RusellFromCanada

SUPER helpful guys. Just had a closer look at the crossmembers and I don't see any reason I can't cut that 1'' and re-weld it back on close to where yours is. Should work fine. Thank you.

Ok. More progress more questions. I've got the transmission mounted up now. My question now is, are one of these crossmembers going to work? They look the same to me. I read that the ax-15 had a 1 inch lower tranny crossmember than the other transmissions. When I went to identify the 2wd transmission i removed from the truck i looked up the ID code ( 53005386 ) and it brought me to a page on this forum identifying it as an ax-15. Is that possible? A 2wd ax-15? Did i just swap my Ax-15 for another ax-15?? If the removed tranny IS an ax-15, I assume the crossmember will work? will I need to find another rubber mount for the 4wd setup or should i be able to use this 2wd mount? It seems like it would have my transmission up rather high, and i don't want to have an unnecessarily straining angles due to me having sourced the wrong crossmember. thanks for any input.

National PB-77-HD Clutch Pilot Bearing on amazon https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B003UEEJAK/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

So i've been trying to get my ax-15 input shaft into my renix 4.0 pilot bearing for a few weeks now. At first I had the wrong size bushing, so when I ordered this new one I made sure to test fit it on the input shaft before installing. Unfortunately, after a few long nights of wiggling the transmission, re-doing my clutch alignment, ect I got fed up and removed the pilot bushing from the motor to confirm that it was not going to fit. As you can see in the pictures, the bushing fits on one way. (backwards from how it was put in the motor) and can not slide down the shaft further than pictured. I assume the size of the bearing slightly changed once it was pressed into the motor. So, solutions. Can i sand out the middle of this bearing to make the input shaft fit? Should i take material from the input shaft instead? Can i re-use this bearing now that its already been squished into there and then removed, or should i order a new bushing? Should i order a different size bearing/bushing to avoid this problem? Thanks in advance. This tranny install has been increasingly frustrating. In hindsight i see i probably could've sanded down the bushing inside of the motor, but a few hours into a frustrating night i had to see just WTF was going on.

Hey guys. I'm trying to put my crossmember back on and i'm a bit confused. As far i can see the bolts / holes circled here are the only ones ill need to repair to mount the crossmember, so what the h*ll are the rest of them for?? Before i spend any more HOURS repairing, drilling, tapping, welding, swearing ect can someone clarify if i'm wasting my time repairing any of the studs other than the ones i've circled? As you can see on the driver side picture i got ahead of myself and repaired a stud, and now I'm not so sure i need the stud there at all. Just need some clarification here and hopefully that will mean i only have one broken stud left to remove (right circled bolt on passenger side) Thank you.

I found it. Thank you all. Just ordered quite a few parts and am looking forward to getting this thing driving.

out of stock :/

Anyone know where I can find this bushing? or whatever bearing I can use. Everywhere is sold out, going to cost a fortune to ship to Canada or won't be here until November as far as I can see. My garage is not heated, I need this truck out of there before November for sure. I'll keep looking but i'm having no luck.

Smart. Thank you.

Unless I'm looking at the wrong part this is a Bronze bushing rather than a roller bearing, is that correct? The one in my truck now is a roller bearing.

Where can i find that manifold? And which pilot bearing is the one i want? I'm confused on that

Thanks for your guy's opinion on the LP/HP dana 30. That will be one of the last steps as far as putting this truck on the road, so we'll see what pops up for sale and make a decision then. Another few questions. my ax-15 is from a 1997 cherokee. Will this mate up to my 87 Renix 4.0? I read that the pilot bearing would not match up? Will it effect which clutch/ flywheel I buy? my exhaust manifold has a crack in it. It's cracked just before where it joins to the full exhaust pipe. I really don't want to buy another manifold, is welding it a bad idea? How much trouble have you guys had pulling these manifolds off?

My MJ does not have a front diff. I am doing a 4wd swap on it. if i were to sell my LP dana 30 i would need to find a new hp dana 30 with matching gears. Seems like too much work if i don't plan to wheel the MJ, no?

I found a guy selling 4.11 axles from a rollover cherokee. He has a dana 30 and a chrysler 8.25 with a spartan locker. I wasn't planning on doing anything more than 31's and some mild offroading BUT I would love a locker and a beefier rear axle for my 98 TJ. So, my question is, can I swap the current axles from my TJ (dana 30 and dana 35) into my comanche? A few searches lead me to believe I can. Then I'm assuming i would need to make perches for my TJ/MJ (8.25 for TJ and dana 35 for MJ) for both rear axles and simply bolt in the front, Correct? Also thank you guys for the advice about the t-case linkage. The guy with the axles has an azzy linkage for sale as well. I won't drive all the way out for just that, but if i go for the axles id pick that up too.

I need the entire t-case linkage. All I have is the t-case but nothing else. no shifter either. I'm in Alberta so I'm not sure what shipping would look like but I'd be interested to find out. I could find the shifter easily at a pick n pull if the linkage is all I need... I'm not familiar with the linkage on these trucks at all.

Ok, I stopped at the scrapyard today and grabbed a couple of center consoles. I tried grabbing a t-case linkage as well but the bracket that's attached to the body was absolutely not coming off, and I wasn't sure if I'd have to drop the t case or what. I wasn't having the best time rolling around in the mud fighting seized bolts so I left. Maybe I'll try again here soon on a dry day, maybe you guy's will have some tips to help with removal. The consoles are from a 1990 and a 1999 Cherokee. I'm hoping the 99 will work as it comes with a cupholder. I assume I'd identify the t-case by the red tag, but the case at the scrapyard doesn't have one. How can I identify it? Also I removed the transmission by myself last night. A floor jack, 2 jack stands and a lot of patience and it wasn't TOO bad. Installation will not be as smooth I'd imagine. Now that I have the trans off I'd like to order my clutch kit. I'm not sure if I need a new flywheel or not. Do I measure the thickness of it? What's the spec? Apologies for my lack of knowledge here I've never serviced a clutch. I'm curious (and tell me if I'm being stupid) but as I don't yet have a t case linkage or a front 4x4 axle, can i drive the truck with the dana 35 in the rear and the t case in neutral? Will i be able to have a driveshaft made for my dana 35 and replace it with a 4.10 axle later or will my driveshaft need to be a different length for the Cherokee axle... I know it was mentioned that the rear axle does not bolt in. Hope my question makes sense.

I'm very cheap lol. I just realized I have a friend with a motorcycle jack though which should work fine.

Ok. I'll pass on the 3.55's and wait for 3.73's or 4.10's. Hopefully 3.73's as I do a lot of highway and don't plan on hitting many trails. My seat has the little cutout like the one pictured. Does the xj console cut in half look decent? Or does it look like a cut in half console lol. I'm open to whatever suggestions. That TJ console looks pretty nice. I want an OEM look. I've completely unbolted the transmission from the engine, but haven't mustered the courage to pull it. I don't have a tranny jack. Anyone tried muscling one out before? Or recommend any tricks? A floor jack and prayers are the plan for now but I won't be back home to pull it for a few days now so I'll take whatever advice I can get until then Thanks a ton for all the help/advice guys.

Ok. I will plan on staying with 31's with no lift, atleast until i get my mj on the road. I found an XJ with 3.55 gears, would this be a worthwhile swap for my 3.08's? How much trouble will it be to mount the rear axle? I'm of the understanding these do NOT bolt in. Could someone explain? Also, I have the bench seat in my truck, i need to find a t-case linkage as well as the console with the t-case controls. Can i take this from any xj? theres a 1990 xj auto with bucket seats in my local scrap yard. I'm not sure how the fitment will work with the bench seat and am having a hard time finding the info i need if someone could steer me in the right direction. Thanks.

That response was a ton of help, thank you Pete.

Hello, first off I apologize if I'm posting in the wrong place. I have used multiple jeep forums for other builds in the past but this one will be pretty involved and I figure I could use some direct input from you guys. This is MY first forum post ever. So, I've bought myself a 4.0L 1987 2wd short box comanche with 257,000km for $1000 (how could I resist joining the club) The truck needs a new clutch (I believe/was told) to drive. I've gathered a few parts a couple days ago, those being -hood -front bumper -drivers door -ax-15 transmission -transfer case (231? maybe? can't remember but the splines are the same) -front driveshaft -short bed rear driveshaft (possibly a 4x4 AUTO shaft he wasnt sure and neither am i) -floor pan -tailgate Plans for the truck: Obviously i intend to do a 4wd swap. I figured if I'm dropping the transmission to service the clutch i may as well dive into the 4x4 swap sooner than later. there are some diffs out of a 91 comanche for sale in my area that i intend to pickup in the following days. This is not intended to be a dedicated offroad rig, i have a TJ for that. I'm hoping to maybe daily it, but mostly want it for camping, hauling dirtbikes, light offroad ie mud roads, rocks but nothing serious, and of course breaking necks. So here's my questions i'm hoping you guy's can help with -will the 91 axles be the same as my 87? -if the rear driveshaft is from an auto will it require modification? -what gear ratio would be ideal for 31's? (my rear axle is 3.08 currently) -what gear ratio would be ideal for 33's? (haven't decided on size yet) -I need to buy a center console with the added transfer case shifter. Are the auto/manual consoles the same? -will a xj windshield fit in without modification? Is this a do-able diy job? i've replaced a couple windshields at work before but on army trucks. nothing like this. -i have a set of 33x12.5r15 tires/wheels. are these an option or should i stick to the 10.5's -what all do i need to modify if i decide to lift for 33's? would it be reasonable to daily? would you recommend a cheap lift or new everything? I'll try and upload some pictures as soon as i can. Bear with me here lol. Thanks for any input you guys have for me.