What would be the best (and easiest) Motor and Transmission to put in a 1990 Jeep

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Justin H

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Wrangler? Bought a '90 jeep wrangler with a 4 banger motor and 5th gear is shot. I wanted to replace the whole deal. I want to be able to drive it on the road and off road. Best motor for the Job?
 
The AMC 258 cid six should do nicely.

http://www.rebuilt-auto-engines.com/cgi-bin/webc.cgi/buy_engine.html?p_vid=24956

You can put an automatic if you want one

http://www.everdrive.com/partdetails.aspx?sku=298844&utm_source=google&utm_medium=googlebase&utm_campaign=shopping
 
Use a 4.0 L in line 6 FI with the late model 5 speed manual.
You will only have to change the motor and tranny mounts.
 
Your best bet is to find a donor jeep with a good drive-train. A junk yard will be quite expensive for everything you'll need. The 4.0L tends to get a little better gas mileage because it is injected. The 4.2L and the 4.0L also have different pilot bearing sizes, you can purchase a new pilot bushing to mate a newer tranny to an older motor, should you decide to use parts from multiple years. Stay away from the BA-10 (Peugeot) transmission found in '88 YJs, they are horrible. Early AX-15s, from '89-'91 or '92, have a weaker reverse gear than '93 and newer. If you can find a complete jeep with a bad frame/tub or a wreck than runs, you wont nickel and dime yourself to death. Two summers ago I bought a jeep with a bad motor then bought two more parts jeeps and was able to sell the spare parts and almost completely pay for all three. You may also want to check out a jeep forum, chances are someone near you has something you can use for pretty cheap.
 
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