I have a quick question, more to see if anyone has done this in the past. I love my 87 Wrangler. It is truly a fun vehicle, but is bare bones. I rebuilt the engine 3-4 years ago, and I just am not happy with the old 4 cylinder engine, etc.

I have thought for a while of selling the Wrangler and getting another one, but I got to thinking: what if I buy another engine/tranny set up (built for another vehicle, not the Jeep engines) and transplant it? I would hope for better gas mileage (right now I'm around 15 or so mpg), more power, etc.

Can I do this without major, major surgery? I know that perhaps I'd have to do new motor mounts, but what about other things? Has anyone done anything like that?

I also would add doors to the vehicle that lock (mine has no locks on it), and possibly a hardtop for winter (live in Western NY, and it gets a mite cold), but I'm most interested right now in the engine. I figure rather than spend 10-12K on a new used car I could maybe get away with spending half of that for a car that I really like and have it for a long time.

Thoughts??

Howdy sixpac Your ID says Georga and yet you post Western NY..
If I lived in western NY i'd trade that sucker off for a 91 or newer 6cyl Wrangler with a hard top already on it. Then there ya are finished!
Skillfully traded you should be able to spend less trading than you would in time, money and effort upgrading the engine and other running gear.
Also don't expect more than the 15mpg in a Jeep. Some would say you are doing real good.
Big Jim <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

If you're looking for a Jeep, with proper power level and gearing to perform decently off-road, to get more than about 15 mpg, you're going to be disappointed. These are boxy, non-aerodynamic vehicles tht aren't particularly light. Their forte is off-road use. From your description, you might be more satisfied with a small SUV with a 6-cylinder engine.