Just bought my first 'manche, got a few questions

[eli.hecox]

Hey guys,

 

To start, I've had a CJ7 for about 7 years now as a daily driver and I absolutely love it, but it's getting to the point where its right about where I want it so I bought a new project to start.  I got a 1989 Comanche 4.0 2wd 5 speed (I believe ax15, but will double check in the morning) with 78k miles on it with no rust, but a few dents.  So far, I love it, it's absolutely a blast.  I got a couple questions about it though because I'm coming from a world of carbs, frames, and minimal parts.

 

First, my little brother's 92 cherokee has smoker windows, but my truck doesnt and neither have any of the comanches I've seen in person since I've actually started looking.  Was this an option or did only certain years come with them or were they never offered?

 

Second, the first modification I'm going to do is add 4wd.  I know it will be easier to just get a 4wd ax15 rather than try to take mine apart and change the main shaft, but from what I've read, most later models have external slaves and mine has an internal one.  I've never had anything with a hydraulic clutch (fancy!) so I don't know what the difference is or how hard it will be to change this, or if I even need to change it.  I feel like I should be able to just unbolt the transmission from the bell housing and slide it out, and the new one in place.  Am I wrong in this?

 

Third, these gauges are stupid.  Well, this fuel gauge and these lights are stupid.  To switch to the newer style gauges, do I need a whole wiring harness or just a different gauge cluster and a few parts?  

 

I'm on the lookout for a parts jeep right now.

 

1979 CJ7 5.9l V8 35" km2s full fiberglass

 

1989 Comanche 4.0 5 speed

 

Mine, Older brother, Younger brother

[tugalo]

To switch out the gauges, get a complete instrument panel from an early Cherokee.  As long as it has a cable drive speedo, it will work.  While you're pulling the instrument panel at the pick and pay, get the oil pressure sender and the temp sender at the same time.  The ones in your truck are simple switches to turn on the idiot lights.

 

the smartest thing you can do is read this forum daily till you get familiar with your truck.  There are guys on here that have done everything you have ever thought about doing or have seen almost every problem that has arisen in an MJ and they are happy to share that knowledge.....

[1987Comanche]

For your 4WD conversion questions check out pgs 4 (bottom) & 5 of my build thread:

 

http://comancheclub.com/topic/37173-georgia-92-40-ho-ax-15-2wd/page-4

 

Short answer to your question:  94+ external slave is preferred and yes, go for the whole trans.

[Eagle]

First, my little brother's 92 cherokee has smoker windows, but my truck doesnt and neither have any of the comanches I've seen in person since I've actually started looking.  Was this an option or did only certain years come with them or were they never offered?

Correct, the operable vent/wing windows were an option.

 

Second, the first modification I'm going to do is add 4wd.  I know it will be easier to just get a 4wd ax15 rather than try to take mine apart and change the main shaft, but from what I've read, most later models have external slaves and mine has an internal one.  I've never had anything with a hydraulic clutch (fancy!) so I don't know what the difference is or how hard it will be to change this, or if I even need to change it.  I feel like I should be able to just unbolt the transmission from the bell housing and slide it out, and the new one in place.  Am I wrong in this?

Are you asking about swapping an 89 or 90 AX-15 with the internal slave, or are you asking about using a 94+ tranny designed for the external slave with the internal slave bell housing?

 

Third, these gauges are stupid.  Well, this fuel gauge and these lights are stupid.  To switch to the newer style gauges, do I need a whole wiring harness or just a different gauge cluster and a few parts?

Just a gauge cluster. No wiring involved. You also have to replace the temperature sender (left rear corner of the head) and the oil pressure sender.

[eli.hecox]

 Quote

Second, the first modification I'm going to do is add 4wd.  I know it will be easier to just get a 4wd ax15 rather than try to take mine apart and change the main shaft, but from what I've read, most later models have external slaves and mine has an internal one.  I've never had anything with a hydraulic clutch (fancy!) so I don't know what the difference is or how hard it will be to change this, or if I even need to change it.  I feel like I should be able to just unbolt the transmission from the bell housing and slide it out, and the new one in place.  Am I wrong in this?

Are you asking about swapping an 89 or 90 AX-15 with the internal slave, or are you asking about using a 94+ tranny designed for the external slave with the internal slave bell housing?
 

 

I found a 96 xj with a 5 speed and transfer case that was all done up and then a tree fell on it so the guy is trying to sell it. I was hoping I could just unbolt my transmission from the bellhousing and then put a new one in its place without removing the bellhousing from the block (I would to do the clutch at the same time, but just so you know what I'm going for).

 

Essentially, do they have the same bolt pattern and input shaft between the early ax15 and the late ax15

[dasbulliwagen]

You can't externally remove the trans from the bell housing. You'll need to pull the whole thing. So if you get a trans with external slave just use the whole thing. Its a much better setup than the failure prone internal slave trucks.

[dasbulliwagen]

Also. If you swap the whole clutch slave and master together while the trans is out you won't even have to bleed it.Just bolt them both in without undoing the fluid line.

[eli.hecox]

You can't externally remove the trans from the bell housing. You'll need to pull the whole thing. So if you get a trans with external slave just use the whole thing. Its a much better setup than the failure prone internal slave trucks.

Good info, thanks. On my cj the bell housing is a seperate piece which is why I was confused.

[dasbulliwagen]

You can remove the bell housing just not externally. You need to pull the whole trans to get at the bolts inside the bell housing. And if you're getting a whole external slave trans setup you won't need to worry about this anyways.