The Onion - 1989 Long Bed, 2.5 TBI

[Doc Payne]

Haven’t posted an update for quite a while. 
 
Cracked windshield was replaced, the installer thoroughly wire wheeled the channel and primed before installing the new one, also converted to the rubber trim. Trim and windshield for a 96+ Cherokee was ordered, fit just right. 
 

 

Next update was a big one, swapping the 2.5 for a 4.0. I got a good deal on a 4.0, AX15, NP231 combo from a 1998 wrangler. The head on the ‘98 didn’t have a coolant temp sending port, so I drilled and tapped one in at the normal renix location. Swapped the intake, exhaust, engine and frame mounts, and all accessory drive for Renix era parts. Also swapped all engine bay wiring from an ‘89 4.0. Trans tunnel cover had to be changed, that was sourced from BoxyJeep. Last thing I didn’t have was the manual crossmember and trans mount adapter. So I modified the crossmember and fabbed up the adapter. 


 

It is now running and driving. I need to swap in a new O2 sensor, the Bosch unit I picked up at Oreilly’s won’t cycle. But otherwise running great. Feels extra powerful with the current 4.10 gear ratio. That will eventually change when I pick up a Dana 30/C8.25 axle set up to finish converting to 4WD.

 

[Porquer]

Any plans for the old engine and transmission? Never mind, I see you’re out in CO.