94 Grand Cherokee drivetrain worth putting in a CJ-7?

[Sam Simpson]

Has the 5.2 and full time 4x4.  Would the 318 be a good swap into the CJ-7?  What about the tranny and tcase?

Also are the axles worth swapping into the CJ-7?  I am thinking not but was just curious, I have a set of 60s for the CJ.

Also, will a Dana 300 bolt up to the Grand Cherokee's tranny?

[ChrisKD]

Auto? Manual?

Wasn't the Auto transmission a variant of the 904?  Dunno what the Manual was though, i almost bought a '97 Grand Cherokee with a 5-Speed & Fulltime 4wd for $200.  needed some body work, i was gonna slap a Snow Plow on the front and call it my new Daily Driver. (long story, the owner changed his mind)

I never did find out what model the 5-Speed was in it.

318 is always a nice bonus for a small Jeep    Although V8 Jeeps are GAS HOGS (all the ones i've seen anyway), my dad's Grand Cherokee Limited (has that 4.7L V8) chugs almost as much gas as my 340 Duster does    I actually think my grandfather's 440 powered Motorhome/RV gets better mileage than my dad's Cherokee 

[Sam Simpson]

It is an auto.  I was hoping the FI magnum motor would offer better mileage with the light jeep.  However if I end up swapping the dana 60's under it and running 37s or 38s maybe the larger motor would be better?

I think for now I will just keep the 4.2.

[joe s]

Although V8 Jeeps are GAS HOGS (all the ones i've seen anyway), my dad's Grand Cherokee Limited (has that 4.7L V8) chugs almost as much gas as my 340 Duster does    I actually think my grandfather's 440 powered Motorhome/RV gets better mileage than my dad's Cherokee 

There are serious mechanical issues with your jeep. I have seen numbers in the 22-24mpg range. I know for fact your duster or motorhome aint getting but about 1/2 that.

I never will, but if I did build a "jeep" engine, it would be a 4.0 I6. I would of course snatch up a 4.2L crank and a used ford lightning "breathing assistant"...gas mpg be damned!

[ChrisKD]

There are serious mechanical issues with your jeep. I have seen numbers in the 22-24mpg range. I know for fact your duster or motorhome aint getting but about 1/2 that.

I never will, but if I did build a "jeep" engine, it would be a 4.0 I6. I would of course snatch up a 4.2L crank and a used ford lightning "breathing assistant"...gas mpg be damned!

See that's what we thought, my dad went through the jeep with a fine toothed comb. It runs like a top and has tons of power, just the mileage sucks.

My cousin bought a Grand Cherokee with a 4.7L and his mileage is through the floor too (my cousin drove his off the lot, with no miles on it)

My Duster gets 7mpg, i'd say my dad's Jeep gets 11mpg.  Course it's got the aerodynamics of a brick and weighs quite a bit too.

[dhokey17]

This is basically what my dad wants to do with his cj7. He has the magnum motor out of his truck, I gave him a 727 and full time t case from a 79 trail duster and I gave him the jeep. His plan is throw that in the jeep with a intake and carb and put some 3/4 axles under it and wheel the crap out of it.

[J10Mike]

Waggy narrow track D44s would be a great upgrade for a CJ. Anything more is overkill for such a light vehicle.

[Sam Simpson]

I want to run 37's or 38's and be locked up and don't want to worry about breaking anything on the trail.  With 60s I will be good to go.

[tugboatw200]

Huge difference between the 4.7 and the 5.2 where mileage is concerned.  Apples to oranges.  4.7 is down on power in the lower revs so it's made up in gear ratios in the trans and axles, hence the great mileage numbers, or lack thereof.

Sam, I'd go with Joe on this one.  You've got alot of parts already for a stroker 6, the crank and rods from your 4.2. Installed in a 4.0 with fuel injection would be a better option for lower end torque and higher revs in that Jeep.  And 60's for sure as anything under a Grand Cherokee wouldn't hold up.  The 242 transfer case isn't a bad case but not for the abuse you're about to put it though, keep the 300.  Lots of upgrades for the 300 for not alot of bones.

[Sam Simpson]

Thanks Mike, good info

[workgoats]

We have the 44's out of the 78 Cherokee.  Interested in trading them toward the 60's? 

[tugboatw200]

http://dallas.craigslist.org/ftw/pts/1400771688.html

Bolt in?

[Sam Simpson]

We have the 44's out of the 78 Cherokee.  Interested in trading them toward the 60's? 

No thanks, those axles won't work for what I need. 

http://dallas.craigslist.org/ftw/pts/1400771688.html

Bolt in?

I like your 4.0 stroker idea

[nosights]

Waggy narrow track D44s would be a great upgrade for a CJ. Anything more is overkill for such a light vehicle.

NOT with 36"+ tires and real wheeling. Shoot you can keep your D30 if you wanna curb wheel on 38's.

Go for the 60's and be done with it...otherwise I have a nice waggy 44 front for you.

[nosights]

I like your 4.0 stroker idea

Throw it away and put the 318 in! OK, the stroker is fine BUT you are now at STOCK 318 numbers and within 20#'s. The 318/5.2 from the '97 should have a 42rh or 46 or I don't know exactly but it IS a version of the 727 with an OD and this is a great trans!

Get rid of the NP249 AWD tcase and bolt on a 231, 241, 208, 205...or any other 6 bolt round pattern case with the proper splines. The 249 is descent enough but the hi range uses a viscus coupler for engagment and is expensive to replace and only good for snow and sand but will live a VERY short life off road if used in high range.

You wanna see this motor in action check out these videos on youtube...

Jeep ZJ in Badlands ORV Park, Attica, In-Rockcrawling	DQ

Silver Lake Jumps, Grand Cherokee	DQ

[tugboatw200]

Stock 318 numbers perhaps but that only tells part of the story.  Chart the torque and horsepower curve between the two, that's where you'll see the difference.  Combined with the weight difference and the fact he already has the 4.2 between the 'rails and he's golden.  Sure, stuff a blown big block in it, you'll get all the numbers you want!  But what are you going to use it for?  That's the key.

Just my two pennies. 

Mike

[Sam Simpson]

Well I am for sure going with the dana 60s for the jeep and keeping the 4.2.  I might be getting a 4bt if it is complete, if I get it that will be the future power plant for the jeep.  I will be stretching the wheelbase and going with coilover shocks, 4 link, etc.