thoughts about early XJ for 4wd conversion?

[MarteenJ]

Greetings, i have an opportunity to get a '85 XJ 4x4 for free {4cyl engine locked up and manual trans included, unknown if it is a 4spd or 5spd}

 

---  any thoughts on if this would be a decent candidate for a 4x4 donor for converting my early '89 comanche, currently 2x4 & 4 liter 5 speed?  ---  or should i keep waiting for a later model XJ donor to pop up?

 

my comanche will be used as a daily driver, with some need for a 4x4 in snow or minor off road

 

thanks for the input

 

 

[Pete M]

trans won't work at all.  

 

free is good though if you want to part it out.  

[Eagle]

The transmission won't mate to a 4.0L engine, and wouldn't handle the torque if it could.

 

The transfer case is an earlier and weaker design than the NVG 231 or NVG 242, has poorer internal oiling, and the low range is 2.60:1 rather than 2.72:1.

 

The front axle will work. The rear axle will work, but it's almost certainly a Dana 35, so not especially desirable. However -- if it's a 5-speed, the axles should be 4.10s, which is a nice find and certainly worth the price (free).

 

[eaglescout526]

Oooo if you part that XJ out do let me know. I’m working on an 84 right now and I’ll be running into needing spares and what not of parts. 

[MarteenJ]

 

interior rough, but some parts like the door panels are hard to find anywhere. . .   soooo, my 5speed 2x4 trans (early 1989) will not mate up to the XJ's nvg 241 at all ? -- or will it only need a new tail shaft? --  it may be worth my time to go up to Tenn just to get the front axle & rear axle, and scrap the rest / or craigslist?

 

no hurry, it has been sitting for years, and if i don't get it, probably sit for a few more years

 

 

[eaglescout526]

When you say 241, are you meaning the NP242? I don't know if anyone has mated a 242 to a 2.5L and if anyone has I guess I haven’t seen or heard such. But you’d need to change the tail shaft without a doubt to accept the t-case. 

[Pete M]

you'll essentially need a 4wd Peugeot for the parts to make a 2wd Peugeot into a 4wd Peugeot.  but yes, a 21 spline t-case will bolt to it.   

 

but I'd rather invest some money and get an AX-15 with a 23 spline t-case.   

[eaglescout526]

Actually if that XJ is 84, it is going to have the NP207 t-case which predates the NP231. But if it’s got an NP228/9 that predates the NP242. 

[Eagle]

It's a base model. My guess is that it's got an NP207 transfer case. It'll give you 4WD, but it's not a particularly favorable transfer case. As I posted above, the internal oiling is inferior to the 231, and the low range isn't as low as the 231. However, it's attached to a transmission that won't fit your engine, so you would need to modify your transmission to make it work.

 

Extremely unlikely that a 4-cylinder base model would have the 228/229 transfer case. That's a big, heavy, awkward lump of a transfer case.

 

If that vehicle were in your town, I'd say get it, grab the axles, and part out the rest. If you're in Georgia and it's in Tennessee -- I don't think it's worth the time, effort, and gas money to drive up there and haul it back.

 

[eaglescout526]

23 minutes ago, Eagle said:

Extremely unlikely that a 4-cylinder base model would have the 228/229 transfer case. That's a big, heavy, awkward lump of a transfer case.

Challenge accepted

[Eagle]

8 hours ago, eaglescout526 said:

Challenge accepted

 

Are you saying you have one, or know of one?

 

A BASE model 4-cylinder, manual transmission, with the 228 or 229 transfer case from the factory?

[eaglescout526]

13 minutes ago, Eagle said:

 

Are you saying you have one, or know of one?

 

A BASE model 4-cylinder, manual transmission, with the 228 or 229 transfer case from the factory?

I have a 229 to attempt to install. Honestly the 2.8L had the same transmissions to choose from and I figured why not give it a shot. I wanted to go 242 as I know it would be easier but it wouldn’t fit with the restoration/upgrades I am going with on my 84. We shall see what happens. 

[Eagle]

22 hours ago, eaglescout526 said:

I have a 229 to attempt to install. Honestly the 2.8L had the same transmissions to choose from and I figured why not give it a shot. I wanted to go 242 as I know it would be easier but it wouldn’t fit with the restoration/upgrades I am going with on my 84. We shall see what happens. 

 

I have an '84 or '85 XJ 2.8L hulk with a 228 or 229 transfer case out behind the garage. I'll probably pull the t-case before I scrap the body, but I have no idea what I'll do with it.

[eaglescout526]

6 minutes ago, Eagle said:

 

I have an '84 or '85 XJ 2.8L hulk with a 228 or 229 transfer case out behind the garage. I'll probably pull the t-case before I scrap the body, but I have no idea what I'll do with it.

Ooo I know I spoke with saveevryjp about such parts but when you get to that point I will be interested in having spare parts for the 4wd.

[MarteenJ]

thanks for the comments --  i am going to wait for later model with a 4.0L and 4x4. .   less hassle swapping over.