tkgibbs27 Posted October 14, 2007 Author Share Posted October 14, 2007 auto to manual swap is easy enough you'd need ax5 + shifter 4wd shift linkage for ax5 (if you have 4wd) flywheel for manual trans. pilot bushing clutch master and slave cylinder pedal assembly (bolt in) and there may be a minor difference in d.s. lengths but that I do not know. you'd just swap all those parts on accordingly, and no longer use/need any of the auto stuff (auto shifter and cover plate, cable, trans., flexplate, pedal assembly, computer...if it's computer controlled) and you may have to splice a few wires for the sensors on the tranny, but probably will be the same. a weekend's of work. yeah i would say so. i would have to cut a hole inside the cab as well to place the shifter in wouldn't in? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted October 14, 2007 Share Posted October 14, 2007 The holes are already there, they just have a plate covering them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tkgibbs27 Posted October 15, 2007 Author Share Posted October 15, 2007 The holes are already there, they just have a plate covering them. that's a good deal then Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle Posted October 16, 2007 Share Posted October 16, 2007 rather than going out and buying a different comanche that would be a manual trans. how much work would need to be done to convert a auto to a stick? i like manual trans. better than auto. what i have heard is that auto is better for off roadin' though. i do a lot of off roadin' when i go camping and fishing and i do both pretty often so i would like to fix this truck up to be fit for it a lot more and right now it pretty damn gutless. An automatic is "better" than a manual for hard-core rock crawling, but even that can be done with a manual if geared correctly. For fishing trips and fire roads, IMHO an automatic doesn't offer any advantages. I've run some moderately tough trails in both my XJ and the '88 MJ ... both have 5-speeds. The XJ even still has the factory 3.08 gears. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tkgibbs27 Posted October 16, 2007 Author Share Posted October 16, 2007 rather than going out and buying a different comanche that would be a manual trans. how much work would need to be done to convert a auto to a stick? i like manual trans. better than auto. what i have heard is that auto is better for off roadin' though. i do a lot of off roadin' when i go camping and fishing and i do both pretty often so i would like to fix this truck up to be fit for it a lot more and right now it pretty damn gutless. An automatic is "better" than a manual for hard-core rock crawling, but even that can be done with a manual if geared correctly. For fishing trips and fire roads, IMHO an automatic doesn't offer any advantages. I've run some moderately tough trails in both my XJ and the '88 MJ ... both have 5-speeds. The XJ even still has the factory 3.08 gears. so would you suggest switching to a manual transmission? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 so would you suggest switching to a manual transmission? If you want to be able to get decent highway fuel mileage AND have a half-decent off-road crawl ratio, you need an overdrive, which the 3-speed auto doesn't offer. The ideal would be an AW4, but finding the right bell housing is virtually impossible. So ... the alternative is a 5-speed manual. If you know how to drive a manual tranny and don't mind shifting, then by all means do the swap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tkgibbs27 Posted October 18, 2007 Author Share Posted October 18, 2007 so would you suggest switching to a manual transmission? If you want to be able to get decent highway fuel mileage AND have a half-decent off-road crawl ratio, you need an overdrive, which the 3-speed auto doesn't offer. The ideal would be an AW4, but finding the right bell housing is virtually impossible. So ... the alternative is a 5-speed manual. If you know how to drive a manual tranny and don't mind shifting, then by all means do the swap. i'd much rather have a manual. i will most likely do the swap then. thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carnuck Posted October 18, 2007 Share Posted October 18, 2007 Another auto swap option is a CJ 4 cyl belled 904 which they build up with SBCs because that 2.5 Iron Duke has the same pattern. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeepcoMJ Posted October 19, 2007 Share Posted October 19, 2007 Another auto swap option is a CJ 4 cyl belled 904 which they build up with SBCs because that 2.5 Iron Duke has the same pattern. that 2.5 isn't the iron duke 2.5. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carnuck Posted October 19, 2007 Share Posted October 19, 2007 Pre '83 is the GM 4 cyl. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
triple4x4 Posted October 20, 2007 Share Posted October 20, 2007 On your swap I have a 85 mj it had the old v6, ax5 in it. everyone told me the I 6 wouldn't fit and need to modifly the fire wall. I bought a doner 89 cke, and with a saws all and 12 pack of beer i made it work. You only need to change the front radiator support and build a bottom piece for the radiator to fit in. also will have to move the crossmember back about 6 inches. change wire harness. It is not hard. it is eaiser when you have a doner sitting next to it so you can see what needs to be done. you can even use tha stock motor mounts. I used the whole thing ,motor, trans, t case. Fired right up. If the radiator is in good shape, take it in and they can put a spout in it like the 91& newer style. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carnuck Posted October 21, 2007 Share Posted October 21, 2007 There aren't any '85 MJs! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeepcoMJ Posted October 21, 2007 Share Posted October 21, 2007 There aren't any '85 MJs! there are but they weren't supposed to go to the public, and there are only 2 or 3...I"ve seen one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle Posted October 22, 2007 Share Posted October 22, 2007 Pre '83 is the GM 4 cyl. Yes, in an Eagle. Pre-'83 isn't an XJ or MJ. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carnuck Posted October 22, 2007 Share Posted October 22, 2007 We're talking CJ here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
triple4x4 Posted October 22, 2007 Share Posted October 22, 2007 you are right carnuck it isn't a 85 it is a 86. Coversion was still the same. with 3 mjs, 4 ckes,2 willys, 1 j truck & many parts ,they get confusing sometimes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oizarod115 Posted October 23, 2007 Share Posted October 23, 2007 you are right carnuck it isn't a 85 it is a 86. Coversion was still the same. with 3 mjs, 4 ckes,2 willys, 1 j truck & many parts ,they get confusing sometimes. :eek: sheesh, share the wealth. and give me the j-truck and a ckee. :cheers: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carnuck Posted October 23, 2007 Share Posted October 23, 2007 Nuh uh! The Jtrucks are MINE! (I have 4 already) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clarence Posted October 25, 2007 Share Posted October 25, 2007 J trucks rule i wish i had a 69 gladiator with the 327 those trucks are awsome. The truck i built right before i got my MJ was a 79 jeep j10. and it had the t18 But all in all the mj is an awsome truck and when i finally get it done so that its a trail only truck i wanna build a gladiator to pull it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tkgibbs27 Posted November 15, 2007 Author Share Posted November 15, 2007 There should be a sticker on the inside of the drivers door, that will tell you the month of manufactur, I don't know the exact switchover time, but I'm guessing if it was made in 85 you'll need some modification. i haven't done any swapping yet, i was talking with a friend about my original intentions on dropping the 258 I6 in it and he told that a 4.0L would be better. i did check the sticker on the drivers side door, but all the lettering is basically all faded away, so i couldn't really tell. could i check it by my VIN number? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joop Posted November 15, 2007 Share Posted November 15, 2007 I'm currently 80% finnished with a 2.8 - 5speed ---> 4.0L - aw4 swap in my 86 MJ and IMO the easyest task so far was actually to get the engine/auto/transfer into position. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tkgibbs27 Posted November 15, 2007 Author Share Posted November 15, 2007 I'm currently 80% finnished with a 2.8 - 5speed ---> 4.0L - aw4 swap in my 86 MJ and IMO the easyest task so far was actually to get the engine/auto/transfer into position. i have the 2.8 auto. so did you have any troubles with the firewall? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle Posted November 16, 2007 Share Posted November 16, 2007 I'm currently 80% finnished ... What? I thought you were Norwegian. EXIT STAGE LEFT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joop Posted November 16, 2007 Share Posted November 16, 2007 Sorry my bad spelling Eagle, i mean finished off course. Like done, completed, not like the country. If you have a big enough hammer the firewall isnt a problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tkgibbs27 Posted November 16, 2007 Author Share Posted November 16, 2007 i have a big enough hammer. it's not something that i would be looking forward to doing though. what else would you need to get if you swapped in the 4.0L? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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