97+ Swap How-To

[Pete M]

I see all of the images on the first page.  

[vw jeep guy]

does anyone have info/ pics of doing the rear under spring mod...........I see Rusty's has a suspension lift kit to do that

[Pete M]

26 minutes ago, vw jeep guy said:

does anyone have info/ pics of doing the rear under spring mod...........I see Rusty's has a suspension lift kit to do that

 

a "spring over" or SOA conversion needs perches welded to the top of the axle in the appropriate location.  then shock mounts will need to be welded on too.  I would also replace the old ubolts too.   oh, and a longer flexible brake line. 

[vw jeep guy]

Thx Pete M for your response

 

I should of mention, I’m using a 8.25, therefore I have all the brackets/ plates to bolt up. I’m curious about switching the leaf bolt around. 

I'm going with the disc brake mod with plates from a Grand Cherokee, so I’ll need to change the lines anyways.

[vw jeep guy]

now that I know I am looking for "SOA", a bunch of posts came up in my search. Huge amount of information...........again thx Pete M

[Oldman]

Very informative article. I do however have a question. It’s about all those firewall modifications. Wouldn’t it be simpler to just cut out part of the firewall form  the donor Xj And mj and weld it in?

[Dzimm]

49 minutes ago, Oldman said:

Very informative article. I do however have a question. It’s about all those firewall modifications. Wouldn’t it be simpler to just cut out part of the firewall form  the donor Xj And mj and weld it in?

There are a lot of different ways you can go about it, quite a few people have cut that portion of firewall from the XJ and welded it in like you describe and it could be considered the "factory" way of doing it.  For mine I just cut the new holes where they needed to be and patched over the old ones.

[Oldman]

Thanks for the reply. I just got my Comanche so I haven’t started the conversion yet , just doing so research..I do know that the vin is stamped

behind the booster and I don’t want to cut that out.hopefully it not in the way.

[JeepMitch]

Do you have a link of parts number to the non slosh pan tank? 

[Pete M]

12 hours ago, JeepMitch said:

Do you have a link of parts number to the non slosh pan tank? 

 

 

you should probably post that up as its own thread in Tech so more eyes will see it.  

[Caleb S]

I know this thread is older but I have a question on the cab wiring. Did you keep the extra plugs on the xj harness for the back two doors? I want to get rid of them and was wondering how. I hacked mine off and haven’t finished but I realized I messed up the fuel pump wiring by doing so. 

[Pete M]

@Backdraft  

 

Caleb, if he doesn't reply you might want to start a new thread in Tech where more eyes will see it.  

[JonnyB]

Just to add since I am currently in the process of a 97+ swap, and a 5.3 swap. 

 

I wanted to keep a 5 speed transmission in my MJ, there is a difference in the firewall for the 5 speed and automatic. It is just a couple of holes to drill out but it is not something that I thought about before. You would need to find a 5 speed clutch and brake assembly to make this work which is getting rare. The aluminum bracket is the same however so that is good. 

 

You can see in the picture where the dimples are for the bolt holes, and also the punch out for the clutch engagement.

[JeepO]

Question for you, where did you place the charcoal canister?

 

thank you!

[jeff351]

On 6/8/2024 at 10:35 PM, JeepO said:

Question for you, where did you place the charcoal canister?

 

thank you!

Are you referring to vapor canister from the 97+ donor? I put mine under the bed where the gas tank used to be, which physically matches the location where it was on the XJ. Lines hooked right up after that.