Howdy Mike Well yes the v-8 engines are pretty good engines.. And yes they didn't come with the 5th gear..
If I was looking I would suck it up and look only for a 4.0 Wrangler. They all came with fuel injection and hiway gearing.
I'd betcha by the time you get a v-8 Jeep running to suit ya, you'd have bout the same money in it as if you had found the "right" Jeep with the 4.0 in it to start with.
Big JIm <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

professional bovine relocation specialist