I know it may be a dumb question, but are there any differences in the different horseshoe intake manifolds between years and models of years 4.0?

To clarify, I know the manifolds changed in 97 on the XJ's, but what I am asking is the vacuum ports and sensors all in the same place and such in the XJ's as they are in the TJ, WJ, ZJ, etc.?

The reason I am asking is because I have a pre 96 XJ. I plan on doing a intake manifold swap. Yes, I've read you don't see much horsepower and MPG gained and all of that jazz, but I need a new one and figured I might as well. I saw that TJ's specifically (idk about any other variant) they came with a wire harness cover for the throttle body that mounts on the side of the intake manifold that looks exactly like what you would picture a curved fuel rail harness cover would look like.

So naturally, I want one to clean up my engine bay. Its been hard to source a used OEM one, let alone a NOS one, either online or at a junkyard. Before I go the route of looking for a TJ harness cover to pair with an XJ 97+ Intake manifold, I figured I might as well just use a TJ manifold also and make things easier.








Sorry, these are captures from a YouTube video because I couldn't find images are product listing of the harness cover.

I'm mainly not too concerned with weather a TJ manifold will mount or fit or whatnot because it's still a 4.0, but rather is the layout still the same? Did they change anything major over the years and in between models? Has anyone done this swap before? Thanks in advance!

 

Manifolds changed in 99 to the "horseshoe" shape. They're a direct swap 96 and newer. 95 to 91 will have to change the power steering pump and its mount. The intake manifolds are identical over the various models with them.

 

Well it's a good thing I have a 96!

 

Now here's a quote for the ages. I don't think anyone has ever said that.

 

Yeah I know most people call the 96 XJ a "bastard" because it's a transition year. Most of the wiring is cobbled together and the interchangeability of parts is not as direct as other years. But the 96 is the exact year I wanted. It's the last year of the old body style and old interior (which is what I prefer) and the first year OBDII was released, so naturally it had to be a 96. In my experience with mine, I have not had many problems. Most of what I experienced has been typical 4.0 problems, or NP242 problems, or just straight up XJ problems, not 96 problems. I would definitely buy another 96. But that's just my experience.

I have a thread on my Jeep where im turning a 96 country into into Briarwood. I'm not sure if I linked it already in this particular one, but it can be read here:

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f46/19...arwood-261661/

 

You make a solid argument. And your Briarwood conversion looks really interesting. Lots of detailed work you've done!

 

Thanks! my main goal is to modify it using OEM parts. I'm not looking to make a trail rig though. I'm aiming for more of highway use with some offroad capabilities. I want to mod it heavily with the appearance of stock.

 

Are all 4.0 throttle bodies the same between the years and models?

 

90 and Earlier are Renix and are 3 bolt.
91 and later are HO and 4 bolt.

There were some differences in the HO throttle body over the years.
A good thread to look through for the differences. https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f72/bo...e-body-225593/

 

Wow that was a nice thread! I'll have to look into that! Thanks!