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Recently purchased a 'previous parts Jeep'. 1996 Grand Cherokee Laredo, high mileage, RWD, ticking engine, howling rear end. I am on military orders away from my wife and kids (and my vehicles) so I couldn't pass up an opportunity for a cheap, reliable vehicle that I could tinker and play with.
First order of business was to replace the lifters - unfortunately their tick masked another tick. My roommate and I (XJ owner) decided to purchase another donor to pull the rear, engine/trans, 4x4 components and any other miscellaneous parts. Another high mileage ZJ (Limited).
The donor engine is at a local machine shop getting cleaned and bored .30 over. Thanks to Cybershot for sharing his 4.7 stroker build Cybershot's Stroker, I decided to make my own mild stoker. I bought a 258 crank and connecting rods, in concert with my .30 over block and fresh rebuild kit, I should end up with a pretty decent powerplant.
I recently pressure-washed the trans/transfer case and painted the shift linkage semi-flat black. Much better than freshly pulled! I'll post some photos when I get off of work. Also swapped the rear and the Limited interior.
Overall, my plan is to convert it to 4x4, bolt up a pretty stout powerplant, 4" lift and 31s in the General Grabber variety. More to follow - I'm sure!
Before and after. I pulled the tranny pan last night and unfortunately found a lot of metal. Not very pleased at all. The trans in my ZJ currently appears relatively new. Gonna have to swap things around.
New ZJ Owner from WA
