I just picked up an '01 TJ that possibly has a bad engine. It had puked coolant and seems to be hydro-locked. I'm pondering on what to stick under the hood if it does need a new engine. It currently has a 4 banger. This will be a project for my 15 yr old son and me to complete before he turns 16 in January. It'll be his vehicle.

Thoughts on the best way to go? I can get a 4 banger long block for $1500 from just about any parts store.
I got the TJ for $2700 so $2000 is not out of the question to throw into it.

Obviously LS swap

4BT Cummins swap!

https://www.4btengines.com/4bt-engine-jeep-swaps/

Lots of small block chevy options.

Wouldn't do the 4 banger.

at minimum, i would swap in a 4.0. but, a small block Chevy would be better.

My thoughts:

How much hwy driving will he do? The 4cyl does just fine other than trying to maintain highway speeds. If he'll just be bumping around town most of the time and won't have a lot of hwy driving, I'd swap another 4 banger into it since that'll be by far the easiest/cheapest route.

What condition is the rest of the jeep in? If it's in "ok" condition and more than likely won't be a good fit 2-3 years from now for him to take it off to college or whatever as a reliable DD, then I don't think I'd go to the extent of a 6cyl or SBC swap. If the rest of the rig is in awesome shape, he loves it, and you have the means to do a swap then that might be a good option. (Although even with a swap to 6 or 8 cylinders, a 20 year old TJ isn't a particularly relaxing ride at hwy speeds for any real length of time, but that's kind of a personal decision too.)

If you do decide to do a swap, make sure you're ready for the cost of the engine obviously, but also the brains and wiring to make it work, probably the transmission, new drive shaft lengths front and back (because the Tcase has to be scooted back), new motor mounts for sure, probably regearing front and back, maybe relocating some other stuff in the engine bay due to space conflicts, etc. It'd be a fun project if you have the means/space/desire, no doubt. But there's a lot more to it than just a quick in/out of the plants themselves.

Good luck with the project either way though, sounds like a fun one to plan out with your boy and dive in together.

I'll prolly end up dropping another 4 banger in just to avoid the additional expenses. He won't be doing much road traveling so he can deal with it. I had a YJ with a 4 banger that couldn't fight its way out of a wet paper bag so it should ok for him when he starts driving. I'd say it's in 80-85% condition body-wise.
Interior is good except for wear on the left seat bottom from sliding in and out.

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Obviously LS swap

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You feeling okay? I figured something must be off since you left off the Plasti-dip....

Whatever you do, do not put a 4 cyl. back in.

I'd vote putting a 4.0L in from another TJ. It has plenty of power to get you around town but not enough to really get you in trouble.

Plus you almost have to try to damage them

Corps_Ag12 said:

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Whatever you do, do not put a 4 cyl. back in.

I'd vote putting a 4.0L in from another TJ. It has plenty of power to get you around town but not enough to really get you in trouble.

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I've gotta start looking around for something. If I come across a good one I may do that.

4.0L swap is the easy one, although it may not be worth it to pair with the AX5 ******. You could try to pull out a 4.0L/AX15 combo from a donor

gearing will also be wonky, so there are several other knock on effects

Can we talk about that color?

7.3 PowerStroke

Nice Jeep.

edit, my point about the transmission difference was already made

4.0 is the answer here. The 4 cylinder options are all miserable, and I've never seen one that didn't have a short lifespan, or other problems. They simply don't have the wampum to swing those tires.

A 4.0 is not a powerhouse either, but it does make good torque down low. This is why it is so easy to drive. It's also proven reliable decade after decade.


If I'm going through the trouble of swapping an engine in one of these there's NO WAY I wouldn't go 4.0. It's the same amount of effort and the same cost, except the 4.0 will still be running and enjoyable to drive long after the new 4 cylinder has blown up.

Flaith said:

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4BT Cummins swap!

https://www.4btengines.com/4bt-engine-jeep-swaps/

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Man... I have pondered this for the Scout more and more depending on how deep I decide to get into it.

EFE said:

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Flaith said:

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4BT Cummins swap!

https://www.4btengines.com/4bt-engine-jeep-swaps/

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Man... I have pondered this for the Scout more and more depending on how deep I decide to get into it.

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Just make sure you are prepared for the 750 pounds the 4bt weighs. It's not a light engine.

VW TDi is about the same weight as the 4 banger. It's my choice for *reasonable* diesel swaps.

My buddy that does diesel performance for Maximum in SA has a line on one and is prodding me to make this thing stupid. Trying to not let 16yo me loose with 36yo me's money.

I'd echo the 4.0L advise above. Don't go through the pain of it and end up with another 4 banger. The inline 6 won't be too much more of a pain since they are an option from the factor (all the parts are available at factory quality). SBC is always fun to talk about, but more headache than 4.0L. I imagine you can find a motor, trans, and its electronics from a donor for a decent price.

After digging around, it looks like anything other than a 2.5 is going to require an engine/transmission combo, driveshafts, relocating motor mounts, wiring harness, ecu, radiator, etc, etc, etc.

Since this is going to be for a 16 yr old to got to school/work, I'll prolly just drop a 2.5 back into it. S&J Engines has a long block for $1600 with a 7yr/100K warranty. He prolly will not be leaving town with it until he graduates, and by then I'm sure he will want to move to a truck.

Rexter said:

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After digging around, it looks like anything other than a 2.5 is going to require an engine/transmission combo, driveshafts, relocating motor mounts, wiring harness, ecu, radiator, etc, etc, etc.

Since this is going to be for a 16 yr old to got to school/work, I'll prolly just drop a 2.5 back into it. S&J Engines has a long block for $1600 with a 7yr/100K warranty. He prolly will not be leaving town with it until he graduates, and by then I'm sure he will want to move to a truck.

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This is all true, but it's not as hard as it seems. You should be able to easily buy an entire drivetrain for less than 1500. The motor mounts can be ordered from FCA. The only real work involved is cutting off the old mounts and welding on the new ones.

You should be able to take the grill/front end off the jeep and extract the entire drivetrain out the front in one motion. Engine, trans, case all at once. Not sure about your's specifically, but I know that it can be done on older models.

Lose the oversize tires if going back to 4 banger....Performance will increase exponentially.

Also, join Wrangler Forum as they are a wealth of knowledge and very willing to help/give advice.