What are the best anchor points for pulling a 4.0? The driver side looks like I can easily run a chain between two of the head bolts but passenger side has very little to hook to. I am pulling a 100K mile 4.0 out of another XJ before I scrap it so I can have a spare motor.

images yoinked from google but when i recently had my jeep towed the guy used these holes to pull my jeep onto a flatbed but im not sure how you plan to pull it these were just the points he used to pull it


hole above the jack stand



big hole to the left of pic

^^^^ Dont think he is looking to pull the Jeep but rather the engine.

If you can see in this picture, I used one of the bolts from the AC bracket on one side and the exhaust stud on the other side.

oh whoops lol my bad i should of read closer. umm there is a video on youtube when nickintimes pulled his motor use that as reference.

also... ohhhhhh shiny clean new engine and parts! rare sight to see clean build 5 speed, I will assume you are trying to find the clutch pedal in that one lol

5speed - The exhaust stud held the weight of the entire engine?

No, you should HAVE read closer.


I had the same reaction to the title - towing points.

No. Only half the weight.

That's the way I do it.

To re-phrase - Damn, you can use that little exhaust stud as an anchor point?

How much does the 4.0L engine weigh coming out?

Yes. 600?

I have pulled a few Jeep engines this way. Works out great.

fixed it for you.

My original statement still stands. I normally use a lift plate or factory installed lift hooks to pull engines out. Much easier and safer. The Jeep engines are one of the few that I use just a chain and bolts in whatever looks like a good spot.

Example, for LS engines, I use a valley cover lift plate. For old SBC, BBC, SBF (really anything carbed) I use a carb mount lift plate. Ecotecs, Alloytecs, shortstars and other newer GM engines have nice little lift hooks bolted on the engine that I loop the chain through.

while i agree and utilize the same methods, point i’m making - using exhaust bolts to hang an engine has been the go-to for decades, almost regardless of engine. the worst thing i ever did was buy a valley cover lift plate for lsx. ive used it a couple times and every other time it was on loan. i now leave it bolted to a spare engine with a cover on it.

Got it and agree!