coheed

So, in swapping my 2.8 for a 3.4 I'm also getting rid of the AX5, NP207, and clutch pedal/master cylinder. I know that the bellhousings are the same between external and internal and that the clutch fork is different on the 84-86. Are there any other differences? And what's the value of said package? I have no clue how many miles are on them, the truck had at least 320k when I got it (the speedo cable was unhooked for who knows how long before I got it) and I've added 30k. Is the clutch fork the only really valuable bit of this? There's not a single AX5 on Facebook within a hundred miles of me to get an idea of price and Jeeps get picked clean within hours at local yards, so I know there's a demand. The only one on craigslist is an internal slave 300 miles away, and they're asking $250.

Pulling the 2.8 wasn't a huge deal. But the hoist couldn't get quite tall enough to get the 3.4 in. I swapped the trailers wheels with 235/75r15s on, and even then I had to deflate them to about 5 psi to get enough to get it in. I probably should've taken the header panel off but Regardless, the 3.4 and 4L60e are in the truck. Bolted up the NP242 today and started working on the transmission mount, more on that later. Looks like a decent angle for the engine to rest at. Need to measure driveshaft angles before I finish the trans mount. I didn't plan on pulling the dash twice this year, but here we are. It'll help with the wiring and let me fix some routing I wasn't crazy about from after the floor replacement. I can't stand wiring but, I think I'm done with the wiring aside from routing it on the truck and doing the crossover between harnesses at the ignition switch and the brake switch. I took the engine bay harness from the truck in the house and eliminated all the unnecessary stuff like the starter, a/c, and carb/emissions related things. I should be done with the Camaro harness as well aside from the routing and crossover parts.

Tearing apart an automatic is not nearly as complicated as I thought it would be. Maybe if I had to take the valve body off, I wouldn't feel that way though. Output shaft has been swapped on the 4L60e, now I'm just waiting on some parts to come in. The Novak adapter comes with a mount bracket that's adjustable up and down in 3 half inch increments. If I can't make that work with the crossmember I can bolt the mount pictured directly to the stock transmission location.

Filed down some pocket screwdrivers to make some depinning tools and spent about 2 days thinning out all the wiring. When I'm done with the swap, I'm planning on listing out all of the wires and connectors I'm keeping to run the engine because that seems like hard to come by info and it may help someone out in the future. This engine and PCM needs very little wiring to actually run. I removed about half of what is shown here after this photo as well. It runs, so I didn't screw up too badly. 20250828_180841.mp4 Spent a day getting it out of the car, and another day cleaning grime off of it. There's something zen about sitting down with a brush and a towel and cleaning an engine off. Separated the 4L60 and brought it in the house since it'll be the cleanest place to disassemble the transmission and install the new output shaft and NP242 adapter. I'll have to drill and tap a hole in the governor area for the Novak supplied VSS so that the PCM will have that info. This will also help me keep the cruise control built into the PCM from the factory. Having cruise will be a nice quality of life feature in this old truck.

This is such a great build. I've very rarely thought about getting away from the stock 4-link short arm setup, but if there was a kit for this, I'd be incredibly tempted.

After swapping the injectors I unhooked and labeled all the wiring. Pulled the body harness but left the engine harness, so when I thin everything out I can't make sure it still runs before I pull the engine. Lots of fun ahead. Pulled the exhaust as well. It had a full 2.5" Flowmaster catback that I'll cut up and make a new exhaust for the truck. Should be better than the cobbled together stuff on there now.

Much better. 20250825_165524.mp4

Well I figured out the rough running issue. Only 4 of the injectors are working. Surprisingly the one on the far left still seems to work fine. I think these may be a bit beyond a rebuild, so gotta get some new ones. Also, figured out that the aftermarket cooling fans were added because the fan relay ground is messed up. Should be an easy fix once the wiring harness is out.

He's a cool dude. I bought the factory grill guard that's currently on my truck from him. It was on that truck as an original option.

Not a whole lot of motion on getting camper stuff accomplished, but I got gifted an old Cobra 29ltd cb and installed a 5ft firestick antenna for it. Planning on cutting some plywood for the back cab wall and mounting it there. Also, in between jobs at the moment so I've got a good bit of time on my hands. Did about $2000 worry of maintenance to the daily Lexus, and I've started digging into the Camaro donor for Squirrelly Dan. Completely bypassed the VATS system, so I can get rid of all that wiring and put the bypass module on a switch to act as an anti-theft. The Camaro runs and moves in reverse and drive, definitely has a misfire or something because it's running rough, and I couldn't get it to rev enough on the stands to shift out of 1st because of that. Need to diagnose that and figure out why they added an aftermarket fan and relay to the radiator. But progress is progress. 20250809_164053.mp4

I'm also curious if the 95-96 one would need any different work in the 86 to swap in. The diaphragm in mine has started leaking and I wouldn't mind a stronger booster.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/2548093482203230/ Stumbled on this Wildernest on Facebook. 60"x90" so it would fit a longbed perfectly, but it's already mounted to a trailer with benches and propane. Looks like the canvas is decent condition as well.

Absolutely gorgeous truck! This is how the Comanche should've looked if they kept the production running as long as the Cherokee.

Yeah, that seems like a throttle sticking issue or the carb cleaner is making it run that high. When I have multiple vacuum lines unhooked on my 2.8 it won't even idle because it's too lean. I don't have egr hooked up at all and I only have 4 vacuum lines hooked up; the brake booster, the one going to the fuel tank, one for the hvac controls, and one for the distributor advance. Everything else is plugged.

No problem. Also an fyi, the 78s are normally only side terminal batteries. The reason I got this one is it has both top and side terminals so it would be easier to connect a second battery or run power to my camper at some point. So, if you get a 78, make sure it works with whatever cable ends you have.

Actually, reading the specs I just realized it's a little wider and taller than the group 34s they offer, but an 1/8" shorter on the long side. Maybe that's why it fits and you couldn't get a group 34 in there?

Technically a group 78, but same same. This is the interstate battery I have in there currently. This is the battery tray that was in the truck when I got it. I also have the tray out of my grandad's truck in the shed and it's the same style, even though this truck is a late 86 and my grandad's was an early production.

I have a group 34 in my 86 and it fits perfect. Can't remember which side I used on the hold down, but I am using the stock hold down block.

Entertaining any serious offers. Would like to get this off of the trailer and to someone that can appreciate it. I'd be willing to drive and meet a few hours from Fort Mill SC.

I've got some grand ideas for it, but I have no idea how long it'll take me to get to them. It's what it does best Part of it is really seeing how much I can get out of the 2.8 till it pops. I'm amazed it's done as well as it has considering what I found under the valve covers 2 years ago. Yeah I'm very stoked about all the room I have for activities in there.

Man, that's rough. I've always really liked how your truck looked. If it were me I'd try and repair what I could and keep the wagoneer panel. I've got an ok set of those hella lights if you're interested in em pm me.

It was a blast. I'm genuinely surprised this little 2.8 has been as reliable as it has. I'll almost be a little sad to swap it out lol

Unfortunately not on this trip. He gets very car sick because I didn't get him used to it when he was younger. I had been conditioning him to ride in the car for months, but I think the switch to how differently the truck handles and rides was too much and the couple weeks before the trip wasn't enough time. He'll be on the next trip though for sure.

Total was 4556 door to door. And aside from that little bit of overheating the truck made no fuss about it.

When I got back, I installed the door extensions. They no longer install them at the shop, but I was fine doing it myself. Losing the tailgate offset some the weight of the camper I'm sure. Collapsed I have 50" from bed floor to ceiling making it easy to crash in the bed if I don't want to or can't pop the top. The main door opening is 30"x40" making it super easy to get in and out. Popped I have a full 6'7" of standing height. With the bed platform put up I have the full length of the bed, and with it pulled out I have a full queen-sized sleeping area and 47" of standing space at the end of the bed. The side hatch I got added makes it easier to get to cargo stored at the front of the bed, and the sliding windows make it so I can reach outside and latch the camper like I would from the outside. There're locks built into the doors to use from the inside, but's it's nice piece of mind. Plus, the pup will be able to see out the windows. I have plans for a build out in the future, but for the time being I'm just gonna wire up the fan and the 3rd brake light and use it as is. My main focus in the short term will be getting the 3.4 swapped in.