Would a 4.0 swap into my 2.5 be mostly plug-and-play?

[NashvilleTJ]

A regear should only cost $1200-1600.

You’re front axle is a Dana 30, not Dana 35.

I’m not a fan of swapping a 2.5 for a 4.0. For all the work just do a Magnum V-8 or LS.

EDIT: or Hemi @NashvilleTJ

Thank you @JMT. I have now changed my facepalm to a thumbs up!

 

[JMT]

Thank you @JMT. I have now changed my facepalm to a thumbs up!

I caught your drift. My bad! for the Hemi swap.

 

[Artsifrtsi]

GMC Big Block V6 FTW!

Would be better off with a 230 Tornado.

 

[runninwild]

@Obi-Wan what wiring harness company did you use ? I was looking at speartech I know there are more companies out there just looking for advice..

 

[SSTJ]

We were at bantam this weekend and wife and I agreed our 2.5l needs just a few more hp... I've talked on here several times about re gear and then about a 350 swap but I was thinking.....

If I bought a complete tj from 97 -06 that was automatic and had a 4.0 could I just swap everything into my 98 2.5l standard tj ?

( I'm wanting to go to a automatic)

I'll have to see if the auto trans will mount to my np 231j transfer case... but was just curious if it would all be basically plug n play if I had a complete donor other than motor mounts

Just added this to the SE resource thread. I see I already had two others about swapping the 2.5 with a 4.0, if you’re interested.

 

[runninwild]

I'm going to ls swap my jeep time to start my research and start gathering parts

 

[Obi-Wan]

@Obi-Wan what wiring harness company did you use ? I was looking at speartech I know there are more companies out there just looking for advice..

I used the stock GM harness and PCM.

 

[Obi-Wan]

@Obi-Wan I'd like to do a 5.3 vortec but I guess that's the Same as a ls... just not sure about the fuel injection, wiring , everything communicating with each other like the dash etc..

I essentially made the LS a stand alone system,keeping the Jeep ECM to run all the stock electronics (gauges, sensors, ect.) and the GM ECM to run the engine and transmission.

 

[Zorba]

Would be better off with a 230 Tornado.

Hardly.

 

[mrblaine]

I've heard it's easier to swap in an LS than a 4.0.

Someone lied to you, a bunch. Nothing LS is plug and play, other than welding on mounts in the right spot for the 4.0 motor, 100% of the rest of it is plug and play.

 

[mrblaine]

Special order item?
p.s. Sell the 4 banger and just buy a 4.0L Jeep with minor mods, like you already have. Easiest option.

You got something against TTB suspension?

 

[mrblaine]

Not easier for sure but for the amount of work to do both, I would definitely choose LS.

OP, you might want to look at a Magnum v8 swap. Easier than LS and only slightly harder than 4.0 swap.

It is easily 1/10th the work to swap in a 4.0. I've never had to build a custom 10,000 dollar front axle to clear the oil pan on a 4.0.

 

[mrblaine]

GMC Big Block V6 FTW!

If you're gonna hunt down front springs to carry that much weight, may as well swap in a 12 Valve Cummins from a Dodge.

 

[mrblaine]

figure out how the wiring from the ls engine mates to the jeep harness

It doesn't. Unless you want to convert the drivers on the cluster to work with the LS PCM.

 

[Zorba]

If you're gonna hunt down front springs to carry that much weight, may as well swap in a 12 Valve Cummins from a Dodge.

Pretty much, huh? The 305E weighed 795 lbs! More than a 454!

 

[psrivats]

You got something against TTB suspension?

Every day I learn something new here. I had no idea these things existed till just now.

 

[Blackjack]

I've heard it's easier to swap in an 5.0 than a 4.0.

Fify and with aluminum heads is lighter than a 4.0 too.

 

[Blackjack]

GMC Big Block V6 FTW!

Might as well do a IHC 392 Gaspot they weigh about the same.

 

[Blackjack]

If you're gonna hunt down front springs to carry that much weight, may as well swap in a 12 Valve Cummins from a Dodge.

4bt might fit a little easier and still plenty heavy.

 

[SkylinesSuck]

It is easily 1/10th the work to swap in a 4.0. I've never had to build a custom 10,000 dollar front axle to clear the oil pan on a 4.0.

Is that reference the LS or Magnum? I'll admit specific to the LS I have zero first hand experience there other than knowing how much of a pain the wiring would be, especially if you want to keep your factory gauges. I meant just swapping a different engine in in general but.