just got a free WJ. it needs an engine, i need ideas

[ecgtech]

I know it's a WJ, but i figured you guys could help out. My buddies dad just gave me his '99 grand with 250,000 on the 4.7 v8. I was able to drive it 40 miles home at highway speeds, but it was knocking and rattling the whole way. Long story short, the body, interior, tranny and x-case are in great condition... the engine is probably shot. I need to know what options i have to swap into this beast, cause i want her as a utility/trail vehicle.

my thoughts/ options

1. i think they were still putting the 4.0 in the grand cherokee at this point. is this true? if so, how hard is a swap into the WJ body if i pick a 4.0

2. were they making a deisel for the wj at this point? i'd love to run deisel and if i have to put an engine in anyway, this is the best time to make the change

3. should i look for anoter 4.7? i know these were powerhouse engines, but don't really think i need the v8

all input is welcome, just let me know your thoughts.

remember, this jeep was given to me, for free, no money down. anything is an option at this point.

 

[IllianaXJ]

Nice score.

1. Yes. You will need the 4.0L, trans and wiring harnesses including ECM and TCU. More of a PITA than it's worth to go backwards.

2. No, but you could make something work.

3. I would. Simple and drop-in. Price a reman or look for a decent JY engine. They came in WJs, Durangos, Dakotas and Ram 1500s.

4. You could always rebuild the 4.7 that's in it.

 

[Jeepguy03]

I would either:

1. rebuild the current motor
2. swap in a reman 4.7L or a JY 4.7L

my dad had the 4.7L in his '99 WJ. It gets the same mileage as my XJ and sometimes even better on the highway, its a nice motor for towing. It would be easier than swapping in a 4.0L. The 4.0L is a good motor in the XJ, but I've driven 4.0L WJ's before and they seem a little bit sluggish since they are heavier. Nice score on the free WJ though, even if the motor is shot.

 

[ecgtech]

Sounds like sticking with the 4.7 is a good idea. Anybody got a good write up on rebuilding one or know where i could pick up a reman/JY in Connecticut? Also, any links to helpful WJ sites would be appreciate as well.

Thanks,

ECGTECH

 

[FlexdXJ]

I for one would like to say you suck for getting a WJ for free!

 

[BIGSLVRXJ]

Sounds like sticking with the 4.7 is a good idea. Anybody got a good write up on rebuilding one or know where i could pick up a reman/JY in Connecticut? Also, any links to helpful WJ sites would be appreciate as well.

Thanks,

ECGTECH

For finding a used motor try www.car-part.com
For WJ info either try www.NAGCA.com or www.WJJeeps.com

Nice score, even though most people around here think they're POS, I would love to have a V8 WJ.

 

[pajeepman]

Look for a used 4.7 on car-parts.com (junkyard/salvage yard data base)or keep you eye open on CL. Maybe you can find a lower milage engine/tranny/t-case kinda cheap on CL from a wreck.

 

[Johnnie Walker]

I would say, finda replacement 4.7L V8 and maybe swap and rebuild the current one for future use?

 

[ecgtech]

Thanks for all the help so far. This is definitely going to be a long term project, but the jeep is in such great shape that she is definitely a keeper. Looks like i'll be throwing another 4.7 in and hoping for the best. I'd like to find one for under a grand, so if anybody sees one please post link on this thread. Also, still curious as to how bad the rebuild would be. Anybody done one on this motor?

Thanks,

ECGTECH

 

[Darky]

Thanks for all the help so far. This is definitely going to be a long term project, but the jeep is in such great shape that she is definitely a keeper. Looks like i'll be throwing another 4.7 in and hoping for the best. I'd like to find one for under a grand, so if anybody sees one please post link on this thread. Also, still curious as to how bad the rebuild would be. Anybody done one on this motor?

Thanks,

ECGTECH

Search on eBay for rebuild kits. I'd imagine rebuilding this engine wouldn't be that much different than any other.

 

[Johnnie Walker]

You might try checking over at dakota-durango.com forums for a 4.7L they came in later dakotas and durangos as well as other vehicles.

 

[collkid]

Pictures didn't work for me, can you post them again? i'm super jealous...........

 

[Jess]

The chrysler trannys are very prone to failure in the grands. I see whole vehicles on craigslist for around $1000 all the time....with bad trannys. You could get an engine and a whole parts rig for what you would put into an engine.

 

[Avanteone]

4.7 motors are JUNK, but swapping in another is the only realistic choice other than parting the rig out.

Just remember if you get one from a Dakota/Durango/Truck, etc.... that there are different crank trigger tooth counts, you have to disassemble the timing chain, sprockets, etc. to swap them out. Oil pans and stuff are different also.

 

[srmitchell]

I love that 4.7.

My xj, 31's, and 3.55's, gets worse mileage than my dad's 04 wj with the 4.7, and 31's.

His 4.7 is amazing. And the 5 speed tranny is sweet.

 

[westvirginia24976]

The chrysler trannys are very prone to failure in the grands. I see whole vehicles on craigslist for around $1000 all the time....with bad trannys. You could get an engine and a whole parts rig for what you would put into an engine.

From what I've read, the tranny behind the 4.0 is the one that goes. The one behind the 4.7 is pretty healthy. Transfer case is the thing to watch. I pick up my first WJ tomorrowarty:

 

[Israel]

4.7s are notorious for rod knock. My brother in law has one that's in need of a new motor and we're weighing our options like you. He wants to swap in an HO motor, but they're hard to find for a reasonable price. So far, we can't even find a regular 4.7 for less than 1200 unless it has a ton of miles on it. There is a company on ebay that sells rebuilt 4.7 shortblocks for 1000 and free shipping to a commercial address. That's what I'm hoping BIL will decide on. My wife also has one and if/when her motor goes out, I'm going to be going the reman route.

Transmissions aren't bad at all. I see a lot more WJ's being parted out because the 4.7 is knocking than due to the 545RFE transmission going out.

As mentioned earlier, watch out for the tone ring tooth count. Your 99 WJ will have 16 teeth, so you'll either need another 16 tooth motor, or you'll have to swap out both the crank and the camshaft tone rings. Not impossible, but more involved than most people want to get.
For tech and buildups, NAGCA isn't bad now that Cody has taken over. I'm partial to mallcrawlin.com, but sometimes those guys don't really comprehend that we don't all use our jeeps as dedicated off-road rigs.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do. WJ's are great jeeps. Comfy, good ride, plenty of power with the V8, flex well off road, stiffer frame and decent mileage for a V8. Of course, they have their weaknesses (LP Dana 30, knock prone V8, Aluminum Dana 44), but what jeep doesn't?

 

[Curtis_H]

first of all be sure that it is indeed a rod knock. I just bought a 99 limited with the EXACT same symptoms as yours. It holds 60 psi of oil pressure at an idle. this is not a rod knock. upon further inspection i found that it was a stuck lifter (or valve lash adjuster to use the correct term) that was making the noise. I think the timing chain wore through it's tensioner and into the cover which allowed minute metal shavings to work into the lifters and cause one to stick. It is definately worth tearing down first. I am pulling the oil pan tonight to be sure, will let you know tommorow what I found.

 

[Curtis_H]

well, nevermind. Finished tearing the pan off and found a bad rod bearing. Actually, bad is not the correct term. Missing would be more accurate. I have NEVER seen an engine hold that good of oil pressure with that bad of a rod bearing. It has at LEAST 1/4" of slop on the crank. Unbelievable. Oh well, I guess it's time to go engine shopping. Prices for rebuild parts are around 900, short block is around 1000. Probably going to go with a shortblock for time's sake.

 

[Israel]

We had fair oil pressure and 3 bad rod bearings. 2 of them I could wiggle about 3/16" side to side and the third was only about 1/16". Good choice going with a shortblock, IMO.