Great video showing the XJ's adaptability. Considering AMC designed the XJ for an inline 4 or V6 for release in 1984 (nearly 40 years ago!), this shows well how versatile the design really was. Over 2.5 million XJs were built with most since 1987 having one of the over 5 million 4.0L engines built during the '87-'01 XJ run with the 4.0L terminating at the end of '06. Too bad Chrysler killed its most successful SUV wagon model.
Awesome swap guy's especially in a small shop with basic tools. Sound like you need to make a turn key junkyard swap kit for all the faithful xj owners out there
I just happen to have a complete 01 xj drivetrain in the garage AND a 1uz motor & trans that I pulled from my 97 LS400 that I wrecked. I had no idea the transmissions were nearly the same or that this swap was nearly a direct bolt up. Looks like it’s time to find another good xj shell! 🤘
Another great XJ video man, TYVM! You've re-ignited the fire in my build but what a curveball this engine is. Now that I've had a sec to get familiar with it, I'm torn between them. How familiar are you with these? LS engines are so simple seemingly in comparison, can you diagnose/repair these multicam V8's? Repair costs similar to LS internals? How did you pick out which version to start with? They sound like pretty badass platforms. Does it really allow 8500 rpms w/o catastrophic failure? Damn, I have so many more general XJ build Q's, doubler, axles and so on. Is there a better way to try and bounce Q's off you guys? I'm a 54 year old man, not some freak you TH-camrs get plagued with so don't be feared! LOL Thanks again Gage Boys Garage, looking forward to helping you guys grow n prosper.
WOW thank you so much for the comment. i believe the Toyota engines are relatively simple everything i’ve done on mine was very easy. you should message me on instagram if you have it dm zeph_gage. if you don’t have instagram let me know
Part of the problem with using an LS is having to use a GM transmision... or is there a way around that? Of all the 4L60 transmissions I have seen die, I have seen zero AW4 failures. I expect the aluminum Toyota V8 to weigh substantially less than the LS. The LS is a simple engine, but so is the Toyota engine, and honestly, its liable to be more durable than even the GM LS engine. The Toyota engine is just as cheap. With keeping the AW4 transmission, there's no need to change anything with the transfer case. The original driveshafts can be retained... unless that is also true with the LS swap? I am leaning towards going this route. Its going to be either that or I cam up my 4.0. But for that to be effective, I should get a better flowing head as opposed to the Daimlerized one that is on there.
That was the one thing I was wanting to know was how the wiring went cause I have been back and forth with wanting to do a motor swap but wiring is what worries me the most. I have an 01 and love the XJ setup but wouldn't mind having something with a little more power and do something different.
@@gageboysgarage6059 so with the fuel pump did you guys just go right into the other setup? cause honestly this build is something can seems to be better vs an LS.
Man this is very tempting to do on my LJ one day :D Id love some more power and more gears compared to the 42rle ! Would be cool to add a supercharger since there's a TRD kit for that motor im sure
G'day mate , great vid by the way,, im here in Australia looking at a very low mileage 1uz that I had in a valiant but now i have an xj that could use an upgrade , what mounts did you use for the engine ? Also you mentioned that you moved the gearbox forward , did you have to extend and shorten front and rear prop shift ? You make this look so easy I am going to give it a go
Did you have to use an aftermarket TMC for you transmission or does the ECU still control it? Fyi there's a wire in to spitronics and you can adjust the oms in the ECU to match the tach no need to spend money on it just a simple wire
the jeep has a separate computer for the transmission from the factory, and the problem with the tach is relaying what the splitronics knows to the dash because the dash is controlled by the computer
I wonder if you can just use a gm alternator with the tach and just wire that into the old computer or if you can use the pulse off the alternator that came with the ls for the tach signal to the old computer
I assume you are using the stock Jeep ECU to control the transmission, has there been any issues with that? Did you need to do anything else to make that work properly? Also, did you find anything to enabling the tach to work with the 1UZ?
yes stock transmission computer, i haven’t done anything with it but hook up the transmission cable to the throttle body and it drives great. i have not get the tach to work yet but i plan on making a video on it
I have a 04 Jeep Grand Cherokee with the 4.7 V8 and the 45RFE 5 speed transmission. Do you think this would bolt up like yours did by just swiping the bell housing and input shaft?
so far it has been bulletproof, only thing i had fail was the starter, i was able to smack it with a bar to start it once and then i left the jeep running
I am looking to do an engine swap on my xj to live and work on the road. Has this been reliable and if so, may I hit you guys up for questions and concerns. I have done 3 engine replacements on my xj so have some knowledge. Thanks in advance
yeah ask any questions you want, this has been very reliable watch more videos on our channel you’ll see the beating it takes. i highly recommend the swap
So how did you end up controlling the aw4? I saw that it bolted in but are both electrical plugs going to the aw4 (behind the head on a 4.0) still going into the xj harness unmodified? Thats my biggest fear in this. And what conversion harness did you use
The aw4 has its own computer i just left it alone and it works great. The engine harness is a simple 3 wire harness from splitronics standalone ecu and harness. I kept the factory jeep computer and used the jeep sensors to get my dash to work
@@gageboysgarage6059 so just continuity out all the wires in the tcm plug and leave them where theyre at correct? What about the kick down cable? As far at the motor is concerned im probably going to make the toyota ecm run it all and start depinning the ecm until it no longer works and start adding back in.
@@CodyBecker-w4z no said screw it. I wanted a entire parts vehicle and the toyota people were nuts with their prices so i found it cheaper and easier to run a 5.3 with a 4l80e and a 2k$ holley controlling it all. When you want to run a auto things get kind of confusing so this worked best for me. Since hes already running a standalone on his xj i said why not to the same thing.
@@CodyBecker-w4z that being said my buddy has a uz swap with a stick and its a MUCH easier animal. All my other vehicles are stick and i just want this to be my daily so i wasent willing to give up the auto in this one. If you are tho this is a great swap!
@@gageboysgarage6059 I never knew the OG trans in the XJs was an Aisin. That means you unhooked the 1UZ from an Aisin and also reattached it to an Aisin!
Yeah man here it is. What are you swapping ? www.ebay.com/itm/234738260717?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=9i8opuuftpa&sssrc=2047675&ssuid=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY
@@gageboysgarage6059How long did it take to complete the swap , and would you be interested in doing another swap if I got all the parts everything you need how much would you charge me to complete the swap set up exactly like yours
Jeep really did something special when they combined the 4.0 to the AW4. It's almost like they wanted them to outlive humanity. Not good for business and perfectly illustrates why they killed off the XJ. Can't have these old shit boxes with hundreds of thousands of miles running around doing XJ stuff while the new models line up at the service drive. Now you know why they ditched the 4.0 for the "mini van" motor. 😂
Great video showing the XJ's adaptability. Considering AMC designed the XJ for an inline 4 or V6 for release in 1984 (nearly 40 years ago!), this shows well how versatile the design really was. Over 2.5 million XJs were built with most since 1987 having one of the over 5 million 4.0L engines built during the '87-'01 XJ run with the 4.0L terminating at the end of '06. Too bad Chrysler killed its most successful SUV wagon model.
it really is a great platform to build from
The 4.0 isn't a V6. It's an inline 6.
@@KurNorockamc offered a Chevy V6 for the first few years of production.
Awesome swap guy's especially in a small shop with basic tools. Sound like you need to make a turn key junkyard swap kit for all the faithful xj owners out there
Hey thank you so much, the goal of our channel is to show what you can do in your garage! a swap kit would be awesome
If I decided to do this and I had issues..... guarantee I would...😂 Could ask you guys for some help.
I just happen to have a complete 01 xj drivetrain in the garage AND a 1uz motor & trans that I pulled from my 97 LS400 that I wrecked. I had no idea the transmissions were nearly the same or that this swap was nearly a direct bolt up. Looks like it’s time to find another good xj shell! 🤘
we would be happy to share our tunes to get you up and running
@@gageboysgarage6059 That is extremely appreciated! I will reach out once I’ve secured a shell
@@gearhead8989Are you interested in selling the engine?
@@autohog I’ve debated on selling it but haven’t made any effort to list it. It’s very healthy. If I had a good enough offer, I might consider it.
Who else loves their xj!?
Once I have finished my diesel Jeep xj I will be converting my 4.0 prefacelift to this engine. Its legendary.
heck yeah buddy i love mine. thanks for the comment
Could you maybe do an index video of the wiring for the 1uz?
Awesome Swap! I never knew about the 1UZ to AW4 compatibility. You should do an overview of the whole jeep. Mention all the mods, etc. Looks awesome.
Thanks! i have thought about this and will probably do it soon.
I owned a 91 ls400. Love to put one in my 88 YJ
Need a video on wiring and what to run what to im so confused how to wire it all up to work
FRIKKEN AMAZING!!! You need to do a 1yr review on the swap and if you'd do it again. Thanks
i’ve been thinking about doing that!!
Another great XJ video man, TYVM! You've re-ignited the fire in my build but what a curveball this engine is. Now that I've had a sec to get familiar with it, I'm torn between them. How familiar are you with these? LS engines are so simple seemingly in comparison, can you diagnose/repair these multicam V8's? Repair costs similar to LS internals? How did you pick out which version to start with? They sound like pretty badass platforms. Does it really allow 8500 rpms w/o catastrophic failure? Damn, I have so many more general XJ build Q's, doubler, axles and so on. Is there a better way to try and bounce Q's off you guys? I'm a 54 year old man, not some freak you TH-camrs get plagued with so don't be feared! LOL Thanks again Gage Boys Garage, looking forward to helping you guys grow n prosper.
WOW thank you so much for the comment. i believe the Toyota engines are relatively simple everything i’ve done on mine was very easy. you should message me on instagram if you have it dm zeph_gage. if you don’t have instagram let me know
Part of the problem with using an LS is having to use a GM transmision... or is there a way around that? Of all the 4L60 transmissions I have seen die, I have seen zero AW4 failures.
I expect the aluminum Toyota V8 to weigh substantially less than the LS.
The LS is a simple engine, but so is the Toyota engine, and honestly, its liable to be more durable than even the GM LS engine.
The Toyota engine is just as cheap.
With keeping the AW4 transmission, there's no need to change anything with the transfer case.
The original driveshafts can be retained... unless that is also true with the LS swap?
I am leaning towards going this route. Its going to be either that or I cam up my 4.0. But for that to be effective, I should get a better flowing head as opposed to the Daimlerized one that is on there.
Need more xjs with this swap.....wish I was good enough to do one to my 92
you could definitely do this swap it wasn’t bad just takes time
That was the one thing I was wanting to know was how the wiring went cause I have been back and forth with wanting to do a motor swap but wiring is what worries me the most. I have an 01 and love the XJ setup but wouldn't mind having something with a little more power and do something different.
i hate wiring, but once you get into it just take your time. it’s nothing to be scared of
@@gageboysgarage6059 so with the fuel pump did you guys just go right into the other setup? cause honestly this build is something can seems to be better vs an LS.
@@gageboysgarage6059 also where did you get the harness kit?
Love the 1uz. Nice work. Wonder if it would fit my 4.0/ CJ7bell housing/NP435 😅
Thank you man! I think a 1uz CJ7 would be so badass!!!
Man this is very tempting to do on my LJ one day :D
Id love some more power and more gears compared to the 42rle !
Would be cool to add a supercharger since there's a TRD kit for that motor im sure
G'day mate , great vid by the way,, im here in Australia looking at a very low mileage 1uz that I had in a valiant but now i have an xj that could use an upgrade , what mounts did you use for the engine ? Also you mentioned that you moved the gearbox forward , did you have to extend and shorten front and rear prop shift ? You make this look so easy I am going to give it a go
yes i had to change the driveshaft length and make motor mounts but it was relatively easy, btw so cool to hear from an Aussie Thanks for Watching!!!
Cool swap! October 16th is our fall color run. You should bring it up and show it off! Lol
Where is the ride? Sounds fun
@@gageboysgarage6059 starting in Petoskey. Hitting about 40 miles of trails. Ending just south of Boyne Falls.
@@northernmichiganoverland are you organizing this on facebook or anywhere that we can get details?
@@gageboysgarage6059 yes on my #NorthermichiganXJs group I have a event.
Love the vid!! What standalone ECU are you using? Looking at possibly doing this swap on my XJ!!
i used the splitronics ecu and harness
Did you have to use an aftermarket TMC for you transmission or does the ECU still control it? Fyi there's a wire in to spitronics and you can adjust the oms in the ECU to match the tach no need to spend money on it just a simple wire
the jeep has a separate computer for the transmission from the factory, and the problem with the tach is relaying what the splitronics knows to the dash because the dash is controlled by the computer
I wonder if you can just use a gm alternator with the tach and just wire that into the old computer or if you can use the pulse off the alternator that came with the ls for the tach signal to the old computer
I read some say that the engine and trans need to be moved forward or the firewall moved back. Was that true in this case?
Sweet build where did you get the engine mounts
i made them
I assume you are using the stock Jeep ECU to control the transmission, has there been any issues with that? Did you need to do anything else to make that work properly? Also, did you find anything to enabling the tach to work with the 1UZ?
yes stock transmission computer, i haven’t done anything with it but hook up the transmission cable to the throttle body and it drives great. i have not get the tach to work yet but i plan on making a video on it
@@gageboysgarage6059thanks for the info, I was wondering the same
Man, great job! How many hours did the swap take in total?
probably a month after work and school
I have a 04 Jeep Grand Cherokee with the 4.7 V8 and the 45RFE 5 speed transmission. Do you think this would bolt up like yours did by just swiping the bell housing and input shaft?
i don’t think it would work
How'd you end up doing your cooling?
The mechanical and electric?
That looks like the stock XJ radiator?
stock xj aluminum radiator 3 electric fans
The old engine in your xj sounds leagues better than my 4.0. I’ve been thinking about the 1uz. How has it held up?
so far it has been bulletproof, only thing i had fail was the starter, i was able to smack it with a bar to start it once and then i left the jeep running
Hi awesome swap ! , from where you engine mounts bracket
I made them, I used part of the factory engine mounts. it was actually extremely easy
1UZ motors are bulletproof
Would you have been Able to use the engine and the transmission from the Lexus with the stock transfer case from the jeep??
i don’t think so, the a340 from the car is a 2wd case
I am looking to do an engine swap on my xj to live and work on the road. Has this been reliable and if so, may I hit you guys up for questions and concerns. I have done 3 engine replacements on my xj so have some knowledge. Thanks in advance
yeah ask any questions you want, this has been very reliable watch more videos on our channel you’ll see the beating it takes. i highly recommend the swap
So how did you end up controlling the aw4? I saw that it bolted in but are both electrical plugs going to the aw4 (behind the head on a 4.0) still going into the xj harness unmodified? Thats my biggest fear in this. And what conversion harness did you use
The aw4 has its own computer i just left it alone and it works great. The engine harness is a simple 3 wire harness from splitronics standalone ecu and harness. I kept the factory jeep computer and used the jeep sensors to get my dash to work
@@gageboysgarage6059 so just continuity out all the wires in the tcm plug and leave them where theyre at correct? What about the kick down cable? As far at the motor is concerned im probably going to make the toyota ecm run it all and start depinning the ecm until it no longer works and start adding back in.
@@bransencortez7353thatsmy thoughts. Did you do the 1uz swap and how did you address this?
@@CodyBecker-w4z no said screw it. I wanted a entire parts vehicle and the toyota people were nuts with their prices so i found it cheaper and easier to run a 5.3 with a 4l80e and a 2k$ holley controlling it all. When you want to run a auto things get kind of confusing so this worked best for me. Since hes already running a standalone on his xj i said why not to the same thing.
@@CodyBecker-w4z that being said my buddy has a uz swap with a stick and its a MUCH easier animal. All my other vehicles are stick and i just want this to be my daily so i wasent willing to give up the auto in this one. If you are tho this is a great swap!
Do you think the manual transmission form the same year xj would bolt
up to the 1uz?
i’m not sure
I wanna do this in a 5 speed manual Tj
hell yeah do it
I have a 96 Cherokee. Would this transmission change over work on this model possibly?
i think so i don’t know tho
Were you able to get it tuned with the spitronics ecu? If so, could i by chance borrow that tune file 😁
yes i can!!
What's the best way to get in contact with you for those files?
@@gageboysgarage6059 what's the best way to get a hold of you for those tune files? Thanks in advance!
@@avianaviator1570 send me an email zeph.gage@me.com
@@gageboysgarage6059 Thanks So much!
What trans is in the xj is it the ax? Or 42re as if its the 42re ill do this to my grand cherokee!!
it is the stock cherokee aw4 automatic
Do you have to change the pump, or could you use the xj torque converter?
the xj torque converter does not match up with the 1uz flex plate you would have to modify something
could have went with a buick 350 fit right in and give you way more torque. jeep from the 60s and 70 71 used buick engines.
wow sounds boring
land rover didnt seem to think so.@@gageboysgarage6059
soo you stuck a 540 pound engine that cant even reach 300hp. but think a 435 pound 370 hp engine is boring. ok zoomer
So does this mean you could put a 2jz in a xj because you could get that auto trans in a supra
yes technically i have seen it done
What stiffners did you go with?
they are just cheaper ebay ones, they are all very similar
Bro wishes he was uncle Tony’s garage
who the heck is uncle tony?
Dude whats kind of engine mount u used thinking to swap my jeep engine
i used the factory mounts cut them down and welded a flat plate off of them, then added gussets. the 1uz has a very simple engine mount on the engine
Would the parts of the 1uz tranny fit in my 93 xj cuz urs is newer then my jeep so I guess tranny is a bit different
@@radhaalghurab9753 i’m not positive but i think it may work
Damn it had a 4.0 and it still got a 4.0
hell yeah
@@gageboysgarage6059 I never knew the OG trans in the XJs was an Aisin. That means you unhooked the 1UZ from an Aisin and also reattached it to an Aisin!
Mpg?
Can you send me te link to the harnes you used
Yeah man here it is. What are you swapping ?
www.ebay.com/itm/234738260717?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=9i8opuuftpa&sssrc=2047675&ssuid=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY
@@gageboysgarage6059 also A jeep Cherokee but I have A 3 door with original 2.1 diesel which I threw out and swapt with 1uz
How difficult would it be to add a duel exhaust to this swap
depends how your jeep is setup with a stock ish xj it would be easy
@@gageboysgarage6059 Yea mine is a 1994 Sport I already got the engine just gotta get the most complete swap kit
@@gageboysgarage6059How long did it take to complete the swap , and would you be interested in doing another swap if I got all the parts everything you need how much would you charge me to complete the swap set up exactly like yours
No AC?
not at the moment, the factory ac location will hit the frame
Is there a way i can contact you? Maybe email or something? I have a few questions currently doing this swap right now.
message me on instagram, gageboysgarage cherry
A340 trans not R340 R is a manual.. simple mistake no one's perfect!
correct my bad, thanks for watching
imagine the starter going out on the trail
it kinda did, luckily i was able to smack it to get it started then i just left the jeep running!
Jeep really did something special when they combined the 4.0 to the AW4. It's almost like they wanted them to outlive humanity. Not good for business and perfectly illustrates why they killed off the XJ. Can't have these old shit boxes with hundreds of thousands of miles running around doing XJ stuff while the new models line up at the service drive. Now you know why they ditched the 4.0 for the "mini van" motor. 😂
exactly haha
cool info, please stop doing these massives zooms its wack ..
keep up the good work bruh
Kinda crappy vid, u didn’t show what u did for motor mounts or any info on the harness or what u used etc.
Motor mounts where very simple just some plate built off the factory mounts, the harness is a splitronics ecu and standalone harness
blasphemy!
Does a 3rd gen VVT 1UZ work in this too? Or just 1st and 2nd gen without VVT?
it should work
Hey what stand alone ecu did u use for ur swap
i used a splitronics ecu and harness.