Geonovast

The vacuum lines on the front axle operate off of a switch on the transfer case, they control the CAD. (Central Axle Disconnect). This is a device that disconnects the two pieces of the passenger side axleshaft, marginally reducing rotating mass when you're in 2wd, in an effort to save gas mileage. Jeep had completely done away with this thing by 93. As long as you have everything apart anyway, take 5 minutes to lock the thing over and cap the vac lines. You probably won't even notice a drop in MPGs, and it's one less thing to fail (and it does), when you need 4wd. viewtopic.php?f=9&t=18415

My guess is the turbo has seized to a point of massive exhaust restriction, and it's snuffing itself out.

Is it an overhead cam?

Pictures say 1000 words. viewtopic.php?f=9&t=11699 Take a look at that, and you should be able to make sure you get the correct trans.

IMO, your primary concern should be condition of the body. Everything else is easily upgradeable/replaceable. Plenty of parts/donor XJs out there. Not a lot or replacement body panels. The body remained virtually identical 87-92. 86 is 98% the same.

Incorrect, I apologize if I implied that. The AX-15 is a direct replacement for the craptastic BA 10/5. Don't bother picking up anothe pukey, get yourself an AX-15. If you do a little digging, there are literally dozens of threads on AX-15 swaps that should answer any questions you might have. Otherwise, just ask them again, that's what we're here for. One of these days someone should do a DIY of it with every contingency covered...

Did you add coolant and/or water when you installed a thermostat? No thermostat would cause the motor to run too cold, not overheat.

*NEW* head, or head from another used motor? A *NEW* head just might do that, but for the price of a brand new head, you could easily pick up a rebuilt or very low mileage motor. I agree with Rob. If you stressed the motor to crack the head, there's probably other damage somewhere. I wouldn't trust that motor unless it was pulled apart, and the block was professionally inspected. You can most likely get a decent used 4.0 for $2-300. That's your best bet.

AX-4/5 : Used behind the 2.5L I4 and 2.8L V6. The AX-4 is identical to the AX-5, except for the lack for 5th gear. One from a 2.8 can be used behind a 2.5, and vice versa. The AX-5 was also used behind the 2.1L Turbo Diesel, however the bellhousing and input shaft are different. BA 10/5 : Used behind the 4.0L I6 from 1987 until mid 1989. AX-15 used behind the 4.0 L I6 from mid 1989 until 1999. The AX-15 can easily replace the BA 10/5... and is a much, much better transmission. I've heard rumors of the T-4 and T-5 behind the 2.5 and 2.8 from 84-86, but never personally seen one. The AX-4/5 CANNOT go behind a 4.0L. There is no bellhousing for it, and even if there was, the trans would not handle it. The AX-15 generally cannot go behind a 2.5 or 2.8, but is possible with a rare 93+ Dakota 4 cylinder/5 speed bellhousing and some fab work. But unless you really really need an AX-15 behind a 2.5 or 2.8, don't bother. The AX-4/5 usually holds up just fine. There is no difference between an XJ trans and MJ trans. YJ/TJ transmissions are essentially the same, except for two differences. One, they clock the T-case up a bit, so you may have the T-case hitting the floor in an XJ or MJ. Not a big deal. Two, the shifter components are not the same. The shifter itself is different, as well as the inner shifter part that moves the sliders. If you have both pieces from an XJ/MJ trans, they will swap into a YJ/TJ trans.

clearly you've never had a trans crossmember bolt snap off due to rust. I hate rust. :rant: Is it possible to remove one without losing a bolt?

What part of WI? Laredo is a hell of a find. Weren't a lot of those made.

Spiders don't like getting sprayed with PB.

I had a problem like that with a 4.0 valve cover gasket. Thought it was wrong, didn't seem to line up right... until I realized the front and back were shaped differently, and I had it backwards. Dunno if the 2.5 is the same.

Holy wow. :eek: You weren't kidding. That happen on a trail, or just going down the road? Did you pour sand in the crankcase first?

:needpics:

Welcome! Looks like a nice straight MJ. Even dirty already :D One thing though. Either its not an 87, not a 2.8, or someone bothered to put a 2.8 into an 87. the 2.8 was only offered in 86.

Yeah, thats why I asked, however, after seeing the frame damage and the rear axle shifted forward I felt there was most likely damage all the way to the crank? I think the U-joints would have taken the brunt of the impact, drivetrain-wise. Do you have the truck now? At a yard? Can you even look at it without paying the buyback? We had my brother's 92 for over a week before the insurance company needed the buyback. Bought it back, he drove it for three weeks until he got his 98, then we stripped it out.

I doubt it could ever feel like camping with one of those. Real camping, IMO, is one of these: And a couple of these: Looks nice and comfy though. :yes:

First off, Chilton manuals are crap. Second, the 2.5 needs the transmission to be pulled, as the RMS is a one piece, and the flywheel needs to be removed to do it. The 4.0 can be done by simply dropping the pan. It's a little messy and time consuming, but it's really not that difficult. Just take your time. Before you start, when you're buying the replacement, get two. It's not hard to destory the new seal during installation.

:ack: I like the 2 doors.

Serviceable and bleedable are two completely different things. Serviceable means you could easily repair inner parts and/or rebuild the unit. It is impossible to install any part of a hydraulic system without bleeding it. There's a bleeder screw on the slave. It'll have the hex part, and a nipple with a hole in the end that you can quick pop a hose onto to direct the flow of fluid. What they're referring to... is you can buy the whole setup, bench bled. Just means you don't have to do the bleeding, but the system is bleedable.

jbhill

Wherever you read that, they are incorrect. Both internal and external slaves are bleedable.

He has an...interesting front axle.

Load up the ZJ and bring everyone down here for some burgers. :idea: