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.

Well I'm just not yet :) I'm hoping to pull the trigger and buy the 86 comanche within a week. I'm trying to figure out the manual transmission and transfer case combo that ill need. Also if the 86 might not be the best for what I'm doing... I'm in the north metro area. I've dabbled in diesel Benz cars for years now, making my 300td to near mint shape. My XJ is a great Jeep too, I just can't stop thinking about how the perfect vehicle would be an MJ with the Benz engine.

Hi Guys, I've been drooling over Comanche's on this website for quite some time, and I am very close to joining the club but wanted to reach out and ask some advice before the plunge. I want an MJ for use in light off roading, hunting, fishing, and daily driving 100+ miles five days per week. My dream MJ daily driver is based on two vehicles that I have modified and owned for years: 2001 Jeep Cherokee Limited - I swapped the NP231 for a NP242. Works great in MN winters. 1983 300TD - Auto to 5 speed manual swap. Fantastic car, returns 30+ MPG's on freeway. The line up for my MJ is this: 617 Mercedes Diesel engine swap - Using Koch enterprises kit - http://www.mercedesdiesel4x4.com/ Full-Time 4WD Transfer case - Either NP242, NP229 or ? Looking for advice 5 Speed Manual - Looks like a few options, AX5, AX15, etc. Looking for advice 97+ Interior Swap - Would like to, but this may complicate things too much. Looking for advice WVO Conversion - Homebrew conversion using state of the art components. I've owned a Benz on WVO, this is very practical given the miles I drive Currently I'm looking at buying a 1986 MJ to start my project. It has the 4 cylinder and AX4 transmission. The owner does not know the TC type, I will hopefully go see it this weekend. My questions are: Wanting a 5 speed with full-time 4WD (for MN winter driving) should I attempt an AX15 upgrade with 242 Transfer Case or should I upgrade the AX4 to AX5 and get a 228/229 Transfer case? 97+ interior swap does look fantastic but can it be done in conjunction with the diesel swap? Could I just put in ZJ buckets and it would look halfway decent without completely rebuilding? Rust proofing, if I coat the underside with POR 15/Miracle paint will I be able to drive this relatively worry free in MN winters? All this work I want a truck that will last. Any other things to look out for before buying the 1986 MJ? If I should pass and go for an 88+ MJ please let me know why. Thanks for any and all advice. You guys do great work restoring those MJ's, I hope to join the club soon!