2.5 engine swap help

Joined
Oct 8, 2018
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57
Location
Winter Haven
Hello all,
So I bought a 1998 Jeep Wrangler TJ with the 2.5L 4cyl engine, and now it has an awful bottom end knock! So my plan is to do an engine swap. I have a 1999 2.5L with the AX15 transmission as a spare that I got for a great price. So while my jeep is running and driving, I would like to get the 1999 engine rebuilt and ready to stab into the jeep. So my question is are there any major differences between the 1998 and 1999 2.5L motors? The other question is, are there any good options for putting a cheap reliable DIESEL engine in Preferably one that can use the same motor mounts for my 4 cylinder. Thanks so much for your help!!
 
To answer your questions, there should be no differences between the 98 and 99 engines or transmissions.

As for a cheap diesel option, not a chance. You’re going to end up spending a lot of money to swap a diesel in it, and it’s going to be quite a project at that! On top of that, there certainly isn't any diesel that's going to be able to reuse your stock engine mounts.
 
I have two 1998 TJ's that I am doing for my daughters where I am doing engine swaps. The 4 cylinder engines just didn't have enough power IMHO. I went with two Chevy 350 crate engines from JEGS and mated them to AX15 trans from DEAD JEEPS. Advanced Adapters has a bolt on engine mount that is wonderful. If you have or are considering going with a V8 I would consider this as an option. I would be happy to help with other questions if I have the answers...
 
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I have two 1998 TJ's that I am doing for my daughters where I am doing engine swaps. The 4 cylinder engines just didn't have enough power IMHO. I went with two Chevy 350 crate engines from JEGS and mated them to AX15 trans from DEAD JEEPS. Advanced Adapters has a bolt on engine mount that is wonderful. If you have or are considering going with a V8 I would consider this as an option. I would be happy to help with other questions if I have the answers...
There's a couple of fun projects that should keep you occupied for awhile :)
I may be going this route soon as my 97 2.5 has 169k.
I would love to drop a small block Chevy in my white tj.
Do you know of any detailed SBC installs into a tj? I think its time to start researching this option.
 
There's a couple of fun projects that should keep you occupied for awhile :)
I may be going this route soon as my 97 2.5 has 169k.
I would love to drop a small block Chevy in my white tj.
Do you know of any detailed SBC installs into a tj? I think its time to start researching this option.

Not sure I understand your question. “Do you know of any detailed SBC installs into a TJ?” I am doing two currently
 
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It is easier than most think. Advanced Adapters and JEGS have great tech support. AA has detailed instructions with their engine mounts and it is very straight forward. YouTube is a great resource as well. I have never removed and replaced engines or trans in the past and I am now driving one of the jeeps and have put on approx 300 miles on the new engine. The other Jeep is torn down to a rolling chassis. It had a lot or rust so I welded in new floor pans and parts of the frame. Pretty much tore the whole thing apart. the trick is to take it slow and take pics. Here are a couple pics of the new engine.

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Thanks for posting the pics! You are going to have 2 great rides.
Anything special on the 350 or are you keeping it stock?

Thanks for the info
You should make a build thread!
Very nice work.
 
Thanks for posting the pics! You are going to have 2 great rides.
Anything special on the 350 or are you keeping it stock?

Thanks for the info
You should make a build thread!
Very nice work.
I bought a complete engine kit from JEGS with the Edelbrock intake and carb. Should have around 300hp. it should be enough for my daughters. The red one use to be an automatic and switched it over to a 5 speed. Needed my daughters little ands to get the pedal box in. It is awesome to get my son and daughter involved and us all learning along the way.

I am new to the forum so this is pretty much my first post.
 
Thanks for sharing all those pictures @anuffsaid they are really helpful and motivating to see! I'm about to drop in a 350 in place of my old 2.5l 4 cylinder and seeing those actually really help me out.

Would you happen to have any tips on the wiring for the heater/dash/center stack with the new engine? I'm also using a carb so I wont have any new ECU installed and was wondering if you needed to do anything special? I've got a bunch of questions but I'm learning like you said, AA and JEGS have great customer service for this stuff!
 
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