Hi, rear axle question

[Dustysfreebie]

Hello,  I have a friend who has given me a 1985 Comanche pioneer. But he destroyed the rear end. 

2 wheel drive, 4cyl 4 speed.

I would like to make it into a 4x4, but what kind of parts are needed? What other jeeps will work with it? Cherokee?

Edited May 19, 2018 by Dustysfreebie
Wording

[Dzimm]

For a 4x4 swap you typically need a 4wd transmission, transfer case, front and rear axles, front and rear driveshafts, shift linkages and brackets, as well as a 4wd console or pop out the cover plate in the console you have (depends on the console).  There are tons of threads out there on this swap. 

 

Anything from an MJ will be a direct swap front and rear.  For the rear end, Dana 44 and AMC 20 would be the best but very hard to find.  Stay away from Dana 35s unless you get it free as they are not a very strong axle.

 

The only thing that doesn't direct swap from an XJ is the rear axle.  The perches will need moved (Pete has posted a pic that describes the perch dimensions around here many times) and the shock brackets cut off.  You will use your MJ shock bracket/leaf spring plate.  Here you could find a Dana 44 but again, very hard to find.  The best option is a C8.25 from a 97+ XJ as they are plenty strong and are under most XJs.  If you want to do a disk brake swap in the rear, you can get a C8.25 from a Jeep Liberty.  Again, stay away from a Dana 35 unless it is free.  

 

You are really going to have to do your research and hope someone who has done this swap onto a 4cyl will chime in to give you your options on trans and tcase that will work as I have no experience with any of the 4cyl engines.  If I'm not mistaken being an 86 it would have some sort of GM engine wouldn't it? 

 

If it were me, I'd find a cheap XJ to buy and do a whole drivetrain swap.  That will make your life WAAAYYYY easier down the road.  Your options doing that would be a Renix swap, HO swap, or 97+ swap.  All of which are not hard at all if you have basic mechanical knowledge.  The biggest problem is it takes time.    If you are looking for the easy and cheapest route, assuming it runs fine, find any rear axle from above and swap it in leaving it 2wd.  Just keep your gears in the 3.07 neighborhood to maintain the ability to go over 50mph.

 

 

 

 

 

[Pete M]

well, first let's find out what you've got.    86 was the first model year for Comanches (though a bunch of those were made in 1985).    but the Pioneer wasn't a trim level available in 86.  you'll want to confirm what the truck is before going further.  

 

essentially you'll want to find a 2.5L/5speed/4wd XJ to do the conversion.     will have everything you need but the rear shaft.

[Dustysfreebie]

Thank you for the reply.