Cherokee 5.0 H.O. V8 swap
 

Howdy guys. I've got a '96 Cherokee SE with a 4 cylinder and a 5 speed. I've contemplated doing an engine swap for awhile now, just for something with more power. So a couple of weeks ago I managed to purchase a 5.0 high output motor from a 1985 mustang, as well as the matching 5 speed trans. I know a good bit about cars but am by no means a mechanic (in other words, someone who DOES know what they're doing will be helping me with the swap), so I anticipate I am about to learn a lot. Anybody with some jeep experience have any words of wisdom to share? I know for a fact new mounts will have to be made. But what about the rear-end? Did they use the same differential for the four cyl as the six? I know in the long run I am going to have to replace it anyway to handle the power, I'm just wanting to know how much I should baby it until then. The other question I have is about the suspension. Wasthe suspension the same on the four and six models? Putting a v8 will increase the load on the front end. If the suspension is the same, I'm not all that worried. But if they used a weaker suspension on the four cyl models it would worry me. Anyway, thanks for reading, and please feel free to leave some comments.

this will tell you what axle you have
http://i1141.photobucket.com/albums/...axle_id_01.gif
either the dana 35 or chrysler 8.25 is under your rig.

Id like to see this SUBSCRICED

the T-5 that comes with the 5.0 is a 2wd only transmission, it is not 4x4 capable, are you looking to keep it 2wd?

@Kuro89 thanks man that helps a ton! I'll be checking later today.

@trans_am7935 I actually have thought long and hard about that. My jeep 2wd as-is. I had considered converting it to a 4 for awhile, but knowing how off-roading works and knowing myself, it's just way more money than I want to get myself into. Not just in the overall conversion, but on everything I tear up off roading. So I decided the best route for me will be to go ahead and make it fun to drive on the street.

Anyway, I'm supposed to have a guy help pull the motor and trans out of the Mustang they're in, then I've gotta fix my front left suspension bracket, then I should be pretty well ready to go. I will for sure put some pictures up as the project moves forward.

well one I would stiffen the unibody for one two I would find a ford 8.8 rear axle out of a ford explorer with disc brakes this will bolt write that should take care of any extra out put your motor is going to put out. I have 351 winsor that is going in to mine sooner or later! have fun

If your wanting to stay 2wd then no worries but anything is possible. If you ever decide to go 4wd there were 5.0 explorer 4wd but I'm not sure they had t5s could have been a different tranny. I personally know a guy with a Toyota Tacoma 4wd with a 5.0 and t5 out of a 95 mustang going into a stock toyota transfer case but the t5 in the 94-95 cars were slightly different. Advanced adapters will build you almost anything you want I've seen a nv5600 out of a 1 ton dodge behind a v6 ford before. Both the Toyota and the ford v6 were put together with advanced adapters parts.

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Remember the 85 h.o. only makes about 210 HP real world. Torques nothing to write home about either. That's brand new. It isn't much more powerful then the 4.0. I have a 93 h.o. out of a chp car with ported heads and high ratio rockers.... now I would worry. Don't want to rain on your parade, just saying. It is a low compression engine still stuck in the low performance era of late 70s early 80s

^^^^^ 100%

If you just stroke and bore out a 4.0 and hell added a turbo on top of that you would pump out WAY more power then a 5.0. The question is how much are you willing to spend? For about he same amount of $ you could build a kick *** big block and lift the tires off the ground alot easier then that 5.0. Keep in mind you, I am a ford man it's just come on...

Brandon

Makes less power than the ranger 4.0 sohc less torque too. Some new heads and a cam will wake it up though :)

Sent by my pet chicken

Afr heads and a cam will put you close to 400... now were talkin big work to the jeep. I love Ford... my baby is my 66gt... on my albums.

Mine doesn't have the 4.0, mine has the 2.5. Not much to do there. The 5.0 is my choice because for one, the previous owner already rebuilt it with some performance parts (don't remember specifics, need to ask him), there are endless possibilities in the long run with this engine, since everyone makes parts for them, and furthermore the motor and trans were available to me now and at a very reasonable price. And I know a friend of the owner's, who has assured me that the motor has a good bit of power. Estimating probably running a 13 or 14 in the 1/4 mile with a new rear end and without even doing anything more to the motor.

Why not sell the trans and replace it?

If you really are stuck on a Ford 5.0, i would recommend a cross between the One you already have and a 5.0 out of an explorer or any SUV. The SUV's have the Cobra intake and the GT-40 heads, which flow a lot more than what you are currently looking at. It's a very well designed engine-Minus the cam. The cam was tuned down a lot for a really smooth idle and for a smooth every day driver for the average person. If you rock a cam from your Mustang 5.0 in the explorer 5.0, it can produce up to 300hp. So get an explorer 5.0, Mustang cam, and you'll have one helluva little motor.

Didn't he say the 5.0 he's got is already semi built?