Hi all. Been checking out the boards here for about a week or so since I got a 85 XJ. While I have been gutting out interior for cage and spray lining, I have been brainstorming plans for my build-up. I have nothing but time for this, so not a prob if I need to save up for some things. I have been looking at tried and true things other people have done and have come up with the following:
Engine: 2.5L getting pulled for small block V8. Not sure if I am going crate or finding a donor and rebuilding.
Transmission: TH700r. Have heard it is a good way to go for durabilty in Jeeps and has the Chevrolet 90 degree pattern found on the small block engines (Generations I, II & III) making it easier to mate up engine and transmission.
Transfer Case: No idea here. Have read a little up on the Atlas II 4.3 being a good option, again looking at the ease of mating up to the rest of the drivetrain. Was also told a flipped d300 would work just as well, but less costly. I am unsure of the term flipped, so if you could explain would appreciate it.
Axles: Dumping the d30 and selling the 8.25. I want to go full size axles and of course the d44/9inch option has my eye. What year and model Fords am I looking for as donor vehicles? I thought I read pre-90 F250's were where to look. Just a side note, I think there is a d70 on one of the busted down work trucks at my construction yard. So fantasies of a d60/d70 set-up might not be too far off..hehe.
Well that is all for now. I hope to get some pics up of the XJ up so I can have it be a wip in photos to share with you all. Take care.
Engine: 2.5L getting pulled for small block V8. Not sure if I am going crate or finding a donor and rebuilding.
Transmission: TH700r. Have heard it is a good way to go for durabilty in Jeeps and has the Chevrolet 90 degree pattern found on the small block engines (Generations I, II & III) making it easier to mate up engine and transmission.
Transfer Case: No idea here. Have read a little up on the Atlas II 4.3 being a good option, again looking at the ease of mating up to the rest of the drivetrain. Was also told a flipped d300 would work just as well, but less costly. I am unsure of the term flipped, so if you could explain would appreciate it.
Axles: Dumping the d30 and selling the 8.25. I want to go full size axles and of course the d44/9inch option has my eye. What year and model Fords am I looking for as donor vehicles? I thought I read pre-90 F250's were where to look. Just a side note, I think there is a d70 on one of the busted down work trucks at my construction yard. So fantasies of a d60/d70 set-up might not be too far off..hehe.
Well that is all for now. I hope to get some pics up of the XJ up so I can have it be a wip in photos to share with you all. Take care.
. The small block route is not an easy swap, but several have done it. Lots around here like to take the Jeep 4.0L and make it into a stroker. The power and torque are quite good. The nice thing is that you simplify your swap a bit because all the parts are stock and cheap, but remember that the 85XJ has the radiator moved back, unlike the newer 87 or so bodies. I did the 85 2.5L to 4.0L swap. It took a bit of work. A swap that I've seen local that is a lot easier than a small block is the Chevy 4.3L V-6. It gives you more room in the engine compartment and is a workhorse.
