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2 Wheel Drive To 4 Wheel Drive Conversion


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i got to thinkin and havin a comanche is nice but restorin it is now outta the question, it finally clicked in my head that i can't even find MJs in the junkyard that have anything i can use as a factory stock part cause even paintin is modifin so my question is, what do i need to convert my 86 2.8 2wd MJ into a 4wd, i know i need a new front axle that has a diff, a transfer case probably a new tranny and drive shaft but what else? also i don't have a computer would i have to install one?

 

Redwolf

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-front axle that matches your rear's gear ratio

-4wd version of your trans

-t-case that matches your tranmission's spline count

-shifter linkage that matches your trans

-front driveshaft

-rear driveshaft (usually guys just get their 2wd one cut to size)

 

that's it. :thumbsup:  I recommend buying a cheap 2.5L donor XJ. 

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-front axle that matches your rear's gear ratio

-4wd version of your trans

-t-case that matches your tranmission's spline count

-shifter linkage that matches your trans

-front driveshaft

-rear driveshaft (usually guys just get their 2wd one cut to size)

 

that's it. :thumbsup:  I recommend buying a cheap 2.5L donor XJ. 

no computer? and shouldn't the shifter linkage come with the transfer case? also could i throw the dana 35c from my rear up to the front and get a dana 44 for the rear or would it have to be 2 dana 35s or does it not matter as long as front as 3,55 and the back as 3.55 (3.55 is just an example)

 

Redwolf

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are you asking if you can put your rear axle in the front? 'cause the short answer is no.

 

front axles for MJs/XJs is the Dana 30.

 

the computers don't control any aspect of the 4wd system.  it's all old-school lever action :D

 

t-case shifter linkages RARELY comes with the t-case.  the key part you need is the bracketry for the linkage, half of which bolts to the transmission (and is transmission-specific meaning that an AW4 or AX-15 bracket won't bolt to an AX-5) and the other half bolts to the underside of the cab. 

 

 

Buy a whole 2.5L/5speed XJ and make life easy on yourself. :thumbsup:

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I currently have an entire fuel injected 2.8L AX-5 4x4 truck for sale that would be a great donor candidate.  :brows:  Hey, can't blame a guy for trying. lol

 

Listen to Pete on doing the upgrade to 4wd though, he's done it himself a few times and knows a thing or two.

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are you asking if you can put your rear axle in the front? 'cause the short answer is no.

 

front axles for MJs/XJs is the Dana 30.

 

the computers don't control any aspect of the 4wd system.  it's all old-school lever action :D

 

t-case shifter linkages RARELY comes with the t-case.  the key part you need is the bracketry for the linkage, half of which bolts to the transmission (and is transmission-specific meaning that an AW4 or AX-15 bracket won't bolt to an AX-5) and the other half bolts to the underside of the cab. 

 

 

Buy a whole 2.5L/5speed XJ and make life easy on yourself. :thumbsup:

 

so if i was to stay with my AX5 tranny i couldn't have a t case mounted on it right? also why a 2.5 xj, 2.8s not avaiable in 4wd or just the torque thing from an inline engine?

Are you wanting to make it an Auto or standard transmission?

stayin with manual, i can't drive auto anymore lol

 

I currently have an entire fuel injected 2.8L AX-5 4x4 truck for sale that would be a great donor candidate.  :brows:  Hey, can't blame a guy for trying. lol

 

Listen to Pete on doing the upgrade to 4wd though, he's done it himself a few times and knows a thing or two.

great donor? heck that'd make for a replacement  :laughin: and i know to listen to pete, from what i've read in the project forums it seems he built his mj from the ground up,

 

Redwolf

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AX-15 won't bolt up without lots of effort and cost. 

 

yes, a 2.8L rig can work too.  2.8L was only used in 84-86.  2.5L was used 84-2001.  ANY year XJ with the 2.5L/AX5 can be a 4wd donor.  do not limit yourself to the old stuff. 

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You can't use the ax5...you will need a tranny for a 4x4 (AX15 recommended) to bolt to the t-case

Should specify that you can't use the AX-5 you have. There are 4x4 version of them, my rig is a dead give away of that.

 

The main reason Pete is saying grab an XJ with the 2.5 is because, like he said, you can grab one from any year and it is also regarded as a better motor than the 2.8 since it doesn't have 20 miles of vac hose or a habit for throwing rods. You won't find a 2.5 with the AX-15 behind it unless it was swapped in by an owner, the 2.5 came with the AX-4 or AX-5. I believe the AX-4 was eventually dropped though so later on you'll only get the AX-5. The newer you go though (91+) the more work it will take since that is when they got upgraded to Chrysler electronics and fuel injection. I was debating swapping a 2.5 or 4.0 from an XJ into my rig before I decided to just sell it, I was advised to stay away from 1996 because of the way the OBD system is done up. The 2.5 and 2.8 make roughly the same HP and torque early on, late in the 2.5 life it might have been bumped up a bit. I will say though that with a fuel injection kit the 2.8 seems to have more going for it over stock 2.8s and 2.5s I've messed with.

 

If you don't go the route of grabbing an entire donor vehicle, this would be a great time to swap out the 2.8 with a 3.4 from a RWD car like a Camaro or Firebird. It's basically the exact same block as the 2.8 so it'll just bolt right in and the same transmissions and such can be used with it. It makes more power though and is more reliable. Sparks plugs and such are a royal pain to change though and it does have it's share of issues, the timing chain being the big one so make sure to grab one that recently had that replaced or do it before swapping it in.

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Yea, I think I kind of jumped the gun Pete. He only wants to do a 4wd conversion, but if he is yanking everything out he might as well ditch that 2.8 anyways. Does require more work though so that's the downside and he just may not have the time, money, or patience for. I was mainly trying to specify the AX-5/AX-15 info... originally anyways. lol

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It's a much bigger endeavor to swap engines.  the wire harness, exhaust, fuel system, etc is all different.  and a donor rig is a MUST, and now it has to be a great running donor.  if you just want a 4wd swap, just the trans/t-case/axle needs to be good.

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i'm just doin a 4wd convertion pete, i went through hell findin a 2.8 cause i couldn't find a 3.4, 3.1, or a 2.5 to through under my hood when i first bought my MJ, and the 2.8 might have only been used from 84-86 by chrysler but the very last year the 2.8 was used by all the motor corps was 93, remember, my 2.8 engine came out of a 93 GMC sonoma, also, what is the difference between ax4 and ax15, is one a 3 speed and ones a 4?

 

Redwolf

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i'm just doin a 4wd convertion pete, i went through hell findin a 2.8 cause i couldn't find a 3.4, 3.1, or a 2.5 to through under my hood when i first bought my MJ, and the 2.8 might have only been used from 84-86 by chrysler but the very last year the 2.8 was used by all the motor corps was 93, remember, my 2.8 engine came out of a 93 GMC sonoma, also, what is the difference between ax4 and ax15, is one a 3 speed and ones a 4?

 

Redwolf

 

any other motor smaller than the 4.0L got these manual trannys

 

AX-4 = 4 speed

AX-5 = 5 speed

 

 

in 87 when the 4.0L was introduced to the MJ / XJ line up

these are the available manual trannys for the 4.0

 

BA-10/5 = 5 speed and 4wd versions had a 21 spline output shaft (and was fairly weak and tempermental)

 

in mid 89 i beleve is when the AX-15 was introduced.

AX-15 = 5 speed and 4wd versions had a 23 spline output shaft

 

later on the AX-15 bellhousing swapped to allow an external slave

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Ones bolted to a 4.0 and ones bolted to a 2.5/2.8 ... The bolt patterns on the bellhousing to block are completely different. Also the ax4 is a 4spd replaced by the ax5. The ax15 is a heavier duty 5spd

 

did not know the AX15 was a 5 speed  :eek:

 

i'm just doin a 4wd convertion pete, i went through hell findin a 2.8 cause i couldn't find a 3.4, 3.1, or a 2.5 to through under my hood when i first bought my MJ, and the 2.8 might have only been used from 84-86 by chrysler but the very last year the 2.8 was used by all the motor corps was 93, remember, my 2.8 engine came out of a 93 GMC sonoma, also, what is the difference between ax4 and ax15, is one a 3 speed and ones a 4?

 

Redwolf

 

any other motor smaller than the 4.0L got these manual trannys

 

AX-4 = 4 speed

AX-5 = 5 speed

 

 

in 87 when the 4.0L was introduced to the MJ / XJ line up

these are the available manual trannys for the 4.0

 

BA-10/5 = 5 speed and 4wd versions had a 21 spline output shaft (and was fairly weak and tempermental)

 

in mid 89 i beleve is when the AX-15 was introduced.

AX-15 = 5 speed and 4wd versions had a 23 spline output shaft

 

later on the AX-15 bellhousing swapped to allow an external slave

i knew the 4.0 was brought into the jeep world in 87 , didn't know the AX15 had a externally mounted slave cyl, thought ax5 was the only one  :dunno:

 

Redwolf 

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The early AX-15s had an internal slave up to '93 I believe, the later ones have external. These were pre-bled closed units as well.

 

As for your 2.8 coming out of a Sonoma, the 2.8 was never changed at all in the trucks. The 2.8 that was offered in the trucks, from first year to the last year, were Gen 1 versions. So no matter the year they were prone to throwing rods and such. The Gen 2 2.8 which fixed these issues was only offered transverse in FWD vehicles and can not be used in a RWD platform. Just a bit of knowledge for the day.

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The early AX-15s had an internal slave up to '93 I believe, the later ones have external. These were pre-bled closed units as well.

 

As for your 2.8 coming out of a Sonoma, the 2.8 was never changed at all in the trucks. The 2.8 that was offered in the trucks, from first year to the last year, were Gen 1 versions. So no matter the year they were prone to throwing rods and such. The Gen 2 2.8 which fixed these issues was only offered transverse in FWD vehicles and can not be used in a RWD platform. Just a bit of knowledge for the day.

i'll keep that in mind when i do by a rebuilt/new engine for my MJ,

 

Redwolf

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:cheers:  200 posts  :cheers:

not gonna get to that much, might not even make it to 50, i already know what i need, front axle, front drive shaft, new rear drive shaft unless i wanna get mine cut down, new tranny and t case and shift lever linkage  :cheers:

 

Redwolf

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