change 89 mj 2wd to 4wd

waltharper · 11-01-2009, 09:33 AM

I have just bought an 89 comanche 2wd with a bad slave clylinder.

Would it be wise to change it over to a 4xx4 now? and what would it take.

I am thinking that I should buy a cherokee and start swapping parts and put in things like a lift kit while I am at it.

I suppose some ? should be answered up front so I don't get bombared with info that is not needed.

What year of Cherokee will work best for the parts I need?

I want to change gears to 4:10 run 33" tires ? size of lift, Who makes a good 4" for this truck?

Clutch system is fubar ? should I change this out for a better system or am I stuck with the internal slave cylinder.

I want to stay 5 sp trans ? What trans and transfer case is recommended. Like I said I was thinking of getting parts from a wrecked cherokee

Drive shafts for this change, will I need to replace them with new or will the ones from under the cherokee work.

waltharper · 11-08-2009, 11:35 AM

will somebody answer some of these questions here?

Pete M · 11-08-2009, 04:45 PM

I'm assuming you have a 4.0L?
If so, no single factory MJ/XJ will be able to provide both the 4.10 gears and the trans. 4.10s were never available with the 4.0, and the 2.5 and 4.0 transmissions do not interchange. the bolt patterns are different.

waltharper · 11-08-2009, 10:48 PM

OK, I can get a 4.10 gears from under a 4 cylinder cherokee, right?

Now what year did the 4 cylinder have the Dana 44 in the rear?

then get a transmission/transfercase from under a 6 cherokee right.

Is there a year that had the "right" trans.tranfer case?

And all the extra stuff will do what ever it takes to make the change.....

The only thing differant on the commanche, is the leaf springs on the rear of the comanche which is longer then the cherokee.

I just the next question is,

what year did they get away from the canister for the radiator?

Pete M · 11-09-2009, 10:06 AM

Not all 2.5 XJs had 4.10s. check before buying.
I don't think the 44 ever came behind the 2.5 in XJs
90+ 4.0 XJs will have the AX-15 manual trans. 95+ will have the external slave.
the t-case needs to have a 23 spline input. buy it with the trans if you can so there won't be any confusion
you'll need the bellhousing and all the stuff that goes with it
the perches on the XJ axle are in a different location. You'll need to cut them off and get new ones welded on
91+ will have the open radiator system

lowicz96 · 11-13-2009, 02:09 PM

IMHO get a 95+ manual 4x4 trans for the external slave, any 23 spine t-cases(mine came from a 96 auto and bolted to 93 ax15) and get matching axles from a 97+ (i think...) XJ without the vac disc, it will make it so much easier.

Or you can get a ford 8.8 with disc brakes and 4.10's from a 97+ explorer then find a D30 with 4.10's or buy used gears which are easy to come by. If i did another 4x4 conversion i would go with the 8.8 and D30 because its the most bang for your buck.