Baystate Jeepers

Random thought.

The 4 cylinder TJs have about a foot or so of space between the motor and radiator. Why couldn't you shift the whole drive line forward? I would think this would give better drive line angles in the rear and you wouldn't really hurt the front angles. I know the shifting linkage would have to be modified but I doubt that would be much more work than anyone that swaps in a V8 or another non-Jeep motor.

Jeep Gods show me why not.

You'd have to move your tranny mount forward or move the skid bolts forward. A tranny shifter would end up in the dash for a manual or require longer cables for an automatic. The stock transfer case shifter linkage would have to go since half of it is attached to the cab. Don't know if the engine mounts on the frame can easily be moved forward a foot and still sit at the same width. You might need to relocate your computer or get longer wiring.

Sounds like a major project. Maybe others can chime in.

It'd be easier to push the rear axle back plus you be able to climb better with the longer wheelbase.

fortyfour wrote:It'd be easier to push the rear axle back plus you be able to climb better with the longer wheelbase.

X2.

Too much effort for too little return.

I will say however, that when I swapped a XJ 4.0L/AW4 auto into my YJ (for a couple of years when I was putting my 2.5L/SM420 together), I fabricated motor mounts that moved the 6 as close to the radiator as possible. This allowed me to run the AW4 without driveline mods. I ran a fan in front of the radiator.


The only instance I know of to justify moving a 2.5L forward, would be to install a Ranger Gear Splitter underdrive crawl box between the engine and transmission. That adds super crawl ratios without any driveline mods.

This would be the Ranger I would buy: http://advanceadapters.com/product/1940/760001M-UD.html

Thats exactly why I was considering a V-6 conversion instead of building my inline. My rear DS is only 13-3/8th" . If your happy with the H.P. and having DS issues, There are easier and cheaper ways to fix that . my op. I looking at moving the rear axle , this winters project . FjR68