[ReedandhisTJ]

Hey all, I'm new to the forum and just had a simple question, Is it possible to take the 3.6l and a 6-speed trans from a Jk and install it in my TJ? I don't want the "Just get a JK" answers either, I have too much of a sentimental value for my TJ. Really, what it comes down to is if it is possible. My gut says it will fit like a glove, but my conscious says otherwise. Any knowledge on this subject? thanks everyone! unk:




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[gbendezu]

at the end of the day you can just about fit any drivetrain into any car, it all goes down to the real question which is "how much time and money do you want to spend on it"

 

[ReedandhisTJ]

Well, I've got the drive and a good amount of money to do it. I just really want to be able to drop that 3.6 with a 5 or 6 inside to get a better performing Jeep. The 2.5 in mine has all the power of a dying dog and it bugs me, any suggestions?

 

[Simcraft]

Without digging too far into this, there are plenty of engine swaps that have been proven to work in a more cost effective manor.

See novak-adapt.com, they have a lot of good info on there.

I am in the process of putting in a Chevy 4.3, and I'll tell you there is no such thing as just "dropping it in". I've spent the better part of 2 months already (albeit nights and weekends) and plenty of unexpected money.

All that being said, if you feel brave and adventerous and want to blaze new trails in the engine swap world, go for it and do a write up of any problems/advantages that you encounter.

 

[MrTurtle]

Kind of weird, because I just asked this a few days ago!

The general consensus was that it could be expensive ( due to possibly having to change out a bunch of harnesses, and possibly some body mods ) and that you were better off either a.) selling your 2.5 and getting one with a bigger engine, or b.) if you feel the urge to do a swap, doing it to something a little bigger and beefier ( 4.0, chevy 350, etc ).

Here is a link to the thread for some of the answers I got. Happy Jeeping!

http://www.wranglerforum.com/f5/engine-swap-255273.html

 

[ReedandhisTJ]

I appreciate all the suggestions, and thanks Turtle, it was alot of help! but I still need a positive on what I could do with it. I plan on taking the engine, trans, wiring harness, and ecu. Is it possible to change my Tj's ecu to the Jk's platform and run it like a Jk? (Jk power, TJ body) thanks everyone, i appreciate the interest!

 

[bc3_Jeep]

I am really digging these people who ask a question..... and then tell you WHAT answers are not acceptable..... and THEN when they don't get the answer they want....... they tell everybody WHAT the answer is they want......

Wouldn't it be EASIER to just answer your OWN question with your OWN answer on your OWN forum?????

 

[sduncan]

Well, I've got the drive and a good amount of money to do it. I just really want to be able to drop that 3.6 with a 5 or 6 inside to get a better performing Jeep. The 2.5 in mine has all the power of a dying dog and it bugs me, any suggestions?

So if you've set aside the $$ to do the swap and are tired of the 2.5, why would you consider the using a motor whose electronic rmanagment equirements FAR exceed what you currently have. You will have to change virtually every harness in the TJ. Your's is probably a PCI-BUS system where the new motor in CAN-BUS. This is like trying to mate a weenie dog to a Great Dane if you get the picture. The fuel/EVAP system will need to be swapped. The guage cluster won't work (see PCI-BUS vs. CAN-BUS). And on and on and on...

If your wanting a little power without taxing the drivetrain too much (Dana 35 rear axle excluded..they pretty much suck regardless), you're simplest and most cost effective swap is to use a 5.2 or 5.9 Dodge truck Magnum. They are plentiful, cheap and are one of the easiest to get done. On top of that, there are numerous build threads posted fully documenting the conversion. A quick google search will provide you with hours of reading.

So while it may seem like I'm pissin on your parade, I'm just adding info and other options that may save you a HUGE headache and that is completely feasible.

 

[ReedandhisTJ]

Thanks for explaining the wiring better because if there is anything I hate doing alot of-it's wiring. And the mag sounds like a pretty straightforward swap, so I'll see what I come across on cl. Thanks for giving me some more thought before I drop the cash!

 

[ReedandhisTJ]

Well bc3, it's a little like google. If you don't see the results you want, you're going to go back and retype it differently and add a bit more information, or just completely rephrase it and add another question. Nothing is ever answered the first time, and when asking a question such as mine that remained unanswered, why not try to understand why? Curiosity can doom us. However, curiosity can also lead us to brighter futures we couldn't see before without begging the question in the first place.

Thankyou for your input again bc3

 

[bryanintowson]

Just thinking out loud here - how about a straight swap from an I6 TJ? If you could find a good one that's from a parted out Jeep - I would think this would be a bit simpler since the I6 was the other option for TJ's and the wiring and such would be straight one for one swaps where necessary.

 

[JeepersDave]

There is no "straight swap" from a 2.5 up to the 4.0. The modifications are more than it's worth, that's why everyone answering is saying either don't do it or go big! I've done the 2.5 - 4.0 because I was attached to my Jeep. It was not worth what it cost me. Even had I put a V8 in, IMHO, it would not have been worth it for me.
You can come up with the most exotic swap you can think of, and at the end, you have a one of a kind money pit. Chrysler built the Jeeps to endure, and it seems they figured we gear heads would try to do our best to modify here and there. So they made it as hard as possible for us to succeed.

 

[1979WagoneerLTD]

Hey all, I'm new to the forum and just had a simple question, Is it possible to take the 3.6l and a 6-speed trans from a Jk and install it in my TJ? I don't want the "Just get a JK" answers either, I have too much of a sentimental value for my TJ. Really, what it comes down to is if it is possible. My gut says it will fit like a glove, but my conscious says otherwise. Any knowledge on this subject? thanks everyone! unk:




.....____
/l ,[____],
l---L []lllllll[]-
()_) ()_)----)_)

It is possible, and you'd likely be the first one!

If you're not too savvy with engine controls and wiring check out Novak and Advance Adapters websites. They've built some good conversion systems for gas-powered engines.

Think of your TJ...any TJ, as a "networked" vehicle, in respect to how the engine computer, ABS (if equipped), Air Bag, etc interact with one another. Now multiply that complexity by a factor of 10 and you have a JK. Each generation, YJ, TJ, JK, became greatly more complex than the previous, with the JK being a 100% systems supported network using a CAN backbone (think LAN Ethernet in a building). The 3.6 is about as advanced a powertrain that's on the market now, with variable cam phasing, timing, etc. Great stuff, and very efficient, but complex.

Good luck either way, and keep researching.

 

[ReedandhisTJ]

Hnm I've never thought of it like that '79, I'm going to copy and paste that onto a word document for future reference!