mjeff87

As a rule, true Pete. But, you can mate an AX15 to a 2.5L using a late model Dakota bellhousing and a machined CJ pilot bearing, and a clutch/housing from something (non-Jeep, Camaro maybe??) There's a huge thread over on Pirate with a full write up from a guy who did it. I've toyed with the idea for mine, but that'll be a "down-the-road" project :) Gotta keep setting goals, ya know? Jeff

Maybe I orta replace the water pump while I'm in there, then (?) AFAIK, it's original (160K miles)...it works fine and doesn't leak, but since I basically have to tear the WHOLE damn engine down to the block anyhow, I'll put a new one on. <> Jeff

Trannies won't swap easily, but you could make it work if it's an AX15 behind your 2.5 Better option is to pull everything from the 87 and swap it into the 86 (engine, harness, 'puter, trans and t/c) You can leave the rear axle in, and just swap the 2WD front beam axle with a 4.10 D30. Add driveshafts and enjoy.... Jeff

update #2..... I went and pulled a head off at the U-pull yesterday for $40. I can't begin to tell you all what an incredible pain in the @#%# that was :evil: Among other things that had to get unbolted were the passenger side motor mount and the alternator and mounting bracket! I'm shipping it off to the machine shop for some cleaning/decking later this week. Furthur proof that I LOVE my 2.5L and how easy it is to work on..... Jeff

Yup, when I converted last year I just shimmed over the fork with some washers instead of messing with all the vaccuum crap. Works fine, but all my junk is spinning all the time, and I'd like to see how much a difference having the one side disconnected makes, if any (and I ain't dishing out any $$ for a posilock, homebrew or otherwise) That switch is a simple 2 position (lighted) vaccuum switch, and is found in older XJ's and Waggy's with the 228/229 case. It sits in the shifter console, where the little dished out plastic insert goes (screws in from underneath). I'm not sure if I'm gonna put it there or somewhere else in the dash. Maybe I'll "borrow" the dig cam from work and snap some pics off :lol: I'll see what I can dig up at the 'yard tomorrow and post up what I find out. Jeff

Finally have a work (and family) free weekend, so I can wrench on the MJ a bit. I'm going to install a selectrac vaccuum switch I got at the pick-n-pull last year :shock: so I can disco my front axle and hopefully save a bit of gas $$$ Rumor has it that later model Dodge front disco axles have steel shift forks in 'em that swap in directly for the aluminum ones. I have to pick up another CAD at the 'yard tomorrow, and they don't mind mixing/matching parts, so I'd like to get a Dodge fork. Anyone know what they're in? I have a magnet, but it'd be nice to just find what I need w/o having to pull off a bunch of CAD's to get it :) Here's a pic of the switch I'm gonna plumb up: Image Not Found Anyone else doing anything fun this weekend? Jeff

That's kinda what I was hoping would be the case :) I'll find out in a few months LOL. Jeff

Well, crap. I'll just have to fit it all up and measure it when the time comes then. I don't know anyone who's running a SWB 2.5/AX5 with a D44 to get a measurement from to get the shaft pre-cut...... Jeff

How much longer is the 44 pinion than the 35? What are the chances that that extra amount could be negated with a 2" AAL, so I wouldn't have to have my rear driveshaft cut, or is it a negligent amount? :lol: Jeff

Yes, 4 door XJ front doors are the same as MJ doors. Jeff

I'll get you one....mail it to ya one piece at a time :wink: Seriously, it was the first '44 I've seen there in 4+ years. As soon as I saw it, I drove back home and told the wife that our plans for the afternoon had changed a bit :D (plus I had to pick up a toolbox) I had that thing dropped and in the wheelbarrow in less than 30 minutes....... Jeff

Yeeesh....that does look bad :D Think I'll stay SUA for now and go with the 31's (just need to bumpstop a bit). 33's may happen down the road, long after I stop worrying about keeping it "restored" (sorry Eagle!) Thanks all! Jeff

Trying to decide on whether I should SOA (doesn't that net like 5+ inches lift?) the MJ or stay SUA and replace the springpacks and use an AAL (for maybe 2" and spacer the front to match). Is a SOA too much lift for 31's?? Any pics would be helpful. Thanks, Jeff

It's an XJ, with 3.07's, and a bad seal on the passenger side, but............da boyz at the junkyard hooked me up.........$35.99 :D Now all I have to do is redo the spring pads/shock mounts, put new seals in it, regear it and add a locker. I got my good karma from not pulling a quickie on them when I got the D30 last month. Jeff Image Not Found

I'm planning to swap a 242 into mine also (but I have a 2.5/AX5). From my research, the 242 is less than 1" longer than a 231, so the rear shafts may be interchangeable (?) or at worst you'd have to cut the difference down. I've still got my old 2WD shaft lying under the house. If the one I have now won't fit, I'll have that one cut down (it's the bigger "tube-in-tube" shaft, not the one piece one I'm running now) You could probably call the dealership and see if they list the same part # for the rear shafts. That would at least let you know if there is a difference. Jeff

Welcome to the club :) I don't think there's anyone else here from Idaho (?) Jeff

*UPDATE* Well, I tried the JB and it worked for 2 days...now it's leaking again, but not as bad as originally. Guess it's time to swap heads :( BTW, my fuel pump assy. is good to go. I know because at times I convert the vehicle (hatchback) to a redneck pickup truck. I pull the back seat out completly, and fold down the backs, and install a piece of 3/4" OSB cut to fit the whole rear from the front seats back. Don't laugh, but an escort can haul transmissions, transfer cases, Dana 30's, and even a complete 2.5L without missing a beat! (I hauled the engine 800 miles, up over the Blue mountains from GA back to VA, and still got 32-35 MPG :)) Jeff

I had my MJ in a barn up on the family farm for about 16 months while I was working on it. I still get little pieces of nesting material (parts of the fabric matting under the cargo matting) from the community of field mice that took up residence inside it, blowing out of the HVAC system when I turn the fan on. I literally spent a whole day pulling chunks of it out, too....thought I got it all but must not have :( I hate varmints! Jeff

XJ/MJ's are unibody construction, meaning they don't have full frames like other 4X vehicles. You need to attach recovery points to hook to in case you get stuck, like tow hooks (with the proper bracketry) in the front/rear, or better yet receiver-type hitches on both ends. Basically, XJ/MJ's don't have anywhere that's safe/strong enough to attach a recovery strap to in stock form :( Sorry about the lingo. Jeff

Welcome to the group. Your MJ is a shortbed (113" WB) if that cap your selling came off of it....bed is 75" long, give or take. I'd start spending on the essentials first if your gonna wheel it, stuff like recovery points front and rear, and some protection (skid plates, etc.) I'm assuming yours is already 4WD, but if not, you can convert it for about 1/2 your budget, depending on your parts source. Jeff

Here's mine.....the towel on the driver's side is covering up a ripped-all-to-@$%& seat bottom :( Black interiors were courtesy of AMC only. Image Not Found

How close are you to western PA, like around Pittsburgh and points east? Reason is, I travel up there about every 6 weeks or so, and can pony up parts from the junkyard down here if you need them. Like your AX15....last week there were 4 of them down here to choose from, @ $89.95 each. If you're strapped for parts sources for your rebuild, lemme know if I can help ya. and for the CAD, you can shim over the shift fork and "lock" the inner/outer shafts together permanently if you want, and forget about worrying if the vac motor is working or not :) Jeff edit: hub assemblies are like $20 each (or something close to that...)

When I converted to 4WD, I swapped in a 231 that came from a 4.0/AW4/3.55 combo, and it had the wrong speedo gear for my 4.10's. It registered the speed about 8-9 mph over actual. Finally a 4.10 Xj showed up in the 'yard with a 231, so I swiped the speedo gear and housing, and swapped mine out in the parking lot. Anyone need a spare speedo housing (with retainer clip) and speedo gear for a 3.55? Free to a good home..... Jeff

Not saying this board doesn't need one, but NAXJA has a fabrication forum you might wanna check out. Lotsa stuff going on over there: http://www.naxja.org/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=123 Jeff

Since the auto-adjusters on the MJ/XJ's are crap...... I've tried the backing-up-and-hitting-the-brakes method to adjust the rears without much success, until last night. If you do it on an incline, it works MUCH better :) I repeated the process 3X on the side street beside my house and got alot better pedal now. Only thing is the neighbors think I'm even more strange now... Jeff