1. Welcome to Jeeps.net!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Jeep discussion topics
    • Transfer over your build thread from a different forum to this one
    • Communicate privately with other Jeep owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Engine swap advice

Discussion in 'General Jeep Discussion' started by JeepUp4Ever, Jan 16, 2017.

  1. Jan 16, 2017 at 2:22 PM
    #1
    JeepUp4Ever

    JeepUp4Ever [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 16, 2017
    Member:
    #812
    Messages:
    3
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    '95 Cherokee inline-6
    3'' lift, 32'' all terrains
    I have been looking to upgrade my jeeping experience. I want to sell my '95 Cherokee and get a Rubicon. My problem is I know and take care of my current engine (inline-6cyl) so well, that I was hoping to pull it and put it in a Rubicon. I also know that mechanically the inline design has certain advantages over the V-cyl design, like torque and gas econ.

    Is this a realistic swap or should I just get used to the idea of driving a the V-cyl??
     
  2. Jan 16, 2017 at 2:23 PM
    #2
    chris4x4

    chris4x4 With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine Moderator

    Joined:
    Jul 19, 2016
    Member:
    #2
    Messages:
    4,068
    Gender:
    Male
    Welcome! The new 3.6 has more Hp and Torque than the 4.0 inline 6, so it might not be an issue.
     
  3. Jan 16, 2017 at 2:27 PM
    #3
    JeepUp4Ever

    JeepUp4Ever [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 16, 2017
    Member:
    #812
    Messages:
    3
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    '95 Cherokee inline-6
    3'' lift, 32'' all terrains
    I have some more research and budgeting to do, I'm not sure I'll be getting a Rubicon newer than 2012. What year did they start to make the 3.6?
     
  4. Jan 16, 2017 at 3:32 PM
    #4
    chris4x4

    chris4x4 With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine Moderator

    Joined:
    Jul 19, 2016
    Member:
    #2
    Messages:
    4,068
    Gender:
    Male
    2012 was the first year for the 3.6
     
  5. Jan 16, 2017 at 6:56 PM
    #5
    C2T

    C2T Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 31, 2016
    Member:
    #42
    Messages:
    763
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Richard
    Helena, Montana
    Vehicle:
    Jeep
    2.5" AEV Dual Sport lift, 35" Treadwright Guard Dogs, Black Rock Wheels, AEV Front & Rear Bumpers with Tire Carrier, Fuel Caddy 10 gal. Aux. fuel tank, Warn 9.5ti, 125' synthetic winch line, front axle skid, 20" LED light bar , Bilstein Shocks, steel steering skidplate,
    Look at this carefully. You are heading in an expensive direction with little, if any, benefit. The 3.8l has more horsepower, more torque and is considerably lighter than the 4.0l IL6. It is also much shorter. 9.2 inches shorter---which will be important when you try to stuff that 4.0l into that space. Computer problems are going to be rough.

    I suggest trying to get the 3.6. Everyone forgets it is not JUST the 3.6 that makes the difference. The gear ratios in the newer auto tranny are also considerably lower in the 12+ models. The 3.8 did great for me off-road and was VERY controllable. Just had to live with not doing 80 over the passes. Hell, if you come up with a spare $3.5k to $5k stick a supercharger under the hood and start ticking off stock Mustangs.

    JMHO...
     
    OFFGRID and chris4x4 like this.
  6. Jan 16, 2017 at 7:57 PM
    #6
    OFFGRID

    OFFGRID Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2016
    Member:
    #317
    Messages:
    2,018
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Peter
    Houston
    Vehicle:
    1979 Jeep CJ7, 258, TH350, NP208
    Howell fuel injection, header, HEI distributor, TH350, NP208, SOA lift with YJ springs in the front & GW springs in the Rear. AMC20 with G2 1 piece chromos trussed, Dana 30 with G2 chromos and 760x ujoints and MM Stainless Hubs, Geared 4.56. Tom Woods shafts, Metal cloaks, Caged, 37" Toyo MTs.
    Not to mention the fuel mileage is better in the v6 over the I6. My thoughts are if your going to go to all of that time and money to do the swap, I'd get a v8 for the price of a supercharger. I see a lot of people selling superchargers off of their jeeps. I haven't seen one person selling their LS1,2,3 or Hemi out of their jeep. Really though, get the Rubicon, get its stance like you want, and then see if you still want to swap a motor in.
     
  7. Jan 17, 2017 at 10:46 AM
    #7
    JeepUp4Ever

    JeepUp4Ever [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 16, 2017
    Member:
    #812
    Messages:
    3
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    '95 Cherokee inline-6
    3'' lift, 32'' all terrains
    Thank you all. Truth is I can do the swap myself without having to pay to have it done, so I wouldn't be looking at problems with it being financially worth it. But, if my biggest reasons for wanting to keep the inline have been made obsolete by the new V-cyl design, perhaps I will just leave it alone. Again thanks, very helpful!
     
  8. Jan 17, 2017 at 10:51 AM
    #8
    Rc Jeep

    Rc Jeep Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 8, 2016
    Member:
    #190
    Messages:
    465
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Ryan
    Vehicle:
    '16 Rubicon
    Evo mfg front coil overs Evo mfg rear coil overs Jks drag link flip Je reel 1310 front & rear driveshafts 37" Nitto trail grapplers 17x9 atx slabs Evo mfg quarter pounder w/stinger Evo mfg rear fascia w/ d ring mounts
    Look into the RIPP supercharger for the 2012+. The power gains are pretty amazing
     
To Top