mkbruin Posted May 4, 2010 Share Posted May 4, 2010 I am looking right now at picking up another Manche to use as a tow rig. I found one in the Pac Northwest that is an interesting one... 5.2 v8, trans, and I assume t-case out of a ZJ (full-time 4wd) ZJ buckets full ZJ dash I have been looking all over the net, and can't find any info about a full ZJ driveline (including electronics... and dash) into an XJ. I am emailing for pics and info tonight, so I have no idea if this is a hack job or not. Anyone see or hear of anything like this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KYMJ Posted May 4, 2010 Share Posted May 4, 2010 Can't imagine the ZJ dash working, but what do I know? Sure waiting for the pics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fiatslug87 Posted May 4, 2010 Share Posted May 4, 2010 Is it the one in this thread? http://www.comancheclub.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=26&t=23171 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mkbruin Posted May 4, 2010 Author Share Posted May 4, 2010 Looks like a tight fit for knees, and its far enough away that I can't go take a look in person. Altogether though... I think I want it. I just had not seen this done before. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mkbruin Posted May 4, 2010 Author Share Posted May 4, 2010 Is it the one in this thread?http://www.comancheclub.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=26&t=23171 It is. I search Craigslist for MJ's every day, hadn't seen that thread posted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Automan2164 Posted May 4, 2010 Share Posted May 4, 2010 They are really dependable engines, but don't expect the best of gas mileage. As for the t-case, its hit and miss. My 249 gave up the ghost, but a lot of the guys over at the Grand club wheel with them, dd with them, and have no problems. I saw that truck, and liked it too. Buy it up so we can see how it was done. A late model ZJ dash would be even sweeter. Or a swap from a '98 5.9L ZJ! :brows: Rob L. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Automan2164 Posted May 4, 2010 Share Posted May 4, 2010 Oh, and if you do buy it.... Loose the hood. :ack: Rob L. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mkbruin Posted May 4, 2010 Author Share Posted May 4, 2010 Oh, and if you do buy it.... Loose the hood. :ack: Rob L. It would be in the bed before we left the parking lot.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BORDENCOMANCHE Posted May 5, 2010 Share Posted May 5, 2010 *PUKE* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terrawombat Posted May 5, 2010 Share Posted May 5, 2010 The hood is awful, but I wonder if that was done for clearance issues. Obvious it doesn't need to be THAT big, though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mkbruin Posted May 5, 2010 Author Share Posted May 5, 2010 replacing the hood is an easy fix, so long as the rest is solid and not a complete hack-job. Its going to be for light duty towing (this, or a Dakota) and landscaping duties, maybe as a winter tool-around...not for offroading. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kastein Posted May 5, 2010 Share Posted May 5, 2010 That is a real neat truck, agree on the hood obviously... won't a 231 or 242 transfer case bolt up to replace the 249? I forget if the shaft diameter/spline count and mounting bolt pattern are the same or not. If it will bolt up I would just run it till it blows up then swap in a native XJ/MJ case! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darren Posted May 6, 2010 Share Posted May 6, 2010 There are a couple guys in that area that might be willing to take a look at it for you. I.E. reson46 and 1990 Pioneer 4x4, maybe if you asked them nicely........... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dunl Posted May 6, 2010 Share Posted May 6, 2010 The hood is awful, but I wonder if that was done for clearance issues. Obvious it doesn't need to be THAT big, though. ZJ's came with 4.0's as well....I see no need for dealing with clearance issues. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terrawombat Posted May 6, 2010 Share Posted May 6, 2010 The hood is awful, but I wonder if that was done for clearance issues. Obvious it doesn't need to be THAT big, though. ZJ's came with 4.0's as well....I see no need for dealing with clearance issues. The motor mounts between the ZJ and the XJ/MJ are very, very different. Just because a 4.0L fits inside of the ZJ engine bay proves nothing in the way of what the 5.2L V8 engine will do when fitted with XJ/MJ engine brackets and placed in an XJ/MJ engine bay. Granted, V-engines are wider and less tall than inline engines, but there is also a lot more supporting equipment that needs to sit on top of a V engine (intake, throttle body, air cleaner connection) whereas on an inline engine, all of that stuff can be put to the side. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kastein Posted May 6, 2010 Share Posted May 6, 2010 This was also obviously a custom install. So there's no telling how that engine was mounted and if it was mounted anywhere near the standard position for a ZJ. It could be a couple inches up, necessitating the wonky hood... another thing to check during the inspection, just look for anything ultra strange looking about the engine mounts, brackets, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dunl Posted May 6, 2010 Share Posted May 6, 2010 I just assumed there wouldn't be an extreme difference in a ZJ whether a 5.2 or a 4.0 was mounted. So therefore I assumed mounting a 5.2 in place of an MJ's 4.0 wouldn't be THAT different, unless someone did something COMPLETELY crazy with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mkbruin Posted May 6, 2010 Author Share Posted May 6, 2010 two days and still no response from the owner... May just grab a $500 Manche and a $500 ZJ and see what I can do on my own. Or build a stroker. Or a 5.0 or LT1. Or go 350 on one. Either way... its either going to be a MJ or a 97-04 Dakota V8. The MJ is, of course, less expensive, but less comfortable and more work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
camjeep3 Posted May 7, 2010 Share Posted May 7, 2010 mjs have character :D what are u looking to haul? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dasbrick Posted May 8, 2010 Share Posted May 8, 2010 Hemi. Go big or go home. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mkbruin Posted May 10, 2010 Author Share Posted May 10, 2010 mjs have character :D what are u looking to haul? Cars, mostly. But I also do a lot of landscaping so I need the bed. Travel around picking up old iron to flip at auctions. These range from MG's (all years/models) to detroit muscle to old pickups. Last week I went from Denver to Phoenix in the '88 (4.0, ba10-5) with a flatbed and a fully restored Dodge Demon, dropped it off and picked up a Porsche for the trip home. I've got an ax15/231 combo sitting in the garage to swap in, but then will be putting this one up for sale. I have a small camper and 5th wheel for this one, and am going to try to sell the camper/manche as a combo. I've thought about going fullsize, but I hate the gas mileage and not-as-managable size. Plus, given the sheer and total abuse I have put on the former 89 and current 88, I really have a soft spot for the MJ. I may just make a stoker with a 14 bolt rear, 4.56 gears, and custom leafs for use as a tow-rig. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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