Xj build suggestions

I've got 2 Xj's one is an 85 with the 2.8 and the other one is an 86 with a 2.5 both motors are toast which one would be the best one to build?Would a 4.3 bolt up to the 2.8 tranny?Any suggestions would be helpful.  

Simply from a standpoint of parts availiablility, I'd stick with the 2.8L Cherokee.  While we don't have first hand experience with it, you could try to simply swap out you 2.8L for one of GM Performance Parts HT3.4L crate engines (PN 12363230).  It's a bolt-in replacement for a 2.8L V6 but it has 9.0:1 compression and 160hp @ 5,000rpm and 194lb-ft @ 2,700rpm.  A local dealership in the LA area quoted us a price of $2,008 for the complete long block.  All of your 2.8L exhaust, accessories, and induction will bolt right on.  The only two sticking points are that as of now it's not released for TBI use (but we're betting you can get EFI to work with it) and that the 2.8L is externally balanced and the 3.4L is internally balanced, so you'll need to take your flexplate to a machine shop to be balanced neutrally.

As for the 4.3L swap, you can do it, but it's probably going to be as-or-more expensive than the 3.4L swap, depending on how much you pay for your 4.3L.  You can use Advance Adapters bolt-in engine mounts (PN 713109) and headers (PN 717053), but you'd need to do some work to get your accessories and induction to work. The 4.3L will not bolt up to the 2.8L engine.  If you've got the automatic your tranny is probably the 904 Torqueflite, in which case you can use Advance Adapters (PN 716132-A) to couple an '86-up 4.3L.

Another option you could go for would be to put in a 350, it bolts up the same as the 4.3 but it is cheaper to build and puts out more horsepower.