88swampedmj Posted March 23, 2007 Share Posted March 23, 2007 hey i was wondering, if i buy a 01 4.0 engine would i be able to put it in my 88 comanche without modifying anything? what is the cut off year that i can just put the engine into my truck and plug it in? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pingpong Posted March 23, 2007 Share Posted March 23, 2007 I know the 01's have a funky distributor setup.. and a few other changes. if you wnat to swap a renix motr in with no issues I would say 90, but the block pretty much satyed the same through out the yrs. I think 99 was the distributor change, and 96 was the oil filter change. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle Posted March 23, 2007 Share Posted March 23, 2007 The cutoff for a true drop-in would be 1990 -- that was the last year for the Renix system that would be the same as an '88. Chylser made a lot of changes to the wiring, injection and ignition in 1991. Then they made a bunch more changes around 1997. Physically, of course, a 2001 4.0L will bolt in, but pretty much everything outside of the block is different (and that means the head and flywheel, too). Your signature says you have an 88 and a 91 -- just look under the hoods and see how different they are. Then multiply that by a factor of about 3 for a 2001. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fiscus Posted March 23, 2007 Share Posted March 23, 2007 I don't think that an 01 engine would be THAT hard to plug into a Renix system, provided you also get all the misc stuff(or have access to it if you would need it) off of the donor Jeep. You'd basically take all the sensors, pullys & what-not off of your old motor & put them into the donor motor. Only a few parts would need adapted or modified. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeepcoMJ Posted March 23, 2007 Share Posted March 23, 2007 the renix computer wouldn't run the 97+ motor...you would need the harness for that. plus you would have to use the older style sensors because the new sensors are a positive ground (from my understanding) via the computer. so gauges wouldn't work. everything could be made to work, but at the very least you would need the 97+ motor, all the connectors for the sensors, and all your old sensors. the computer needs some of the newer sensors to operate correctly, however you can double up on sensors...i had to do that on my comanche with the 3.8 motor. it wasn't too bad to run the motor seperate of the truck harness. i could actually burn out my cab and it's wiring, and still drive the truck home at the moment, provided it didn't wreck any of the steering or brakes/clutch etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carnuck Posted March 23, 2007 Share Posted March 23, 2007 2000 and up 4.0L have coils on each spark plug. Won't work easily in a Renix rig. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeepthing07 Posted March 23, 2007 Share Posted March 23, 2007 Renix has a knock sensor in the side of the block also and the 2000+ 4.0's have problems with heads cracking Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle Posted March 24, 2007 Share Posted March 24, 2007 The 91 vintage will still have a threaded boss on the block for a knock sensor. I don't think the '01 even has the boss. If it does, it isn't threaded. And the '01 doesn't have a hole in the head for the temperature sender. ALL of the brackets are different, the manifolds are different, there's no EGR valve ... The fuel pump is different (pressure isn't the same), the ignition isn't the same, .... the question was asking about a "drop-in" replacement. The end for that would be 1990. The basic '01 block will bolt in. Beyond that, you're looking at basically rebuilding the entire vehicle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oizarod115 Posted March 24, 2007 Share Posted March 24, 2007 i've got a 1997 TJ motor in my 89 manche... got any questions i can go look. not sure about the EGR or manifolds... haven't looked closely... i passed emissions last year but not this year. I'm gonna guess he swapped in the manifolds with the motor becuase i know renix manifolds wouldnt fit it. also, the temp sensor from the back of the head had to be adapted to fit into the thermostat housing. i can get pics of all of it soon if anyone needs. EDIT: if someone shows/tells me where that knock sensor is i can find out what's up with that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
87manche Posted March 24, 2007 Share Posted March 24, 2007 OK, so I've done quite a bit of reserch on this topic. What I know: The basic 4.0 block did not change too much. The problem with using an 00-01 donor is that it's coil on plug, and as such does not have a distributor. Rumor has it that you can stab your old distributor in the hole, but I've not been able to get a solid confirmation on that. If you use an HO motor, it's easiest to use the renix sensors. You'll have to modify your Renix TPS to mate it to the HO TB. I've see the pictures, and there's a writeup somewhere on the net, looks like it'll take about 5 minutes with a dremel. Your accessories will not bolt up to the HO monifolds. You'll need the power steering pump and it's bracket from the donor motor. I'm not sure about the AC side, as I don't have it and wasn't concerned with it. As eagle said, some of the later blocks (97+after the NVH redesign) MAY not have the boss for the knock sensor, this seems to be hit or miss, so inspect for it before you buy the motor, it's on the drivers side, right in the side of the block. Generally speaking the 91-95 motors had the best head, I forget the casting number. My plans for the stroker were this: a 91-95 block, renix controls, renix sensord mated to the block, HO accesories on the motor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88swampedmj Posted March 24, 2007 Author Share Posted March 24, 2007 well now i have a shot at getting a 96 motor for 200, how easy would that be to swap? i could use the flywheel off my 88 blown motor right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oizarod115 Posted March 24, 2007 Share Posted March 24, 2007 well now i have a shot at getting a 96 motor for 200, how easy would that be to swap? i could use the flywheel off my 88 blown motor right? it should work great, my 97 motor runs fine in my 89... using all renix stuff. your flywheel should be able to swap onto the new motor. don't forget about the pilot bushing though, you may need a new one if the new motor doesnt have one. when we pulled the one out of our motor (didnt need it for the auto he has) it fell into peices. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88swampedmj Posted March 24, 2007 Author Share Posted March 24, 2007 oh haha well i have one layin around from my clutch swap and i guess ill try the 96 motor... sounds easier Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
87manche Posted March 24, 2007 Share Posted March 24, 2007 I belieeve you'll still need the brackets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88swampedmj Posted March 25, 2007 Author Share Posted March 25, 2007 would i need the ECU? and wiring harness? arent they OBD 1? ... i was gonna make my own harness anyways but should i get the ECU, and downpipe..etc..? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oizarod115 Posted March 25, 2007 Share Posted March 25, 2007 would i need the ECU? and wiring harness? arent they OBD 1? ... i was gonna make my own harness anyways but should i get the ECU, and downpipe..etc..? just plug in all your renix stuff to the motor... thats how mine is, runs fine.. passed state inspection (ga) last year but I'm assuming a sensor has gone dead since then Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carnuck Posted March 26, 2007 Share Posted March 26, 2007 Swap the intake with all the sensors and you're golden! Just make sure the ports are completely covered (intake ports were raised from 4.2L to '87 to '90 4.0L, then HO raised them again) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88swampedmj Posted March 26, 2007 Author Share Posted March 26, 2007 well the cherokee iam getting the motor from is an auto so i can't use the ecu.. but if everything works like yall say i can just plug it all in, id have to swap flywheels and plug it in and it should work i hope Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
87manche Posted March 26, 2007 Share Posted March 26, 2007 if you're keeping the Renix ECM you don't swap flywheels. You need the flywheel the corresponds to the ECU you're running. If you're looking for the easiest swap do what was suggested, keep the renix manifolds. They should bolt up to the head OK, you may have a little bit of work to get the intake side sealed up properly. Otherwise, grab the motor and all of it's accesory brackets. Use the motor the brackets and KEEP all of the old sensors. You'll have to modify the renix TPS to fit the HO throttle body. Google it, there's a writeup, or if you're a member of NAXJA it's in the old tech article section. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle Posted March 26, 2007 Share Posted March 26, 2007 well the cherokee iam getting the motor from is an auto so i can't use the ecu.. but if everything works like yall say i can just plug it all in, id have to swap flywheels and plug it in and it should work i hope Why not? The AW-4 uses a separate TCU so there's no reason you can't use a different ECU, or keep the one that is in your chassis when you put in a different engine. The engine itself is a chunk or iron with 6 aluminum slugs in it -- it doesn't know or care what transmission you bolt to the back end. Just be sure to use all the correct sensors and harness for the year of the ECU and ignition/injection system you'll be running. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88swampedmj Posted March 27, 2007 Author Share Posted March 27, 2007 here's my plan, i get confused when everyone tells me do this do that this works this doesnt... i wanna put the newer motor into my truck..using all my stock harness/ ECU.. i wanna mod a little as i can its just a trail truck so i wanna throw the motor in to wheel it.. it was an automatic so would i have to change flywheels? and could i just bolt all the sensors and all from the 88 manche to this 96 motor? and still use my 88s ECU? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle Posted March 27, 2007 Share Posted March 27, 2007 You will need to use your original 1988 flywheel (or flex plate). Starting in 1991, the Chrysler CPS operates on a different principle than the older RENIX CPS. The spacing and arrangement of the teeth on the flywheel that trigger the CPS are different, so the '96 flywheel is electronically incompatible with the RENIX system in your truck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88swampedmj Posted March 27, 2007 Author Share Posted March 27, 2007 thanks for the info guys its lots of help and i hope to get my black manche up and running again, so i can do a leaf swap and put the 8.8 in the rear finally.. so i pretty much just plug everything in.. slap the 88s flywheel on and crank it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fiscus Posted March 27, 2007 Share Posted March 27, 2007 You will need one of these, otherwise everything just about plugs right in: http://www.hesco.us/shop.asp?action=det ... 563&catId= The HO injectors may make your XJ run too rich & get poor mpg (but it gives you a power boost ). :brows: Here is my old write-up on doing this with a 93 motor: http://www.terrainstompers.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=14 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88swampedmj Posted March 27, 2007 Author Share Posted March 27, 2007 wow.. that tps adapter is just stupidly priced... is there anyway to jerry-rig it? id rather not waste $125 doesnt the tps go on the bellhousing? why would i need another one or an adapter? couldnt i use the one i have now, iam not swaping trannys just the motor.. and if the block is the same it should bolt on and work like it did with my old 4.0.. iam using my old ecu as well..and since mine is manual it shouldnt make a difference i think Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now