ilove4.0s

Hi everyone im looking too buy a zj with a 4.0. The plan for the zj is a 8.8 rear and maybe a dana 44 to handle the 33s im gonna run im also gonna stroke the 4.0 out to a 4.6. Id like to have a transmission out of a cherokee so I can get a np231. Does anyone know what transmissions will work and hold up to my plans?

Bustedback

You can bolt a 231 to the stock transmission. My ZJ came from the factory with a 231 behind the 42RH. You going to run the 44 or the 8.8? The 93 ZJ was the only year that had the AW4 transmission. So if you're dead set on that transmission you have to find a 93. A swap is possible on later years, but very time consuming and a pain in the butt.

ilove4.0s

yes im gonna run a 8.8 in the rear and maybe a dana 44 up front. I was reading and saw a common swap was using a ax15 out of a cherokee. id like to know more about it though.

Bustedback

A 44 might be a little hard to find for the front, and a bit of overkill for 33's. It would be easier on the wallet to swap in a high pinion D30 out of a 92-99 XJ, it's pretty much a bolt in swap. The HP D30 is about 30% stronger than the low pinion D30 that comes under the ZJ. Another bolt in swap for the rear is the D44a out of a 96 and newer V8 ZJ. It's stronger that the D35 and can handle 33's no problem as long as you don't have a ham for a foot. The main draw back with the D44a is that there is limited aftermarket support for them, they don't share anything with the D44, and the the center housing is aluminum. Check out "project ZJ" on the YouTube, lots of cool ideas and advice for you.

ilove4.0s

Should I need to put a stroker kit on it or will it turn 33s fine without it off road and on?

Bustedback

Regearing the axles would be cheaper and more reliable. I have 3.73's with 32 inch tires, they work great on the flat highway and I get good fuel mileage, but they really bog me down in the hills. Not bad off road though. Building a stroked 4.6 would be cool, but it can get expensive quickly. You get more bang for the buck with gears. Here is a chart to help guide you as to what gears you should install for your application.

dave1123

Hey Busted, what's the lowest ratio you can put in a D35? I know there is a limit to the diameter of the ring gear.

I think this guy should use a 4.11 gearset so it will still be good for the highway. I had 4.10's in my '67 Camaro and I was turning 4000 rpm at 70 mph.

Bustedback

I'm not sure, but I think 4.10's is the limit on the Turdy five.

ilove4.0s

I highly doubt ill use the dana 44a I heard lots of bad things about them.

ilove4.0s

Does anyone know anything about a ax15 swap in a 4.0 zj?

Bustedback

There are a few threads about the swap in a ZJ, use the search and one should pop up.

ilove4.0s

How bads the stock transmissions? Which ones are the best? which ones can be adapted to the np231?

Bustedback

The stock transmission is not as bad as people say it is. If cared for they will last a long time, I have 223k on my original transmission. A 231 will bolt onto it.

ilove4.0s

Im considering a 5.2 with a 46re wiIl the np231 bolt up to it and how can I tell if its a 46re?

Bustedback

The 46re came behind the 5.2 V8. The 231 will bolt to it and the 42re, but there are a few minor things to check before installing it.