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I'm sure diggin' this site, and all the shared knowledge! I'm converting an '89 Pioneer from 2 wd to 4 wd. It's a Renix / AW4 / NP231. My plan all along has been to do a SOA with the original Dana 30, and swap in a 4:11 ring / pinion set so it will be happier than the stock 3:56 with 33" tires. I already have everything I need for the front suspension (adjustable upper & lower control arms and pan-hard bar, brake lines, etc) I've found a Ford 8.8" with "bad gears" locally that I can pickup for $100. I don't know anything else about this rearend. This will be my daily driver with the occasional desert exploration or mountain logging road. I'm getting old enough that I don't like beating a vehicle (i.e. my wallet) to death being a knucklehead. Since I planned on rebuilding the Dana 30 with the gear set and bearings/seals (and new spring perches for the SOA) it seems from what I've read that the $100 difference in buying this 8.8" is worthwhile. Any thoughts, words of caution or words of encouragement before I buy the 8.8 ?

Thanks for the feedback! I've been leaning toward SOA, since the spring packs are in great shape. (No rust, sits even, truck was mostly a grocery getter, so no sag to speak of) I have front end components from an XJ (not an MJ) that I've used before. I'll likely do the rear first, then buy new coils to get me as close to the same lift as the rear. I'll be putting new brake lines, booster conversion, etc to keep it safe AND fun! @Incommando - thanks for the suggestion on the antiwrap perches. I'm (mostly) past my hotrod days, but better safe than sorry!

I'm converting my '89 Pioneer 2 wd to 4 wd. Staying with the Renix for now, with an AW4/231 swapped in from an '89 XJ. I already have 4.5" coils, drag link and adjustable upper/lower control arms from an old XJ project. From what I've read (and what my trusty Stanley 25' tape measure tells me) I should get roughly 5" lift on the rear by merely doing a SOA conversion with new spring pads. I see a good number of builds on this sight that stayed with spring under. This is going to be my daily driver, with only occasional desert and logging trail off-road exploration. I have Dana's from a 2000 XJ that are getting 4.10 gears so I can run 33's like I had on a previous XJ. I would appreciate input from fellow MJ drivers on SOA vs SUA, and why?

I'll probably let this little endeavor sit until a snowy day in a nice warm shop... I'll keep you posted! LOL

Is the transfer case shift plastic referred to as the 'Mini console'? My interior is grey, but I'm converting a 2wd to 4wd and have a column shift. I'm interested in that plastic if you grab it. Maybe I can duraplastic a compatible grey? Minuit, if you need a radio, I have one with about 4 inches of harness still connected. Not sure if it works or not? I can send a picture if it's helpful...

I'm converting an '89 MJ to from 2 to 4 wheel drive. Frankenjeep will have my '92 XJ 4.0 HO and both axles, with a '90 AX4/231J. I figured 'what the heck' and grabbed the tilt column out of the '90 XJ before sending it off to it's new resting place. My MJ has a bench seat and column shifter, both of which I am keeping. Is it worth my time to attempt converting my fixed column to a tilt wheel and retain the column shifter? I've never delved into a steering column for more than a turn-signal switch replacement....

Thanks so much! Glad I rolled the dice and bought the $300 donor!

Hey all, I've poked around here and not found the answer, though I'm sure it's already noted. I recently purchased a 1988 2wd MJ that I'm going to convert to 4wd. It has the AW-4 transmission. I've located a 1990 donor XJ, and wonder if the 1990 transfer case bolts to my AW-4? (XJ is an automatic also) How do I know without actually tearing them apart and counting splines on the output? Also, my MJ just has idiot lights in the cluster and the donor XJ has gauges. Are these interchangeable? (I know '91 and newer are not) Thanks! :cheers:

Thanks for all the great feedback! (this is why I LOVE a good forum like this) I do still have the '91 XJ. New twist... I just found a very clean, untouched '87 4x4 MJ with 4.0 / 5 sp. The catch is the guy says it 'has a knock' and he's finding oil in the air filter. I'm guessing the oil is just blow-by, but the knock might be a bigger issue. (not sure he is defining a 'knock' or a 'tic') Are there significant differences between an '87 MJ 4.0 and a '91 XJ 4.0? I'm going to do additional research, but if it's a simple engine swap and a fresh clutch to have a driver, score! - Bob

I'm a new member and really like this site. Great job! Thanks to a knuckle head driver, I totalled my '91 XJ last week. 4.0 HO / 5 spd AX-15 and lift components are all fine, thanks to the Smittybilt that was up front. Dana(s) 30 and 35 are solid. I've always preferred the MJ, and locally can find pretty clean 2 wd models in nice condition. I know this is a broad question, but how big a project would I be taking on to convert a 2wd MJ to 4wd? Specifically, I've found an '87 with the 2.8 v6 / automatic, and several '86 four cylinders with automatic. Are this significant wiring / harness modifications? Are the straight axle 2 wd front ends designed to accommodate the same control arms as 4x4? On a scale of 1 - 10 I consider myself about an eight as mechanic and six as a fabricator. I might score a 3 in chasing electronics and wiring, but mostly because I don't enjoy it. LOL I have the space and tools to do a little more than just back-yard mechanic but don't know how big a job I feel like taking on. Am I taking on too much at once?