GHayduke Posted April 17, 2013 Share Posted April 17, 2013 Hi Guys, I'm working on a 88 to 98 swap including the interior. I've been reading all the builds to see how folks do the 98 dash mounting but everyone skips this. I plan to drill out the spot welds and move the 98 steel bracket (formed sheet metal behind alloy bracket) to the MJ, but how do I determin proper line-up on the emply MJ firewall? do you just try to measure from some common point? Do any points line-up? Next - How do I determine the location/line-up if the steering colume bracket, etc? I can guess these, but why reinvent the wheel (or dash swap) if someone has a good way to do this. Are any folks using shallow lag screws to mount the bracket to the body sides? I'm a good welder so that part is a non-issue. I'd like to get some folks feed back.. and then when I do it... I'll try to get good pictures to add to my thread for the next guys. Your feed back and tips would be greatly appreaciated! How did you do it & did it work out well? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexia Posted April 18, 2013 Share Posted April 18, 2013 Measure from common points and also try securing it to the aluminum support bracket to see where it natural wants to sit. The whole mounting process is not exactly specific and more about having a good eye for alignment. I set the aluminum bracket in there and refitted it several times before drilling any holes. I actually did not use any of the sheet metal from the 1997 XJ for the mounting. The upper bolts in mine go through into the cowl area and are sealed. Installing the 1997+ XJ brake pedal assembly will give a good base for lining up the support bracket since they bolt to each other. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GHayduke Posted April 18, 2013 Author Share Posted April 18, 2013 Measure from common points and also try securing it to the aluminum support bracket to see where it natural wants to sit. The whole mounting process is not exactly specific and more about having a good eye for alignment. I set the aluminum bracket in there and refitted it several times before drilling any holes. I actually did not use any of the sheet metal from the 1997 XJ for the mounting. The upper bolts in mine go through into the cowl area and are sealed. Installing the 1997+ XJ brake pedal assembly will give a good base for lining up the support bracket since they bolt to each other. Thanks for the info! I especially like " Installing the 1997+ XJ brake pedal assembly will give a good base for lining up the support bracket since they bolt to each other." Does the 97+ brake pedal assemblly bolt to a existing location (holes/studs) or is this a measure and fit based on the brake booster, etc? I plan to take another look at this tonight and see what I can accomplish.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexia Posted April 18, 2013 Share Posted April 18, 2013 Thanks for the info! I especially like " Installing the 1997+ XJ brake pedal assembly will give a good base for lining up the support bracket since they bolt to each other." Does the 97+ brake pedal assemblly bolt to a existing location (holes/studs) or is this a measure and fit based on the brake booster, etc? I plan to take another look at this tonight and see what I can accomplish.... The 1997+ brake pedal assembly bolts into the existing location with either brake booster, but the newer brake booster must be installed since the push roads are incompatible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
North4x4 Posted April 18, 2013 Share Posted April 18, 2013 I installed my power brake booster with the brake pedals and the aluminum bracket. Used the holes for the booster to line everything up, since the booster does not move you can use that to work from. I put the XJ firewall braket on the aluminum piece bolted it all together and burned it in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GHayduke Posted April 19, 2013 Author Share Posted April 19, 2013 Thanks! That's my plan now after working on it last night (burn it in). I took one look at the firewalls and brake pedal assembly and wished I'd not asked the mounting question!! That's the risk of doing your research at lunch without being able to see the rig :doh: . Thanks for your feedback! The 98' brake booster seems like it will be a snug fit (I haven't done any firewall trimming yet but I heare you need too.) Any good ideas for lining up the passenger side dash dowel peg / mount? Here's a good pic of the brakepedal & bracket mounting: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexia Posted April 20, 2013 Share Posted April 20, 2013 Any good ideas for lining up the passenger side dash dowel peg / mount?Do you mean the bolt that sticks out of the A-pillar to hold the bottom side of the dash? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GHayduke Posted April 30, 2013 Author Share Posted April 30, 2013 No, There are the two bolts (dowel pegs in manual) along the top of the firewall that the dash hands on until you put the other bolts in. They are on the two brackets that were on the light gray squares in photo below. After looking at it, here's how I plan to do it... before removing the brackets (including the pegs) I put black sharpee on the tops. I took a think wooden yard stick and put it flat (horizontal) over the tops of the bolts and touching the windshield, I then thumped it to make impressions. I then drilled out the holes and slid it over. Now when I reinstall the passenger mount, I can use the yardstick to locate it. I'll take a picture when I do this... I'm including a lot of pictures in my 88-98 swap build tread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexia Posted April 30, 2013 Share Posted April 30, 2013 Oh, not sure if my 1997 XJ donor had those. The dash stayed upright for me when I was installing it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GHayduke Posted August 16, 2013 Author Share Posted August 16, 2013 almost got it... The airbags had deployed in this dash so the passenger side dash cover split at the bottom seem. I'll look for a new one, but for now I gorilla taped the old one back together. I just don't know what held the bottom edge in place. It's likely the airbag as I didn't reinstall it? I could put in the old (and very heavy) shell (from the old one) in if that would hold it in place? It's hard to see below, but it kind of pops up when accessing the glove box. If I could hinge it and weight it... I could make it a second glove box I guess?........... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexia Posted August 16, 2013 Share Posted August 16, 2013 almost got it... The airbags had deployed in this dash so the passenger side dash cover split at the bottom seem. I'll look for a new one, but for now I gorilla taped the old one back together. I just don't know what held the bottom edge in place. It's likely the airbag as I didn't reinstall it? I could put in the old (and very heavy) shell (from the old one) in if that would hold it in place? It's hard to see below, but it kind of pops up when accessing the glove box. If I could hinge it and weight it... I could make it a second glove box I guess?...........Yep, the cover attaches as part of the whole air bag assembly. Mine was all scratched up and I managed to remove it from the air bag assembly without removing the entire air bag. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coman89che Posted September 15, 2013 Share Posted September 15, 2013 awesome info, I'm getting ready to do this myself Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Comanche51 Posted October 4, 2013 Share Posted October 4, 2013 What did u do about the hole for the steering column? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
87Warrior Posted October 5, 2013 Share Posted October 5, 2013 What did u do about the hole for the steering column?Make a template Cut what you need out of the donor and fill in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GHayduke Posted October 7, 2013 Author Share Posted October 7, 2013 Some people cut out a XJ firewall to use as a template. I cut out a piece and welded it into the MJ firewall. Time consuming, but worked really well! I moved over the XJ gas pedal mount at the same time as well. You can see pictures on page two of my build thread: http://comancheclub.com/topic/37521-haydukes-operation-comanche-repower-88-to-98-swap/page-2 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