• NAXJA is having its 18th annual March Membership Drive!!!
    Everyone who joins or renews during March will be entered into a drawing!
    More Information - Join/Renew
  • Welcome to the new NAXJA Forum! If your password does not work, please use "Forgot your password?" link on the log-in page. Please feel free to reach out to [email protected] if we can provide any assistance.

5.9 V-8 Magnum swap

5.9longarmXJ

NAXJA Forum User
Location
Jacksonville, FL
I am in the middle of this swap. For any of you that have done this swap, how far back did you place the motor? Did you clearance the firewall at all? If anyone has the 5.2 or 5.9 in their XJ, how far is the crank pulley from your radiator support? Just getting an idea of where everyone placed it. Right now I have the whole drivetrain bolted together and transmission mount modified. I will modify the crossmember once I get final placement of the motor. The swap has been going well so far though. Will post pictures once I get back home this weekend.
 
it's not the most common swap. good luck with it-- I had a 98 grand Cherokee with a 5.9 liter in it, loved that motor.
 
I did a 5.2 swap on a 86 MJ.
 
Is there any way you an tell me how far your crank pulley is from the radiator support? I am debating on whether to clearance the firewall a little so I can move it back a little more. Can't believe more people don't do this swap. I know the magnums are a little dated, but the simplicity of the wiring, fuel system, and transfer case mounting right up to the tranny swayed me. I got both motors pulled and my transfer case bolted to the new drivetrain in two afternoons. Now its pretty much ready to go in. Took about 2 days to go through all the wiring pin outs and diagrams, but was easy as the two systems are almost identical. I also did it very slow (I want it right the first time). Even double checked it after I was done. Probably will take me a day to cut, splice and solder everything. Right now I just need to get the motor set in place and fab up the mounts. Shouldn't be too hard. Again just looking at placement options. Want to get it as far back as I can. I will take a few photos this weekend for anyone interested.
 
Mine is an 86 so my rad support was different. I cut it out and used the ZJ support braces. Check the transfer input shaft lengths. There were 3 different lengths.
 
350 is super easy too, just need an adapter. but the real cincher is that parts are dirt cheap.

But, if you're not having a rough time with the amc, then that's fantastic-- not too many amc swaps out there, you'll have something unique.

Check out Novack's "research" section on his website, he has a decent explanation for why (according to them) amc swaps aren't done that often.
 
I've researched a bunch. Actually more required for the 350 swap. Have to change fuel pressure/pump, electrical systems are different. The only downside to my 5.9 magnum swap is no one makes direct bolt in motor mounts, can't wait til its done though so far pretty smooth. We'll see this weekend/next weekend if I finish placing the motor. That adapter is also over 500 dollars.
 
Pics of? A Magnum V8 in a X/MJ?

773f714a3e69f3da8bf4e03f6f264133.jpg


They fit and are easy as hell to do.

9d8f4574059fe64d62d601fa447488b2.jpg


a37599c41f8932f347ecfabeac8268ca.jpg
 
So got the motor placed today. Modified the transmission crossmember and am working on the motor mounts should be done mounting by the end of next weekend. The garage I am at is only open for me to work on it Thu Fri and Sat. I forgot to get pictures, but will post them next week.
 
I did not clearance the firewall. I have the 5.2L in a 1998. The motor and trans are from a 1997 Dakota.

I used block hugger headers. If you don't you will need to clearance the firewall for sure.

The biggest issue I ran in to was not being able to get the motor low enough to clear the hood and clear the steering below it. Clearancing the firewall and moving the motor back would help but it was just easier to cut a hole in hood.
 
If you use ZJ maniolds you can use the stock ZJ y-pipe.
 
Here is a link to the photo album of my swap.

<div style="width:480px;text-align:right;"><embed width="480" height="360" src="http://pic2.pbsrc.com/flash/rss_slideshow.swf" flashvars="rssFeed=http://feed36.photobucket.com/albums/e46/Bloose2/318%20V8%20Cherokee%20Install/feed.rss" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" /><a href="javascript:void(0);" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.photobucket.com/share/icons/embed/btn_geturs.gif" style="border:none;" /></a><a href="http://s36.photobucket.com/albums/e46/Bloose2/318%20V8%20Cherokee%20Install" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.photobucket.com/share/icons/embed/btn_viewall.gif" style="border:none;" alt="Bloose2's album on Photobucket" /></a></div>

B
 
Cant use the stock ZJ. My 5.9 and tranny came from a Ram. The starter for the RAM version is on Drivers side so if you use ZJ manifold it dumps right into the starter. ZJ 5.2s and 5.9s from the unlimiteds are opposite. But using what Ive got. I am be able to use the truck y pipe or dakota/durango. Will cross that bridge when I get to it. Thanks
 
Back
Top