99 Cherokee front axle and transfer case swap

[MJ Hammer]

Hello to you all, hope you are doing great

 

I am trying to convert the 1990 Pioneer short bed 4x2 to 4x4, currently it has the stock 4.0 6 cylinder and manual transmission and I got an offer for a Dana 30 front axle and NP231 from a 1999 Cherokee and an AX15 4x4 manual, my question is if those parts would fit the Comanche coming from a 1999 Cherokee.

 

Later on I will upgrade the rear axle, please let me know your thoughts

 

Best Regards

[Eagle]

Yes, they should fit. You will have to use your flywheel, because the '99 flywheel won't cooperate with the Renix CPS. The '99 will have an external clutch slave cylinder, which is a "Yuuge" improvement over the early, internal slaves.

[MJ Hammer]

Thanks, I appreciate.

 

What about the front axle, I've heard that the newest Dana 30 have bigger u joints, any modifications needed to install the 1999 Cherokee front axle in the MJ?

 

Thank you

[87MJTIM]

Also, get the front drive shaft.

 

Your rear drive shaft will need to be shortened to allow for a tcase addition.

 

Get the tcase shift linkage from the donor.  

 

The clutch kit changed from internal set up to external.  You will need to swap the clutch and pressure plate.  Purchase a kit that matches the trans year, not the truck year.

 

You will need to change out the pilot bearing/bushing.  The trans input shaft tips changed from 1/2" to 3/4".

[MJ Hammer]

OK, thank you. Great information, I appreciate

[desbennett004]

I'm just starting the same swap with the same parts. Great information, especially about the pilot bearing.

 

Sent from my SM-N900W8 using Tapatalk

[omega_rugal]

did you get the rear axle too? just in case the rear and front gear ratios don`t match...

 

althought both come from 4.0+manual vehicles so they must be 3.07...

[MJ Hammer]

I understand that the rear axle is different between MJ and XJ, the SUA vs SOA thing, so I am waiting to get one that fits directly, right now I'm just trying to get together all the pieces needed for the 4x4 swap, installation will come later

[Eagle]

I understand that the rear axle is different between MJ and XJ, the SUA vs SOA thing, so I am waiting to get one that fits directly, right now I'm just trying to get together all the pieces needed for the 4x4 swap, installation will come later

 

The only way you'll find a rear axle that fits directly, without at least moving the spring perches, is from another Comanche. And the only reason to swap one MJ axle to another (other than to change ratio) is if the replacement is a Dana 44. Good luck finding an MJ Dana 44.

[Steve Gregory]

 

I understand that the rear axle is different between MJ and XJ, the SUA vs SOA thing, so I am waiting to get one that fits directly, right now I'm just trying to get together all the pieces needed for the 4x4 swap, installation will come later

 

The only way you'll find a rear axle that fits directly, without at least moving the spring perches, is from another Comanche. And the only reason to swap one MJ axle to another (other than to change ratio) is if the replacement is a Dana 44. Good luck finding an MJ Dana 44.

 

I found an MJ specific Dana 44 on craigslist....for $400.... :eek:  :eek:

[Eagle]

 

 

I understand that the rear axle is different between MJ and XJ, the SUA vs SOA thing, so I am waiting to get one that fits directly, right now I'm just trying to get together all the pieces needed for the 4x4 swap, installation will come later

 

The only way you'll find a rear axle that fits directly, without at least moving the spring perches, is from another Comanche. And the only reason to swap one MJ axle to another (other than to change ratio) is if the replacement is a Dana 44. Good luck finding an MJ Dana 44.

 

I found an MJ specific Dana 44 on craigslist....for $400.... :eek:  :eek:

 

 

Fifteen years ago, in the early days on NAXJA, finding an XJ Dana 44 for $500 was considered a bargain. Times change.

[shelbyluvv]

I have a MJ D44 that I've turned down offers of $700 for. They are hard to find. I actually traded a XJ 44 for it.