Zaptoo Posted October 3, 2018 Share Posted October 3, 2018 Hey guys, my Dad and I were just gifted an immaculate 1987 Jeep Comanche. It's a 2.5L 5Spd 4x4. 87***km, NO RUST. Has stock rims and a set of aftermarket mags. The other guy got rid of it because the tranny wouldn't go into reverse. Upon doing some research, I have discovered that the 87 most likely would have had the AX-5, now I have heard that the Ax-15 is a significant upgrade. Is there any years in specific I should be looking for? What's most plug and play friendly? Side note, I have heard the 2.5's were pretty gutless, what would a decent upgrade be, aside from the obvious 4.0L Would love to hear your thoughts. Cheers, Side note- Live in Vancouver, BC, Canada Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zaptoo Posted October 4, 2018 Author Share Posted October 4, 2018 So, after much more digging, I have decided to just stick with the ax-5 2.5L combo, need a DD for now. That aside, will any ax-5 fit? Could use some pointers from people with experience or knowledge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eaglescout526 Posted October 4, 2018 Share Posted October 4, 2018 Any AX-5 with 4x4 will fit behind the 2.5L ‘84-‘01 Cherokee XJ’s and ‘86-‘92 MJ’s. As for upgrading to the AX-15 behind the 2.5L, you will need to find a Dakota with the 2.5L for the 2.5L to AX-15 bellhousing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zaptoo Posted October 4, 2018 Author Share Posted October 4, 2018 3 minutes ago, eaglescout526 said: Any AX-5 with 4x4 will fit behind the 2.5L ‘84-‘01 Cherokee XJ’s and ‘86-‘92 MJ’s. As for upgrading to the AX-15 behind the 2.5L, you will need to find a Dakota with the 2.5L for the 2.5L to AX-15 bellhousing. Does it need to be 4x4? Can I not just swap the NPC 231 from old ax-5 to new one? Or is there a gearing difference? Thanks in advance! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirtyComanche Posted October 4, 2018 Share Posted October 4, 2018 You must use a 4wd transmission unless you want to tear the transmissions apart and swap significant parts over, which may or may not be damaged in your current transmission. XJ/MJ AX-5s have the transfer case adapter flange drilled different than YJ/TJ ones. If you use a YJ/TJ one the transfer case will wind up clocked higher and there is potential for floor contact and the shift linkage not working; basically it may not bolt together as intended, although it will physically fit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zaptoo Posted October 4, 2018 Author Share Posted October 4, 2018 40 minutes ago, DirtyComanche said: You must use a 4wd transmission unless you want to tear the transmissions apart and swap significant parts over, which may or may not be damaged in your current transmission. XJ/MJ AX-5s have the transfer case adapter flange drilled different than YJ/TJ ones. If you use a YJ/TJ one the transfer case will wind up clocked higher and there is potential for floor contact and the shift linkage not working; basically it may not bolt together as intended, although it will physically fit. Good to know, so avoid yj/tj ax-5s Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zaptoo Posted October 4, 2018 Author Share Posted October 4, 2018 Side note, my shopping list for the motor rebuild so far is Rad hoses Thermostat Clutch/plate Plugs/wires Battery Belts Air filter Fuel filter PCV Rotor/cap All fluids/oils Can you think of anything else? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eaglescout526 Posted October 4, 2018 Share Posted October 4, 2018 Check and or replace hard vacuum lines Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ωhm Posted October 4, 2018 Share Posted October 4, 2018 Think about adding OEM oxygen sensor to your list. How many mile/km is on the vehicle? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeep Driver Posted October 4, 2018 Share Posted October 4, 2018 2 hours ago, Zaptoo said: Side note, my shopping list for the motor rebuild so far is Rad hoses Thermostat Clutch/plate Plugs/wires Battery Belts Air filter Fuel filter PCV Rotor/cap All fluids/oils Can you think of anything else? Are you actually rebuilding the engine? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zaptoo Posted October 4, 2018 Author Share Posted October 4, 2018 9 minutes ago, Jeep Driver said: Are you actually rebuilding the engine? Sorry, should say Motor tune-up/overhaul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zaptoo Posted October 4, 2018 Author Share Posted October 4, 2018 Also, fun fact, was just informed that it's an 86 not an 87. What if anything will that change? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zaptoo Posted October 4, 2018 Author Share Posted October 4, 2018 1 hour ago, Ωhm said: Think about adding OEM oxygen sensor to your list. How many mile/km is on the vehicle? 87***Km, so about 50k Miles, is there an option to delete O2 sensor? I'm going to remove CAT etc and probably run new from block (headers, muffler etc) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeep Driver Posted October 4, 2018 Share Posted October 4, 2018 1 minute ago, Zaptoo said: Also, fun fact, was just informed that it's an 86 not an 87. What if anything will that change? Nothing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeep Driver Posted October 4, 2018 Share Posted October 4, 2018 Just now, Zaptoo said: 87***Km, so about 50k Miles, is there an option to delete O2 sensor? I'm going to remove CAT etc and probably run new from block (headers, muffler etc) No, you must keep the O2. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zaptoo Posted October 4, 2018 Author Share Posted October 4, 2018 Just now, Jeep Driver said: Nothing. Parts guy said a different clutch? Have yet to do research on it though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeep Driver Posted October 4, 2018 Share Posted October 4, 2018 1 minute ago, Zaptoo said: Parts guy said a different clutch? Have yet to do research on it though. Yes, order per the year. That said, nothing will really change. And if you are changing trans any way, you'll want a '94+ to get the external slave/bell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zaptoo Posted October 5, 2018 Author Share Posted October 5, 2018 2 minutes ago, Jeep Driver said: Yes, order per the year. That said, nothing will really change. And if you are changing trans any way, you'll want a '94+ to get the external slave/bell. Is it a complicated changeover? or just plug and play? I would prefer an external but at this moment in time i'm not in a position to be picky. I found a 91 YJ tranny for 350$ CAD just have to swap the flange as DirtyComanche stated. Side Note - So look for the clutch that corresponds with the year of the transmission I will be putting in correct? Also if I have bung welded or use the bung from the current cat for the new exhaust it shouldn't be problematic should it? Thank you for your help and patience! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ωhm Posted October 5, 2018 Share Posted October 5, 2018 14 minutes ago, Zaptoo said: Also if I have bung welded or use the bung from the current cat for the new exhaust it shouldn't be problematic should it? No, just keep in mind the length of the O2 wires when determining bung location. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeep Driver Posted October 5, 2018 Share Posted October 5, 2018 Don't know about the 86 and this is the first I've heard of the O2 at the Cat. O2 is at the exhaust manifold or in the down pipe about 6" below the manifold. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zaptoo Posted October 5, 2018 Author Share Posted October 5, 2018 36 minutes ago, Zaptoo said: Is it a complicated changeover? or just plug and play? I would prefer an external but at this moment in time i'm not in a position to be picky. I found a 91 YJ tranny for 350$ CAD just have to swap the flange as DirtyComanche stated. Side Note - So look for the clutch that corresponds with the year of the transmission I will be putting in correct? Also if I have bung welded or use the bung from the current cat for the new exhaust it shouldn't be problematic should it? Thank you for your help and patience! So looking at the 86 comanche... theres like 5 options for clutches on Rockauto... which one of these would be best/correct? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zaptoo Posted October 5, 2018 Author Share Posted October 5, 2018 1 hour ago, Jeep Driver said: Don't know about the 86 and this is the first I've heard of the O2 at the Cat. O2 is at the exhaust manifold or in the down pipe about 6" below the manifold. Just one? Neat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeep Driver Posted October 5, 2018 Share Posted October 5, 2018 3 minutes ago, Zaptoo said: Just one? Neat. Do you have a 4 cylinder or a 6? 2.5 or 2.8? Why did you think there was more than one O2? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zaptoo Posted October 5, 2018 Author Share Posted October 5, 2018 2.5L I'm used to Ford/Nissan Ordering a new manifold/ o2 sensor... Rockauto has some pretty bomb prices Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zaptoo Posted October 5, 2018 Author Share Posted October 5, 2018 So, fun fact. Tow truck that towed it to my mechanics place did not dolly the rear wheels. On a scale of 1-10 how much could this damage the Tcase? It traveled approx 30miles Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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