TJ Engine Swap

xjwheeler

Member
Joined
Aug 31, 2011
Location
Thomasville, NC
I have a 01 jeep TJ that has a blown motor. I've been looking for motors but want to know which engines will be an easy swap?! It's a coil pack motor so, whats my best bet?

Any help would be appreciated.
 
I have a similar question but I want to know if a 98 TJ motor will go into a 98 XJ.

The catch is that the TJ has a 98 cast (normal) and my 98 XJ has a 99 block number.
 
The easiest swap will be a reman of what's in it now.

jdpitre89 said:
I have a similar question but I want to know if a 98 TJ motor will go into a 98 XJ.

The catch is that the TJ has a 98 cast (normal) and my 98 XJ has a 99 block number.
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TJ and XJ 4.0 blocks do not interchange. Motor mount locations are different.
 
Chris_Keziah said:
The easiest swap will be a reman of what's in it now.



TJ and XJ 4.0 blocks do not interchange. Motor mount locations are different.
Click to expand...

They don't interchange for all years?

According to the stealership, the part search for an engine block on a 98 XJ is the same as a part search for an engine block for a 98 TJ.

and also, who keep posting this? And it is apparently false if what you say is true:

"XJ Cherokee and ZJ Grand Cherokee 4.0L engine blocks interchange.

2000+ TJ Wrangler and WJ Grand Cherokee 4.0L engine blocks interchange.

XJ/ZJ blocks, and the 2000+ TJ/WJ blocks do not interchange without significant modifications. (1991 to 1995 YJ and 1997-1999 4.0L TJ Wrangler blocks will interchange in XJ/ZJ and visa-versa).

TJ/WJ 4.0L Engine blocks underwent clean sheet design changes effective in the 1999 WJ Grand and 2000 TJ Wrangler. These blocks are not interchangeable with XJ/ZJ engine blocks. The reason is motor mount bolt holes and belt driven accessory mounting bolt holes are in different locations, or not present at all, TJ/WJ vs. XJ/ZJ.


XJ: "Regular" (not Grand) Cherokees 84-01
ZJ: Grand Cherokee 93-98 (Gen1)
WJ: Grand Cherokee 99-04 (Gen2)
YJ: Wrangler 87-95 (Gen1)
TJ: Wrangler 97-06 (Gen2)
 
jdpitre89 said:
They don't interchange for all years?

According to the stealership, the part search for an engine block on a 98 XJ is the same as a part search for an engine block for a 98 TJ.

and also, who keep posting this? And it is apparently false if what you say is true:

"XJ Cherokee and ZJ Grand Cherokee 4.0L engine blocks interchange.

2000+ TJ Wrangler and WJ Grand Cherokee 4.0L engine blocks interchange.

XJ/ZJ blocks, and the 2000+ TJ/WJ blocks do not interchange without significant modifications. (1991 to 1995 YJ and 1997-1999 4.0L TJ Wrangler blocks will interchange in XJ/ZJ and visa-versa).

TJ/WJ 4.0L Engine blocks underwent clean sheet design changes effective in the 1999 WJ Grand and 2000 TJ Wrangler. These blocks are not interchangeable with XJ/ZJ engine blocks. The reason is motor mount bolt holes and belt driven accessory mounting bolt holes are in different locations, or not present at all, TJ/WJ vs. XJ/ZJ.


XJ: "Regular" (not Grand) Cherokees 84-01
ZJ: Grand Cherokee 93-98 (Gen1)
WJ: Grand Cherokee 99-04 (Gen2)
YJ: Wrangler 87-95 (Gen1)
TJ: Wrangler 97-06 (Gen2)
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Why the fuck did you ask a question you apparently knew the answer too......troll must be in the air today.

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Dude, chill. I am not claiming to know the answer. I am just getting mixed reviews. When that very non specific response containing all possible swaps is plastered all over these threads related to swaps, and then one person has a countering answer, I would simply like to know why... why/how do you know the mounts are different?
 
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Blaze's thread spells out the interchange quite well as to what 4.0s interchange. He's seen a hell off a lot of 4.0s come through his shop so that info is pretty solid. In generally speaking though, the easiest way to make the shit fits is that it's from the same year/model.

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xjwheeler said:
I have a 01 jeep TJ that has a blown motor. I've been looking for motors but want to know which engines will be an easy swap?! It's a coil pack motor so, whats my best bet?

Any help would be appreciated.
Click to expand...
Chris_Keziah said:
Blaze's thread spells out the interchange quite well as to what 4.0s interchange. He's seen a hell off a lot of 4.0s come through his shop so that info is pretty solid. In generally speaking though, the easiest way to make the shit fits is that it's from the same year/model.

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Click to expand...

Could you please refer me to this thread?

I understand that would be the most simple route, but I don't have my choice of whatever motor I want. Trying to see what I can make work and what I can't.

Thanks for responding.
 
Blaze said:
Came out of a thread in the general chat. Here's the comprehensive list of what motors will fit which Jeeps.

1987-1990 Jeep Cherokee XJ 4.0L
Renix motor - you can use 87-90 4.0L
91-01 XJ, 93-98 ZJ, 91-95 YJ, 97-99 TJ You will need to relocate temp sender to thermostat housing from HO motor. Also need to use all your Renix accessories, distributor, flywheel/flexplate, etc. 00-01 is not recommended due to crappy head. Some people say the 0331 isn't as bad as people say. We scrap Jeeps, more than likely if we get a 0331 head Jeep in the head is cracked, well over half the high mileage 00-01 ones we get in have this problem.

1991-1999 Jeep Cherokee XJ 4.0L
87-90 XJ - Renix motor, lower power output, not recommended
91-01 XJ, 93-98 ZJ, 91-95 YJ, 97-99 TJ (read 87-90 XJ section above about 0331 head issues on 00-01 XJ)

2000-2001 Jeep Cherokee XJ 4.0L
00-01 XJ
You can also use 91-01 XJ, 93-98 ZJ, 91-95 YJ, 97-99 TJ engines, but you will need to purchase separate coil pack adapter brackets since the 00-01 is a coil pack motor and earlier engines do not have mounting provisions. It would be cheaper and easier to just find the correct 00-01 motor.

93-98 Jeep Grand Cherokee ZJ 4.0L
87-90 XJ - Renix motor, lower power output, not recommended
91-01 XJ, 93-98 ZJ, 91-95 YJ, 97-99 TJ (read 87-90 XJ section above about 0331 head issues on 00-01 XJ)

99-04 Jeep Grand Cherokee WJ 4.0L
99-04 WJ, 00-06 TJ - 2002 and up were TUPY heads and did not have the cracking problems that earlier 0331 heads had. 02+ are recommended.

1991-1995 Jeep Wrangler YJ
87-90 XJ - Renix motor, lower power output, not recommended
91-01 XJ, 93-98 ZJ, 91-95 YJ, 97-99 TJ (read 87-90 XJ section above about 0331 head issues on 00-01 XJ)

1997-1999 Jeep Wrangler TJ/LJ
87-90 XJ - Renix motor, lower power output, not recommended
91-01 XJ, 93-98 ZJ, 91-95 YJ, 97-99 TJ (read 87-90 XJ section above about 0331 head issues on 00-01 XJ)

2000-2006 Jeep Wrangler TJ/LJ
99-04 WJ, 00-06 TJ - 2002 and up were TUPY heads and did not have the cracking problems that earlier 0331 heads had. 02+ are recommended.

There you have it, please let me know if anything is wrong here. This was all gone off of by memory and experience here in the shop. I think I got it all correct but if anyone finds issue let me know and I'll update it. Also, some motors might have slight wiring differences with the temp gauge wiring because after 96 they stopped putting them in the cylinder head. You can either use a 96+ thermostat housing and extend the wire, or you can drill and tap your existing housing and extend the wires. You can also be brave and drill and tap the head. I'd rather do the housing and extend the wire and not risk it.

There are also some other differences with swapping HO motors into Renix Jeeps and the other way around, most of it is gasket related and easily remedied with using the correct gaskets.

Hope this helps some people!
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Chris_Keziah said:
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Click to expand...

Ok Yes I have read this over and over. I have pasted the two segments that would directly pertain to my situation.

Below states the a 91-99 XJ will accept a motor from a 97-99 TJ (see bold italics underlined)

1991-1999 Jeep Cherokee XJ 4.0L
87-90 XJ - Renix motor, lower power output, not recommended
91-01 XJ, 93-98 ZJ, 91-95 YJ, 97-99 TJ (read 87-90 XJ section above about 0331 head issues on 00-01 XJ)

Blaze also states here that the 97-99 TJ will accept a 91-99 XJ,

1997-1999 Jeep Wrangler TJ/LJ
87-90 XJ - Renix motor, lower power output, not recommended
91-01 XJ, 93-98 ZJ, 91-95 YJ, 97-99 TJ (read 87-90 XJ section above about 0331 head issues on 00-01 XJ)

Am I reading this incorrectly? I seems like a 98 XJ and 98 TJ will interchange according to the above.
 
Regarding xj motors: If it's a coil pack motor, only 2000-2001 xj had coil packs, so you'd have to swap the head (head ports differ as well if it's got the two piece manifold), but 87-01 xj motors are the same mount location and accessory holes (except 87-90 have no holes for the ignition coil/grounds behind the alternator.) Heads, cams, accessory & tensioner configuration differ through those years, although you can transfer everything over between those years.
 
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a_kelley said:
If it's a coil pack motor, only 2000-2001 xj had coil packs, so you'd have to swap the head (head ports differ as well if it's got the two piece manifold), but 87-01 xj motors are the same mount location and accessory holes (except 87-90 have no holes for the ignition coil/grounds behind the alternator.) Heads, cams, accessory & tensioner configuration differ through those years, although you can transfer everything over between those years.
Click to expand...
My swap is a 98 TJ motor going into a 98 XJ. I confirmed that it is the same long block. Good to go. It seems that 1999-2000 are the years where the details change.
 
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