Crashmurray1985

Ok so I have a 85' cherokee it has the stock 2.8l in it right now I just was given a chevy 350 engine trany and what ever else I need from it. I was wondering if any one had ideas on how to go about this swap web links and so on. I will be taking before during and after pics of this swap just wanted some input and help if any one has any.

Crashmurray1985

Well um going to pick n pull today need front finder, rear view mirror, and a couple more parts we have a
Jeep club run this coming in 2 weekend I hope the 2.8l can make it after that we start the swap out wish me
Luck

tiwvr1

Good luck, make sure to get transfer case. or adapter. I do not recall off hand which side the driveshafts come out on on gm. But u might have to get a adapter and run factory jeep transfer.

lilredxj99

Depends on what year the motor/tranny combo is from. If the chevy had a SA the t-case will be pass side. If it was IFS ie 87+ c/k 's, it'll be drivers drop.

Crashmurray1985

Sweet well went to pick n pull yesterday got the fender rear view mirror bolts for the front diff and a new grill for the front and put the diffs covers back on was a busy day yesterday

tiwvr1

Dont know much about this swap, but it may be eaier on the wallet, space, and fuel if u swap in a chevy 4.3. Easier fit, lighter motor, and probably better on gas. Swap a cam in it b4 u put it in, and u should be able to get close to 350 ci power out of it.

Crashmurray1985

Yeah I just don't want the 2.8l in my jeep any more my mother in law has a bunch off chevy engines in the back sheds but she doesnt know what she has

Crashmurray1985

This is what it looked like not to bad for $500 the motor just needs to get done I'm rebuilding at the moment

Crashmurray1985

Now that looks better for now I'm going on a run this weekend and next weekend then I start on the engine swap and I'll do a paint job when the engine is pulled so I can do the engine bay also lol

TheJerm

I know the difference between the early XJ's and the later 4.0 XJ's is that the firewall was moved to make space for the longer straight six motor. Something to consider when fitting the V8 in there.

Crashmurray1985

Yeah I have been talking to a couple of people here and they say that the 350 is a pain but it can fit so I think I'm going to try it I have a couple club
Runs this weekend and next weekend and a parade beginning of next month then I think I should be ready to drop it in

Garvin

If you get the adapters, the swap isn't that much of a pain. The main issue is to figure out what you plan on doing from the start and gather parts for that. Just keep in mind that the manual transmissions from Chevy will not fit unless you start chopping the floor pan up. The Chevy transmissions have the shifter towards the front/center of the trans while the Jeep ones are towards the rear (reason I kept with an AX15).

Crashmurray1985

Yeah that's what I'm looking for right now because (we) had the ax5 lol poop thanks for the help again I'll show you the bumper I think the grill looks better flat black lol I fabricated the bumper and powder coated it also I love it

radio flyer

Again????
The firewall was not changed- the radiator supports are different , and can be changed out!

Garvin

The firewall, frame rails, and front core support were all changed in '87. The firewall was flattened out, the frame rails were spread apart a little, the front of the frame rails doesn't hang down as far and the core support was changed to a straight line. I can vouch for all that between the Jeeps I've had and have now and with parts I have laying around. The motor mounts would have worked perfect on the '87+ Comanches/Cherokees but had to be slightly modified to fit my '86, same with the firewall if I wanted to fit any I6 in there. The '87+ and '84-'86 radiators do not swap as the frame behind the headlights (front aprons, upper frame rails and side core supports) were all changed. Look at my build thread if you want to see what I mean as I had to cut to fit the newer style radiator in there. I even had a buddy of mine measure between the front frame rails where the front cross member is welded on and the frame rails are about a inch closer on my '86 compared to his '99 (all '87+ front rails are all the same as the bumpers are all interchangable). If you really want, I can take pictures between my '86 and '92 Comanches to give hard proof that they redesigned the whole engine compartment. Hell, even AMC said they redesigned it to fit the longer 4.0L!