87 cherokee engine swap

[mopwr2u]

I have an 87 with 2.5 L I can get a 87 4.0 with tranny/transfercase and all
will I be able to swap it easily also will i need the wiring harness from the 4.0 ?
I know I will need the computer and coil and fuel pump from the tank anything else I may need ? Thanks

 

[Eagle]

The '87 was the first year to have the 4.0L so at least the engine compartment is set up for it. You will need the wiring harness, at least the engine compartment portion and possibly some of the under dash harness. If it's an automatic, the 4-cyl auto didn't use a tranny computer but the AW-4 does so you'll need that -- it's under the dash on the passenger side. Motor mounts go in the same place but are different so you need the 4.0L motor mounts. You'll also need the 4.0L radiator, fan shroud, aux fan (if it has it), a/c condenser (if it has it), and the trim closer that runs across the top of the radiator.

That's what I can think of, but I might have missed something.

 

[mopwr2u]

ya it has the 5 speed and ill get all the cooling system stuff also I am going to get the ac system since mine has none.

 

[Dr. Dyno]

You'd better replace your AX5 tranny with the AX15 from another 4.0 XJ/YJ/TJ. The AX5 isn't strong enough to cope with the torque from a 4.0. You might as well also get the NP231 transfer case so get engine/tranny/TC from the same vehicle as a single unit. It'll make the swap easier.

 

[Eagle]

He wrote that he's getting a complete engine/tranny/transfer case.

It will be a BA10/5 not an AX-15, but my BA10/5 has gone 242,000 miles and looks like it's on track for at least 250,000 if not 300,000.

 

[Dr. Dyno]

He wrote that he's getting a complete engine/tranny/transfer case. It will be a BA10/5 not an AX-15, but my BA10/5 has gone 242,000 miles and looks like it's on track for at least 250,000 if not 300,000.

Good point. The '87-'88 4.0 XJ's did have the BA10/5 and it wasn't until '89 that the AX15 was introduced. He will indeed get the BA10/5 with the '87 engine. The AX15 is stronger but the BA10/5 should also last a long time as long as you treat it with respect.