sdougwilliams

My 86 suffers from the same door closing challenge on the Drivers Side. Any tips on best place to source the replacement hinges?

I did a V6 to I6 swap on my 86 jeep Comanche a few years ago. I pulled all the needed parts from a local salvage yard to include wiring harnesses and hte like. This was a Big job! as the Radiator supports needed changed, the motor mounts, and all the wiring under the hood. I decided to go with the AW4 4 speed automatic transmission which required the transmission control box which is installed under the glove box. When I was installing in the engine I learned that the firewall needed pushed back about an inch. Nothing a sledge hammer could not accomplish. The strangest thing I learned was the need to wire the torque converter disconnection circuit which operated off a separate vacuum switch associated with the cruise control. It was not hard to fix, I just wish I would have done this 30,000 miles ago. I also added the comfort power switch in the dash that required some minor wiring and the addition of a new fuse in the fuse box that provides power when the key is on. This switch adjusts the shift points of the transmission. The truck drives like a different vehicle with the disengagement of the locked torque converter when I step on the brake pedal. Additionally it shifts through the lower gears more smoothly when the converter is not already locked up. I think it locks up now about 35 to 40 mph. I hope these comments will help you not repeat my failure to completed the AW4 torque converter disconnect wiring correctly. Happy Trails

I have done the same thing your trying to do with my 86 Comanche XLS. I pulled the old V-6 and installed a 4.0L with AW-4 automatic transmission and then converted from 2 to 4 wheel drive. I replaced the wiring harnesses in the engine compartment with some off a 87 or 88 Cherokee with automatic transmission from a local salvage yard You do need the wiring harness that goes from the transmission to the inside on the passenger side where the TCU is bolted up under the glove compartment. There is a inline fuse there inside under the glove box which may be your problem. Additionally there is some wiring you have to do to get the backup lights to work. In the little three wire connector shown in previous posts I remember connecting the Black-yellow wire to the Brown/Light Green wire in the same harness that connects to the ignition switch on top of the steering column. I had to either do this to get the tachometer or backup lights working. I am fuzzy on exactly what that solved. Additionally, the tan wire of this connector needs to go to the Power/Comfort switch you probably don't have in your dashboard. That switch also needs connected to the transmission fuse, not to be mixed up with the inline fuse i mentioned earlier. And it needs a good ground. When power is applied to the tan wire this puts the transmission into Power mode versus comfort mode. Also check the transmission kick down cable which connects to the throttle body. This is adjustable. Just squeeze the adjuster and set it close as possible and it will set it self when you step on the throttle-Wide open. Hope this helps.

Long story on solving this problem. Ended up learning that the axle was bent and the disconnect axle was significantly worn. I tried a solid axle replacement and ultimately replaced the front differential for a non disconnect model. Noise definitely gone now. What a pain it was!

Did the CAD fix and resolved the noise. Thank you all for your help!

Appreciate all the help and advice! I plan to try to tackle this on Saturday when it warms up to 36. A bit too cold to crawl around in the snow at 18 degrees.

When I put it in 4WD and the command trac engages then the noise goes away even without the drive shaft installed.

That is a great tip. I forgot to say that I did adjust the transfer case linkage after first having problems shifting the transfer case. Getting noise today with the front drive shaft removed from the vehicle and definately seems to originating from the front axle.

I am doing a 2wd to 4wd conversion on my 86 comanche. When I test drove it I am getting a wierd noise in 2wd that goes away in 4wd. It sounds like a gear is trying to engage into another gear. I also am getting a knocking noise when turning which sounds like a bad axle u joint or one hitting. Observations: Right steering knucle did not seat as well as the left side although I installed new split seat in the new steering knuckle. Installed new Axle U joint in right Axle shaft- I had difficulty installing it as it seemed as though the u joint was a bit wider in one direction than in the other. Any tips or special installation instructions when installing a right axle with a Dana 30 command trac front end? Thanks in advance for any tips and assistance. Doug