Engine Swap 97 TJ to 88 XJ?

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Apr 6, 2016 | 06:04 PM

JohnWilkesBootsyCollins

Thread Starter

Newbie

Joined: Jan 2016

Posts: 6

Likes: 0

Year: 1988

Model: Cherokee

Engine: Inline 4.0L 6C

Engine Swap 97 TJ to 88 XJ?

I know this is probably a very dumb question but, is it possible to do this swap? The engine in my beloved cherokee chief is in the stages of actively dying and I have a line on a super affordable 4.0 from a 97 TJ. I'm a broke student so rebuilding my current engine isn't really a possibility right now and I'd love to be able to keep the chief on the road!

Apr 6, 2016 | 08:28 PM

Oswalla

Seasoned Member

Joined: Dec 2014

Posts: 419

Likes: 12

From: Oregon (Wetside)

Year: 1990

Model: Cherokee (XJ)

Engine: 4.0l

I was just looking at this yesterday.

http://cruiser54.com/?p=100

Apr 7, 2016 | 08:19 AM

cruiser54

::CF Moderator::

Joined: Aug 2011

Posts: 43,971

Likes: 1,579

From: Prescott, Az

Year: 1990

Model: Cherokee (XJ)

Engine: 4.0

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnWilkesBootsyCollins

Use this, along with the stuff posted above....

XJ Cherokee and ZJ Grand Cherokee 4.0L engine blocks interchange.

2000+ TJ Wrangler and WJ Grand Cherokee 4.0L engine blocks interchange.

XJ/ZJ blocks and 2000+ TJ/WJ blocks do not interchange without significant modifications. (1991 to 1995 YJ and 1997-1999 4.0L TJ Wrangler blocks will interchange in XJ/ZJ and visa-versa).

TJ/WJ 4.0L Engine blocks underwent clean sheet design changes effective in the 1999 WJ Grand and 2000 TJ Wrangler. These blocks are not interchangeable with XJ/ZJ engine blocks. The reason is motor mount bolt holes and belt driven accessory mounting bolt holes are in different locations, or not present at all, TJ/WJ vs. XJ/ZJ.

XJ: "Regular" (not Grand) Cherokees 84-01
ZJ: Grand Cherokee 93-98 (Gen1)
WJ: Grand Cherokee 99-04 (Gen2)
YJ: Wrangler 87-95 (Gen1)
TJ: Wrangler 97-06 (Gen2)