Newbie question from the ocean!

[tdkask]

Total newbie here and to Jeeps, really. I have been doing a lot of homework lately on XJs and will be purchasing one in the spring, as I am deployed on a US Naval Carrier as I type this. As such, the internet is extremely slow and I am having trouble surfing the site(s) to get some info about strokers, so thought I’d ask a couple questions that likely have been addressed ad nausea, but I cannot easily access from here.

As I look at my coming purchase one of the things I am considering is an (extremely) poor man’s stroker, so want to get the basics down first. If I purchased a 99+ XJ and dropped in a 4.2L crank and rods only, what more would be necessary to make this engine run well? Obviously injectors, and perhaps a porting of the heads, but assuming all else stays stock, what is the average decking that would be necessary, and how much would the chambers need to be opened up? Is there much on DIY porting of these heads as for bowl shape, etc? What is the ideal CR for 87Octane and stock cam? Thanks, and sorry if I am asking tired questions… it really does take me hours and hours of intermittent internet to get anywhere. I appreciate all the advice.

tdkask

[92tank]

I KNOW PEOPLE WILL TELL YOU THAT YOU HAVE TO HAVE THE BLOCK DECKED, AND THAT IT SHOULD BE BORED. BUT I DID THE SUPER POOR MANS STROKER, STOCK EVERYTING EXCEPT CRANK AND RODS, AND INJECTORS(EVEN THE RINGS ARE STOCK WITH 183,000 MILES ON THEM, THATS HOW MANY WERE ON THE DONOR MOTOR). IT RUNS GREAT AND I HAVE ALMOST 4,000 MILES ON IT. (ONLY BEEN BUILT FOR 3 MONTHS) I HAVE HAD IT IN THE MUD, AT SILVER LAKE (MI), ON THE TRAILS, PULLED CARS TO THE SCRAPE YARD YOU NAME IT. SO WHAT IM GETTING AT IS YOU CAN DO IT CHEAP ($200)AND GET AWAY WITH IT.

THANK YOU FOR KEEPING US SAFE SO WE CAN PLAY

HOPE THIS HELPS YOU AND HOPE YOU HAVE FUN WITH THE JEEP

[tdkask]

That's reassuring. I know it won't be the high performer that would be accomplished with everything worked over, but it would be a good starting point for me with a few dollars in Salvage Yard parts. I may even pull only the bottom end and do an inspection, and if good then swap crank, rods, rings, and bearings. That and a seal/gasket kit and injectors should net me 230-ish HP and much better torque, right? I want to be able to turn 33's without too much gear in the axles. Thanks for all the advice.

tdkask

[lafrad]

Unless you are absolutely 100% strapped for every dollar, I would *at least* rent a ball hone (one that goes on your drill) and "freshen up" the cross hatch in the cyl bore, and put an entire new set of rings in. This way you can be confident that the new stroke won't mess the rings up... remember, you are ADDING quite a bit more travel to the piston, the rings will be running in a part of the cylinder that has never seen piston rings before.

[92tank]

YOU WILL HAVE TO PULL THE HEAD TO SWAP RODS, THEY DONT COME OUT FROM THE BOTTOM, PLUS I WOULD BE A GOOD IDEA TO CHECK THE HEAD IF YOU RUN 2000 OR NEWER WITH THE 0331 HEAD. (I TRIED THAT) AND I ALSO REHONED THE CYLIDERS JUST TO MAKE SURE THEY WERE CLEAN, THE BLOCK STILL HAD CROSS HATCHES FROM FACTORY SO IT WAS JUST TO BE SAFE. YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO TURN 33S, I HAVE 31S WITH STOCK GEARS AND HAVE NO PROBLEM TURNING THEM.

[tdkask]

I have replied to this 3 times already... got timed out... haha. This time I'll save before sending.

Thanks guys for the replies.

I have a hone, the kind that has the 3-4 stones on little spring-loaded wiper-style arms. And to be fair, I would probably do a whole gasket, seals, rings, and bearings kit, as well as tear down the head and inspect valves/replace seals, etc. I might even gasket-match the ports. Reassemble and repaint, all new hoses and belts and plugs and wires. Basically "freshen up". I just don't want to spend a lot on machining or new parts if possible, and get the crank and rods from a salvage yard 258 (early YJ?), injectors from a donor ford (suggestions on model/year?), etc etc. I am thinking 1999 XJ to have better heads and the higher pinion axles for XJs. Can I maintain stock 4.0 oil pump and stock XJ fuel pump? Is there an ideal head gasket with this build? Would I see a way greater increase to swap air intake and the exhaust system with this simple of a stroker?

I appreciate the advice and shared experience. I look forward to this one day soon.

[92tank]

THATS THE KIND OF HONE I USED. YOU CAN GET THE CRANK AND RODS FROM ANY 258, (CJ, JY,). THE ONLY THING IS WITH THE OLDER ONES THE NOSE ON THE CRANK IS LONGER, SO YOU WILL JUST NEED A SPACER. I USED AN ONLY LOCK COLLAR, I THINK IT WAS FOR A BEARING. (IT WAS IN THE SCRAP PILE ) AS FOR THE INJECTORS LOOK ON EBAY, YOU CAN ALSO GET THE GASKETS, RINGS AND BEARINGS ON THERE TOO.

[SkylinesSuck]

YOU WILL HAVE TO PULL THE HEAD TO SWAP RODS, THEY DONT COME OUT FROM THE BOTTOM,

To be more specific, you can pull them from the bottom with out removing the head, you just can't put the piston back in with out removing the head.

[92tank]

WHEN I DID MINE THE PISTONS WOULDNT FIT BETWEN THE CRANK BEARINGJOURNALS.

[SkylinesSuck]

Well, maybe I'm wrong about the rest, but I pulled #1 out that way after a run in with some water

[shawnxj]

if i remember right the 99 xj's run a low pinion front axle. out of curiosity why not just run the motor stock until you can save up enough money to do it right? and remember even if you beef up the motor to turn bigger tires on stock gears your still putting a hell of a strain on the tranny. if it was me i'd start by putting money into the axles and then move onto the motor...

[SilverXJ]

I've heard some 99s run the LP D30, but have never seen it in person. All 00-01s have it though.

[92tank]

THE AW4 TRANNY THE THAT THE CHEROKEES RUN ARE RATED FOR 450 FT/LB FROM THE FACTORY SO I DONT THINK YOU WILL HURT IT ANY. MINE HAS 258,000 MILES ON IT AND HAS NOT BEEN TOUCHED OTHER THAT FLUID/FILTER CHANGE, AND THAT WAS AFTER 200,000.

[SkylinesSuck]

Caps Lock button is stuck on

[tdkask]

Again, thanks for all the input.

if i remember right the 99 xj's run a low pinion front axle.

From everything I've read online and books, the XJs go to low pinion fronts in 2000. I have no first-hand experience in this, but have looked around a lot.

...out of curiosity why not just run the motor stock until you can save up enough money to do it right? and remember even if you beef up the motor to turn bigger tires on stock gears your still putting a hell of a strain on the tranny. if it was me I'd start by putting money into the axles and then move onto the motor...

I recognize your point, but just don't want to spend a lot to have more. One could go all out or even do a turbo, or maybe a bad-ass V-8. All I want is a simple cheap upgrade that adds a lot. For the cost of a crank and rods from a salvage yard or Craigslist or classifieds here, plus overhaul kit, I can get a lot up upgrade. I won't get a lot more than that until I go way into the heads and buy pistons and balance everything then you start talking forged cranks and pistons and it can just go on and on... every upgrade requires another to get the full benefit as a package. I just want a weekend build to add 15%-20%, and that's a lot for $500 or so. Even if I do re-gear eventually, I won't go too tall, this will allow me to run a lower ratio and still have decent power and good high end cruising speed. I just want a basic balance of moderation for now. I will drive this daily to work and carry the kids to ball games and so on. I love the spirit of the site and a totally wild engine to power me over/through anything, but need to stay in a reasonable budget and lifestyle for me.

Now if anyone wants to donate parts...