Filling the Engine Compartment

This is the big moment, to see what fits, what is to be removed, and what is to be modified!

The engine and gearbox are lowered into the engine compartment.

The Lexus V8 is in the jeep's engine compartment... but, the manifolds are touching on both sides, and steering rod is in the way of the alternator.

Let the modifications begin!

The arrival of the V8!

We finally visited LEXTREME in Pretoria, (www.lextreme.co.za)  and purchased the magnificent Lexus V8 engine.

This was an eye opener to all involved, as we loaded the engine and gearbox into a Corolla Verso (people carrier). I had done my homework, and had fabricated a wooden cradle in advance to stablise the engine en route back home.

My dad, impressed by the V8 inside the Corolla Verso!

After a long journey home to Botswana, having completed all importation formalities, the engine arrived in the back yard...

.. and sat for a while next to its recipient vehicle, until I could get back from a couple of business trips.

Still Saving up..

Almost a year later, and almost enough cash to buy the Lexus V8!

The engine compartment is ready and waiting..

Plenty of research later, I confirmed that decent Jeep engines are few and far between, and economically not a proposition. Having made the amazing discovery that the existing gearbox is actually a bolt-on to the 1UZ-FE Lexus V8 , this finally made my mind up.

The next decision was between the VVTi version and the non VVTi version.
Non VVti would mean no conversion necessary on the gearbox end at all. However, I eventually decided on the VVti for the sake of gaining a 5 speed automatic instead of the 4 speed gearbox, plus the fact that the VVTi puts out higher kilowatts, and is a more economical motor to run.  Adapting of the existing transfer case to the 5 speed gearbox will be needed, but this is not difficult to overcome.

The old Jeep is still in great condition.

Jeep Cherokee (XJ) Arrives

This blog is a record of my 1987 Jeep Cherokee XJ project.

The arrival of the XJ in the backyard! July 2013

Just some background: I am a Jeep enthusiast with two other Jeep projects in the backyard, and have always loved this particular shape. A few years back I observed that a friend of ours had parked his one near to our office, and did not seem to use it very often, so I thought it would be a good idea to offer to buy it. Sadly he loved his old Jeep just as much as I did, and could not part with it. Thereafter, I would attempt to change his mind every couple of years, but to no avail.

When the old jeep's engine overheated and seized, I offered to buy the vehicle once again, and this time I was told - "take it, it's yours!". I towed it home, very happy with my engine-less vehicle.

After weighing up the options, I decided to install a Lexus 4 litre V8 engine.

This is the story of the progress towards getting the old Jeep back on the road...