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Personally I think you go 4.0L HO, or go modern small block Chevy. JMO. The 4.0L is especially appealing if you haev a manual transmission. With an automatic, I'd swap it all out.
Tim Reese
Maine beekeeper's truck: '77 J10 LWB, 258/T15/D20/3.54 bone stock, low options (delete radio), PS/PDB, hubcaps.
Browless and proud: '82 J20 360/T18/NP208/3.73, Destination A/Ts, 7600 GVWR
Copper Polly: '75 CJ-6, 304/T15, PS, BFG KM2s, soft top
GTI without the badges: '95 VW Golf Sport 2000cc 2D
Dual Everything: '15 Chryco Jeep Cherokee KL Trailhawk, ECO Green
Blockchain the vote.
Most 258’s came with 904’s. The 727 was available, but not common.
As for the swap, the mounts are entirely different. The old ones need to be cut off the frame and new ones welded on. The i6 mounts are much longer, and are in a different place front to back.
Also, the radiator, radiator support, battery tray, and the fuel lines are all different (driver side vs passenger side).
Plenty of people have done it. But I too would opt for a 4.0HO as is more of a bolt in option.
I would point out - going from the inline 6 to a V8 changes the overall length of the drive train, and everything has to be moved forward to match the shorter engine. A lot changes. Not a problem for the factory at build time, but an issue that is often overlooked in the enthusiasm to swap in a V8.
Popular topic - plenty to read if you search.
Tim Reese
Maine beekeeper's truck: '77 J10 LWB, 258/T15/D20/3.54 bone stock, low options (delete radio), PS/PDB, hubcaps.
Browless and proud: '82 J20 360/T18/NP208/3.73, Destination A/Ts, 7600 GVWR
Copper Polly: '75 CJ-6, 304/T15, PS, BFG KM2s, soft top
GTI without the badges: '95 VW Golf Sport 2000cc 2D
Dual Everything: '15 Chryco Jeep Cherokee KL Trailhawk, ECO Green
Blockchain the vote.
This swap is a lot easier than you think. I did this to an 83 Cherokee in a week. There are holes in the frame to move the cross member forward, cut an inch off the core support to accommodate a v8 radiator, change I6 motor mounts for V8 motor mounts that mount to the frame, drill one hole. You can find v8 motor mounts that go to the frame from any v8 FSJ. Extend the rear drive shaft. You're done.
'77 Cherokee 6" lift/6.6L/TH475/BW1339/D44s/4.56s/35x12.50x15s/ Detroit rear
'82 J10 6.0L/6L80E/Atlas 3.8/SOA with 2" front springs/ 63" springs inboarded/D60F/Spartan Locker/14Bolt/Detroit 4.56s/42s
'71 J4000 on 81 J10 frame/6bt/4500/203-205/D80F D80R/ARB/Spool/5.13s/42s
'79 Cherokee 4dr 6.6L/TH400/BW1339/D44s/3.54s
'08 Tundra 5.7L 3" lift/33s
I’m glad that I asked this question before I jumped into this project. It seems to me if I have to do all the work that you’ve all highlighted, I’d be better off doing a SBC swap. At the point, Im going to stick with the I6.