2WD to 4WD Drive Questions

[vhenem]

The age old question, 2Wd to 4WD how hard is it ? Newbie here, did some horse trading and picked up a 2WD 88 Comanche Pioneer, 4.0, auto with a D44 in the rear.

 

 

I was given a donor, its a 91 XJ limited, with a 4.0, AW4/NP242. I have been going back through the tech section, yup all 402 pages of it and am suffering from information overload :???:

 

So the question is.........

 

91 AW4 into a 88, doable ? hassles ?

[Pete M]

how much of a project are you looking for?

 

Is the 88 a stick or auto? in the end do you want a stick or an auto?

[vhenem]

how much of a project are you looking for?

 

Is the 88 a stick or auto? in the end do you want a stick or an auto?

 

The 88 is an auto as well

[Wildman]

Did you check ALL of the tech pages?????

 

 

Because, you could have checked the DIY section, and found your answer the 5th sticky down from the top :D

 

 

viewtopic.php?f=9&t=15904

 

 

>>>>>>>How Do I...

 

 

Drivetrain

Go from 2 Wheel drive to 4 Wheel Drive

 

 

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=13375

 

 

Other wise, Yes, you have the perfect donor for the swap :yes:

 

There both auto trannys and the D30 gears will match what you have on the MJ's D35.

 

Plus, the donor XJ has the desired NP242 (full time 4wd) :brows:

 

The only thing to keep in mind, is the '91 XJ will have the HO 4.0, none of the engine parts, or electrical accessories will swap over to the '88 Renix era engine/electrical.

 

The AW4 will bolt right up to the 4.0 you have in the MJ, and the electrical connection for the tranny will plug right into the TCU under the dash. You'll need to swap out the tranny with what you have now with the transfer case to get the 4wd.

 

And, about the only thing you'll need to do, when your all done is get your 2wd drive shaft cut down to fit the New MJ 4wd.

 

Well........read thru the articles and you'll get the just of it.

 

Good luck ;)

[vhenem]

Did you check ALL of the tech pages?????

Because, you could have checked the DIY section, and found your answer the 5th sticky down from the top :D

viewtopic.php?f=9&t=15904

 

Thanks for the Reply, I am less than halfway through the tech section , Lots of info to get through, good thing I have lot's of time on my hands

 

>>>>>>>How Do I...

 

Drivetrain

Go from 2 Wheel drive to 4 Wheel Drive

 

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=13375

 

Other wise, Yes, you have the perfect donor for the swap :yes:

 

There both auto trannys and the D30 gears will match what you have on the MJ's D35.

 

Plus, the donor XJ has the desired NP242 (full time 4wd) :brows:

 

The only thing to keep in mind, is the '91 XJ will have the HO 4.0, none of the engine parts, or electrical accessories will swap over to the '88 Renix era engine/electrical.

 

The AW4 will bolt right up to the 4.0 you have in the MJ, and the electrical connection for the tranny will plug right into the TCU under the dash. You'll need to swap out the tranny with what you have now with the transfer case to get the 4wd.

 

And, about the only thing you'll need to do, when your all done is get your 2wd drive shaft cut down to fit the New MJ 4wd.

 

Well........read thru the articles and you'll get the just of it.

 

Good luck ;)

 

I realize that the AW4 will bolt up, I was concerned in regards to the electrical connections, you say that the connection will plug right in, others say it needs to be spliced in, also I see posts saying that the flexplate and CPS needing to be changed, or does this only apply to later models :hmm: I also need to deal with the speedo issue, donor being electronic, and the MJ being mechanical, will the speedo gear from the 2wd tranny drop into the 242 ??

 

The limited also has ABS, so I get the bigger u-joints, but what about the calipers from my 2WD, are they swappable or will I need to use the calipers from the LTD, these are the little things I am confused about as there seems to be conflicting info out there.

 

Finished stripping the donor tonight, now I can get back to my research :cheers:

 

There both auto trannys and the D30 gears will match what you have on the MJ's D35.

oh yeah, D35 ? we don't need no stinkin D35, gots me a D44 in the MJ

[Wildman]

I'm thinking you should be able to plug the AW4 harness right into the TCU........you might need to splice, not sure right now :hmm:

 

Just compare the HO TCU with the Renix TCU to see what you have.

 

No, do not change the flex plate :no:

 

You need the Renix flex plate and CPS for the Renix electrical system. Some what common mistake that people make, and get a no run condition after the swap :(

 

The speed-o quill will swap right out from the electrical speed-o to the mechanical, just note the location of the tab and markers, so when you swap it over, it's set correct, there are 3 'notches' on the quill.

 

There is nothing from your 2wd front axle that will fit on the D30, two completely different set-ups, the rotors are different, having wheel bearing, vs. bearing hubs. The only thing you'll have on the D30 is the tone rings, which you don't need, leave them on, or knock them off. Plus, there was a rotor/caliper change in '90. You just need to note what axle you have for future reference, IE: which brake pads you'll need for replacement, for the axle, not the vehicle.

 

oh yeah, D35 ? we don't need no stinkin D35, gots me a D44 in the MJ

 

Well.......you didn't spell that out in the OP :dunno:

 

I could tell you that it will not work, and you should sell that to one of the members here for $25 as scrap, and then use the XJ's D35 and weld new perches on.........but I don't think you would believe that, seen how your doing all this reading and research :hmm:

 

And yes...........There is a lot of conflicting information out there, I by no means know anything, just by what I've worked with in the pass, and have dealt with, and if I state something wrong, someone will correct me here :D

[vhenem]

Thanks again for the help, it's funny how everyone tries to get me to sell the D44, I'm thinking I am going to hang onto it for the time being :D

[Wildman]

Thanks again for the help, it's funny how everyone tries to get me to sell the D44, I'm thinking I am going to hang onto it for the time being :D

 

 

Well.........it's just one of them things, ya know, here, a newbie comes along with a D44, where there are guys that been on this forum for 3-4 years waiting to see there first D44 in person :(

 

That alone should be reason enough for you to sell it to someone for $12.00 just to make them happy :D

 

*Note how the price dropped..........now that it's even a couple days older :eek: *

 

But.......it's in your hands, and you'll have to live with the consequences with keeping it out of the hand of some desperate want-to-own-a D44 person :shake:

[vhenem]

I now have first hand knowledge, that a 1991 AW4 into an 88 is plug and play. Nothing needed to be spliced or lengthened. I drove it home from the shop with just the Front DS hooked up and the tranny shifted and functioned just fine. I'm just waiting on the machine shop to shorten my driveshaft and I will be done phase one of my conversion.

 

now the parts scrounging for the lift begins