XJ Powertrain swapping -- the easy way

a_kelley

a_kelley

mechanical fixer
Joined
Jan 26, 2010
Location
Rutherfordton
Easy way to swap powertrain in an XJ.... all at once.. I would not recommend pulling it with the T-Case on it... it got hung up on the trans tunnel but a little prying got it.... I'd drop the tcase if I were to do it again. (likely will before it goes in.. but the one nut inside the shift bracket is hard to get to, so maybe not) oh and roll the jeep out from under it, not the other way around, unless you have the privilege of working on level, smooth, concrete.

click to enlarge








 
RenegadeT said:
thanks for sharing...I see this in my near future
Click to expand...

I think I might get a case of the lazies and not disconnect the T-case when it goes back in.. I'll post up how it goes.. definitely definitely need to be extra careful when prying/rocking/pulling.. the whole assembly is awfully heavy.. if the 4.0 is 600# and the AW4 is 150# and the Tcase is 70#, thats 820 pounds.. thats like 1/4 of the jeeps weight.. and if it decides to go over.. well just get out of the way and fast. steel is NOT forgiving.

OH and DO remove the starter. You'll be replacing it if you don't. I broke the solenoid on mine.
 
tre4s13 said:
wow thats heavy... i need to rethink moving this motorset by myself...my 240sx engine/tranny weighed waaay less man o man
Click to expand...

those weights are guesses.. check first. but if its any consolation, I move them around on 2 wheel dollies and hanging on the lift.. on dirt.. the key is leverage.. and/with a come-along/winch.. I don't think i've ever put a motor in on a smooth concrete floor.. oh wait.. only one out of like two dozen.. and including 350s
 
well, it went in easier than it came out -- go figure. no pictures, unless you really just wanna see a motor sitting in an XJ, held there by motor mounts.. now just to tend to all the wiring I need to put back, and all the rest of the wiring. and more wiring. and a dash, shifter, brake, steering column..
 
That's how I did my Yota. All at once. Coming up on one year. Still just need shocks, Driveshafts and exhaust! My only problem was the heater connections right in the center of the firewall. I kinda bent one up a bit with the valve cover, but it straitened back out and doesn't leak. yet.
 
actually in thinking about it, its probably easier to do it this way for any vehicle, even if only changing one and not both.. I know some vehicles its like the only way to do it.. front wheel drives definitely.. done a plym breeze and neon that way and figured it might go easy on a jeep too, and it did.. easier and faster than separating them and reattaching them..
 
Back
Top