (assuming I wouldnt have to weld on it to mount it.)

Basically my questions are this -
1)What would I need to buy to complete the swap ( I was thinking a 5.3L vortec unless there is something out there that mates up easier), a different bell housing to mate the AX15, and a new radiator. If I buy a motor that already has the alternator, steering pump, etc on it can I use that or do I have to buy and mount jeep parts for that?

2) as for electronics - what do I have to buy for the engine to run?

3) if I took a jeep with the fenders, front bumper, grill, radiator, engine, and existing motor mounts removed to a shop with all the parts and had them weld in the mounts and wire it up what would that cost me? (possibly chime in Carolina Truggies?)

Im pretty confindent I could break the jeep down and take all of that out but I know I couldnt get it all back together because I cant weld and am absolutely an idiot when I get outside basic skill level wiring.

Or should I just pony up and grab something with a 6cyl and keep it (although Ive always wanted a v8 jeep)

Thanks,
Austin
 
Coming from some one that has done the 4 to 6 swap. Pony up for a 6cyl. It was a lot of work and I'd consider my self very mechanically inclined and had all of the right tools to do it. Still nickeled and dimed me. Wish I would have went v8, but my little research showed to be expensive in the transmission department to stay 5 speed. I was looking at a 5.9 gas swap.
 
Just a quick note; if you were assuming that the AX15 came behind the 4cyl tjs you assumed incorrectly. They have the AX5, so you would be looking at swapping transmissions too. It might be easier to fully swap a whole new drivetrain in; just as much work swapping in a jeep 6cyl as a different v8.
 
If you can't weld, you don't have any business attempting this swap.
 
I have a 4cyl TJ and plan on doing a 5.3/4L80e swap way on down the road. If your intentions are V8 motor swap for sure, def buy a 4 banger for the cheapness and start doing your research now.

If you want to swap to the 6 just buy one. Its just as much work/money to swap in the 4.0 as V8. Swapping the AX5 tranny also means swapping the Tcase because the 4banger has the 21 spline case.

Basically I'm just waiting on my 4 banger to die before I bother swapping it, it's a good motor really. I hope to have it 4 linked and stretched before that happens.

I liked the thought of a hemi swap to keep Chrysler/jeep related, but there is no denying the options and aftermarket support for Chevy stuff. More transfer case options, transmission options, performance, cheaper parts, availability ect.
 
I was going to do a V8 swap on ours. Did a whole lot of research, got a lot of stuff figured out... Then the motor took a dump and called my hand. I took the "easy" way out and did a 4.0 swap. What a massive pain in the ass that turned out to be.

If you don't care of its street legal, the v8 swap can be simplified a bit, but it's still a lot of work and a bunch of cash.
 
4cyl TJ with blown motor+ wrecked 5.9 ZJ+ Dakota 3.9 AX15 bell housing and transmission+ Magnum 5.9 flywheel+ weld in motor mounts= v8 5 speed all "Jeep" at a decent budget. Add a plug and play harness from www.hotwireauto.com and you're 95% done.

Plenty of other ways of getting there, but this one would be a somewhat easy one IMO.
 
I was just wondering really. I would like the V8 because eventually the jeep would be on tons 42s etc and I would like the extra oomf. Plus its just cool to hear a wrangler crank up and have a v8 in it. I used to have a YJ on 42s with the 4.2 and it spun the tires fine with the 5.13s but I just dont think the 4cyl would do the job. If I did decide to to a swap I definitely would go v8 just because Im already in it. I guess I will just try to find the 6 cyl and rag that thing out and learn how to weld efficiently in the process.

What kind of welder could be used to make a strong enough weld for suspension components, engine mounts, etc.? I used to use a stick welder I cant remember what kind but I think it was nicknamed the tombstone. That thing was really difficult to learn on and keep a constant arc going but I know the 220 stick was strong enough for welding suspension components to the frame etc. Is there something out there that's strong enough and runs off 110? I ask because there is no easy way to run a 220 outlet to my garage.
 
220 outlet is easy as calling a guy out to do it. Welding the stuff up is not the challenge of your intended project.

Also keep in mind, adding a v8 drive train is gonna mean mandatory rear stretch due to the length of the v8/tranny/Tcase. I could be wrong, but I don't see how it would work. TJ drive shaft is already very short.

I'm all for someone learning and tackling projects, and I'm not downing you. But you are concerned with the complications of adding a 220 outlet in your work area, swapping the entire drive train of a TJ is much more complicated than that. Again, not downing you. But have you considered maybe buying one someone else had already done?

Let me say again, not downing you. If you want to do this, most people here will coach along the way and even come turn wrenches with you. Myself included. I'm no expert, but I have a good friend I put lots of faith in for my projects so I've learned a lot. Usually I have big ideas and he's quick to point out the flaws and make me feel stupid. But I learn from it.
 
haha yeah basically im just dreaming right now. I live in one of these prefab homes and they really just didnt consider that anyone would do anything with the garage other than use it as storage for a bunch of crap. Before I do any of this I have to buy a jeep first I was just wondering if I could buy a $2000 4 cyl jeep and turn it into a v8 jeep for the price I would pay for a newer model 6 cylinder.

I helped a buddy put a 5.0 high output in his YJ and we had to put a new tranny and i think a tripler in it and it required a stretch as well but we just welded gusseted spring eyes to the end of the frame rails to move his rear axle back. Also leaf springs are a lot easier to mess with than coils. Again I cant do any of this because I cant weld haha. I remember the two issues with that build being welding stuff up and wiring. I felt like I could do just about everything else. Although cutting the body for the stretch makes me nervous too haha
 
77GreenMachine said:
220 outlet is easy as calling a guy out to do it. Welding the stuff up is not the challenge of your intended project.

Also keep in mind, adding a v8 drive train is gonna mean mandatory rear stretch due to the length of the v8/tranny/Tcase. I could be wrong, but I don't see how it would work. TJ drive shaft is already very short.
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I have a V8 powered TJ, and the rear drive shaft that I had fab'ed at Oliver's is longer than one you'd find in a 4.0/AX15/231 Jeep. This is at at stock height and stock wheelbase
 
77GreenMachine said:
Basically I'm just waiting on my 4 banger to die before I bother swapping it, it's a good motor really. I hope to have it 4 linked and stretched before that happens.
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I had a 4cyl yj and waited on the same thing. I even had a shop forget to put oil in and the motor locked up a mile up the road. After it cooled down and added oil it ran fine for years. I finally sold the motor to start my swap.

ord.sgt.26NC said:
my question is why do you need a v8?
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That's the dumbest question I've ever heard...
 
GotWood said:
That's the dumbest question I've ever heard...
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I think the man answered my question. I've heard and asked dumber...
I've got a 60 horse flathead and still manged to spatter front spiders AND twist my rear driveshaft in two on one ledge climb so who needs 300 horses...

Guess my flathead's dick is plenty big enough
 
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