Need some advice on a purchase..
03-13-2011, 07:52 PM
#1
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Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 2.5L
Need some advice on a purchase..
Hey yall..I have the opportunity to buy a wrecked 98 XJ with low miles (auto,242,4.0) for super cheap. I have no plans on fixing it but using it as an organ donor. My 96 se came with the 2.5L and im not all satisfied with its power and its 2wd 
. I dont want to sell it and get a 4x4 cuz its soooo clean. My question is, Is it possible to swap the 97+ 4.0 into my 96(easily)??Im up for the challenge Assuming I have the enitre donor vehicle. I plan on also swapping in the auto tranny and 242 when I do the motor swap. Is this all a bolt on job? I am doing this as a summer project and want to know so i dont waste money on a parts rig. Please help with some advice> Should I buy it??
. I dont want to sell it and get a 4x4 cuz its soooo clean. My question is, Is it possible to swap the 97+ 4.0 into my 96(easily)??Im up for the challenge Assuming I have the enitre donor vehicle. I plan on also swapping in the auto tranny and 242 when I do the motor swap. Is this all a bolt on job? I am doing this as a summer project and want to know so i dont waste money on a parts rig. Please help with some advice> Should I buy it??
03-13-2011, 08:05 PM
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Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 I6
if you have a complete donor, usually everything is direct bolt on... but you have the older style dash in your 96, so that part might not be a direct swap...
you'll have to swap in the entire wiring harness to run the 4.0 and to hook up the gauge cluster. might turn into a nightmare, but if you pull it off you'll be an ocean of knowledge...
you'll have to swap in the entire wiring harness to run the 4.0 and to hook up the gauge cluster. might turn into a nightmare, but if you pull it off you'll be an ocean of knowledge...
03-13-2011, 08:12 PM
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Year: 1996
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Engine: 2.5L
if you have a complete donor, usually everything is direct bolt on... but you have the older style dash in your 96, so that part might not be a direct swap...
you'll have to swap in the entire wiring harness to run the 4.0 and to hook up the gauge cluster. might turn into a nightmare, but if you pull it off you'll be an ocean of knowledge...
you'll have to swap in the entire wiring harness to run the 4.0 and to hook up the gauge cluster. might turn into a nightmare, but if you pull it off you'll be an ocean of knowledge...
03-13-2011, 08:20 PM
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Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
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I wouldnt mind leaving my XJ 2wd, but I really want to swap in the 4.0L. Later I can find an AX15 and driveshaft and go from there since the tranny that comes with the 4cyl wont bolt up.
03-13-2011, 08:49 PM
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Year: 98-01
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Miles? How much? The head on the 98-99 is junk, so be ready to swap that down the road. I have seen a few 100K wrecked trucks sell for $1500 range in the midwest. Sure it can be done.
03-13-2011, 09:03 PM
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Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 I6
OP.
in order for the instrument cluster to work, you either have to swap the dash, or splice into your 96 dash, but before you do that you have to compare the resistances and voltages on all of the connections to make sure that the readers will display correctly. you will need the new harness because you're putting in a different motor... if you had a 4.0 in your '96, i would have said just use the tranny, transfer case, front axle and the driveshafts. either way, you will need to swap in the center console to have a 4x4 shifter.
Last edited by Tural; 03-13-2011 at 09:08 PM.
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03-13-2011, 09:04 PM
#8
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Year: 1996
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.From the research that iv done so far, the 00-01 heads were crap and the 98-99 were possibly the best year XJs built.
03-13-2011, 09:15 PM
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The fella selling it said the body is tweaked and not fixable without investing a good amount of money. Id have to check it out but Im mainly interested in its parts.
03-13-2011, 09:20 PM
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Year: 98-01
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03-13-2011, 09:33 PM
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03-13-2011, 09:36 PM
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If you have something else to drive in the mean time it is well worth the time. You do need to do a tare down on each. I would tare down all of the older one then move over one peice at a time. You need to replace the everything gas tank dash wire harness front to rear all of it. Every time you jump in it you will be glad you did it.