JackD

Since I first saw a Gladiator is person, I had wondered if the rear bumper could be modified to work on a Comanche. Well, as fate would have it, one appeared for sale on Facebook Marketplace for super cheap. I jumped on it and figured it was worth getting my hands on. Worse case, I could just sell it if I didn’t think it would work. Please note, this write up is for a Gladiator Bumper only. I do not know if a JL bumper will fit the same way. I picked it up and sat in on a sawhorse at the back of the Jeep. The width was roughly the same as the stock MJ bumper and was pretty solid (more so than a stock Comanche bumper). I would just need to trim some of the steel and plastic to fit around the harder corners of the MJ. I removed the plastic caps and started to trim small sections of metal until it it fit around the MJ to my liking. I built brackets off of the bumper using the stock studs in the bumper. I used 3/16th thick angle iron and 3/16th plate to make brackets that would bolt from the bumper and allow it to sit on and wrap around the stock bumper brackets. I then was about to drill and bolt the new brackets onto the stock frame bracket. I used bolts to hold everything together and it felt very sturdy. I will probably go back and add welds for extra strength. once I had my final fitment, I pulled the bumper back off and reinstalled the plastic caps. I then trimmed the plastic back to match the steel and covered the cut plastic in a flat black edge trim that I purchased from Orielly’s.

Thanks! Yes, I knew there were a lot of differences and I appreciate the insight. I’m either going to do what you suggested or swap the whole drivetrain with the AW4 tranny and all other components.

Correct. I know everything about the XJ engine. I plan to do an LS swap (but I also plan to do a lot of things that never happen) but that probably won’t be for a few years. I figured in the meantime, I could pull my XJ drivetrain to gain 4wd. My XJ has the AW4 tranny. I was leaning towards buying an AX15 to maintain stick shift in the MJ and swapping everything once I pull it. Then if I did do the LS, I could mate it to the AX15 with NP231 transfer case.

I gotcha. I figured since I would be swapping out the tranny, night as well throw a newer engine in there. But I could keep the old one and run it until it quit.

my bad. It's got 300k on the clock and a Peugeot tranny that's about to go out. It's also 2WD. I want to keep in manual. So I'm looking for an AX15. The end goal is an LS swap but that will be a couple of years away.

It's currently in my XJ. I want to put it in the MJ. Basically i want to do most of the 97+ swap (fenders, grill, and engine) but keep the interior of my 87 MJ.

True haha! The engine is in great condition. I have owned it for 6 years. It was taken care of before me as well. It runs like a champ.

Will do. I currently have an 87 MJ with a 4.0 and the Peugeuot tranny. I also have a 2000 XJ with a 4.0, AW4, and 231 TCase that has about half the mileage on it. I want to keep the manual trans, so I'm looking for an AX15 to match up with my XJ 4.0 and NP231. Then swap that into the MJ. If I have to swap the dash, I can, as I have all the parts. But I really like the original dash and was hoping to make it work.

If I swap in the 4.0 from my 2000 XJ, can I still use the original Comanche dash and cluster?

That is sweet! What did you do to put that together?

Thanks, I appreciate the answer. That makes sense.

Thank you sir!

I tried to search for this but couldn't find the answer. Is there a way to swap a 97+ XJ gauge cluster into an 87 dash? I have all the 97+ parts available but I want to attempt to keep the 87 dash as it gives me more cab room.

It's an 87 2WD stick shift. I plan to move all my parts over from the XJ and then LS Swap it.

The interior is blue on blue. Yes, I am praying for no rust, or at least minimal. The Jeep was owned by an elderly man who apparently took great care of it. The body and interior are immaculate.

Haha! I noticed that. Yes, will definitely be pulling up the carpet. It has spent it's whole life in the Reno, NV area, so hopefully no rust.

Will do. This is the Jeep that I’m buying.

Great. I'll keep the boots in mind. I'm looking forward to this build and an glad I stumbled upon this forum.

Awesome! I appreciate the reply.

Good to know! That should net out about where I need to be. I appreciate it.

Hey guys. I am potentially buying an MJ next weekend and had a couple questions for the experts. I'm coming from the XJ world. 1. How does the cab compare to the XJ? I am 6'2 and just wanted to make sure I'm going to fit. Unfortunately, the MJ is a few states over so I can't check it out in person before making the trip to pick it up. 2. I was planning on swapping my current lift over. It seems like the rear leafs will not match up. Where is the best place to get new leafs? I currently run a 5.5 inch Rubicon Express with a CavFab long arm kit. What size rear leafs would I need to match the front height since MJ's are under axle? I currently have a nicely built 2000 XJ that I'm going to swap most of my parts over to the MJ. My swap parts are: -5.5 Inch Long Arm Lift -Dana 44 with ARB front axle -Ford 8.8 with ARB rear axle -1 Ton Steering Thanks for your help.