jpnjim

GM pattern bellhousings even made the leap to the Dakota line. 4 cyl Dakotas got AMC 2.5L's, which all use the GM bellhousing. Dakotas & Durangos also used GM Saginaw steering boxes till they switched to rack & pinion (in 2000?) ^^^Jeep engineering department were basically handed the keys to the Dodge Truck division. Proof? Dodge LA small block V8's were AMC-erized into the Magnum engines. They got the MPI system that was on the back burner for AMC V8's even mechanical engine parts were changed, dropping the LA's rocker shafts for rocker pedestals that were actual AMC parts. The full size Dodge Pickups got the Jeep ft suspension in big boy size, this was probably also a back burner FSJ update that just never got off the ground.

I know the glove box lock comes apart, because my old red trail truck MJ didn't have a door/glove box key when I bought it. I took the glove box lock apart, and cut a key blank for it by hand with a file... and I thought I was pretty smart for not having to pull the door lock till I realised it worked in the glove box only, and NOT in the door :( So I pulled the door lock out and saw they WERE keyed the same, but the door used one more tumbler than the glove box lock. Another hit with the file, and the key fit both :yes:

Military vehicles use it, so I was just reading up on it the other day (I have a mil vehicle w/o brakes) A complaint I read was if water/moisture does get in the system, since it isn't absorbed, it collects at the lowest point of the system, and rots the wheel cylinders, or freezes, and causes problems that way. I have no experience with it, beyond reading this ^^ And these are 50-60 year old, sometimes neglected vehicles they were discussing, so take it with a grain of salt. I guess if there were water in the system, bleeding the brakes would send any that collected at the bottom out first. I have yet to pull the nonworking 60 year old brake drums off my 'new' truck, but I am expecting rust lol.

All 72+ AMC & Jeep L6's use the AMC V8 bolt pattern. When the 4.0L came out, they added 2 bolts from the engine side, but kept the same bellhousing pattern. I swapped a trans from a 258 to a 4.0L, & even bolted a Peugeot 10/5 to a 401 once for laffs :D so they all match for sure

It depends on what I was using the Jeep for. The trail MJ has a V8 capable trans in it now (NV3550), AMC V8's share the same bolt pattern as our 4.0L's, and since its a trail truck, its never going to win any mileage awards anyway, so I'd go AMC 360. A 401 would bolt up too, but no sense stressing the trans & cooling system any more than the 360 will. My daily driver Jeeps? (98XJ & 89MJ, both automatics) Even though this engine is tough to find in junk yards, I think I'd lean towards the Chrysler/Jeep 4.7L V8. Nice HP to weight, and the 5spd autos used with them seem to have a good reputation. But I would miss the AW4 auto. The Hemi is awesome, but more $$ for a donor vehicle to get parts from, and its overkill in an XJ/MJ unless you're building a hot rod, or a serious trail machine. Other engines I like? The new Chevy's are decent & cheap, but being anti-Chevy I wouldn't. A Modular Ford V8 would be awesome in an XJ/MJ. Everything our 4.7L V8's should have been, but weren't, + a huge aftermarket following. Stock looking XJ, small tires, 300+HP 3 or 4 valve 4.6L/6 speed would be A LOT of fun :yes: ^^and probably get 20+mpg on the highway

The only bad thing about disabling the CAD is those early NP231's would lock the ft & rear outputs together in neutral. So, If you flat tow in Neutral, with the CAD engaged, you risk stressing out, or damaging the t-case. When they eliminated the CAD entirely, they modified the transfer case so it no longer connected the outputs in neutral. ^^^this sounds insane, but if you have an early 231, put it in N and you'll see :)

^^this except I want round lights mounted towards the top, like 1960's J-trucks. :yes:

I'm surprised no one has come up with a simple bolt on adapter to fit an easier to find tail light in there yet. Since it will be a long long time (never) before anyone remakes MJ taillights, adapting something readily available would seem like the next most likely solution. Personally I like everything about the 97+ taillights, except the funny angle at the top looks a little off when they're put in MJs.

Since you are starting with a 4 cylinder MJ, you might be better off using the "BIGHEEP Method" http://comancheclub.com/topic/36506-semi-ho-swap/#entry365458 ^^I haven't done a harness match up swap like BIGHEEP did, so he'd be the best to ask, but would assume the way to start would be with a 91-95 engine (easiest to swap) & under hood harness/computer. Seems like you could get it to work without the HO gauges, but I'd also want to grab the 91-95 XJ gauges & a 91-92 MJ fuel tank sending unit (otherwise your gas gauge will read backwards)

:yes:

http://nh.craigslist.org/grd/3537089125.html M151 6x6

Think it could be Eaz-Lift? Seems to be a good company, I started a thread on them as a possible MJ hitch source here; http://comancheclub.com/topic/36456-looking-for-an-mj-hitch-anyone-try-eaz-lift-yet/

Ah, Thanks for pointing out the year Eagle. I sometimes breeze over parts when I read, I saw OBDII, and made the jump to 97-01's, without double checking the year. Even though a 1996 conversion would mean less parts to swap than a 97+, I'm still staying with my original " too much work" reply. Partly because of the no return line OBDII tank, but mostly for the countless 'bastard year' 1996 only parts involved. Either way, Good luck Jim!

A Throttle Body injected 2.5' will still be a dog after the rebuild. Even with mods it probably still won't make the power of an MPI 2.5L. But going OBDII in an MJ means the dash swap, GAS TANK SWAP & everything that goes with it to keep the check engine light off. Your call Jim, I would like to have a nice running MPI 2.5L MJ, but not for all the work the OBDII swap needs. I never really memorized the four cylinder stuff, but I think the OBDI 1991's were MPI, and alot less work to swap & keep Check Engine Light happy. :D

No problem It's tough getting old :D The snow has stopped here for a while anyway. Thanks, Jimmy

Awesome, thanks! put me down for one MJ headliner in cordovan please :yes:

^^^ This color

Hi Steve Thanks for offering this :yes: I would go for one, its an 89' Dark Red color. I'm pretty sure there was more than one shade available, so I would just have to figure out which one I need. Thanks!

Lol Thanks, but if I had time like that I wouldn't have 9 unfinished project vehicles, and a 120 year old house to finish & sell. I figure if I live to be 120 years old, I should get everything done :yes: ^^^I'll adjust this to 125 years old to allow for all the time scanning.

You say that like its a bad thing ;) That pic is about half of the Jeep literature collected over the years. Jeep stuff was literally 'throw away' material (slightly better than "Renault stuff") for the AMC guys years ago. One awesome AMC vender would put all the Jeep stuff he'd end up with throughout the year aside in a big box for me. Then hit me with a very fair all-or-nothing "Jim's Jeep Box Price" when I'd see him. Ended up with some very interesting stuff from that guy (thanks Jesse!!!) The rest were picked up on Ebay & car shows for $5-30 each before FSM prices went insane.

Best answer? Get them all :yes:

Anyone that has an 87-90 Renix I recommend the 1989 set. Very complete, and well laid out. 91-92 HO, get either the 91, or 92 books The problem is with the 86's. One thing Chrysler did better than AMC was its FSM's. AMC would put out a main manual to cover the body, then each major component had its own smaller manual. So if you have an 86' MJ w/ a 2.8L & an AX-5, you'd need the brown, main MJ book + the 2.8L & AX-5 books. ^^^my recommendation would be to get those + the 1989 Chrysler set (Chrysler bought AMC in 87', but took till model year 1989' to revise the manuals.)

^^I don't know why Photobucket flipped the last 2 pics but I can't fix it with my phone

You find cool stuff in old catalogs :)