Jeep 4.0 Engine

This site contains affiliate links for which LandyZone may be compensated if you make a purchase.
nesponge

nesponge

Active Member
Posts
486
Location
Northumberland
Looking for some advice toward installing a jeep 4.0 inline 6 into my Defender 110.

The reason I want to use the Jeep 6 is due to the fact I have one sitting right here in my Grand Cherokee with only 90,000 miles on it in perfect working order.

This is an utterly fantastic engine with a legendary reputation for reliability and low end torque with similar power figures to the land rover 4.0 v8, but without any of the liner issues.

What is the best way to put this engine in my Defender?

Should I swap the jeep automatic transmission and transfer case into the Defender?

Or is it possible to bolt the engine to the land rover gearbox? (LT-77 in my case) Obviously the bell housing would need an adapter.

Anyone done this swap before?

Many Thanks
 
Gents there is a one man band garage called Sunderland 4x4 in Sowerby Bridge, West Yorkshire who builds a lot of 4x4 s based on Jeeps or Land Rovers. If you speak to him I am sure he would be able to advise.
 
Seriously thinking I will just rip the whole engine/gearbox and transfer box assembly out of the Jeep and drop it into the land rover chassis.

The transfer case is nearly brand new and has less than 2000 miles on it, so seems common sense to keep it.

Thanks for the address steveworks. Will speak to this gentleman before I make a final decision :)
 
Last edited:
I'd agree with keeping the transmission etc. - much simpler when it comes to buying clutch/gearbox parts. It looks like all you would need are modified propshafts, which should be less expensive than a gearbox adaptor, as long as the prop angles aren't extreme.
 
A quick check shows the jeep to use a 3.55 ratio axle diff, which looks pretty damn close to the defender's 3.54

Looking good so far :)
 
How is the transfer lever connected up in the jeep? Hopefully as it's a simple forward/back movement there will be some freedom to position it inside the landy. Am I right in thinking it's a part-time 4wd system? Auto shifter should be simpler too. The other option would be to retain the landy's transfer box and couple it to the jeep's auto transmission.

Prove that Jeep and Land Rover can play nicely together! Will be following this with interest. :)
 
I had a 5 speed manual Cherokee Larodeo with this engine, low mileage, strong and reliable engine yes but its a pig on gas.

I used to tell people that my temperature and fuel gauge worked in sync, as my temperature gauge needle moved up my fuel gauge needle came down.

This is a heavier engine as well. I would prefer to rebuild the Landy engine than do this swap especially if you live in the UK or close where Landy parts are cheaper and available.
 
The Landy is already apart and sitting as a rolling chassis. Currently has a 200tdi mocked up in it, but really don't want to use a diesel engine after driving the Jeep for so long.

Fuel economy is not an issue, but if it were to become one I would fit LPG as these engines are very friendly with it.

The transfer lever in the jeep is a simple forward and backward arrangement for high and low range.

The transfer case is permanent 4x4 and uses a viscous coupling.

This can burn out if you use mismatched tyres, but I have just fitted a brand new case. The last one lasted nearly 100k with odd tyres for a good chunk of that.
 
This engine is called Chrysler hemi in Australia , they were used for hot rod racing , as they are just about bomb proof. You are probably aware that many series landrovers were re engined with holden motors , the problem was that the later engines were longer stroke , and due to the low gearing of the series landrovers were revved quite hard , which quite often resulted in throwing a rod thru the block. No such problem with the hemi conversion . I bought an adapter kit and fitted one in a 109 forward control
with excellent results. If you go on AULRO sure someone will be able to advise you if adapters are available for defenders. HTSH
 
Talking of them engines I saw a 4.0 Wrangler I really liked last weekend and angled him for a trade with my Disco, but he wouldn't have it.. said how about the Disco AND the Freelander and he still wouldn't have it.. so not all merkins are stupid.. :D
 
Jeep transfer case is offset and very similar in dimension to the LT-230.

Popped the bonnet on the Jeep this morning and took some measurements. Engine should fit between land rover frame rails easily and no turbo to worry about.
 
Okay A quick update to this thread.

After doing a lot of research I have come to the following setup as the best way forward.

Retain the stock Land Rover Transfer Case
Buy an transfer case/gearbox adapter from Marks Adapters in Australia
Use a GM 4l80E automatic gearbox (with compushift aftermarket controller)
Buy a gearbox/engine Adapter from Novak Adapters in USA
Use the Jeep 4.0 engine

This will give me the advantage of keeping stock prop-shafts/handbrake with the advantage of the extremely heavy duty GM gearbox and of course the Jeep engine.

If I feel the need for more power in the future it's a straightforward swap to a GM V8 engine which will bolt right up to the 4l80e

At the moment funds wont stretch for a big V8, so the little jeep engine will have to do.

This gives the advantage of keeping almost everything "off the shelf", with minimal fabrication.

Currently trying to find a reputable supplier in the UK for a 4x4 version of the 4l80e gearbox.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

P7XES
Defender part numbers on engine swap... lost
Replies
4
Views
550
P7XES
P7XES
M
19J timing case on 12L discovery engine
Replies
4
Views
271
lynall
L
L
Squealing noise
Replies
9
Views
376
miktdish
miktdish
ryan_1993
Defender 300 engine loom bulkhead dash connector pinout
Replies
2
Views
178
dag019
dag019
C
Auto discovery box into a 200tdi defender?
Replies
5
Views
560
Can’t Decide
C
Back
Top