I’m trying to help my son source a motor for his 2001 XJ with a 4.0 straight six. Will all XJ straight sixes work to swap in or is there a range of years I should focus on? Other than low mileage is there anything specific to XJ’s that I should be watching out for?

thanks for the help.

 

Cruiser has a sticky...cherokee motor interchangeability..read it and it tells you what matches with what

 

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)

 

If I were you, I’d save the trouble and get a direct swap crate motor from atk or something. You can order them direct or go through Quadratec if you’d rather.