Jeepcomanche87 Posted December 1, 2011 Share Posted December 1, 2011 If I want to change my 87 2.5 4 cyl comanche to 4wd, what am I looking for? I want to keep it manual also.... so am I look for an mj or xj with manual transmission, and then I can just swap all the necassary parts over? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted December 1, 2011 Share Posted December 1, 2011 pretty much, yes. :thumbsup: any year XJ/MJ will work for ya. the only hiccup is the rear driveshaft and most of us get our 2wd shortened to length. try to get only 2.5L/5spd rigs, as they should have 4.10 gears in the axles. and verify those gears before buying a whole jeep. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dasbulliwagen Posted December 2, 2011 Share Posted December 2, 2011 To expand on what Pete said, youll need a trans from an XJ or MJ with a 2.5 in it. Ones from a 4.0 will not bolt up without a rare and difficult to find 2.5 Dakota bellhousing or an expensive adapter kit. 2.5 XJ/MJ's with a 2.5 and a 5 speed usually came with 4:10 geared axles and would be perfect for a 4wd swap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeepcomanche87 Posted December 2, 2011 Author Share Posted December 2, 2011 Mine is a 4 speed manual right now. But I can still use a 5 speed manual and it will bolt up the same right? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted December 2, 2011 Share Posted December 2, 2011 yup. the AX-4 and AX-5 (the ones found behind the 2.5L) are identical on the outside. :thumbsup: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeepcomanche87 Posted December 2, 2011 Author Share Posted December 2, 2011 Ok thanks I hope I can afford it and I hope I can find the parts! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mvusse Posted December 2, 2011 Share Posted December 2, 2011 You can also use one out of a YJ or TJ, but will have to modify your floor a bit (I cut a 2" by 3" hole and used fiberglass matting and 2 part epoxy filler to make a bubble) to clear the double cardan joint on the front driveshaft as these transmission clock the transfer case up higher. Other than that they are a bolt in. I like the YJ transfer case shifter linkage better also, but it moves the shifter forward a few inches, so you will have to modify your center console if you have one. 4.10 gears with the 5 speed give the same final ratio in 5th as the 4 speed with 3.55 gears does in 4th. On stock tires I found that too low (19mpg at 75mph), so I swapped in a 5 speed but kept the 3.55 gears. Gutless, but now I get 24mpg at 75mph (or 27mpg at 60, same as I did with the 4 speed). If I want power I use my daughter's XJ. 4.0 HO, 4,10 gears and a custom tuned ECM :brows: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeepcomanche87 Posted December 2, 2011 Author Share Posted December 2, 2011 Ok thanks a lot! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geonovast Posted December 2, 2011 Share Posted December 2, 2011 You also don't have to restrict yourself to the 2.5. The 2.8 also used the AX-4/5 with the same bellhousing as the 2.5. It might actually be beneficial to look for an 84-86, as it will be an external slave. 94ish + will also be external. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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