Jomanche

UPDATE: Project has been at a stand still…. of course due to COVID and other issues. The manch is now at another garage with a bed full of parts waiting on the time for someone to get to it. The main hold up now is when the old engine was taken out so was the engine bay harness. The harness / fuse box that I got out of a similar year XJ had different connectors on the ends. I need a harness and fuse box….. So Pete M and others my question is this…. Is there an after market harness and fuse box that is plug and play with the LT1 and MJ? Any help getting this jump started and going again would be greatly appreciated.

Pete Had to send them pics as they were going to look into it in the mean time and do a little research to see what other solutions there maybe. I didnt want to have my guy beat on the frame rails as we've all seen in Youtube videos. So I'm patiently waiting to hear back from them. I also looked thru some of the epic build as you've suggested and nothing really popped out at me about other options to use. One guy tried a few sets to no avail then eventually modified a cheap set.

Yes Sir called and talked to them to confirm. Just too tight especially on the drivers side. Any flex at all and they’ll be bumping and grinding.

The headers I got from Novak are way too tight with not any clearance to the frame rail. Anyone got any ideas on what’s worked in the past?

welp no luck as they were both electric

cool thanks!!! I have access to a 92 and a 95..... be having it pulled tomorrow!

Will any manual roll regulator work from an 86-01?

anyone got a nice 2WD? might just drop a LS in it and lower it this time hahahaha

Thinking about pulling the doors and just putting them in the garage,

Ok so we got the engine harness back from the shop. Fuse block from the yard, Tranny and NP 231 are getting the good once over at Erie DriveTrain, Inc. (814) 833-8866, FYI Scott does exceptional and reasonable work. front and rear gears,,,,,,,,3:73s . Engine mounts. Headers in from Novak along with tranny mounts and 23 spline and LT1 4L60E adaptor kits. etc etc its been a bigger deal so far. Going back to to the yard where there are 2 beautiful 92 and 95 XJs with tons of nice parts, Going to pull the pedal assembley, battery tray, visor clip and left window regulator. If you need parts hit up Tony at Bizarro's Erie Auto Salvage and Towing 455-5741..... tell him what you need and some clean jeeps will appear. I also have a good running 4.0 110k ish that we just pulled out of the beast to trade out with the LT1. Really nothing wrong with this motor at all, lots of life yet. telling ya. if it wasn't for tor the BA-10 going itd still be in there, kinda regretting it unitl we get the lT1 in there up and running.

Just a little bit of research an this makes sense... Lower Power Steering Shaft for 84-94 Jeep Cherokee XJ and 86-92 Comanche MJ Finding these two XJs is sure coming in handy. Might just get me an XJ. LOL

What year XJs steering shafts would be compatible with my 88 MJ? Mines locked up and won't slide......

Score at the parts yard today. This beauty is out of a clean 92 XJ. There was also a 95 that had a nice one as well. Never realized how bad mine really was until after seeing the salvaged one. Another victim to a clutch master cylinder. Like Pete says check it before it’s too late!!

Well the engine bay is rattle red. Going to be at a little bit of a stand still as we figure out and get a fuse box. Anyways..... Engine mounts next.

Pete, What year XJs? or pre what year should I say?

Soooo the engine and tired BA-10 are out. FYI The engine still ran good if anyone is in the market for an 88 4.0 with under 130k. #1 Ran into an issue with the fuse box..... what fuse boxes are compatible as this one is basically shot from since before the days that the clutch master cylinder was replaced. #2 any ideas on what pedal assemblies can be used vs just cutting off the clutch pedal? next up test fit with the Novak engine and tranny mounts. Thanks In advance

Cool man thanks and will do!!! If you think of anything else let me know. FYI I plan on being able to take this dude down,,,,,LOL!!!!

Well looks like I may have screwed up on the engine not doing my homework thoroughly like I thought I did. But with that being said I am getting everything from the donor car... computer flashed, harness made from a specialist etc etc.... and the tech support on the back end as the seller of the engine is an F body specialist and has / is familiar with repurposing engines. I have driven many L-98 & LT-1 cars and have been happy with its performance and think that it would compliment the comanche well. Much the same as any 5.3 might. The LT1 IMO has more of a power band / torquey motor than any 5.3 Ive ever driven. Any suggestions or ideas on what manifolds might work the best? FYI I'm not doing this myself but am assisting the guy with "ideas" on whats been done and what may work.

Thanks I'll def check it out.

This has basically started from the BA-10 going out and the renix 4.0 having had seen its better days. So this is now taking place to hopefully add to the mighty Comanche being more reliable. I did go with the 95 Formula LT1 and 4L60E because it was all there and Ive read some stuff about trying to use the car V-8s as they are not as tall vs the trucks. Just saving some time on switching out the upper I guess.

Ok so who has a good write up and advice reference putting a LT1 and 4L60E out of a 95 Formula into a 88 Comanche 4x4? Already have the motor and tranny!!!!! The harness will be done this week. Anyone know of the total price of the Novak kit or another kit? What would be the best headers / manifolds to use? Thanks I will post pics as I can.

Need a good used BA-10 or AW 4 that will go right in. The AX-15 SWAP is going to be a little too much as I have to get tis on the road. Thanks!!!

So were back at trying to get this Mighty MJ back in all of her GLORY!!!. Ok so problem is this. We took in the ole Manch to get looked at for a few small things..... one of which was the clutch. It would do this and it would do that when and if it wanted to go into a gear. Long story short its either the clutch plates or input shaft bearing or the fly wheel as it was acting so sporadic . There was a lot of chatter when it would go into gear and when it wouldn't go in it would just rev real high and you couldn't even crack it into gear. We've all been there at one time or another I'm sure...…..there was a noise in the bell housing which turned out to be a bad clutch which was caused by the bad input shaft bearing that failed and took out the pilot bearing as well. This led to the transmission gears being chipped. My guy to it to a tranny shop and he got the price for BA-10 to AX-15 conversion, $4300!!! Ya right.... I understand that parts aren't available for the BA10 as it was only a few year run. but $4300? seems pretty steep. Looking for help and options to either 1. find a good BA 10 that will go right in good condition. 2. suitable substitute that will work with the original 4.0l 4WD. 3. I am open to make it an automatic. 4. I am open to convert to an AX 15 5. Also whatever new tranny option will give me good engine replacement options in the near future as I'm sure that this 4.0 is winding down..... runs fine now but shes going to need a newer 4.0 and or a 5.3L to keep her up to par. so in short what ever any ideas that anyone has that will get the beast of an MJ on the road again will be appreciated. Don't worry pics will be posted. Hit me up and lets pay homage to the mighty MJ!!!! THANKS!!!!!