Cherokee Sport - Why do I want to do this???

I don't know what it is about the challenge Jeep, but I'm totally hooked on this concept. I have been mentally masturbating to this for a while and now I have an insane desire to build a true sport utility vehicle out of one. My dream build would be very similar to the challenge build, with some additional changes:

-4 door body -Coil-springs + watts link or panhard setup in the rear. Would this restrict lowering? -17x9 or 17x10 wheels with 255/40-17 tires. Its 2" taller than the 275/35 setup, but would make for nicer street driving. Still approx 2.5" shorter than the stock tires though. -A different motor. Something that revs more and makes more power. Ideally >250hp at the wheels. A turbo 4 would be a great fit for the engine bay I think, but it would still need some torques for occasional towing. Would need to be mated to a manual trans. I know there is a E36 M3 ton of weight to be saved over the factory 4.0 and transmission. A 13 second 1/4 would be fantastic, but 14s in a significantly lighter vehicle (approx. 2500lbs) would be great. -How low could one of these go with a still functioning suspension? MSN autos lists it at 63.9". Subtract 1.25" for tire height, 4.5" drop, and its down to 58.15" - almost 2" shorter than a Honda Fit (holy E36 M3), and 1" of that is probably roof rack (?). Is there a way to make them go lower?

Fun fact: 2jz will bolt up to a Jeep trans using an R154 bellhousing.

Anyways, I really like the idea.

I have a similar lust, albeit with less planning and a hankering for only two doors.

Swank Force One wrote: Fun fact: 2jz will bolt up to a Jeep trans using an R154 bellhousing.

I'm aware :) As will the 7MGTE. But the problem is they both weigh a ton. And of course the 2JZ is $$$$$$$$$. Probably would be the most reliable option though. I suppose the weight could be overlooked for the insane amount of power that could be made... but I don't know that I'd need 400hp. Wait, did I just say that?

The Ecotec will also bolt to the same trans with the right bellhousing IIRC. Probably a decent lightweight option. I think the cheap, simple, but not quite as light option would be the KA24DET.

Anyway, just a pipe dream right now. I want to build an Exocet first.

I'm not sure a 2jz is heavier than a 4.0. And theyre cheap!

Got a U-Pull-It or something there? I find 2jzs all the time in Lexus Sc300s and gs300s. Out the door for $200.

i've been thinking about alternative powerplants for the XJ-R for some time as the 4.0L is a HUGELY heavy lump. i keep looking at GM's Atlas series 4.2L inline 6 from the trailblazer family... all aluminum, crossflow head, 270-295 hp stock, good trans options bolt right on... though it is sorta cool to beat up on some cars at an autox with a completely jeep drivetrain

Start with a 98-up, they are much nicer for street work.

Do you want 4wd?

The 4.0 trans is not particularly heavy in either flavor.

Your power goal is not that ambitious. Easily attainable with the 2.5L that came stock in 4cyl cherokees, plus a turbo install. Not sure on revability, could be a dealbreaker. I was driving a dakota with the same motor around earlier today and it seemed reasonably happy at ~5200 rpm. I dont see mid 6s being a problem, might require valvesprings.

IIRC the 2.5 jeep engine uses the same bellhousing as the gm 60* v6 family which means all of those (which came in older jeeps so mounts and radiator/ hoses, etc could be direct swap), as well as anything else that shares that bellhousing which includes at least one LS motor. Honestly, the 3.5 gm v6 is kind of a great motor with VVT, and people are making 300hp WITHOUT turbos on those. I doubt anyone would go to the effort to swap one into a jeep that already had a 4.0, though.

I dont see anything about your idea that's remotely difficult other than the part about swapping in a more revvy motor. If you get over that desire and settle for 6k rpm, either of the stock motor options will easily make your power goal with some boost.

Another Jeep we would like to build is a 2003-2006 2.4L Wrangler with SRT-4 parts and a Cherokee 2WD axle. I think a RWD Jeep Liberty transmission from around the same year will bolt up. Lowered with some larger Hoosiers and cut axle for some negative camber.

Ive always wanted to mess with a 2.4 Wrangler. My dad has a friend with one who was feeling me out for building a turbo setup for him. I wanted to, but he wouldnt let go of it for a reasonable amount of time for me to do it. Well, tough E36 M3, senor. Enjoy decelerating uphill at WOT (because wrangler owners cant stand to NOT put huge tires on 4cyls).

Isn't there a Buick/Jeep relationship from years ago? 225v6? How about a 231 with turbo?

And you "want to do this" simply because its about as opposite to a Cherokees original purpose as you could get!

I always looked at them this way: either a killer trail vehicle or a Syclone killer (with mods as you describe and awd).

What about a stroker with a 4.0 block and 4.2 (258cid) crank? Not rev happy but torque coming out of a corner is nice!

http://www.cherokeeforum.com/f67/how-lower-xj-go-road-racing-72580/

LSx engine and a manual trans. http://www.novak-adapt.com/knowledge/xj_swap.htm

/Thread

WilberM3 wrote: i've been thinking about alternative powerplants for the XJ-R for some time as the 4.0L is a HUGELY heavy lump. i keep looking at GM's Atlas series 4.2L inline 6 from the trailblazer family... all aluminum, crossflow head, 270-295 hp stock, good trans options bolt right on... though it is sorta cool to beat up on some cars at an autox with a completely jeep drivetrain

I came damn close to buying a stickshift 2WD Cherokee Sport not long ago thanks to you guys. I still think about it sometimes. Regularly.

I got the Subaru instead to fit my do-everything power wagon needs, but I still got a hankerin' for some XJ.

You can mix and match years/parts from the 4.0 to make a pretty cool stroker.

WilberM3 wrote: i've been thinking about alternative powerplants for the XJ-R for some time as the 4.0L is a HUGELY heavy lump. i keep looking at GM's Atlas series 4.2L inline 6 from the trailblazer family... all aluminum, crossflow head, 270-295 hp stock, good trans options bolt right on... though it is sorta cool to beat up on some cars at an autox with a completely jeep drivetrain

I've always wanted an excuse to do something cool with one of those big GM sixes. Cool idea. Don't they have axles that go through the oil pan or something crazy like that though?

SilverFleet wrote:

WilberM3 wrote: i've been thinking about alternative powerplants for the XJ-R for some time as the 4.0L is a HUGELY heavy lump. i keep looking at GM's Atlas series 4.2L inline 6 from the trailblazer family... all aluminum, crossflow head, 270-295 hp stock, good trans options bolt right on... though it is sorta cool to beat up on some cars at an autox with a completely jeep drivetrain

I've always wanted an excuse to do something cool with one of those big GM sixes. Cool idea. Don't they have axles that go through the oil pan or something crazy like that though?

The Novak website mentioned above has a section on engines you can install, and they mention the the Atlas engines. Summary is: Yes, but...

ebonyandivory wrote: Isn't there a Buick/Jeep relationship from years ago? 225v6? How about a 231 with turbo?

Yes, the Kaiser-Jeeps used the Buick 231 V6 odd-fire engine.

petegossett wrote:

ebonyandivory wrote: Isn't there a Buick/Jeep relationship from years ago? 225v6? How about a 231 with turbo?

Yes, the Kaiser-Jeeps used the Buick 231 V6 odd-fire engine.

After Kaiser bought the 225 from Buick no? Then added its ~50lb flywheel.

IIRC, the 225 came first.

I just bought a '99 Cherokee Sport that I intend to leave just as it is. Heresy, I know. But I LIKE it!.

ebonyandivory wrote:

petegossett wrote:

ebonyandivory wrote: Isn't there a Buick/Jeep relationship from years ago? 225v6? How about a 231 with turbo?

Yes, the Kaiser-Jeeps used the Buick 231 V6 odd-fire engine.

After Kaiser bought the 225 from Buick no? Then added its ~50lb flywheel. IIRC, the 225 came first.

The 225 V6 in the Kaiser Jeeps was an older Buick design from the early 60's. I had the 225 "Fireball" V6 in my 1964 Skylark. Man, that car was slow. They later bought the rights and the tooling to make the odd-fire V6 back from Jeep in the mid-70's after AMC took over Jeep production.

That said, I always wanted to put a later turbo V6 in my Buick. I still want to get another one and do that.

cwh wrote: I just bought a '99 Cherokee Sport that I intend to leave just as it is. Heresy, I know. But I LIKE it!.

It's like I don't even know who you are anymore.

If anyone playing with jeeps wants some parts, at my mother's house near Boston, I have a complete 1996 ZJ 4.0 engine, oil pan to valve cover, with the manifolds, NVH block, that is just sitting there. I bought it and tore it down and bagged/labeled all of the parts with intentions of making a stroker motor for my XJ at the time, but life got in the way and now 7 years later it is still in my mom's garage. Free to any GRMer that asks and can pick it up.

I wouldn't give 500 dollars for any year jeep. I hate them, worked on them too much.