Jeep Guy: Engine Conversion ?

[socaljeepguy]

Hey Guys,

Don't kill me please! All my research led me here. Long story short my engine on my 2005 Grand Cherokee died. I'm looking to swap the Next Gen version of that engine...more HP....more Tourque. It uses the sames transmission and is basically the same.

Unfortunately many Grand Cherokee owners dont' swap engines and I found dozens of examples of Toyota owners doing it. Can anyone point me in the right direction as far as engine conversions on these boards...just looking to see how Toyota owners all deal with it....the computer issues....etc.

Thanks so much...it's good to be here.

Joe

 

[4Running Daily]

Kill the Jeep Guy!!!

Just kidding man.

 

[NJshadow93]

Of course the engine died, it's a Jeep right? Buy a 4Runner = problem solved! Sorry had to go there.

 

[4Running Daily]

Of course the engine died, it's a Jeep right? Buy a 4Runner = problem solved! Sorry had to go there.

Exactly only something from Jeep would die after only 7 years.

 

[4Running Daily]

I will begin to troll now

Troll-en!

 

[jirehn]

I think that is a great idea dude,Good Luck.

 

[socaljeepguy]

LOL...ya ya ya...

I just want to see the process that Toyota guys take in their engine conversions. I know it isn't like Jeep...(Just Empty Every Pocket)....JEEP...but I could learn something from it.

 

[4Running Daily]

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/94282-v8-conversion.html

 

[t4r4life]

you might wanna go on pirate4x4, t4r.org is more of an amateur site for this sorta thing

 

[A.Wilson013]

Honestly, with the lack of info out there on modern Grand Cherokee motor swaps, I would just pull your current motor, and drop in a working version of the same motor...


Also, what caused the motor to fail? It's only 7 years old...

 

[4Running Daily]

Honestly, with the lack of info out there on modern Grand Cherokee motor swaps, I would just pull your current motor, and drop in a working version of the same motor...


Also, what caused the motor to fail? It's only 7 years old...

It's A Jeep!

 

[BucknutBob]

LOL...ya ya ya...

I just want to see the process that Toyota guys take in their engine conversions. I know it isn't like Jeep...(Just Empty Every Pocket)....JEEP...but I could learn something from it.

Advance Adapters has tons of stuff for swapping either engines or transmissions. Howell Engine Development specializes in wiring harnesses and computers for engine swaps for fuel-injected engines into anything. I used both of these sources for putting a 350 Chevy into a '95 4Runner. They may help you with what you need. Best of luck!

 

[socaljeepguy]

Thank you for the info!

 

[KidVermicious]

Short answer? You'll need the new engine, harness, and computer. Assuming that your engine mounts line up and you fit your existing trans, all you need to do is bolt it up, and then splice in your existing body harness (things like lights, brakes, dash controls, gauge cluster, etc). Easy, right?

If the engine mounts don't line up, then you've got fab work to do. If your new engine doesn't fit the existing transmission, you'll need to find an adapter to make it fit, or bring in a transmission made to work with your new motor, which could mean things like new crossmembers and custom drivelines and such. There's also the question of whether your new engine will fit the existing engine compartment - if it's larger, you might need a body lift to clear the suspension and differential components underneath.

Toy owners swap engines because the early Toyota powerplants are gutless wonders. If the only complaint with your current motor is that it's broke, I'd fix it, or replace it with the same model. Depending on the motor, it might be far easier to rebuild it and mod it up a little than to swap in an entirely different powerplant. Things like intake, exhaust, and a hotter cam are easy to do while you're rebuilding, and would likely make a decent difference in HP.

Good luck, whatever you decide. Come on back when you're ready to drive a real truck, we'll give you some Toyota buying advice.

 

[Bahnstoermer]

Welcome dude.

Unfortunately you're not going to find the info you're looking for here, except what the other guys already said. It would never be worth a motor swap - time, money, nothing... repair or replace it, then decide if you want to keep driving it. Or just scrap the whole thing and buy something else... doing a motor swap is always a loss of time and money and the owner has to really want it personally to overcome the losses.

These questions aren't that rare, so this is my standard response. Hopefully we help minimize your time and headache!

 

[SV_Dude]

If only your jeep buddies knew that you were asking Toyota guys for advice!

Now to be helpful: As said before, go to pirate4x4. There are a lot of more advanced topics there in the jeep section. Tons of people there do all sorts of crazy things from rebuilding frames, motor swaps, rebuilding bodies and fully customized suspension. You will find PLENTY of info there that will lead you in the right direction.

Good luck!