Hello, I´m new on this forum, but certainly not a beginner when it comes to builds. I´m thinking of swapping a 4 liter Cherokee engine, transnission, transfer case and axles into a UAZ 469. My question is about how difficult this may be, in regards of the Engine control Module and such things. The Actual hardware swap I see only as a Challenge, not too complicated Any hints or ideas anyone? We´ll go into details as this thread gets underway

A stock UAZ 469

 

I would imagine provided that you take the loom and required sensors to the new vehicle, you shouldn't run into too many problems. I know the 97+ XJs have some sort of CAN BUS system so I don't know if that would cause any extra work or if it was just how the instrument cluster spoke to the PCM. I'm also sure that the 97+ TCM and PCM can communicate to throw trans related engine codes. Personally I'd be aiming for a 95 down (not being biased) (96 is a bit of a mixed year with hard to find diagrams) as they were a tad simpler and I'd imagine a little harder to wire something wrong. I would in any case advise you to download the suitable FSM from Cruiser's website here: http://cruiser54.com/?page_id=365 as the wiring diagrams may help a lot.

The XJ also loves the use of vacuum to control different things (not engine related bar MAP sensor) so you would need to plug a few vacuum feeds on the inlet manifold if no longer needed.

 

Thank you for the input. I forgot to say in my tread that I haven´t bought a donor vehicle yet. So in view of your answer, I´ll aim for a ´95 or older, I like things simple It may even be simplest to integrate the Cherokee instrument cluster to the VERY spartan UAZ dashboard.

 

I would definitely second the 95 and earlier setup. Really, a 91-95 would be best and I'd (of course) highly recommend going with a manual transmission.

If it were me, I'd want to make sure you can fit the long I6 into the engine compartment of the UAZ - it was barely enough room to put it in the XJ.

 

Thank you sir. I am very well aware of the possible length issue with the l6 engine, but you´ll have a hard time finding a vehicle body simpler than the UAZ 69, and easier to modify. And besides, sometime last century I got a Masters certificate in sheet metal work, so stretching a panel or two is no problem.
But anyhow, this is still in the primal stages, seeing if this is a workable idea that happened to pop into my head

 

Don't you just love ideas that pop into your head. That's how I have a dual engine lawn mower with a 110cc pit bike engine on the drive and 50cc brigs engine for the deck.

 

Hahaha, I'm not trying to discourage you at all - it actually sounds like a cool project. Do you already have the UAZ?

 

You are just weird.


I love it!

 

I don´t have the UAZ yet. I´m about to move to Ukraine as I´m retired and my pension makes it very hard to eke out a living here in Iceland, but I can live a good life on it in Ukraine. I´d simply use a Cherokee down there, but they will not register a vehicle older than 12 years, and I can´t afford a decent vehicle that new. So my plan is to get an old, cheap rig to take with me, and scrap it once there, and use the parts in a UAZ that is already registered.

 

I was thinking of this as well. Looking up images of a UAZ 469, even the 4 cylinders are a tight fit. But if there isnt much behind the dash, a little reshaping might work for a 4.0L. Maybe some floorpan work? The transmission will sit further back by the looks of it, so you may find the driveline needs reworked. Dont forget about the transfer case as it takes up a fair bit of room, too.

But, if Garage54 can stuff a 7 liter into a Lada, you can do this lol.

 

The way I see it, ANYTHING is possible. It´s just a question of how much trouble one is willing to overcome

 

It's simply a matter of time, money, and dedication.