98 Conversion Swap

[Eli237]

I may have come up on a really good deal on a donor for a swap, however I do not feel I am mechanically inclined to perform this task. Does anyone know anyone or any shops around the San Antonio area that would be willing to take on this project? 

[89 MJ]

You will have a ton of money in it if you pay someone to do the swap if you want the complete swap done. There are plenty of write ups for DIY though!

[Eli237]

Yeah I’m basically getting the Cherokee for free and it’s in good condition so I figure if I’m just paying labor, it would be offsetting the cost of the Cherokee itself? 🤷‍♂️

[89 MJ]

But in order to do a 97+ swap, the whole truck needs to be stripped and it is pretty much completely custom from there. Just don’t be surprised if you don’t have $8,000-$10,000 in it before paint. 

[Dzimm]

Yeah don't pay a shop to do it, the cost would be rediculous.  It's actually pretty easy with minimal fabrication required.  A 97+ swap was actually my first vehicle project and when I started I had only basic mechanical experience and by the time I was done I had learned quite a lot.  I also only had a basic socket set and some hand tools to do it, only fancy thing I bought was an electric impact gun to remove the flexplate bolts.

 

As stated there are tons of build threads and writeups about the swap and you can always take pictures of how everything goes together.  The easiest process will be to strip the truck, then strip the XJ and as you are stripping the XJ you will see how the stuff is installed so you know how it bolts into the MJ.  Just keep things like fasteners organized in Ziploc bags and label them.  We are also here to help with any questions you have.  You can absolutely do this.

[ghetdjc320]

A shop would probably charge less to do a v8 swap. What do you want to transfer from the 98? I’ve never seen a shop do it right but I’m sure one exists somewhere. Many will say they can do it but few have the experience doing a complete swap. The most capable MJ/XJ/YJ/TJ/ZJ/CJ mechanics tend to be home mechanics. 

[89 MJ]

30 minutes ago, ghetdjc320 said:

The most capable MJ/XJ/YJ/TJ/ZJ/CJ mechanics tend to be home mechanics. 

And I would say this is because these are the people that actually care about the rigs, they aren't just the slap on some lightbars and wheels and tires type of people. Plus most of the modern mechanics are the "get it done as quick as possible" type of people.

[ghetdjc320]

3 hours ago, 89 MJ said:

And I would say this is because these are the people that actually care about the rigs, they aren't just the slap on some lightbars and wheels and tires type of people. Plus most of the modern mechanics are the "get it done as quick as possible" type of people.

Very true

[jdog]

11 hours ago, 89 MJ said:

Plus most of the modern mechanics are the "get it done as quick as possible" type of people.

Flat rate is what caused this. 

[Eli237]

I was looking to do interior - dash, wiring, seats, as well as front end. I figured with a flat rate at around $80 bucks I'd have piece of mind and some type of warranty on the work as opposed to learning on the fly and I'd spend half of what is being suggested. I feel like most write ups assume the next person performing the tasks has a level of degree and comfort that I don't feel I am at. The last thing I want to do is tear a part two vehicles and be SOL. I do appreciate the support and feedback from the forum. thanks for all the replies.  

[Dzimm]

I wasn't totally comfortable when I did mine but I was completely comfortable knowing the entirely of ComancheClub is there to help .  You will only get more comfortable the more you work on it.  After doing the 97+ swap I was way more comfortable doing work on the MJs and XJ and at this point I would be totally confident in tearing one 100% apart and rebuilding everything and I started right where you are at just a few years ago.

 

You won't get any sort of guarantee or warranty on anything from a shop because everything will be used parts and it's not a standard job.  You are far better off learning and doing it yourself, most shops probably won't touch this project and if they do I'm sure it will be well over standard rates and you'll be without the MJ for a very long time.

[Eli237]

Thanks! I’ve looked through your build and you have done plenty! I guess the hang up for me was if it’s possible for me to get it done, well then for sure a Jeep shop or any experienced mechanic could knock out the project with greater ease/faster turnaround and great confidence in the work.

[Dzimm]

26 minutes ago, Eli237 said:

well then for sure a Jeep shop or any experienced mechanic could knock out the project with greater ease/faster turnaround and great confidence in the work.

That's the thing to realize, most of the experienced mechanics are gone or too old to take something like this on.  You would probably only find a shop willing to do it they were a custom shop or maybe a specialty Jeep shop but even that I would doubt.  A Jeep shop is mostly only going to deal with Wranglers installing lifts and light bars.  Any normal mechanic shop doesn't have people with the skill or ambition to do it anymore.  Money is too easy with normal services.  There is definitely some shops out there that would do it but you'd be spending way more than you think.

 

Where are you located?  Maybe there is a member close to you that would be willing to offer an extra set of hands if you needed it.  I know there was a post not too long ago of a member asking if another member would be willing to do the swap for them.  Some of us are always willing to do some wrenching. 

[Dzimm]

39 minutes ago, Eli237 said:

 

https://comancheclub.com/topic/32740-alexias-1987-to-1997-comanche/

 

This is probably the best 97+ build thread for gaining info from.  There's also some posts in the diy/tech section with instructions on the swap.