89 XJ engine swap for V8

[JEEPSTER4EVER]

I got 2 89 XJ's, why, I don't know but I do. must be fate they're both 4dr, white, 4.0L, 4x4's automatic etc., etc., just Ellenoir is a limited, and jr is a laredo. Ellenoir has a ford 9in rear, and a ford dana 44, both running 5.13 gears 4link coils front n back. She still has her 4.0L with around 244,513 miles on her still got decent power, I'm building her up for rock climbing, full spool in back, mini spool in front no pavement driveing aloud. the engine is in good shape as far as cracks, broken parts, so on so on. it's defently warn down, needs to be rebuilt. I got 2 same 5.0 v8 one beeing stripped completely down ready to be bored out and put back together with full aftermaket goods. I'm debateing on rather I should rebuild the 4.0 and keep it in Ellenoir to keep the weight down for rocks, or rebuild the 5.0 and put it in her.???
Now JR is gonna be for everyday driveing/mud races, so I got to go high lift for her, I'm gonna rebuild one ot the 5.0 for her to make sure she's got plenty of HP, and Torqe together to get through the mud better, faster. Plus the 4.0 and tranny that came in her were shot, so I sold them for weight. My thing is, rather I should keep the 4.0 and rebuild it up for xtra torqe, or just rebuild the 0ther 5.0 and put that in her, so I can have matching parts between the 2 XJ's. Any xtra thoughts could help me decide which way I should go on it, would be nice!!!

[4.3LXJ]

It is always some work to get the V8 in these. The expenses start adding up beyond the adapters. The cooling system will cost you, vent the hood well. I wouldn't use the ford trannies, unless standard.

[LizardRunner]

I see money, flying out of many pockets. On the other hand, v-8's are very cool. I have a 350/350 chevy just waiting for me to make a home for it other than the roller stand.

[cantab27]

do it man ....v8 xj ..coolies.......

[bigjim350]

Unless you sink a ton of money in the 305, the 4.0 will have more tq. The v8 will be cool in the mud truck, but seems like a lot of work for just a 305. On the crawler rig, the only way I would do that swap is if you run fuel injection, or propane. So once again the price goes up. The 4.0 is a great motor that puts out great power. Now I will admit that I want to do a v8 swap, but my plans are a ls1.

[bluedragon436]

Honestly if you got the money, and the expertise to do most of the work yourself.. I would just rebuild the 4.0.. But I can imagine it would be nice to have the same setup out of both XJ's, would make parts shopping a lot easier.. I was thinking of doing a 4.3L Vortec swap into mine once my 4.0 gives up.. but after looking into the cost and such.. I'm just going to build up a budget stroker build on a 4.0 and that will give me plenty of HP and Tq. for what I need.. I guess it all really boils down to what you can do yourself to save some money, and what you will have to pay a shop to do.. over how much you got to spend really..

[JEEPSTER4EVER]

I got the time, money is really low each month, but I'm really looking forward to putting in a 5.0 in both xj's, for 2 really good reasons. 1. Yeah it'll be really sweeeet to have V8's in these things, and 2. is my son has a 80-82 bronco II, with a 2.9 v6 crap with a tranny going out in it. We were talking about pulling the 4.0 out of Ellenoir and strokeing it out and putting the 4.0, tranny, and t-case in his bronco for rock climbing too. All these engine's need to be rebuilt for extra power and have (as far as i'm concerned ''the best 4x4's ever to have'' XJ's) to put them into, plus a P.O.S. bronco II to have a really good rebuilt 4.0 to put in to.
Thanks for all your answers they were the same ones I keep comin up with too, what can I say (Great minds that drive the best 4x4's out there think a-like)
see ya'll in moab next year.