barrythecableman

I am gathering parts to make my jeep in to a v8 Cherokee.. I want to go with a 6.0 lq9 or lq4 with a ax15 and a np-231...keeping the stock gear ratio... I am going to have a 3 1/2 inch lift and run 31 inch tires. I am going to put a plow on it for moving snow when i go ice fishing.

how ever i plan on using it to pull my 21 foot ranger walleye boat approximately 2500 lbs, light off roading when i go deer and elk hunting, pulling a pair of four wheelers or snowmobiles, and putting my 4000 pound ice house out on the ice.

i have an 89 jeep Cherokee with a ba-10 and a 4.0 with a d35 rear.

first question

would a jeep with a Chrysler 8.25 rear work for what i want to use it for? as i could get one with an ax15 already in it and have the 23 spline output shaft too that should be better for the hp of the 6.0

will I have to updrade to a d-44 front axle or will a built d30 be enough?

is there any after market hoods with something like a 2 or 3 inch cowl in it?

to the guys that have done a gm v8 swap.. is there any better option than building an aftermarket gauge set? as i know that the ecu sends the signals to the gauges in a jeep..

I am currently amassing the parts to do this as i want to do it once and do it right

the other option is to stroke and supercharge a 4.0 to get it near 350hp but i would sooner do a v8 swap at it is not something u see every day and it will be like working on a gm truck..

wahoo

The biggest problem you are going to deal with is the cherokee does not have a full frame and I don't know if it is possible.

SeriousOffroad

It will fold like a taco......

barrythecableman

it is more than possible i just need some direction in the axle choices and if the jeep ever came with a 8.25 rear axle after 91 so i can get the 23 spline output shaft into the transfer case with out having to swap it all into my current 89 jeep with the ba-10

they run 400hp supercharged i6 and 300 hp stroked i6 then why not a v8 with the same weight just better designed heads and more displacement

SeriousOffroad

Dude......

<-----<<<

btm24

Well as of right now you have 3.07 gears so if I were you I would take the time to move up to 3:55.

I think that the 8.25 will be strong enough sand cheep, but a ford 8.8 might suit your needs better since it's a bit stronger and dsik brakes are nice with that type of power.

Up front I'm not real sure what you should do because I'm not sure what type of strain snow puts on axles but I do know that, that much power with bigger tires will be alot of stress on the Dana 30. So look into getting a ford 44 but you might be ok with a built up 30.

Good luck with what ever you do

Brandon

barrythecableman

what you guys don't see snow down there in fl.. lol

should come up here to mn and have some fun walking on water like Jesus..

pushing snow can be rough on a truck if that is all you do with it.. but i plan on running a 65" blizzard blade too keep the weight on the front to a min. i just need to move snow so my buddies civic can get out the the ice house.. that is a whole other story buy the way..

to get a ford d44 would i have to source a full sized one and have it cut down?

so you think that i would want to go with a 8.8 to get the disk breaks? why not just do a disk break conversion on a d44 or 8.25 would i not be money ahead compared to an 8.8 conversion?

or is the thinking go to an 8.8 and a ford d44 to get the same bolt pattren front and back?

Metalgearmurder

Your unibody is going to commit suicide with even the light blade... unless you reenforce the frame. I have seem three or four xjs with the front cradle sheared loose on either the left or right sides..

btm24

Lol yeah I've only seen snow once and that was just a few flakes.

Yeah I would just cut down a ford front end and rebuild it bigger and better

I think you can get a ford explorer 8.8 and put it in for less then the disk brake cost for the 8.25. I think cost would be about $400 or so.

Also the bolt pattern of a ford 8.8 out of an explorer is the same as your XJ. And when you cut down a ford front 44 you can convert it to 4.5 on 5.

Brandon

barrythecableman

so no other good options for a front axle for that kind of power?

I may be better off looking for an zj with a 5.9 that is blown and rebuilding it with a supercharger

if I don't have to I don't want to have to have a custom axle made as i assume that will run me 1k to 1.5k..

why would a super d30 not hold up to that? cause of the plow?

Bustedback

How old are you Barry?

Metalgearmurder

^^^ My next question

dogger15

Easy solution go buy a truck and put one on

SeriousOffroad

I'm running a narrowed Ford HP D44 under mine.

barrythecableman

27 i am why..

I dont a truck i want a jeep i have a nice 07 mega cab 2500 already but i want something i can drive out on 12 inches of ice