4.7 l + 5 sp. Auto into '98 ZG/ZJ

[Warren]

Pam was going to trade her gold badged, amethyst Limited for a later model Overland, but can't find a colour to her liking.....girl thing, I suspect. It might be twelve years old, but it has everything she likes in a four wheeler....vague steering, soggy suspension and is just the right size for her menagerie of dogs.Also it is in v. good condition for it's age (and has gold wheels as well!!)
However the "hairdresser's 4x4" has a very tired 4.0 l six and a four sp. auto.
Can anyone in the Jeep Garage say how much work is needed to upgrade the power train to 4.7l V8 and a 5 speed auto? I know a 5.7 is probably preferable, but it is Pam's car, not mine. The 4.7 would be quite adequate for towing a bike trailer.

[Scottina06]

gonna be a major undertaking.....plus youll need a complete donor vehicle.

[FlyinRyan]

I've seen ZJ running gear swapped into a WJ...but not the other way around. You're going to need at minimum a complete harness plus instrument cluster. It would be vastly easier to swap in a 5.2 or 5.9. That sort of swap has been done several times.

[cheapjeep]

Definitely the 5.2 would have the most donor vehicles. The 5.2 (318) is great engine and about as bullet proof as the 4.0.