mndiesel

Still searching for an engine to drop into my 1986 MJ XLS with blown 2.5l. I bought the truck a year ago, nearly mint on the outside with blown 2.5l (piston rod through top of piston) and AX4. Today I found this 85 XJ on craigslist - http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/wsh/pts/4486198687.html 1985 jeep Cherokee 163000mi 2.5 motor 5sp. 4x4 Been sitting for many years Will start with gas down carb Do you guys think it would be easy to swap the engine and 5 speed into my 86? Is it a bad idea or should I drive an hour to check it out? Thanks for any advice!

Wow, $100 that is a deal! Thanks for the tips, I am in Minneapolis, MN and will be watching that great lakes forum.

Thanks for the advice, I think that's a good plan. I will start watching craigslist closely...

Wow, sub $1,000 is very cheap. Here's the thing is I bought the truck with a blown engine and it taken apart. The previous owner was chasing a pheasant and over revved the engine, the rod went right through the top of the piston! He started the tear down so you can see the top of the piston but that's where he left off... My original plan was to swap a diesel in. I just don't have the free time I used to, so I thought putting the original engine back in is a better plan (with potential swap to AX5 for that 5th gear).

I never thought I was going to go this route so I had not checked out rebuilt 2.5L engines, but I've spent the past hour looking online and they seem pretty reasonable. For a few hundred dollars more than the used one I found I could get a rebuilt one like here: http://www.rebuiltenginestore.com/engine/87/1986_jeep_comanche_engine_2.5liter.html Has anyone bought a rebuilt 2.5L? If so, anything to look out for or anyone have a recommended place? there are several places with prices from 1,100-2,000ish

Wow, this is fantastic information thanks guys! Thank you for the great info. I am very glad I asked because I would have guessed it was simple drop in place and that's not the case. I am thinking I should look for a rebuild 2.5 that will be simple drop in place for my MJ. Comanchemodder - how do you like driving your 87 with a 2.5? I realize mine is 4x4, I'm not afraid of slow cars though, I have an 83 300TD wagon that puts around.

So I've had my 1986 Comanche XLS Long bed 4 speed with blown 2.5L engine for almost 1 year. Originally my plan was to swap in a diesel engine, life got in the way and my comanche is still sitting in the garage. Today I came across this craigslist ad: http://rmn.craigslist.org/pts/4400603875.html $800 for a 2.5L engine with AX5 transmission out of a TJ. Is this the same engine from my Comanche? If so, I am now thinking maybe I should just pick this up and get my Comanche working quickly. My original plans for a diesel can wait I'd much rather have a working truck. I'm in MN and love FT 4wd. If I get this 2.5L with AX5 to put in would you guys go for an NP242 21 spline or NP228? Thanks for any advice!

Jeep XJ's are still made and sold in China as Jeep 2500's. I came across this kit on Ebay to make your XJ (and MJ) look like a Jeep 2500. The front headlights and grill are definitely an updated look. I don't know if it would look nice or not on my 86 MJ, but hey I'm going to rip the whole thing apart soon for the restoration and thought these headlights might be a significant upgrade. Any thoughts? Here's the link to the parts- http://www.ebay.com/itm/Jeep-off-road-jeep-xj-cherokee-2500-front-end-conversion-kit-grill-kit-/171198031884?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item27dc32a80c&vxp=mtr

Does anybody know if 2013 Wrangler rims will fit my 86 MJ or 01 XJ? The Wrangler tires are 225/75R16 and have 5x5 bolt pattern. The only difference tire size from my xj is 75 vs 70 middle number. I ask this question because I once bought rims for a Mercedes with the same bolt pattern and tire size, but the offset was wrong and they didn't fit the car without a spacer. Any advice much appreciated!

Yep, I am in Minneapolis. I picked the Comanche up in Green Bay...I went to school in Madison so used to being around those parts every once in a while. The color is actually red, it has been sun faded to an orange. It was in storage the last 15 years...the guy blew the 2.5 liter revving it too high. You can see the piston failure with the head off. The body is in amazing shape, only rust is on the driver floorpan.

I made it back safe and sound! Thanks for all the advice! I'll be starting my restoration soon and will be making a build thread.... mercedes diesel engine to be installed :)

Wow, great information guys this is fantastic. I am definitely a conservative when it comes to towing and realized quickly using the XJ is not an option for me. I have a 2005 Silverado a friend is loaning me. I will be getting a full trailer to bring it home on from Uhaul with that. I'll post my story, and then a build thread to follow! Thanks again for all the replys!

Yeah! I found my project MJ, it's a 1986 2.5L 4x4. It has a blown engine, I'll have to tow it for 250 miles. I have a 2001 XJ 4.0 AW4. From reading it looks like I can use a dolly if I disconnect the rear drive shaft and keep it under 55. Is this my best option? I do have monroe self leveling shocks all around the XJ. My hunch is car trailers are too heavy for my XJ. Looking for your guy's tips who have towed their Comanche's home. So glad I'm finally about to be part of the club! Will be posting all my build pics etc here! Thanks for any advice

Well darn, the seller stopped responding a week ago...either he sold it or decided not to part. Well the hunt for a Comanche continues!

Pictures are worth a thousand words, a few photos, my XJ and 300TD. The 86 Comanche I'm looking at buying for the base of the build.