so i'm hoping someone can help me out with my question. i'm looking to swap my 4.0 for a newer 5.9 from a grand cherokee or a dodge truck. my first question, is there any difference between the 5.9 from a grand and the 5.9 from a dodge truck. next, do they have the same bolt patern as the 4.0. i would really like to use my same trany and transfere case setup. any info sure would help.

so i'm hoping someone can help me out with my question. i'm looking to swap my 4.0 for a newer 5.9 from a grand cherokee or a dodge truck. my first question, is there any difference between the 5.9 from a grand and the 5.9 from a dodge truck. next, do they have the same bolt patern as the 4.0. i would really like to use my same trany and transfere case setup. any info sure would help.I've never heard of the truck or grand being different from eachother. If anything, possibly the accessory setup due to the tighter confines of the GC. The bolt pattern is not the same. The 4.0L has the old AMC bolt pattern and is not the same as Chrysler. If you have the ax-15 tranny, you can get at 3.9L v6 Dakota bellhousing since it used the ax-15 like the Jeeps did but the 3.9L is 3/4 of a Chrysler V8. Wiring isn't too bad. You have to add wires for the extra injectors.

The GC 5.9 has a different cam from the dodge trucks.
Having owned vehicles with both the 5.9 and the 4.0, and taking into consideration the differences between those vehicles otherwise, I would go for the 5.9. It is alot like the 4.0 in terms of where it makes its power, but there is alot more. Great low end punch.
Take the 46re as well, its a decent trans, can be built very strong, and youll get yourself up to 4 speeds. Its more tranny than a stock 5.9 is going to be able to bust.
Do the 5.9, its a stout motor and relatively cheap, and can make as much power as you want it to.
As mentioned, bolt pattern is different.
Also, I have only seen one serpentine configuration, the variation being w/ or w/o AC, on the magnum motors.
Here is some inspiration for you....
http://fototime.com/ftweb/bin/ft.dll/standard?pictid={3A6F5219-9ECC-45E7-B019-6FFFF149A6E2}&exp=f&moddt=39051.2638451157&ssdyn=1
(excuse the whoring)

Make sure you get a 99 Dakota bellhousing.

thanks for the info. i'm going to be running an auto tranny, so using the v6 bellhousing with the ax15 wouldn't be any good for me.

being that i can't use my stock auto tranny with that motor, what if i used an older 360 from a wagoneer? that should have the right bolt patern right? and if i did use that motor is it possible to use the intake and fuel injection system from a new 5.9? or would it be best to go with a complete aftermarket efi?

Jeepinxj,
amc 360 and mopar 360 are completely different motors. They have many things in common, but parts are not interchangeable.

Wiring wise, and for many other advantageous reasons, the 46re is the best trans behind a mopar magnum 360...well, unless you want a three speed 727, but then there are other little gotchas. The 46re bolts up, its a stout tranny, most likely any dodge/jeep 5.9 you find will have one attached to it, you get a 4sp, etc.

Check your PnP, dodge magnum motors are not very exp at all....everyone wants a hemah! I bet you can find a mid mileage 5.9 w. 46re attached for under 1000.

Jeepinxj,
amc 360 and mopar 360 are completely different motors. They have many things in common, but parts are not interchangeable.

Wiring wise, and for many other advantageous reasons, the 46re is the best trans behind a mopar magnum 360...well, unless you want a three speed 727, but then there are other little gotchas. The 46re bolts up, its a stout tranny, most likely any dodge/jeep 5.9 you find will have one attached to it, you get a 4sp, etc.

Check your PnP, dodge magnum motors are not very exp at all....everyone wants a hemah! I bet you can find a mid mileage 5.9 w. 46re attached for under 1000.


so if i did go with the 5.9 and 46re, what transfercase would be good to use.......i really wanted to use the np231 i have since it already has the teralow kit.

another dumb question....the grand cherokees used the 5.9 and the 4.0, so they used different tranys for the two engines....? also did they use different t-cases for the two? or would my 231 bolt to a 46re?

Is stroking your 4.0 out of the question?

Hell yeah another 5.9 jeep! :grinpimp: You won't be dissapointed, they make great torque low end and plenty of hp. As far as transmission choices, I've got a TF999 behind mine, slighty built. Its held up to nearly a decade of hardcore abuse and competition, the no OD is a downside, but with an atlas behind it i run higher diff. gears to make up for it. It'd be worth considering in a TJ with its short length. Good luck with the swap.

I just finished a 5.2L swap with a 46rh (I thought....is this the same as the 46re?) It is a long tranny, but the 231 does bolt up (I had to change my input gear). I got two motors, tow trannys, wiring harness, radiator and a bunch of other random stuff from the grand cherokee for $1000. It was a pretty good deal over all and had everything I needed for the swap except my input gear for my 231. Hope that helps. I probably should have held out for a 5.9L, but it beats the 2.5L.

Is stroking your 4.0 out of the question?

yeah, the way i fugure is why put $2500-$3000 into a 4.0 when i can do a v8 swap for less. plus having a pretty much stock v8 with some bolt ons seems more reliable to me then building a stroker.(although i do think they are sweet)

I just finished a 5.2L swap with a 46rh (I thought....is this the same as the 46re?) It is a long tranny, but the 231 does bolt up (I had to change my input gear). I got two motors, tow trannys, wiring harness, radiator and a bunch of other random stuff from the grand cherokee for $1000. It was a pretty good deal over all and had everything I needed for the swap except my input gear for my 231. Hope that helps. I probably should have held out for a 5.9L, but it beats the 2.5L.

i need to find a deal like that.
so when you say you had to change the input gear.....were did you get the gear from and did it require any machining? tell me more about that gear you need.

did you do the swap in a tj or yj? also when comparing to the stock setup, were did the trany, t-case, output shafts end up? is the setup alot longer? i already have custom driveshafts they weren't cheap so, i was hoping to keep them.....but i do have a 110in wheel base so i'm not worried about the hole setup fitting.

What spline did you have to go to? I'd like to see more about this swap as I am considiering possibly doing the same, I'm tired of rear main seal leaks!!!!

so if i did go with the 5.9 and 46re, what transfercase would be good to use.......i really wanted to use the np231 i have since it already has the teralow kit.

another dumb question....the grand cherokees used the 5.9 and the 4.0, so they used different tranys for the two engines....? also did they use different t-cases for the two? or would my 231 bolt to a 46re?

All of the V8 Grands came with the NP249 transfer case, but the 231 will bolt up to your 46RE. And by the way, when it comes to trannies, make sure to get one out of a Grand Cherokee, the Dodges have the starter mounted on the driver's side of the motor which interferes with the exhaust manifold.

Just a quick FYI. The only Grand with the 5.9L is the 98 limited edition. I picked up one for a daily driver but they are few and far between around here. All other V8 grands were the 5.2L. I needed an engine computer for mine and not a single yard in Indiana had a 98 Grand 5.9L for parts.

With that said the 5.9L Grand I have has amazing power and it will be a trail rig when the other dies off.

Has anyone tried putting a manual tranny behind the 5.9 or 5.2?

Has anyone tried putting a manual tranny behind the 5.9 or 5.2?Dodge did :P the Dakota had a manual 318 option with I believe the ax-15 or the later replacement nv3550?? something like that. The 360 could be had in the Ram behind the uber NV4500 which unlike the previous aluminum cased 5speeds was big iron jobber for a full size truck.

edit. ok there are aluminum nv4500s aparently.

Has anyone tried putting a manual tranny behind the 5.9 or 5.2?I have an NV3550 behind a 5.2 in my TJ.

if you want to got the manual route, then the NV4500 is the best bet by far, plenty of beef with tons of aftermarket support. Sure a nV3550 will probably work for the 318, but if your going through the trouble why not have the peace of mind that an NV4500 will give you.

Dodge did :P the Dakota had a manual 318 option with I believe the ax-15 or the later replacement nv3550?? something like that. The 360 could be had in the Ram behind the uber NV4500 which unlike the previous aluminum cased 5speeds was big iron jobber for a full size truck.


Funny my NV4500 is aluminum. :flipoff2: Still freaking heavy and huge though.

if you want to got the manual route, then the NV4500 is the best bet by far, plenty of beef with tons of aftermarket support. Sure a nV3550 will probably work for the 318, but if your going through the trouble why not have the peace of mind that an NV4500 will give you.


The pure size of the NV4500 is a PITA. You will have to modify the floor of the TJ to get that tranny in.

BTW, when it comes to the engine computer, there are some people using 5.2L computers. Supposedly it can compensate for the extra displacement without an issue.

Funny my NV4500 is aluminum. :flipoff2: Still freaking heavy and huge though.
really? were they all alumimum or were there both?

really? were they all alumimum or were there both?

all of 'em are.

[QUOTE=ZJim;6472636]All of the V8 Grands came with the NP249 transfer case, but the 231 will bolt up to your 46RE.

Mine has the np 241 select trac transfer case in it. 1994 5.2 ZJ. I upgraded to 6 planetary gears in it.

[QUOTE=ZJim;6472636]All of the V8 Grands came with the NP249 transfer case, but the 231 will bolt up to your 46RE.

Mine has the np 241 select trac transfer case in it. 1994 5.2 ZJ. I upgraded to 6 planetary gears in it.

241? :confused:

[QUOTE=dwkremer;6485118]

241? :confused:


I am wrong, It has been a few years since I messed with it. All I know is that if you pull from a grand cherokee, you want the command trac transfere case and not the other crap boxes they put into those things because most of the grand after 95 did not come with the stronger 231 case becasue is was an option and not standard at that point.