dkroll

A picture is a thousand words...I can't seem to post my picture. I will find a teenager to help, photo soon.

I am not sure what was in the 1988 Comanche (tranny wise) when I got it years ago. Since then, I got a 1998 wrangler AX15 with an external clutch, bell housing and everything. I am also using a np231 transfer case. The problem I have is that once all is in, the shifter hole (for lack of a true term) seems to be too far back for the opening in the floor board. Truly, what are my options without cutting up my floorboard - I spent too much time restoring my floorboards AND I want to install an original console with it in a good position for that. Can this be done with minimal effort?????? HELP THANKS!!!

now that the engine and tranny/xfer case are installed in the vehicle, it appears that the main shifter hole is too far back to install the actual shifter itself. What have any of you guys done to fix this situation? I would love to go with the standard console once all is said and done.

Crap?, Are the bell housings different?, Maybe I got the wrong bell housing? How do I check?

how many "teeth" am I looking for for the 1988 4.0L?

I have swapped out my bell housing for a "later model" external clutch set up, I have two flywheels sitting here with many questions; 1). The bell housing was from a 99 wrangler, I believe. 2). I have an old flywheel and pressure plate from "somewhere", not sure it was for a different type of tranny or what.???? 3). I have the flywheel which was from the '99 (I believe, but not 100% sure). Both flywheels look identical for the starter teeth (gears), but both flywheels have totally different "teeth" for what I believe are for the crankshaft position sensor. A). One (the newer one), seems solid with 3 sections with indent "teeth" with 4 grooves in it. B). The other has many teeth in groups of three with 20 teeth and a gap between (if that makes sense). (old one). Question one; With this truck being an '88, I feel that the crankshaft position "teeth" need to be compatible with it, so I ask;... Is "B" the right flywheel to use? I that configuration correct? I wonder how the system worked back then and if B). will work nice with the pressure plate and everything (clearance-wise and all ).? Question two; Are there any good videos or sites out there for this particular situation? I know this has been done many times, but I either need some reference or chat with someone who has done this. Question three; When did they change this flywheel configuration and why/what is the difference? I just don't want to put this together wrong and find out I must re-do a mistake. HELP!!!

I have swapped out my bell housing for a "later model" external clutch set up, I have two flywheels sitting here with many questions; 1). The bell housing was from a 99 wrangler, I believe. 2). I have an old flywheel and pressure plate from "somewhere", not sure it was for a different type of tranny or what.???? 3). I have the flywheel which was from the '99 (I believe, but not 100% sure). Both flywheels look identical for the starter teeth (gears), but both flywheels have totally different "teeth" for what I believe are for the crankshaft position sensor. A). One (the newer one), seems solid with 3 sections with indent "teeth" with 4 grooves in it. B). The other has many teeth in groups of three with 20 teeth and a gap between (if that makes sense). (old one). Question one; With this truck being an '88, I feel that the crankshaft position "teeth" need to be compatible with it, so I ask;... Is "B" the right flywheel to use? I that configuration correct? I wonder how the system worked back then and if B). will work nice with the pressure plate and everything (clearance-wise and all ).? Question two; Are there any good videos or sites out there for this particular situation? I know this has been done many times, but I either need some reference or chat with someone who has done this. Question three; When did they change this flywheel configuration and why/what is the difference? I just don't want to put this together wrong and find out I must re-do a mistake. HELP!!!

Hello Fellow Jeepers, I will start off by my specs to help, then my issues; 1988 Shortbed 4x4. 4.0L AX15 Rolling frame with no driveshafts, brake lines, ANYTHING! due to the stage I'm at on this. Rusty's 8 inch long arm on G2 Dana 44 front axle w/elect lock. Ford 8.8 rear SOA rear with disc brakes (just sitting there, not set in stone). Installed lift (long arm, replaced floorboard) and now wanting to get the rest of the "underneath" installed and dialed-in. It is SLOW work due to financial and time restrictions, so I have time to play with this hobby- It is driving me crazy for I only wish this project to move under it's own power by the end of 2015. Which leads me to my current status in this project. My NP231 Transfer Case. I have my engine ready and mounted with a chain holding up the rear of it, I can't dial-in my rear drive shaft until I conquer a few obstacles facing me right now. I have my transmission laying around (on the ground), and choose to disassemble my transfer case for a SYE, it has been apart for many many months on my bench due to (what I noticed, was a worn out Shift mode Fork), Found one and ready to install it, but here is my current issue; Happy with my new shift mode fork that I received the other day, but as I am looking at videos and wondering what the root cause of this failure, I notice no videos mention pieces I see in my Haynes book, page 7C-3 , part number(s) 52. As my fork is put in, I noticed the upper wear of the old fork was worn out 1/8 inch from the "top"(on bench), and of corse, the plastic tabs were toast! By the looks of the videos I have been seeing, no one mentions these, and by the exploded view in my Haynes, these look like an inserted-type bushing instead of just being a flat washer-type set-up. My range fork doesn't look as though it is made to have bushings "inserted" into it's self, So I question if this is an option in some of the NP231's or what I am not understanding. If I need these, it seems that they would be 1/16 inch each. I am lost! After this issue, I need to find a transmission mount which will enable me to get closer to having everything mounted from my Rusty's crossmember on forward. Once there, I can get my driveshaft built. I need help from anybody who has done anything like this- My ax15 is from a 94-95 YJ, and the mount on it seems to not be the right one, I need to know what would work to put this all together. Photos would be nice! Help!

Thank you for that info. Yes, I was wrong, it is a NP231 transfer case out of a '96 wrangler. I am using wheels with an offset. I will continue searching for the shift mode fork.

I have many questions on proper and/or functioning gearing options for this project. The following specs are what I have right now; 1988 Comanche short bed 4.0L engine rebuilt 40 over bore. 1996 AX15 5 speed tranny with 272 transfer case (needing a shift mode fork), or swap out with something different. Advance Adapters SYE output kit for transfer case (this is how I found out the bad shift mode fork). 8 inch Rusty's long arm front lift. SOA on rear end (levels out real nice). Front end axle= Dana 44 G2 electric locker, geared 373. Rear end axle= 1996 Ford Explorer 8.8 (with some kind of electrical switch (??)). geared at 373. 15 inch rims with 35 inch Tires. Some of the questions I have are; 1). I don't exactly plan on taking it out crawling, I choose 373 gears for better higher speeds (highway), and it will be a "Mall Crawler" for starters right now. Will these gears be okay for now? 2). I am new at this....Someone told me that if the front ratio is the same as the rear, I could expect about 40 minutes of fun off road until my transfer case shelled out. Is that true? Why? What can I do to have it perform as a "stock" 4x4 Cherokee/Comanche when off road on lite to moderate terrain? 3). With a limited budget, what do I need to do (if anything) to get this baby to be fine on a road trip or be a daily driver with NO gearing issues to pop up in any short time frame? 4). Where in the hell do I find (on the cheap side), a "shift mode Fork" for this transfer case (i.e.. numbers on it are; 5209 7695 89 93 3 272.? 5). Will this tranny with the transfer case match up with my older tranny mount? The Rusty's long arm was for a XJ, but the sales guy swore it would fit under my Comanche, But now I have a 1996 tranny and transfer case out of a wrangler, Are they compatible??? (Craigslist find).?? 6). What pinion angle to I set my rear 8.8 at? Is it specific to just the rear end with using the SYE, or is there a more complicated approach with the set-up I have? I have heard both and don't know....leaning towards just this individual axle and set and weld perches in.......? 7). Are there any other issues I need to be looking at? I am open for any suggestions/ comments and/or concerns, just need some good direction to put this thing together and get it on/ off the road. I am sorry if any of these questions are silly, but I am in a learning curve to get this Comanche looking/performing nice like my 2wd does. I have always loved these trucks and have had much fun and worry-free days when it was time to turn the key and move on down the road. Thank you for any info!!! Doug

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I need measurements on your Rusty's long arm!!! My front axle is too far forward.

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Sounds like you have a cool rig. Would love to see pics of it!!!!

Independence, Missouri ! I have a couple Comanches. I love them.

Get me a job doing that and I will be very happy!

I want to work there!!!

I want more info on your floorboard repair.

What is this "doubler" thing all about? I don't understand.

I put the "Rusty's" 8.5 lift on her, but then I look at how the rear end is just holding on by just shocks and leafs. Seems that it looks "basic" and not too stout. What can I do to "beef it up", plus, the rear is needing a bob-job....if anything, just a couple of inches. I don't like where the back leaf spring brackets are nor do I like how long the springs are due to twisting and whatever......So, What do I do on a smaller budget? I want to beef up the rear end. What are some of my options. I prefer ease as much as possible, with the biggest bang for the buck. Please help me figure this out to have a nice setup on the rear! Thank you. Doug

I am working on this vehicle when I have time and effort/money. Has anyone else tackled this? It seems that someone has, but I am finding difficulty in information on doing this stunt. It has been one step at a time due to instructions being simple, and obstacles I seem to always run against. I will not quit, but some experienced words of wisdom could/ would help. I am attempting a Rusty's 8.5 lift on this.

I am an old 47 year old fool. I LOVE JEEPS and am a strong believer that having a few "older" jeeps in my driveway has been such a money-saver to me. I can't see buying a newer vehicle and have the payments, insurance, personal property taxes, ect!! I have been like this for years and I am proud to announce to you, that I LOVE having 4 Jeeps in my driveway and being a single person, I know this is too many vehicles but I love the flexibility I have- (i.e. I have an 88, 89 Comanche one 89 Wagoneer and an 2001 Cherokee),Of course, I drive one of my older ones as primary. So if my primary vehicle goes bad, I have a back-up plan ALWAYS!, plus parts to shift around for either getting one running, or just for trouble shooting and/or future mods for one which is my project! I know many kids on here are doing the same! Don't Buy a Jeep if you can't accept the addiction, You will become a junky! I swear!... My name is doug, and I am a junky! I would also like to add, that they are all black. Some shops (muffler), don't specify details....I have had total exhaust replacements under warranty (for free) and it not being the same vehicle!!!! SWEET! Tagging concerns have been helpful in tight circumstances also. And the biggest benefit is buying a "life-time" warranty on ALL parts,,,,,,,(ONCE)!!!!,,,,, and taking full advantage of these for several vehicles.....ANYBODY ELSE ON THIS?????? Plus, Jeeps are cheap to do this, compared to other vehicles that can't be worked on so easily and can be picked up reasonably. They are generally easy to work on and parts are around to do so. You WILL find things about your Jeep which you will not like,,, THIS IS WHY I LOVE THIS SITE THE MOST!!!!!, YOU ARE IN GOOD HANDS! AM I BAD?........ MY name is Doug and I am a junky.

Ford 8.8 rear end conversion- How do I go about the e-brake cable(s) to a center console set up? (like a Cherokee).???? What parts list do I need to make this happen?