Going Big Or Bigger
I am building a CJ-5 for off-roading and for some on-road driving. I was wondering what axle you think I should use, the Dana 60 or Rockwell? I have talked to a lot of people around where I live and they all think that I should use the Dana 60. I know both will take a long time and a lot of work to use, but I want a axle that I will not have to worry about breaking and that I will not have to upgrade in a couple of years.
Jonathan Barham
Via e-mail
Unless you're running a huge lift and tires at least 44-inches tall (neither of which are good ideas on a CJ-5), I'd do the Dana 60, especially since you plan on driving it on the street occasionally.
The D60 has more aftermarket support, has better gear and locker availability, and is just easier to work with. It'll also fit your Jeep better and allow you to drive down the road without buzzing your engine. Remember, the only gear available for the Rockwell is 6.72.
Down-Low On The High-Low
In the "24 Junkyard Parts" article of the May issue, you mention the high-pinion XJ Dana 30 is a bolt-in swap for the TJ. What about the front driveshaft? Is it going to need a different one since it's going from low- to high-pinion? I have a '98 TJ and a wrecked '95 XJ and wanted to do the swap without keeping the TJ off the road for too long since it's a daily driver. Thanks for any help and a great magazine.
Nate
Via e-mail
The driveshaft will work. There's enough slip in the splines to compensate for the new pinion location. If you're good, once you have the axle out of the XJ the swap shouldn't take more than an hour or so. Get yourself a good pickle fork to pop off the tie rod ends if you're in the rust belt. One thing that will speed up the process: hang your TJ calipers out of the way and use them on the XJ axle so you don't need to crack open the brake system. No need to bleed the calipers that way. You may also think about reusing your TJ rotors since your pads are already bedded to them.
Billet In Red
I have an '05 TJ with a 4.0L, and I was wanting to install a throttle-body spacer. However, the only ones I have seen have been for up to an '04.
Matt Stell
Marietta, Georgia
The '05 and '06 4.0L throttle bodies have the same four-bolt mounting pattern as the '91-'04 4.0L engines, so I'll assume you're looking for the throttle body itself. Rubicon Express (www.rubiconexpress.com) has a 62mm throttle body for your application. It's PN RE1063, shown on the left in the photo. Compare it with the '91-'04 throttle body on the right, and you can see the difference. If you are, indeed, looking for a spacer, AirAid (800/498-6951, www.airaid.com) makes a nice one under PN 310-510 for the 4.0L engine.
Stroker Eights
I am planning on an engine swap for my '00 TJ and am torn between the Golen Engines 4.6L stroker or going the Chevy small-block V-8 route.
Golen's stroker appears to be a mighty fine piece of work and should be a major jump in performance over my stock 4.0L. I'm concerned that having swapped to the stroker, I might as well have gone for the small-block V-8. I know that the stroker would be an easier swap, but how much more complicated or costly would the V-8 be?
I have already heavily modified my rig. It has Superior heavy-duty axles front and rear, Tom Wood's driveshafts, a 6-inch lift, new TeraFlex control arms, and would be OK with the V-8 if driven sensibly. I added a Banks header, K&N intake, Borla Cat-Back exhaust to my current engine a few years ago, but would like a bit more juice on the open highway. Your thoughts would be welcome and quite helpful here.
Dennis Janson
Ridgefield, Connecticut
The 4.6L stroker swap is a bolt-in deal that will pass California smog and requires no other mods to perform. It benefits from larger injectors, but the stock units will suffice. Add that to the fact that you've already outlayed some coin in a good exhaust and other parts for an inline Jeep six, and the stroker makes more sense to me. You will notice a marked improvement over a standard 4.0L, but it's still no V-8. To wring the most out of the 4.6L I'd consider adding an Avenger Supercharger. I'm betting a 4.6L Golen's long-block with the Avenger would simply cook a standard V-8 swap.
However, if you plan on keeping the vehicle normally aspirated, a V-8 swap will get you the most performance per cubic inch. Check out Advance Adapter's selection of 4.8L, 5.3L, 5.7L, and 6.0L LS-series V-8s and components to install them. The V-8 swap is going to be an intensive undertaking. Unless you're paying a shop to do the labor or you're well-versed in automotive work, it's going to be somewhat daunting.
Got a tech question you're just itching to get answered? Send it on in to Jp Magazine, Your Jeep, 6420 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90048, or e-mail christian.hazel@primedia.com.