My ZJ Project
 

So I bought this 1995 Grand Cherokee Limited for $350 on craigslist. I knew it wasn't in running condition, but for the shape it's in I couldn't have gotten a better deal! I'm hoping to swap a 4.0 into it for slightly better MPGs, better aftermarket support, cheaper and more abundant parts, etc. I bought it for my girlfriend and am looking to give it to her for our 2 year anniversary. She loves Wranglers, but I want her in something a little bigger and more comfortable. I'll just let the pictures do the talking...

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/e...0531111753.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/e...loads/jeep.jpg

Here's the No. 2 spark plug that I pulled. Looks great. Right?

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/e...0604111020.jpg

Then I got under the car. I noticed some nice oil pan modifications.

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/e...0604111059.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/e...604111059a.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/e...0604111100.jpg

Let me guys know if you have any tips or tricks to getting this thing on the road. I want to put a different transfer case in it too because it's full time 4wd which is completely unnecessary in Ohio.

-Kevin

Nice deal on the zj!

Look into swapping a np242 or np231 so you have 2wd as an option. As for engine swaps, the gas mileage should be pretty close actually, you would have to swap all the drivetrain (engine, trans, tcase) and lots of wiring. My friend has an 04 tj with the 4.0 and he got similar gas milage stock to what I got stock with the 5.2. Any questions feel free to ask me! I love seeing zj's more and more now.

Got mine for 350 with bad trans, swopped it out got it moving and the front axle was trashed. Got it going know. I got the I6 in mine and it only does about 24mpg highway. I here that the smaller engine uses just as much gas cause of hauling the same weight as the v8. But I here these I6s are very reliable. I got 245k on mine and it fires right up.

sent from sweet iPhone app

Thanks for the info on the T-Cases. I've been trying to find info on which ones to look for. Haven't had much time spending so much of it with the girlfriend while trying to keep this under wraps.

As far as fuel enonomy goes for the 2 motors: From research on fuel economy.gov, prople with the I6 were getting slightly better city and much better highway mileage vs. the V8. I'm still open to convincing, because I'm pulling the engine, trans and t-case all attatched sometime tomorrow. I'm hoping to find a motor soon! If anyone in the NW Ohio and SW MI region has a complete motor.... let me know!

Also, as far as the swap is concerned, it is my understaining that the gauge cluster, engine, trans, and engine harness is all that needs to be swapped...motor mounts too, so long that it is the same year, it is plug and play... Please chime in if I am incorrect. I haven't had a ton of time to myself to do the research, but from the few 4.0 to 5.2 swaps I've read about, it was just plug and play.

From personal experience, my buddy had two white 1996 grands, both exactly the same except one was the 4.0 i6 and the other was the 5.2 v8 (his family has had over a dozen zj's since 93), they got the same gas mileage and the v8 had more power. now he has only one, the v8! i also had a 5.2 v8 grand and it wasnt all that bad on gas considering its a jeep, but i now drive a 98 gmc suburban that gets better than all three of them. Dont listen to the gas reports those arent very reliable especially with this old of a vehicle. Its a good looking zj though,, and a nice price on it too!

Ok, so in your guys' opinion the 5.2 is the way to go? The only thing I'm kind of hung up on is the transmission. I thought I read somewhere that they are garbage. Is this true? Are the 4.0's trannies any better? Also, the engine trans and t-case are out and separated this morning. I forgot to take a snapshot of them separated, but there will be more pictures to come.

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/e...0608111925.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/e...608112047a.jpg

So I pulled the front diff cover because the pinion seemed to turn strangely easy. The front driveshaft was missing, but I didn't think anything about the pinion until I grabbed it to slide myself under the car. Come to find out, some moron pulled the pinion and ground all the teeth off of it! Why on gods earth pulling the drive shaft wasn't enough, but now I have to get a junkyard front axle and driveshaft too! Oh well, it's still a cheap build...