Lexus 1UZFE 4.0 V8 into a Jeep Cherokee.

[Arthur242630]

I am posting this question on many forums e.g. Toyota Hilux forum and a Land Rover forum. I am at this moment a little undicided as to which one I should do the conversion in at the momeent it's between the Hilux and the Cherokee I think the Cherokee has it in the Looks and comfort Dept and oh yes the weight Dept. So what I'm saying is I'm after advice, opinoins and just general thoughts on Shoe Horning a Lexus 1UZFE 4.0 V8 into the Cherokee, has it already been done? What problems might I face? Waht power can the standard running gear take? My plans for the engine are as follows when funds allow of course, Full forged rebuild, individual throttle bodies, and eventually an STS Remote twin turbo conversion. Plans for the Jeep, at the moment I'm a little confused as to whether I should give it a lift or lower it and fit low profile tires on it. Both would look so good it hurts my mind trying to decide which route to take does anyone have photos of both lift kitted and lowered? Any help, advice, opinions or just general thoughts greatly appreceated.

[DutchVDub]

I would thing a V8 from a Grand would work better for you. The toyota (with its frame) could probably take the power better.

[wolfpackjeeper]

I have seen this question a while back, but it may have been several years ago.

[Arthur242630]

Did anyone answer that thread? If so does anyone know what the outcome was or info given?

[87manche]

I am posting this question on many forums e.g. Toyota Hilux forum and a Land Rover forum. I am at this moment a little undicided as to which one I should do the conversion in at the momeent it's between the Hilux and the Cherokee I think the Cherokee has it in the Looks and comfort Dept and oh yes the weight Dept. So what I'm saying is I'm after advice, opinoins and just general thoughts on Shoe Horning a Lexus 1UZFE 4.0 V8 into the Cherokee, has it already been done? What problems might I face? Waht power can the standard running gear take? My plans for the engine are as follows when funds allow of course, Full forged rebuild, individual throttle bodies, and eventually an STS Remote twin turbo conversion. Plans for the Jeep, at the moment I'm a little confused as to whether I should give it a lift or lower it and fit low profile tires on it. Both would look so good it hurts my mind trying to decide which route to take does anyone have photos of both lift kitted and lowered? Any help, advice, opinions or just general thoughts greatly appreceated.
The AW4 is a toyota trans, so you might be able to get a bellhousing to mate to the lexus motor.
it's electronically shifted, you can look into changing this to manual with something like BrettM's shifter.
awshifting.com I think.
Lowering it probably isn't going to happen, as you wont have the clearance needed between the axle and the motor.

[wolfpackjeeper]

I dont think the other swap ever happened. The guy knew little to nothing about cars, it was just a crazy idea. I think it just kinda changed into a thread about everyones favorite engine swap

[lost1]

The first guy who got this idea started into the build, realized it was a colossal project (wiring and management-wise) and quit, near as I could find. I had this engine as well for a while and was considering the swap, but started looking at it and decided I'd be served better by parting out the car.

This is a project that if done right would give you a great smallblock v8 in your cherokee, but requires a LOT of creativity. Be ready to look at fuel delivery stuff, tranny mating issue (are you thinking of keeping it 4wd? If so, count the t/c as well) and let's not forget that if you do it right you'll also be looking at (basically) a new custom drivetrain.

I don't want to discourage you; this CAN be done, size wise it'd just barely fit in the cherokee's engine bay. If you're bound and determined to drop a v8 into one of these vehicles, the cherokee can hold some good ones, and the one you're looking at is a good choice. S/C it and you've got a heckuva setup. S/C and stroke it and now you've got more power than you'll ever need or use unless you're doing competitive stuff, or hauling tanks for a living.(exaggerating) But be ready for some very extensive, very trial-and-error projects. Platform specific, no one has done this that I could find, and I looked for months. A lot have begun it and abandoned it, but none completed the build.

Was I the guy who knew little to nothing about cars? *shrugs* yeah it was a crazy idea...the new ones usually are.

Edit: I should also add that the HP/torque curve is completely different than with the 4.0 I-6, and you should definitely take that into account. If you've ever driven this v8 you'll know it's powerband is way higher up into the RPM range than our I-6s.

[wolfpackjeeper]

not that kind of crazy idea. I like the idea of it. I remember that it took 2 pages of threads for t to come out that he had not even considered the idea of actually needing a new computer, wiring harness, ect. He was trying to use all stock sensors from a cherokee, and wanting to know how to make them fit a toyota block and still function correctly.

I think it can be done well, there are just better v8 swaps out there

[lost1]

ah, ok. Yeah. too bad too, for a while it seemed like he had progress. Then we realized he was dumb.

If the torque curve issue can be resolved, the smallblock aluminum v8 has a huge amount of potential, into the four-digit numbers. have fun making the drivetrain that'll take it. Or finding a useful application for it. For me, it was a momentary pipedream; then I came back down to reality.

I'm gonna stroke and supercharge my next XJ. (how's that for reality?) :^P

[wolfpackjeeper]

Im stroked, looking for a good donor turbo system from the junkyard, or possible a gm 3.8 blower if I can find one

[JJacobs]

GM blower's not the best choice. They require a lot of rework to get the outlet hooked up- from the factory they're bolted atop a regular lower manifold. The Tbird SC blower on the other hand is setup for inlet and outlet pipes and gives a lot more options for mounting, not to mention it's a lot more compact.

[seanyb505]

I have an M90 if anyone is interested....

[wolfpackjeeper]

I am actually kinda feeling the turbo more. I think ti will be easier to mount, since it is not my offroad truck it does nto matter as much where I put it

[Arthur242630]

What is the curb weight of the cherokee? Also can i engage the four wheel drive on the road for faster acceleration like a typhoon?

[POSJ]

A 2JZGTTE I believe is the engine designation for the Supra's motor, they are tremendously strong and it's a straight six 3.0L so I think it would fit better. Don't quote me on this because I don't know the deminsions of either. I know the Lexas SC300 and the Supra both came with them. They can make amazing amounts of power if that is what you are after, but they are pretty expensive. My brother is big into the import scene and knows a lot about them so I'll ask him.

[wolfpackjeeper]

not only that but I believe in the auto versions of those cars they were backed up to an AW4! And it is a slightly smaller motor. I would love to do this swap one day, the problem is coming up with the motor

[Arthur242630]

As i've said previously that i have posted this question to quite a few potential work horses. Well i posted one on the suzuki vitara forum to see if i could shoe horn one in one of them. I was basicaly accused of destroying the environment and driving a gas guzzler. I couldn't believe it that question had been up there for almost 2 weeks and only got one reply and i got that.

[Arthur242630]

I now know i wont be getting a suzuki. I don't want people thinking i'm a tree hugger or i have no life left in me.

[JohnX]

I would thing a V8 from a Grand would work better for you. The toyota (with its frame) could probably take the power better.
Why? The lexus doesn't have a frame. It seems to be fairly common practice around here to add frame stiffener, rock rails, and cages that can all add to the structural integrity, plus I just don't think its an issue.


I am posting this question on many forums e.g. Toyota Hilux forum and a Land Rover forum. I am at this moment a little undicided as to which one I should do the conversion in at the momeent it's between the Hilux and the Cherokee I think the Cherokee has it in the Looks and comfort Dept and oh yes the weight Dept. So what I'm saying is I'm after advice, opinoins and just general thoughts on Shoe Horning a Lexus 1UZFE 4.0 V8 into the Cherokee, has it already been done? What problems might I face? Waht power can the standard running gear take? My plans for the engine are as follows when funds allow of course, Full forged rebuild, individual throttle bodies, and eventually an STS Remote twin turbo conversion. Plans for the Jeep, at the moment I'm a little confused as to whether I should give it a lift or lower it and fit low profile tires on it. Both would look so good it hurts my mind trying to decide which route to take does anyone have photos of both lift kitted and lowered? Any help, advice, opinions or just general thoughts greatly appreceated.

I happen to have both parked outside right now, and I have been dreaming of it as well. I will take some measurements if the weather dries up a bit.

[Arthur242630]

I know i've talked about this conversion. But what i've failed to consider or even ask is what is the standard engine in a cherokee like and capable of with further tuning? Please help and advise.

[Arthur242630]

Thanks johnx. That would be great please let me know.

[Root Moose]

What I've read in various places:

- 1UZ will bolt to AW4 using Toyota bellhousing and some combination of flexplate, torque converter, etc.

- AW4 has a standalone control unit and is perfectly capable of shifting the trans without the engine control unit.

- 1UZ may require some inner fender modification to get the cylinder heads to clear.

- Wrecking yards in North America are "lousy" with $500 1UZ engines.

- This is a common swap into LandCruisers in New Zealand and Australia.

This bunch is contradictory and I've heard/read all of them:

- 1UZ control unit is capable of running the engine properly without the original Toyota sourced transmission.

- 1UZ will need the original transmission to work properly.

- 1UZ control unit needs to be reprogrammed and/or swapped for a 5 speed unit.

That's everything I've heard/read on the topic. Take it as dubious info and try to confirm what you can before spending big money.

I figure the 1UZ would be a great engine for an XJ. Smooth, efficient and long lasting. Not a lot of power over the 4.0 but enough to be noticeable and it is a much more modern engine. Likely runs a lot cleaner.

The other engine I'd look hard at would be a modern GM Vortec like the LY5 (5.3 liter) with it's auto transmission (4L60E). Self contained electronics for both units. Supposedly electronics are as easy as hooking up four power wires and finding somewhere to mount the control box.

HTH and report back if you do this - we'd all like to see it I'm sure!

[swbooking]

I know i've talked about this conversion. But what i've failed to consider or even ask is what is the standard engine in a cherokee like and capable of with further tuning? Please help and advise.

Look up 4.7L strokers. The 4.0 has a lot of potential.

[Pharaoh XJ]

I know for sure that 1UZ is aluminum & is bigger than an LS1

[lost1]

the 1uz has an enormous amount of potential...but the torque curve is it's biggest drawback. when you really get down to it though, the inline6 4.0 is IMHO the best engine for the cherokee's intended application. Stroke it and it's just taht much better!.

A 4.0 1uz engine has enough power to make a vehicle offroadable, but you'll be living in the higher rpms all the time. AND, though you could always make some changes to compression, my engine didn't like running on anything less than premium. Mid-grade was acceptable, just barely, but it idled poorly. Stroking it will make it truly offroadable, and you'll have an xj with a ridiculous top speed, comparatively.

how much are you willing to spend?

the I-6 stroked is the most cost-effective measure and delivers a lot of real-world power, lots of torque starting from the bottom up. Mechanically, it's simple to work on.

Swapping in a 1uz could wind up costing a lot, be very time consuming, and you'll in in virgin territory; that's good and bad. Then if you want it to be offroadable, you should at least stroke it somewhat, which is a lot more coin than the I-6.

[XJoshua]

Yay finally a thread about Toyota CARS! 2JZ-GE has been swaped into a XJ before. Their is one pic floating around the net of crappy quality. The 2JZ has more crank to head height then the 4.0L. The 1UZ is a large block of beauty. Fender trimming will be needed just by looking at it because that engine barely fits in the LS400 which is wider then out tiny XJs.

I think if you wanted power and a easy fit find a 7M-GE or GTE. 1986.5-1992 Supra(Turbo and N/A), 1989-1992 Cressida(N/A Only). They are easy to come buy since they blow head gaskets left and right because Toyota didnt torque the head down to 73ft/lbs. And the common person wont want to deal with the price or labor. Great engine though when rebuild and can make as much power as the 1JZ. If you want a smaller less power built motor then go 5M-GE but no one will touch in the toyota community because their is no aftermarket. My opinion on the 5M, keep the head and put it on a 7M-GTE block.

Also the 1UZ their are motor mounts made to swap it into the MX73 Cressida. MX73 and XJ engine bay are pretty close in size, you might be able to to use them. If you'd like a link Ill dig it up for you.