87MJTIM

The PO may have installed a later model XJ axle - Chrysler 8.25. This is considered a better axle than a Dana 35, that most likely came from the factory. (A Dana 44 was an option for MJs). Additionally, the factory gear ratio for a 4.0, 5 speed was 3.07. You should check the current gear ratio. If the XJ axle came from an auto trans, then the ratio would be 3.55. The front axles used for MJs and XJs was a Dana 30. If the rear axle changed to 3.55, make sure the front axle matches that ratio.

Search craiglist for either a trans or even a full donor XJ.

My BA10 used to get a high pitched whine in lower gears when I would rev it up to 2500 - 3000 RPMs. This only occurred in 1st and 2nd while accelerating. Since the upper gears never (very seldom) rev'ed that high, I never heard it when driving. I figured it was a set of bearings going bad, not the throwout bearing. This was just another reason to swap to an AX15.

What color? I have a tan/beige full length console from a 93 XJ, including the black top tray (whatever it is called).

Other than a lift, you did not say what, if any, modifications/changes were done to the MJ. Since it is an 88, I assume it is still a Renix. Before anyone else chimes in, you should perform Cruiser's Renix Tips. http://comancheclub.com/topic/48463-cruisers-mostly-renix-tips/ Put in your signature a description of your MJ (Yr, eng, trans, mods done) and your location.

Don't need to replace/change the clutch. Sorry. Sometimes my fingers can't keep up with my mind.

Be prepared to take the upper half of the engine apart: valve cover, intake and exhaust manifolds, and lots and lots of wiring. Use masking tape to label all the wires and connectors. Bag-N-Tag all loose nuts and bolts. Be sure to take pictures of all the parts before removing them. This way you can see how it was on there originally. For parts, you will need a new head gasket, valve cover gasket (unless it is a blue FelPro), and to be safe, purchase new head bolts. Since the engine (probably) overheated, you should take the head to a machine shop to have examined and cleaned up. If it warped, you don't want to put it back on that way. Search YouTube for videos of how to remove/install a Jeep 4.0 cylinder head. There are a lot on there. One is "Nickintime." He has a lot of videos on his XJ. There are several on replacing the head.

Just to be clear, you want "from the bellhousing on back" for all the parts, correct? If the clutch on has 10k, then I do think you need to change. Just get a larger pilot bushing. (See my thread on swapping my BA10 to an AX15: http://comancheclub.com/topic/48136-my-ax15-swap/?hl=ax15+swap)

The tcases from one AX15 to another AX15 will be the same. (Just throwing things out in no order) To go from an internal to external, you will need the ext bell housing, the release fork, holding spring/clip, the fork holding ball (what ever it is called)(these may come with the new trans). The new trans will need to have the proper front bearing retainer cover. You will need an external slave cylinder and clutch release bearing. The later model AX15s will have a lager input shaft tip ( .75" vs. .5"), so you will need to replace the pilot bushing/bearing. To get to this, you will need to remove the clutch. You may want to change that as well, while you are there.

No, the bumper is worthless. Just send it to me. ;)

Man! That's beautiful! I always loved that shade blue. I don't see any rust on it. Has it always been in MN? That's an original bumper, too.

91 is HO, 90 is Renix. The first year MJ (86) came with either a 2.5L 4 cyl or a 2.8L V6. The 2.8 is not considered a desirable engine. Many 86 owners look to swap to a better engine, either a 3.4 from Chevy or perform a 4.0 swap. Just be aware of the "Red headed step child" of the MJs. For 87 to 89 ½, the 4.0 manuals came from the factory with a BA10/5 5 speed. In 89 ½, Jeep switched to the AX15 for the 4.0. Both the BA and AX were internal slave cylinders. In 94, Jeep changed the AX15 to external slave cylinders. (These came in the XJ and YJ models.) The BA is not considered a desirable trans, especially if you plan on off roading it. If you will just be streeting the MJ, the BA will hold up well. (Just be prepared to change the internal slaves every few years.) Find out from a PO what modification/changes/upgrades were done: lifts, re-gearing axles, etc. There is a wealth of info and knowledge here on ComancheClub. Much of the info is written in numerous thread, especially in the DIY section. Much more of the knowledge is stored in between the ears of many of the members. Use both sources of the knowledge to help you.

First of all, you have a manual transmission. It has a "flywheel." A "flex plate" goes with an auto trans. (Now, off my soap box.) The flywheel needs to match the engine electronics. Since both the 87 and 89 are Renix, either fly wheel will work with a Renix engine. The trans doesn't matter which fly wheel you use. For the clutch, you should match it to the trans. I use Rockauto's web site to research part number changes. For example, i look at the clutch used with an 87 BA10, then look at the clutch for a 90 with an AX15, either an MJ or XJ. The pressure plate and throw out release bearing part #s changed, But the clutch disk and pilot bearing/bushing remain the same.

The 88 electric FSM has the Grn/Wht as the left rear feed. There is no Gry/Wht in the 88 FSM. I have found that the manual and what the actual wires don't always match. (Mine is factory original and has NEVER been hacked. 1 owner - me.)

Contact the toolbox manufacturer for possible replacement parts, or call a lock smith to re-key the lock and have new key cut.

My experience from years ago was also no brake lights. Tail lights, turn signal and flashers all worked. I replaced the brake light switch, but still nothing. I studied a wiring diagram and noticed that the only location for brake lights ran through that the other light systems did not was the multi-function switch in the column. (Mine has cruise control.) I replaced the multi-function switch and now my brake lights work. If you don't have cruise, then this may not help.

That's the fill plug. The drain plug is on on the passenger side. it looks like you have an AX15 with an internal slave cylinder.

I have an MT2500. There is a reason it is called a "Red Brick." It is big and bulky. Mine also will lock up and not respond to button and scroller commands. I like the look of Nick's scanner. It can be mounted in the cab and give real time data.

I subscribed to this youtube channel by Nickintime. He's got an 89 XJ and he has made numerous youtube videos on all the modifications he's done to it. I've use his videos as a "how-to" for doing work on mine. (I am not doing the mod's he has done. I just use it to see how to take things apart AND put them back together.) He has recently started a set of videos on building a scanner for the Renix Jeep. This recent one has a proto-type version. It looks pretty nice for those of use that are fortunate enough to have the Renix. (Unlike those HO's that have to turn their keys on and off and count the flashing lights [and click your heals three times and say "there's no place like home] :yes: ) He is building it to mount inside the cab and feed real time data. I don't know if there is way to capture and store the data for future reference. That would be a nice feature to keep track of engine performance. Here is the most recent. He has more/other videos on his facebook page, also. Once he has a final versions - and that works with manual trans - I would be interested in getting one.

They spelled Comanche right

Sounds like a PO "modification" Might be a "catheter" for the driver :yes:

What size is that hose? It looks like a radiator hose. I cannot think of why a rad hose would be there. As Gogmorgo said, the only two hoses down under are the vent tubes for both the trans and tcase. These tubes are approx. OD 1/2" and ID 3/8".

Looks like an AX15. Did you (or a PO) swap trans? If the trans case splits front to rear at the top and bottom, then its a BA10/5. That was what came from the factory. Your pictures don't look like the BA10 The BA10 coming out for the last time:

It might have to do with the type of tcase: 231, 242, 229 etc. :dunno:

On Jeepforum.com someone converted a CJ's turn signal lights to DRL. He got a wiring harness from a VW retailer. This may be a route to pursue. http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f8/i-converted-turn-signals-drl-s-3843841/