What do ya think?

[Heavy_Metal_Thunder_81]

So, I'm just kind of snowballing on an idea here. I like to be different in a lot of things I do and I, like a lot of people, get tired of seeing SBC and LS swaps in Jeeps (Not knocking anyone here as I am a big believer in LS engines). Now, I'm all for AMC power. In fact, I'm kind of an AMC freak and one of those people that normally cringe when someone takes out their "junk AMC garbage" engine just because they don't understand it. Now, with that said, as I've been using my '79 Cherokee for daily driver duty off and on for the better part of almost 8 years now I will tell you that it takes a special kind of person to take 36 year old iron and use it as a reliable source of transportation on a day to day basis lol. SO, enough rambling here. My idea is to take a late model Chrysler era Grand Wagoneer, rip out it's outdated (even for then) AMC drivetrain, and swap in a complete fuel injected/overdriven/AWD (5.9 Magnum/46RE/NV244) drivetrain from a late model first gen Dodge Durango R/T and make it look somewhat factory-ish. This will be a project that I most likely will never get to so this thread is just mostly for the sake of conversation. Go!

[MadMax78]

Do it!

I say go for it. Don't just talk about it. I would love to see you do this build.

[Heavy_Metal_Thunder_81]

I say go for it. Don't just talk about it. I would love to see you do this build.

I would love to but time, money, space, and my deployment schedule prohibit and further project. I have the Cherokee, my Dodge needs a new Cummins, my boat needs a new floor, and the house has a never ending list. Maybe when I finish the engine on my Dodge and the floor in the boat (or I just sell the thing) I'll be able to take on another FSJ.

[DarkMonohue]

Sounds like a fine idea. I really liked the 5.2/46RH combo in our old ZJ.

[DieselSJ]

Having driven 5.9 ZJ's (and actually built one of the first ones for a Jeep promo thing at Pikes Peak in 1993) and driving around this 4.7 equipped WJ, I gotta say I like the 4.7 a lot better. It makes better HP and the same torque as the 5.9 Magnum. I think the 4.7HO drivetrain out of a 2002-2005 WJ would be a cool swap.

Then again, there is the new V6 diesel from the Ram 1500 trucks. Now THAT would be a cool swap into a SJ.

[tgreese]

The 4.7L in the WJ gets nearly 20 mpg, essentially the same as the 4.0L.

[DarkMonohue]

The 4.7L in the WJ gets nearly 20 mpg, essentially the same as the 4.0L.

At the risk of being pedantic, it might be more accurate to say that the 4.7 can get nearly 20 MPG in the WJ. Same engine in an SJ would obviously be different (worse) owing to the laughable aerodynamics of the older vehicle.

[vajeepj20]

For the sake of the conversation, if you're going to dream, dream big. Check out this bad boy. Complete package! $4K for an essentially brand new 2015 Dodge Durango 5.7 Hemi engine, 8 speed transmission, and transfer case. Only 1000 miles! This is an unbelievable deal. Anyone even thinking about such a swap, if they have the bucks, should jump on this deal. It's a job to find a decent engine and transmission take out combo, especially an LS engine and trans, let alone with a transfer case, for that price. I've been thinking of a L76/6L80 swap, but this, wow, if only my finances were a little better I wouldn't have bothered posting this, it would be mine. That thing would be beautiful sitting in the engine bay.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hemi-Durango-Engine-5-7L-Motor-8-Speed-Trans-VVT-2015-Dodge-AWD-Transfer-Case-/191660672985?hash=item2c9fddc7d9:g:itwAAOSwd0BVy5Qa&vxp=mtr

[DieselSJ]

The 4.7L in the WJ gets nearly 20 mpg, essentially the same as the 4.0L.

My XJ gets a consistent 18 with the 4.0. Doesn't matter if it is combined city/highway commute or straight highway. The WJ gets 21 in the same commute and I pulled 23 on the highway on a trip to CA at 75-80 sustained speeds.

At the risk of being pedantic, it might be more accurate to say that the 4.7 can get nearly 20 MPG in the WJ. Same engine in an SJ would obviously be different (worse) owing to the laughable aerodynamics of the older vehicle.

There is no "can get nearly 20" - it does get better than 20. I think it could easily pull 17-18 in a SJ.

[DieselSJ]

For the sake of the conversation, if you're going to dream, dream big. Check out this bad boy. Complete package! $4K for an essentially brand new 2015 Dodge Durango 5.7 Hemi engine, 8 speed transmission, and transfer case. Only 1000 miles! This is an unbelievable deal. Anyone even thinking about such a swap, if they have the bucks, should jump on this deal. It's a job to find a decent engine and transmission take out combo, especially an LS engine and trans, let alone with a transfer case, for that price. I've been thinking of a L76/6L80 swap, but this, wow, if only my finances were a little better I wouldn't have bothered posting this, it would be mine. That thing would be beautiful sitting in the engine bay.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hemi-Durango...BVy5Qa&vxp=mtr

There is a CJ/TJ/XJ/SJ somewhere that needs this.

[PrairieJeeper]

Mine needs it, but I am in Canada. I also don't think the motor mount adapters for this swap are in production yet. Unless all dodge small blocks are as simple as the SBC.

[Heavy_Metal_Thunder_81]

Hemi is out of the question. Too new and expensive for me. I never liked the 4.7, always had horrible cooling system issues with the ones I've encountered as an auto mechanic.

[DieselSJ]

Though I am not a fan of the Magnum, I think you are on the right track. Think outside the box (that is how I ended up with the diesel).

[Ristow]

just find that popular mechanics GW they built and buy it.

[Heavy_Metal_Thunder_81]

just find that popular mechanics GW they built and buy it.

Meh, too modern and hate the interior.