Jaxso32 Posted March 29, 2016 Share Posted March 29, 2016 I have a 88 4.0 5 speed that ive had for a little over a year and a half now that has been plagued with electrical problem after problem due to poor fixes from the previous owners. After doing some searching here and on some other sites, converting to either an obd 1 or obd2 system is sounding like a better option than trying to continue to patch the system or search for a harness that is in better shape. i like the obd set ups better because they give more outputs for data and the availability of parts over the renix. Any input would be appreciated thanks so my questions are : 1. what is a better option obd1 or obd2 as far as performance and efficiency 2. would anyone that has done this say that it is worth it 3. for obd 2 is 96 better than 97? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikekaz1 Posted March 29, 2016 Share Posted March 29, 2016 all conversions would involve full electrical harness replacement. here are my known year brakes for conversions tho..... 91-94obd1 keep your dash and steering column, but swap all electronics. 95obd1 and 96obd2 introduced the airbag steering wheel and redesigned column, so electronics and column swap but keep dash. 97+ obd2 full electronics, dash, column, doors, and firewall modifications. for simplicity id go 91-94 obd1 i see no benefit to the 95/96 swap. the 97+ swap can improve personal aesthetic preferences and the ability to use more common engine diagnostics. but I don't see much more benefit then that. or go "stupider" and keep your electronics and convert to a carburetor. (depending on what electronic problems you've been facing, if its engine based or general electronics) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marine1Texas Posted March 29, 2016 Share Posted March 29, 2016 Carb conversion needs a HEI dizzy, manifold for carb or a adapter for carb, and a new fuel pressure regulator to drop pressure. At that point you don't need to change anything else. MAP, Knock, CPS, and O2 Sensor no need anymore. If you want you don't even have to required anything but the new pig tails for your Dizzy, you could leave everything as is, leaving computer where it is, just unplug the injectors and plug the holes for them. Clifford performance sales a whole kit if you like! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaxso32 Posted March 30, 2016 Author Share Posted March 30, 2016 I'm not a fan of the 97+ set ups if I went with the obd 2 it would probably be the 96 because i would be able to retain the same style dash and have have the data that obd2 gives. I could be wrong but i think the only major difference in the columns is that the 96 had an airbag so I wouldn't necessarily have to change the column. And the harnesses have been hacked up and "fixed" to the point of needing new ones and I've had zero luck finding a engine harness that is in good enough shape for me to justify spending the money No carb for me, it would go crazy being in CNY and multi port is way more efficient Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onlyinajeep726 Posted March 30, 2016 Share Posted March 30, 2016 If you use a '96, the fuel system is different. It uses a returnless system, where the regulator is in the tank, as opposed to on the fuel rail, with a return line. Not sure what the means for the MJ fuel sending unit since the XJ one is not a direct swap. I'm sure it could be converted, but I personally have no experience with this. I have contemplated it though since I have recently acquired a totalled '96 and I really want to shove the whole thing into my '86 (though there's nothing wrong with my Renix 4.0 I put it in a few years ago). I do know this swap has been done with success. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaxso32 Posted March 30, 2016 Author Share Posted March 30, 2016 Fuel tank leaks too so I could get a spectra tank and the xj sender should work. I have a few sources for cheap xj parts either through friends or Craigslist it's just figuring out which direction to go with it that I have to figure out, which is why I want to get some input from others on here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onlyinajeep726 Posted March 30, 2016 Share Posted March 30, 2016 In that case, then I would do the '96 swap. As mentioned before, everything will need to swapped over. All wire harnesses, PCM, etc. A custom wire harness will need to be made to adapt the MJ tail light/fuel pump harness to the cab harness (which isn't hard), see here: http://comancheclub.com/topic/18588-xj-dash-harness-to-rear-mj-harness-wiring-guides/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaxso32 Posted March 30, 2016 Author Share Posted March 30, 2016 Already started looking into that harness since I have a spare rear harness that I bought, but changing all of the other wiring was part of the reasons for considering the swap. I was hoping to hear from some of the people that did the 97+ to see why they went with that option Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaxso32 Posted March 30, 2016 Author Share Posted March 30, 2016 Or if anyone has used the older style dash with the 97+system Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikekaz1 Posted March 30, 2016 Share Posted March 30, 2016 I don't believe its possible To use the old dash with 97+ electronics Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaxso32 Posted March 30, 2016 Author Share Posted March 30, 2016 That's unfortunately what I was guessing it was going to be Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marine1Texas Posted March 30, 2016 Share Posted March 30, 2016 With all the work your thinking of doing, you could have your renix wiring replaced or rewire everything under the hood manually. I personally like most authentic as possible, and My renix in my 1st MJ is stable as hell with no electrical problems other then the c101 for 29 years now. just wired direct and tossed the c101 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser54 Posted March 30, 2016 Share Posted March 30, 2016 With all the work your thinking of doing, you could have your renix wiring replaced or rewire everything under the hood manually. I personally like most authentic as possible, and My renix in my 1st MJ is stable as hell with no electrical problems other then the c101 for 29 years now. just wired direct and tossed the c101 I'm with you on this. Get a harness from a junkyard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaxso32 Posted March 30, 2016 Author Share Posted March 30, 2016 For the year and a half ive had it i have never seen the correct year xj or mj with a 4.0 in a junkyard around me, or if i have i haven't seen one that has a harness that is any better shape than mine. and i have wanted to keep it more of less original but the truck needs to be rewired. Every harness on the truck has been poorly hacked, spliced, and cobbed together by the previous owners to the point that it would have to be stripped out and rebuilt to really fix the issues. So at that point, as much as i do like the renix system it seems to make more sense to me to change up to a system that gives data and feedback and has parts more readily available Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh94xj Posted August 11, 2016 Share Posted August 11, 2016 just got me a comanche to go with my xj I've been driving 8 years, thank u all for the info I've found in here, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser54 Posted August 12, 2016 Share Posted August 12, 2016 just got me a comanche to go with my xj I've been driving 8 years, thank u all for the info I've found in here, What year is it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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