And so it begins....

SLO_MVR · 08-16-2008, 11:40 AM

My $500 YJ that I sold to my Dad 10 years ago who gave it to my brother, who blew up the 2.5 and installed a 4.0 and butchered the harness.

Back in the day, I put a 2.5" BDS lift, shackles, lights and some other misc crap on. It's been so long, I can't remember all I had done. I sold it back then because my driveway was getting to have too much stuff in it. The jeep sat the most often, so it had to go.

Today, it has a 4.0 and 5 speed from an 89 Cherokee with a basket of wires resembling a bowl of spaghetti, 4 - 32x12.50s with more plugs than a Metallica concert, and a bent passenger side upper door.

My plan today is to pull the fenders and grill, yank the 4.0 that's in it, and get 'er ready for the new 4.0 from an '87 xj w/ 82k miles. I'm not very motivated since it's my birthday. I would rather be home playing COD4 on the Xbox but I keep thinking about how much fun I used to have with this thing. One day soon, it will be trail ready again and as much as I hate to admit, it will probably sit more often than anything else in the stable.

Here she is today:

the spaghetti bowl:

the replacement:

Oh... it has A/C which means I'll be building the OBA.

Wish me luck...

SLO_MVR · 08-16-2008, 03:02 PM

So.... A couple of hours later, I find it worse than I expected. The engine harness from the left side of the bulk head connector is completely butchered. It looks like he tried to put it all back together with butt-connectors, so I have to sort that whole mess out now. Additionally, the main fuse block was hanging in there loose and wires from that were spliced in to the 4.0 harness he installed and the main engine harness. I'm near the point of looking for a late 70s K-series Blazer and putting the whole lot in the YJ. Look-out Craig's list..

Tempting... but I'm not one to give up so easily.

With the engine out, I can put them both on stands and start moving parts from one to another. Mainly the clutch and flywheel.

Since everyone is soooo interested. Here's more pics:

Empty bay:

Chaos... he welded the engine mounts to the perches; if you can call that welding... I may just have to put my fab skills to work.

Oh... the skid plate. He couldn't get the bolts out, so rather than cutting them, torching them or asking for help, He just left them there. When he put the skid plate back on, he just welded it to the frame rails. I guess it's a good thing he's not much of a welder..

Oh.. the wiring mess...

My engine hoist:

I forgot to mention, it measures 24" to the rocker. I think that's plenty of lift for the time being. I was considering a spring over.

I'm done for the day. I'm going to party for my 35th b-day

Hoobly_Goob · 08-16-2008, 03:05 PM

I'm interested!
I'm going to subscribe, just for fun, as soon as I can figure out how.
I love watching other people fab stuff up, mostly cuz I can't do it myself.
I've got no tools, and even if I did, I'm not sure what I would do with them. lol

Barrio · 08-16-2008, 03:11 PM

happy birthday

im goign to keep a close eye on this thread, im planning a 4.0 swap as well. What rear end are you backing that 4.0 with?

SLO_MVR · 08-16-2008, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barrio

happy birthday

im goign to keep a close eye on this thread, im planning a 4.0 swap as well. What rear end are you backing that 4.0 with?

Thanks

For the rear, I'm leaving the stock 35 for the time being. I have some pretty good sources for cheap if not free parts. I'll look for an 8.8 once she's running since it seems to be the more popular. I will most likely keep it spring under. Any higher and the ol' lady won't be able to get in....actually.. I'm definately going spring over.

Barrio · 08-16-2008, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SLO_MVR

Thanks

For the rear, I'm leaving the stock 35 for the time being. I have some pretty good sources for cheap if not free parts. I'll look for an 8.8 once she's running since it seems to be the more popular. I will most likely keep it spring under. Any higher and the ol' lady won't be able to get in....actually.. I'm definately going spring over.

haha, so is this a dedicated off roader or are you trying to keep it street legal?

Jkanly · 08-16-2008, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SLO_MVR

Oh.. the wiring mess...

Oh my! that is a mess! You going to redo the harness or just swap it all out? As my uncle always says - "butt connectors are for butts" .. haha. and happy birthday!

**drew2000** · 08-16-2008, 04:16 PM

What a mess. Can't wait to see how this turns out!

Drew

giggityjeeper · 08-16-2008, 04:37 PM

WOW, got your work cut out for ya, good thing you only turning 35......

bunkrdfool · 08-16-2008, 09:35 PM

Looks like your going to have a gooooooood time with that

wranglerswrock · 08-16-2008, 10:15 PM

i will give you a dollar to finish this before you are 36 lol

im surprised your brother not only went through 2 engines, but welded so many things. did he figure they will just never have to come off again?

Jkanly · 08-16-2008, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SLO_MVR

blew up the 2.5 and installed a 4.0 and butchered the harness.

Today, it has a 4.0 and 5 speed from an 89 Cherokee with a basket of wires resembling a bowl of spaghetti

My plan today is to pull the fenders and grill, yank the 4.0 that's in it, and get 'er ready for the new 4.0 from an '87 xj w/ 82k miles.

the spaghetti bowl:

Wish me luck...

Hey, the engine you have in this picture is not out of an 89 cherokee. Its a 4.0 Ho from 91 and up with the.. here is some info i wrote up on another thread, maybe it will help maybe not.. haha..

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jkanly

The owners of the Jeep brand replaced the motors in 1991 from the Amc Renix 4.0 (Renault/Bendix) to Chrysler OBD-I-compliant control electronics. To start, the timing of the flywheel is different, followed by the distributor, cylinder head, intake, throttle body, ECU, wiring harness, etc. As far as I know the 91+ exhaust will not bolt up to a pre 91 non HO cylinder head.

If the other engine you have is out of a 87 cherokee then it is a Renix 4.0

Of course, anything can be done.. but just know what you're getting into

**drew2000** · 08-17-2008, 06:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jkanly

Hey, the engine you have in this picture is not out of an 89 cherokee. Its a 4.0 Ho from 91 and up with the.. here is some info i wrote up on another thread, maybe it will help maybe not.. haha..

If the other engine you have is out of a 87 cherokee then it is a Renix 4.0

Of course, anything can be done.. but just know what you're getting into

Hey - I think I figured out why it doesn't work - there's no battery!

Drew

JaikYJ · 08-17-2008, 06:40 AM

Good luck, that spaghetti bowl doesn't look very appetising to me!!

And I think you should go over and take your brothers welder away from him

I am lookin forward to seeing your old rig back in action.

wendell · 08-17-2008, 08:07 AM

I know you don't want to hear this, but painless wiring make plug and play harnes's for the 4.0 conversion. The down side is they tend to be a little pricey.