90 MJ 2.5 and 4x4 swap/upgrade

[90comancheman]

I've read through several different 2.5-4.0 swap threads as well as the 2wd to 4wd threads but I still need some clarification.  I have a 90 2wd (Renix) 2.5 Comanche that has a beautiful interior and rust free exterior but it's underpowered.  I've found a 91 MJ 4.0 4x4 that is rusted to all get out but I can pick it up at a fair price.  My original plan was to pick up a 88-90 Renix Cherokee and do a complete swap Renix to Renix, which should be plug and play and make it easy on myself but I ran across the 91 MJ locally and I'm curious if I could just do a complete cross over swap Renix to HO if I used everything off of the 91.  In short, my question is for the guys who have done this swap before would it be wiser to stick with the 88-90 (Renix to Renix) swap or if I use everything from the 91 will the upgrade be just as easy going from the Renix to the HO.  Thoughts......... 

[87Warrior]

If the 91 is truly a lost cause, it would be the perfect donor. Swap everything to the 90. Drivetrain, radiator/support, engine/interior/bed wiring harness, dash, fuel lines, fuel tank and fuel sender.

[90comancheman]

Ok, but I would really like to keep my 90 dash and interior as they are pristine.  Could I pull the dash and just replace the wiring harness?  or will it just be easier to find an 88-90 to do the swap? 

[87Warrior]

You can remove the 91 dash harness and install it in your pristine dash. You will need to swap over the HO cluster as well.

 

I think you would be wise to go with the HO swap, especially with a complete, correct, donor sitting right there. You should have little to no fabrication and everything should fit like a glove. I believe using a Renix donor would require about the same amount of work.

[mnkyboy]

I put a 91 harness in my 89,alot of stuff including the 89 steer column plugged right in.

 

I also swapped the harnesses without pulling the dash.