is it possible to swap a less expensive motor in like a 3.2?
what is involved?

the 3.2 is basically the 3.5L

Yes you can swap in a 3.2 for a 3.5L

either way they are both not cheap.

Yep, any 1998+ 3.2/3.5L will work. Just swap over your electronics and throttle body.

Joel

do you mean the wiring harness or the sensors?
also will the ecu need changed/
what are the differences between the 3.2 and 3.5? just displacement,heads, pistons/
my 99 3.5 snapped a rod and the cheapest replacement I can find is almost 3k although I am finding $700 3.2s locally.

Plug the new engine into your existing harness/connectors/computers. 2000+ will have throttle by wire, so you'd need to replace a 2000+ TB w/ your 1999 TB. Personally, I'd use the new long block and put your whole 1999 upper intake on the donor engine w/ a nice new IMG. AFAIK, the only diff between the 3.2/3.5 is the crank (lenth of stroke). Other than that everything is the same.

Joel

so I should be able to get a 96 3.2 swap all externals and it will bolt in and run? has this been done before? is it common?
Im just asking all these questions because I must order an engine and if I get a 96 3.2 it will probobly not be returnable if it will not work.

No only the +98 3.2L the -98 3.2L is a completly different engine.

thats where I got lost, the before 98 3.2 is different than the 99 3.5?

all I need to know is what is a direct replacement in a 99 trooper other than a stock 3.2?
in other words what can I order that will bolt in and work in a 99 trooper?just the 3.5 or can I use a 3.2 short block?
is there another 1999 trooper site that would have all this info?