Dead 3.7 on an '04 KJ

[Conduit525]

Well firstly, hello there everybody. I've been reading up on the site after I ran into my sob story so I figure I'd introduce myself. I'm Don from California.

Basically I'm hoping some folks could guide me a bit and give some wisdom.
My new fiance had an '04 Liberty when we met and it had seen about 120k miles with very bad care for most of its life. She got it with 44k and it didn't get much servicing or even oil changes. It died at 135k miles.

I've changed the oil and filter every 4k since we've had it and the old oil was sour, bent a piece of sheet metal off the front right control arm, noticed the crank seal is leaking, and a whole bunch of standard fluid stuff, new tires, and it started running much healthier.

She's been taking it on commutes for a couple months to the Bay area and it stalled coming up the summit. I had a mechanic friend look at it with me, after a charge we started it and cylinder 2 was knocking heavily. He found metal in the oil. From what I've read here it's the lifter or rocker arm, or its mount. Right now it's sitting in the driveway, I'm towing it to a shop to get another look. Seems like new engine.

So it's going to sit and since the Rubicon trail is our backyard I figure it can be built to go offroad, more of a family wagon

Some questions I have:

What motors would fit in an 04' KJ without a bunch of fabrication?

Or if there is fabrication, are there options that would improve function at the same time?

What would be a better route, to rebuild the motor or come across a new or near new motor?

With a new motor what other parts will I need to have new?

I'm prepared to spend a number of years on this car as a project, what kind of cost would I be looking to get it in proper shape for the Rubicon?
I don't need to crawl really, it's more of a take the wife, kids, dogs out camping idea.

Well, there's the long of it, sorry to bombard you with the first post, and I appreciate any pointers you can give me.

-Don

 

[kj04libby]

The 4.7 will fit. Just make sure you grab the computer with it. My 3.7 has a knock and I'm just waiting for it to go. But my transmission is an option in the Dakota and That's What I got my 4.7 and computer out of. just grab the headers too. Engine mounts are the same for me at least. Hope I helped some

 

[Conduit525]

Thank you libby, helpful to know in case I go for a bigger motor!
Will an '04 KJ take a different ****** or am I stuck OEM?

 

[dude1116]

The 4.7 will fit. Just make sure you grab the computer with it. My 3.7 has a knock and I'm just waiting for it to go. But my transmission is an option in the Dakota and That's What I got my 4.7 and computer out of. just grab the headers too. Engine mounts are the same for me at least. Hope I helped some

To swap to the 4.7, you need to make sure you have the 45RFE transmission.

Thank you libby, helpful to know in case I go for a bigger motor!
Will an '04 KJ take a different ****** or am I stuck OEM?

You would need a 45RFE transmission with the engine. The 42RLE in the '04 can't handle the extra torque of the 4.7. That's what I've read. Other than that your only other viable option is to get another 3.7. I know a member on here got a near brand new engine for his BLACK (not as nice as silver...) KJ for a good price.

 

[TwoBobsKJ]

I know a member on here got a near brand new engine for his BLACK (not as nice as silver...) KJ for a good price.

Ha! It may show dirt more than silver, but come on. It's BLACK!! :smokin:

Lots have wondered about different/better/bigger engines for the KJ - some have even claimed to or have put a 4.7 in their Liberty. But their Jeep either isn't running or the person who posted the 4.7 install vaporized...

This is the thread dude1116 referenced above. It's not super detailed but will give you a good idea of how to swap in a newer model year 3.7 into your Liberty.

Let me know if you have questions!

Bob

 

[dude1116]

Ha! It may show dirt more than silver, but come on. It's BLACK!! :smokin:

Lots have wondered about different/better/bigger engines for the KJ - some have even claimed to or have put a 4.7 in their Liberty. But their Jeep either isn't running or the person who posted the 4.7 install vaporized...

This is the thread dude1116 referenced above. It's not super detailed but will give you a good idea of how to swap in a newer model year 3.7 into your Liberty.

Let me know if you have questions!

Bob

I must admit, the black one's DO look good.

 

[Conduit525]

Looks like I'm looking for a new or near new 3.7...
The liberty I have is BLACK indeed, very slick look to it. Where did the member find his new engine? What would I be looking at as far as an engine rebuild versus buying another engine?

 

[TwoBobsKJ]

Looks like I'm looking for a new or near new 3.7...
The liberty I have is BLACK indeed, very slick look to it. Where did the member find his new engine? What would I be looking at as far as an engine rebuild versus buying another engine?

I found my engine through Car-Part.com at a salvage yard near me. It came from a 2007 Dodge Dakota and had only 9700 miles on it - it was in a left-front collision and the radiator neck, PS pump and driver's side valve cover were broken/destroyed. No internal damage though - and I got it for only $1000!

If you price the same year Liberty it will be around $1800 to $2000 and will have a LOT more miles on it. Follow the link in the post above for the details on what needs to be changed to make a 3.7 up to Model Year 2011 work in your Liberty.

A rebuild will run you $2500 or more I would imagine. For me that just didn't make sense as I wasn't going to have a shop do the swap anyway so why pay for a rebuild when I can find a nearly new long block for only a thousand bucks?

All told with gaskets, timing kit and assorted pieces-parts I put $1600 into my Jeep and have an engine with fewer miles than my wife's 2012 Ford Focus. I consider that a good investment cuz I plan on keeping my KJ for a L - O - N - G time.

Bob

 

[Wulfhound]

theres one on car-parts,com w/23k miles and is $1000 but it's on the west coast

 

[TwoBobsKJ]

theres one on car-parts,com w/23k miles and is $1000 but it's on the west coast

Conduit525 (the OP) is in California, I believe. So there ya go! :signs1:

Bob

 

[Conduit525]

I am in California, indeed and car-part seems like a very good resource. Looks like cost wise it's probably more efficient swapping a newer 3.7. I've never dropped an engine so this is a bit above my expertise and would make it a project, but it looks like it can be done with some pointers from your swap thread.

At this point we are getting a used car to serve as the daily driver and I feel like I'd be better served holding onto the KJ instead of selling its parts for the new car. To get it back in running order it's going to sit in the driveway for a couple years.

In general I think it's worth it to replace the motor, it will take some time down the road though.

Wulfhound, do you have a link on that engine?
And when I do get another 3.7 can I expect it to explode above 100k again?

 

[Wulfhound]

Wulfhound, do you have a link on that engine?
And when I do get another 3.7 can I expect it to explode above 100k again?

Conduit-- sorry I dont didn't think about that I just went to car-part.com and put cali for the state and it asked what yr, gas or crd then hit search
it will give you a list with the info on that engine.
good luck

 

[TwoBobsKJ]

Wulfhound, do you have a link on that engine?
And when I do get another 3.7 can I expect it to explode above 100k again?

Car-Part.com refreshes their listings constantly so links don't work. Just search for any Chrysler 3.7 up to 2011; non-Liberty engines will be far cheaper.

No, don't expect it to explode at 100K again. Keep up with maintenance and you'll be fine.

Bob

 

[Conduit525]

I've been researching on car-part a bit, there are some engines nearby. I imagine if I wait I can come across a nice deal. Alright Bob you seem like a handy minded dude, what sort of parts do I need to drop this old engine? I've got friends with shops in their garage to do all this

Also, what sort of tools do I need if I get a different year 3.7 and have to retrofit?

In your thread you said a 36" ratchet extension was useful, are there other tools that are necessary?

On buying a used 3.7, what's the max amount of miles I ought have on it? Or what is a good thing to look for to make sure it's sound?

Sorry I have so many questions, I wish I had found this place before the KJ took a dump

 

[TwoBobsKJ]

I've been researching on car-part a bit, there are some engines nearby. I imagine if I wait I can come across a nice deal. Alright Bob you seem like a handy minded dude, what sort of parts do I need to drop this old engine? I've got friends with shops in their garage to do all this

Also, what sort of tools do I need if I get a different year 3.7 and have to retrofit?

In your thread you said a 36" ratchet extension was useful, are there other tools that are necessary?

On buying a used 3.7, what's the max amount of miles I ought have on it? Or what is a good thing to look for to make sure it's sound?

Sorry I have so many questions, I wish I had found this place before the KJ took a dump

Besides the ratchet extension, the other tools that made life easy were an engine hoist to get the engine out of the Jeep, an engine stand to hold each of the engines while you do the work on them (get the 700lb version from Harbor Freight - $49!), and a breaker bar for 1/2" drive sockets.

The rest of the tools were from a good but not huge standard mechanics tool set. You'll need both metric and SAE wrenches and sockets with a few 3, 6 and 10" extensions. A torque wrench is mandatory.

You'll also want to have the Factory Service Manual - there are several sources to get a digital version. Let me know if you need to get your hands on one.

Personally I'd look for a relatively late model engine with 20,000 miles or less on it. Mileage higher than that and you may have issues with the original owner not having done oil changes as they should; oil will hold up into the 20K range. There are lots of them out there. The only thing you may have to deal with is California emissions issues. I don't know if the engines from out of state would be different than those sold in Cali - and whether or not you have to deal with inspections that will pose issues with a swapped engine.

Let me know if I can help with more specifics.

Bob

 

[Conduit525]

I don't really have many tools but I'm sure my friend's garage has it all, he's done swaps before so I'll give him a shout.

From what I understand in California, the car's gotta get a smog before a sale. I think the loophole is you keep your car registered and do the swap and no smog needed, but maybe I'm wrong. Probably a good idea to get a Cali motor, I'll research some more on that.

When I do get a new motor what are some good additions to improve the KJ functionality? I was reading somewhere on here that a regearing would improve mileage.

What function would I get out of new gears or do the stock gears work fine for 4x4? I doubt I'll have tires bigger than 34"

From what I understand the fuel filter and pump clog up with carbon, is this a known KJ issue and should I worry about it at all?

I've got a leaky crank seal, is this a worrisome problem?

Also some issues with the transfer cases which seem to cleared after I serviced the car, it was giving a big jolt when coming from 4WD to 2WD and I haven't had that happen all winter. Should I go ahead and get a new ****** on there while I'm at it?

The vehicle has seen some miles with very little service so I'm trying to get a hold of what things might be going next or what I should put in it new when its sitting there with its guts out.

Bob, you are the man. Thank you for being so helpful and informative! This forum is terrific.