JeepcoMJ

I put the Lt1's little bro in my 1986 jeep comanche, which had the same motor as your 86 comanche does. it wasn't that hard. the lt1 will require that you use the camaro tranny with divorced t-case (if you want 4wd) as the lt1 WILL NOT bolt up to any jeep bellhousing. as far as wiring for the lt1, you can use the stock wiring from the car. all you need is the wiring from the engine bay. I can get you all the diagrams you need in order to remove what you don't need, and splice into the factory harness where you need to (will only be spliced into for the tachometer feed, which you'll need a signal adapter for anyways). the engine will run completely seperate of the jeep factory harness, with the only things intertwined being the tach, the starter wire (really just connected to the relay), and the fusibles to power the sensors. IIRC you have a positive output on the Lt1 engine computer for the fuel pump...meaning you install a relay near the engine computer, and run the wire to YOUR fuel pump. I highly recommend installing an in-line adjustable PSI fuel pump, in order to get the pressure where you need it. you will not be able to use any stock jeep fuel pump with the project, as even the 4.0 pump will not be enough PSI and your 86 doesn't have an electric fuel pump...it's mechanical on the block. the only other thing you need is a VATS (Vehical Anti-Theft System) bypass module, supplied by bakerelectronix for $30 plus approx $5 in shipping when I got mine. without that to produce the 48hz (I think it's hz) signal that gives the OK to ground your injectors, your engine will run for approx. 3 seconds before the injectors turn off. that is pin 55 on your ECU the dark blue wire. any more tech you'd need, I can help. you may need slight front uni-frame mods, probably a few hammer-taps to the firewall, custom motor mounts and headers and downpipe (unless you run true duals by removing the tank and throwing your fuel cell in the back of the bed). more info on the 3800 install, which is basically the same wiring system etc., see Project 3800 Powered by camaro in the MJ projects thread. we expect pics of the vehicles to be combined.

I think that question belongs in a new thread... answer is yes, but with work. I don't know any specifics about the axle, but you can pretty much make any axle fit so long as you have the parts, time, and tools.

it is true. go to a JEEP only dealership...not a dodge one... and ask about them. there are still quite a few being warehoused. I actually have a brand new set laying here at home for sale.

what motor

nvm. I can tell it's the later style anyways. so mine will work with no mods :D

John, is it kinda "hollow" behind where the upper screw for the corner markers would go? could ya take some closer pics, I can tell ya what it is...

well, that nice one...if it didn't have the gm 2.8 or the good 'ol 2.5 in it, it will basically have to have a 6 cyl 4.0 in it unless you want to do a custom engine swap with custom tranny install...or a complete swap to 4 cyl engine and drivetrain. I would get a 6 cyl auto if you're looking for a hardcore wheeler

Won't work. The entire header has to be changed to use the newer style grille. I will install it on one of my grilles on friday. it is identical except for the addition of the trim edging that's on our older rigs. the only difference is that you have to cut some of the older header panel out behind the corner markers in order to make it work. if I find that that won't make it work either, then John, I have the rest of the trim pieces that you would need regardless to make it a complete truck. but they're kinda surface rusty (or theyr'e at least faded grey..can't remember)

the comanches are identical all years from cab forward no matter whether or not it is a longbed or shortbed. there may be some minor differences between early 86 and mid 86 firewalls. also, the only other difference is the front radiator support changes to the 4.0. I've changed that rad. support, it's no big deal. now, yes, someone HAS done the 4bt swap. i don't know who. the truck is yellow.

should be the same

what parts? I scrapped an 87 4 cyl mj as the donor for my 86, and it had red interior. I won't be changing it out in the cherokee, it's too nice for me to even bother.

in the one pic it looks like you pulled the window regulator out of the top of the door where the window goes...I hope not lol.

sweet MJ! ...you don't have the upper, lower, and side trim pieces do you? if not, instead of the 89 style grille I have, I could send you the 94 style (3 piece) that has the upper and lower trim pieces built in...for $5 more...

auto tranny? aw4. don't use synthetic, it has been known to cause wear on the brass discs in the clutches assembly, ruining the trans. deron III is what I use in all my trannies and t-cases.

on the rear, I would say to get an idea of stance, I would simply re-drill the hole for your spring packs towards the outside of the perches, and se the truck down on the axle. that will give you an idea right away. the xj springs are shorter than the mj ones btw.

mmm canyons and chrome grille... what's that? no articulation? yea...gonna have to work on that.. I didn't get around to the engine yank...tranny blew on the mj so i had to fix that. so basically, I want it done this weekend. friday night I am gonna pull the motor from the mj, clean it a little bit, install the new clutch and pressure plate, then drop it right into the xj on saturday. from there it will get a oil change, valve cover gasket, and normal clutch-type mechanical fan, with a 3 row HD rad. also have to hook up the p/s pump with new p/s lines, and a new steering box may be needed... all in all, I figure about an 8-10 hour project to get this sucker running and driving. and then it's just a matter of replacing the window motors on the driver's side, some cleanup, reinstall front bumper and put on chrome mirrors. also it will need the windshield out of the mj, but that's last on the list since it will survive a couple weeks of driving with it that way.

I said the same thing about the 4.2 but I will tell you, I've been told by numerous people that my truck doesn't even have to go through emissions anymore either...it's 20 years old, and has a custom-installed engine that wasn't offered in any year cherokee or comanche (3800 buick) and is therefore classified as a hobbyist vehicle. but i didn't tell my insurance, nor the state, what kind of engine is in there. as far as they're concerned, it's a bone-stock, 2wd 1986 2.8v6 with a 5-speed. which is why my insurance is only $60 a month now with 3 speeding tickets in 2 years. gotta love them vin number interpreters :D

when you get them, be sure to get the ones from a 97+ xj. just the front obviously. but they are thicker, they seal better so you don't get water in your rig when going through a carwash or something... :roll:

here's the rundown on tranny removal...what a b*tch with the 3800 and my exhaust manifolds... 1. remove rear d.s. 2. remove speedo cable. 3. support tranny with a stand. 6. disconnect exhaust support 7. drop tranny crossmember 8. unbolt front driveshaft entirely 9. disconnect shift linkage. 10. disconnect y-pipe from manifold disco o2 sensor and knock sensor, move wires, disconnect ALL of the exhaust supports, and either slide the exhaust out the side of the truck, leaving it hang over the axle, or remove it entirely. 11. under hood...remove pass. side exhaust manifold entirely. it's in the way of the bellhousing on the back end. disco o2 sensor 12. remove center console, floor seal, shifter. 13. remove dust shield 14. support tranny with jack, lower it down. 15. unbolt bellhousing from engine block. 16. slide tranny back, down, and out. install is in exact reverse. I hate that exhaust manifold. it adds alot of extra work...I should rebuild the lower portion of it.

gauge is bad

I didn't go. got a wicked cool purple rollbar in beloit at a garage sale though... outta a yoter...needs to be a bit higher and alter the rear support thingies to fit in my truck :D

it was the secondary shaft front bearing or w/e. I put the new tranny in, with help from my dad. also my rear ujoint on the main d-shaft was bad so he replaced that. it works, 4wd actuator doesn't due to a bad vac. switch on the t-case.

haha, just cause it was available doesn't mean yours is a dana 44. good luck on that though.

yep. 2wd tow package.

I'm getting another cherokee roof. so I'll chop out my section, and bend the edges of the second roof to cover the sides of the raise, and curl the corners to make it look nice. the fiberglass topper idea came across my mind...but I don't trust any method that would be used to seal that. thanks for the input!