Timmmmmy

Good to know about the front axle being directly swapable. Not planning on doing a spring over axle as I'm not looking to get any extra lift. Can anyone shed any light on the drive shaft length not being correct? What are the compatable years of XJ I should be looking for? Also if anyone knows of a link that has this conversion in detail would be awesome. I have searched but havn't been able to answer all my questions. Thanks, Ryan.

Hey there, a few things have changed sice my last post a week or two back. I have sold my 4X4 long box 89 as it needed a too much work, decided to focus on my short box. My 89 auto RWD, short box with the 2.5 Renix was running terribly, turns out it was the air temp sensor and a few other small things. Truck runs like a million bucks now and I'm thrilled. Now that I have gotten it running properly my next project is going to be converting it to 4X4 manual. As this is going to be a daily driver/logging road camper I have decided to stick with the 2.5L I have in it now. So now I am looking into a cherokee swap. I plan on finding a manual 2.5L 4X4 and having the swap done. Am I correct in thinking that the only fabrication nedded to do this conversion is re welding the spring perch's on the axle? Would this have to be done on both axles or can I keep the real axle that is on it now? Seeing as my truck is a stock 89, what is the best year/years to look for in a donor? Also it seems I would need a different size drive shaft, can anyone suggest the easiest way to go about this, a link to write up doing this perhaps? Thanks, Ryan.

Hey there. So I am trying to get my 89 rwd 2.5L engine comanche on the road. The engine I have in it is the original 2.5L, I am pretty sure its the AMC I4 with the automatic aw4 transmission. I took it to a jeep dealer today to see if they could diagnose the problem but they didn't have the eqipment to do it. The mechanic I originally took it to to said it had a psi of 30 and probably needed replacing. Since I can't find someone who can tell me if I just need to re build the top end or the whole thing. It looks like I will be replacing it. This isn't the same 2.5L engine that was used in other jeeps well into the 90's is it? I'm guessing that it isn't otherwise the jeep tech's should be able to analyze it. Will a newer 2.5L bolt up to my transmission? What are my options? Thanks.

I know I know. Trust me it's been a really hard choice with this build I'm hoping to do. I really would like to put a 4.0 liter, 35's, lift, and a ax-15 into her. Considering I am buying a new engine and throwing in a new transmission soon enough, similar prices to the 2.5L and ax5 I'm planning on putting in... The big determining factor for me is the gas milage. This will be a daily driver comuter. Also the places I camp and fish are quite a ways away, hour and a half. We pay huge tax on gas here so fuel is expensive. I know the day will come soon enough that I wish I went bigger, but until then. Gonna go with the plans I have.

cool, that will make my life a lot easier in the near future. I think that that will be the next thing I do after I throw in a new engine. Glad I found this forum!

Awesome. thanks man. Will there be a hole already in the floor to fit in the manual shifter box or will I have to cut out the floor? If that makes sense. I tried to find a thread about this conversion on here but had no luck. If anyone has a link they can provide would great. Thanks.

Thanks MVUSSE. From what I can gather the AW4 and AW5 transmissions were not the strongest. Are they worth putting in? is there any other alternative transmission that will fit?

Hey, I am trying to plan out the work I am going to do to my 1989, Rwd, auto, 2.5L Comanche over the next year or so. I have a few questions I'm trying to find answers for before I drop a bunch of cash. Any answers you guys can give are much apreciated. Question one: Is it possible to convert my auto to manual? I would love to put an AX-15 in the truck. Is it compatable with the 2.5L Renix engine? If it is possible would this be a hard conversion? Question two: Eventually I would like to do a 4X4 conversion from a Cherokee. How would the combination of a 5 speed manual, 4X4, with the 2.5L engine perform? This build is going to be for comuting and camping. I live about an hour and a half from the mountains I frequent so gas milage is a concern. This I why I am leaning towards keeping the 2.5L. The truck is not going to be mudding or doing any serious off roading. Mostly logging roads, sand beach's, and light trails. The truck will have no bigger than 30" tires, perhaps a 3" lift at some point. Is this a viable build to go for? Thanks in advance for any help you can give!

Yeah it's at 30 psi... There is a place near by that specializes in jeep. Gonna see if they any decent used engines tomorrow.

Hey there, my name is Ryan, I live in Vancouver Canada and I have two 1989 Comanche's. Comanche one is a silver Rwd 2.5L auto, short box, sport truck, 177,000 Km, rust free and looks real pretty. Comanche two is a 5 speed, 4.0L, 4x4, long box, 255,000 Km, needs A LOT of work. Just bought the 4x4 in hopes of getting it running but my mechanic told me the most of the front suspension, engine, and a whole whack of other things are shot. So it looks like I will be sticking with the sport truck. Gonna part out the 4x4 and try and restore the Rwd. 4x4 conversion eventually. Would post pics but not sure how. The Rwd sport truck however has some engine problems of it's own. It runs terrible. when it is given gas it miss fires like crazy. takes a long time to get to speed. A compression test was done and it got 30 across all 4 cylenders. It has an exhaust leak that can be heard but not sure this is enough to cause the low compression. It is not blowing any blue smoke or leaking oil either. I have already put a new gas tank and fuel filter on her as it was rusty and putting crap through the fuel lines, blew out the fuel lines as well. I read on here to connect all vacume hoses if this problem occurs. My mechanic connected some of the vacuum hoses and said a few were un necessary (still un connected). He said I probably needs a new engine. I thought I would ask you guys your opinion on the 2.5L engine. I am also going to take it to a Chrysler dealership to get a second opinion. Any ideas what could be causing this? dropping in a new engine is pricy... Thanks in advance for any suggestions!