[Hank the Jeep]

Last spring I bought a 97 wrangler 4-cyl. As I'm sure everyone in this forum knows, it has a top speed of about 60, 70 downhill with the right wind (no lie.)

This wasn't a problem, as I didnt need to commute except around town. Now, some circumstances have changed and I have to commute on the highway a lot more than expected. I don't know how long my poor 4cyl can take it, or how long my patience can last.

So my question is, is it worth the $2,500+ to drop a 6cyl into my wrangler? The jeep has 150,000 miles on it already. Even with a new or rebuilt engine, I can still expect mechanical failures rather soon. Or should I look for a newer 6cyl? Or should I...::gulp:: look into selling it and purchasing...a non-Jeep?

[leftlanetruckin]

Not a clue where you get that price to drop a 4.0 into the rig!
Buy a used xj etc and do the swap.
hell, I had a 4.3 chevy/700r4 for @$1600!

Martin

[Hank the Jeep]

I was originally looking at a professionally rebuilt engine rather than pulling one from another jeep, and I don't have the know-how to pull the engine out myself so I'm factoring labor into it as well.

[MAX_Xj]

do the 6 cylinder definately worth it, with gears and a I6 its like a new jeep

[JeepDVL45]

Last spring I bought a 97 wrangler 4-cyl. As I'm sure everyone in this forum knows, it has a top speed of about 60, 70 downhill with the right wind (no lie.)

I have a 6 cyl (3.07 gears and 31's) and I'm in the same boat as you were. If you drop a 6cyl you'll have the 6cyl with the 4.10 gears, so you'll be in better shape...

[Hank the Jeep]

Alright...I still don't fully understand gears. If I dropped in a 6cyl, with 33s on the jeep already, what would need to happen with the gear ratio? I'm looking for better highway speed (if i want to keep this jeep, its GOT to get faster) and reasonable gas mileage. I'm not looking for a rock crawler or anything. So would a 6cyl swap still be practical, when factoring in cost and age of vehicle?

[turtlerace]

To me, for what you are using it for, it would be more cost effective to sell it and buy a 4.0 TJ.

[leftlanetruckin]

If you currently have a 4 banger, and swap a 4.0 with the mating tranny etc into it, you will have 4.10 gears, which will be fine for your tire size.

Martin

[RogueSpear2023]

I have no idea where you can do a 6cyl for $2500 that is cheap even if you are doing all the work yourself. If you are paying some one I would think it should be more than like 5-10K. It's not a drop in at all everything has to be completely redone including all the mounts, and electrical, and you will need a engine, transmission, and ECU. I think your best bet if not doing it your self is to sell your 4cyl and buy a 6cyl jeep.

[xJoshxx]

Originally Posted by RogueSpear2023

I have no idea where you can do a 6cyl for $2500 that is cheap even if you are doing all the work yourself. If you are paying some one I would think it should be more than like 5-10K. It's not a drop in at all everything has to be completely redone including all the mounts, and electrical, and you will need a engine, transmission, and ECU. I think your best bet if not doing it your self is to sell your 4cyl and buy a 6cyl jeep.

yep better off doing that for $3k you could find a nice wrangler or even WJ for that

it's like people with 2wd jeeps trying to convert it to 4wd just not worth it.

Sell it buy a 4.slow and get on with it.

ive never drivin the 2.5turd but i hear it sucks my GC can go atleast 110...

[leftlanetruckin]

Funny how people that have never done the swap can say what is worth it and what isn't. About as funny as the same people quoting the amount it costs to do the job I guess. Reading too much JP maybe?
I know of a couple of folks that have been charged $500 in labor to do a 2.5 to 4.0 swap. That includes the tranny and t/case as well.
If the rig is what you want, but you are wanting more power then by all means do the swap. Have a look in the YJ section, its been done there a thousand times and there are threads with step by step instructions pretty much.
There is no need to replace the whole wiring loom if you dont want to. Just run the wiring for the 2 extra injectors and plug it all into the 4.0 ecm.
Fuel pump is the same, exhaust under the rig is the same, and so on.
It is NOT as daunting as the inexperienced make it out to be.
Maybe others that have actually DONE a few swaps will chime in to put your mind at rest as well.
BTW, Where are you located at?? I am about ready to do the swap for you just to show how easy it is....

Martin

[Hank the Jeep]

come on down to texas, Id be happy to let you take care of my labor Even as a hot chick, I still couldn't get the labor for a swap like that under a grand, I've asked around. It sounds to me like my fears are well-founded, that if I want speed of any kind I just need to upgrade to a 6cyl and hope that the poor sap who buys my jeep doesn't need to commute.

[RogueSpear2023]

Originally Posted by leftlanetruckin

Funny how people that have never done the swap can say what is worth it and what isn't. About as funny as the same people quoting the amount it costs to do the job I guess. Reading too much JP maybe?
I know of a couple of folks that have been charged $500 in labor to do a 2.5 to 4.0 swap. That includes the tranny and t/case as well.
If the rig is what you want, but you are wanting more power then by all means do the swap. Have a look in the YJ section, its been done there a thousand times and there are threads with step by step instructions pretty much.
There is no need to replace the whole wiring loom if you dont want to. Just run the wiring for the 2 extra injectors and plug it all into the 4.0 ecm.
Fuel pump is the same, exhaust under the rig is the same, and so on.
It is NOT as daunting as the inexperienced make it out to be.
Maybe others that have actually DONE a few swaps will chime in to put your mind at rest as well.
BTW, Where are you located at?? I am about ready to do the swap for you just to show how easy it is....

Martin

Well I guess the only experiance I have is what my neighbor has done, he has converted 3 TJs from 4cyl to V8, which from what several have said is about the same work as the I6, he does all the work himself, but if he had to do it for some one I asked he said the there is about 2K of work labor involved. But if you can find some one to do it for $500 he is obviously cheaper than what my neighbor will charge. But I would be pretty suspicious of some one offering to do it for $500. We maybe the OP should ask ReMoVeR he did the swap, and knows the work involved.

[leftlanetruckin]

I have done the swap, as has Scott. He charged the last guy $500 in labor to drop a 4.0/aw4/231 into a YJ
I had @$1600 IN parts on my 4.3/700r4/231c swap.

martin

[fullhouse]

Its a big gamble!Try to look for more good deal.