Yeah, I've given that some thought. At 1600 RPM the QSB3.3T is making 90+ HP & 300+ LB-FT. I'm hoping this is enough to provide adequate accelaration at highway speeds. If necessary, I can use tire size to fine tune cruise RPM.

Using the parameters you've listed, I've generated a table that should represent your build.


NV3500, 3.08 gears and 225/60/16 tires

RPM 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th
500 3 6 9 13 18
600 4 7 11 15 21
700 4 8 13 18 25
800 5 9 15 21 28
900 6 10 17 23 32
1000 6 11 18 26 35
1100 7 12 20 28 39
1200 8 13 22 31 42
1300 8 14 24 33 46
1400 9 16 26 36 49
1500 10 17 28 39 53
1600 10 18 29 41 56
1700 11 19 31 44 60
1800 12 20 33 46 63
1900 12 21 35 49 67
2000 13 22 37 51 70
2100 13 23 39 54 74
2200 14 24 40 57 78
2300 15 26 42 59 81
2400 15 27 44 62 85
2500 16 28 46 64 88
2600 17 29 48 67 92

 

I was being kind of a smart a$$. After owning a jeep I wouldn't feel safe riding or driving in one that was traveling anywhere near 100 mph

 

Yep. I can think of SO many other vehicles in or on which 100 would be fun. A jeep does NOT make the list.

Getting 38 mpg would ROCK!

 

I've owned Ford, GM, Chrysler, Toyota, Nissan and Jeep. The 2 Jeep Cherokees (XJ) I've own(ed) are the most reliable. Yes, even more reliable than the 3 Toyotas I've owned.

I'm leaning toward a 1993 - 1995 Grand Cherokee (ZJ)

Consider the following:
*The vehicle must be 1995 or older for emissions reasons
*It must have an adequately long and tall engine compartment.
*4WD with solid front axle preferred
*Manual transmission option
*Diesel friendly axle gearing readily available
*4 door pickup or SUV body
*Large enough for my wife & I to travel across country and tow a motorcycle.
*Highly maneuverable off-road.
*Decent aerodynamics (ZJ has .44 cd)
*Reasonable weight - less than 4000 lbs after conversion
*No rust/corrosion issues
*Affordable
*Framed vehicle preferred

The only sticking point for the ZJ is its unibody. If you can think of any other vehicle that meets the above criteria, I'm all ears. I haven't made a final decision.

 

I'm not anti jeep by any stretch. I will tell you that my Sisters '01 Grand Cherokee was nearly totaled by getting a rear suspension mount bent in a "violent off road excursion" (she ran off into a ditch while on the phone).

I know '01 is WAY outside of consideration!

The main point of my earlier post is that 100 mph in a jeep would be a little more excitement than I'm interested in!

 

Did you really post this at 3:30am?!?! Do you work nights or just having trouble sleeping?

I'm not very familiar with the grand cherokee's. I would say it would make for a much more practical vehicle than my YJ. Doing a quick internet search shows several hits for people that have stuffed the 4bt's in there. So with the smaller/lighter 3.3 it should be very doable.

 

I didn't feel you were being anti Jeep. I was interested in your list of better swap candidates. Maybe you can steer me in a different direction. Besides the Grand Cherokee, I've considered Jeep Cherokee, Toyota 4Runner, Toyota LandCruiser, Ford Explorer, Isuzu Trooper, Isuzu Rodeo, Nissan Pathfinder, Land Rover Discovery, Mitsubishi Montero and Chevy Blazer. When measuring these against the criteria listed in my previous posting, I keep coming back to the 1993 - 1995 Grand Cherokee.

Before I lifted my 1998 Cherokee, I had exceeded 100 MPH several times and it always felt stable. Also, just an FYI, the 5.9L equipped 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee was the fastest SUV available that year. And let's not forget the 6.1L hemi equipped SRT8 Grand Cherokee. My point is when it comes to street manners the Grand Cherokee is far superior to the Wrangler.

 

Yes, I actually posted at 3:30 AM. I work a 12 hour / 28 day rotating shift. I'm a process technician for a major oil company. I seldomly have trouble sleeping.

 

Hey guys,

engine is ready to bolt in (minus engine mounts). Problem with the oil pan. The sump part of the oil pan is in the front and hits on the front suspension. I have a 3.5 inch lift and it still hits. How about turning the oil pan around and replacing the lube oil suction tub ? Quickserve lists two otional pans for rearward sumps. One is a shollow and one is deep that holds the same amount of oil as a front sump oil pan. I think option OP30002-02 is the same as the pan (Part#C6204215112) that I currently have. Any suggestions?

Chris
AKA: BigBlue

 

Looks like the pan is reversable. I'll have to buy a new oil pick up tube. It's not too bad - $21.00 plus tax. I'll have to wait after the weekend to order.

Chris
AKA: Bigblue

 

BigBlue
I think you are correct about the pan being reversible.

 

My pan came setup with the sump in the rear. That would make a big difference if it was facing the other way. Good to hear it won't cost very much to reverse it. What's your ETA on the maiden voyage?

 

ETA???

I don't want to make a prediction. I have better luck with the weather! I still have some work changing the 3.5 lift kit from one vehicle to the other. No room and driveway is not level. Also have to decide how I am going to mount the engine to the unibody and engine. I can see the light and will keep you posted.

Chris
AKA: BigBlue

 

I finally took a few pictures of the truck. Here is a link.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/30289631@N06/
hopefully it works. If you want to see any other pics of the truck let me know

 

Been incommunicado for a while. Hurricane Gustav knocked out our power for 5 days. Entergy, contractors & the out-of-state utility companies have done an awesome job of repairing damage and restoring power. My first time on the web since Monday.