thurobred1320

hey guys ive been doing some research but i want to hear it from people who actually work on these jeeps....im wanting to swap a 5.0 ford motor into the jeep. i was wondering what is the easiest/cheapest way to do this and still retain the awd. dont care if its auto or stick. but if its at all possible id like to use the stock transfer case off the 1996 cherokee b.c its almost brand new. so let me know what you guys think...thanks guys

97XJMopar

Just my opinion, but I'd go the chevy route. Whole lot more aftermarket support, better and cheaper wiring for EFI and a whole lot more people make adapters to throw a SBC in a Jeep and still retain your transfercase and or tranny

thurobred1320

well the thing is ive been around ford v8s since i started on cars. i know them really well and i have a ton of parts for them laying around so id really like to stick with a ford motor.

i did a little more reasearch and it looks like its really easy to link a v8 to a ax-15 thanks to advanced adapters...the thing im wondering is can i use the transfercase that is attatched to my automatic trans on an ax15 or will i need a diff tcase?

mike37

the TC will be OK they run them behind the 318

thurobred1320

i was thinking more fitment issues..right now ive got the stock auto trans/tcase from a 1996 cherokee...wondering if that tcase will bolt up to a ax-15

(Eckks-Jay)

The spline count is probably different between the aw4 t-case and the ax-15 tcase.

But why the 302 over the 4.0? the 4.0 can make more torque and is alot more reliable. JMO

nick_n_ii

AX-15 and AW4 do share the same spline count in some years. The '93 and newer AX-15 will be 23 spline and not sure what the cut off is between 21 and 23 spline in the AW4.

mike37

yes it will bolt up but you may need to change the input spline on the tc
look on the Novak conversion page for more info advanced adapters may have the part also

4.3L XJ

I haven't messed with the 5.0, but earlier fords all had the sump in the front unless it was out of a 4WD pickup series. You will probably have to deal with that issue. Probably going to have radiator issues also. A 4.5 - 6" lift will be required also.

mike37

yes a oil pan and pickup tub from a bronco will be required
otherwise you will need a giant lift to clear the oil pan

thurobred1320

all my 1990s 5.0 are rear sump...they do have a small sump in the front is that what you are talking about?

thurobred1320

hey i dont want to start an argument (to each his own) but the 302 is a stout little engine..countless people have been in the 10s with a stock bottom end and heads.( not in a jeep of course lol)...its lighter and has a waaaaaaay better aftermarket backing....both the 4.0 and the 302 are indestructable but ive got a ton of parts and a lot more experience with the 302s..and the 302 gets better gas mileage then a 4.0...plus nothing sounds bettter then a lopey 302 with some flowmaster 40s on it haha. again i dont want to start an argument..those are just my thoughts on them.

thanks for all your opinions/thoughts/comments on this guys..its really making this seem like it could happen. and pretty cheap too. im going to have to take out my Tcase and see how many splines it has and just buy an ax-15 accordingly. that will really cut down on costs. the adapter plate is only like 300 so thats not to bad

Cherokee 4.0

4.0 womps 302s in the long run, theres not no better motor than the good ol' 4.0

thurobred1320

lol ok im not gunna respond i dont want to start an argument you guys have been helping me out a lot and i appriciate it...im trying to find the spline counts right now..hopefully i can find some years that match up

Cherokee 4.0

yeah im not sure how you'd find online the spline count, guess youll have to count them