thomasc

I have a 98 Cherokee that is currently 2wd, and I want to convert it to 4wd. I have quite a bit of experience working on vehicles, so I am comfortable with swapping the transmissions and axles and everything from a donor Jeep, but my question is this: Everyone says to get a Jeep that is the same series as the one you want to convert (get a 97-01 donor for a 97-01 project), but what difference would it make to get a 94 or a 91 cherokee? Shouldn't it still go onto the 4.0 the same? The only difference would be that I would also have to replace the real axle and not just the front, to maintain the same gear ratio, correct?

Jeep Driver

I don't mean to put you off........not the point here.........


Spend some time reading about the different series, ignitions, fuel supplies, Renix from OBD1 to OBD2 to the coil packs of the 2000-01.....etc........

Jeep Driver

To give you a direct answer-


If you have a 88XJ you will want the axles out of a 97-99 XJ.

But you will not look to a 97XJ for a trans and TC........TCM for one thing will not be compatible with Renix. ......also consider spline count when considering trans/TC....and DS yoke.....etc.

thomasc

Yeah, I'm aware of the differences in the year models, but I'm asking if any of those differences affect the conversion. The fuel ignition shouldn't have anything to do with swapping a 4x4 transmission with a 2x4 transmission, but I'm not sure about the obd1 vs obd2. I definitely won't get a renix donor, so I'm just asking if everything will properly function if the year models aren't the same or if I will run into any complications.

Jeep Driver

What year do you have?

thomasc

It is a 98. The donor definitely won't be a renix model, but I can't find a 97+ donor where I live. To be specific, I am looking at a 95 donor.

Jeep Driver

Fairly certain that the controls will not be compatible........OBD1 to II..........someone else will have to chime in.



I've driven 400 miles round trip for my manual trans, done that for several parts.

thomasc

I figured I'd ask. I saw someone on another forum saying that they would be compatible, but I wasn't sure.

The nearest 97+ for a reasonable price is 2.5 hours from me or else I wouldn't be having this problem.

Thank you for the help though! I do appreciate it.

Dumajones

Start here maybe these links can help.
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/con...2wd-4wd-21414/

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f46/je...wd-4x4-209134/

http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f11/x...iteup-1273413/

thomasc

So the general answer seems to be that it will work with any cherokee, but it will save me a lot of time and hassle to find one that is the same year as mine. Does anyone who has done this swap have any tips or things to watch out for?

Jeep Driver

Here's the deal-


My 88 MJ-

Current engine from 86XJ
New engine to be installed from a 98 TJ
Front axle from a 94 XJ
Trans from a 97 TJ
TC from a 94 XJ
Rear axle from a 97 XJ
Rear brakes from 03 KJ
Master and booster and power steering from a 04 WJ
Suspension is aftermarket along with many other parts including DSs and Hust shifter....etc.......


You learn by getting dirty.


I HIGHLY suggest you find a 97-99 COMPLETE donor for the swap.
Drag one home as I did, keep it simple.

Jeep Driver

FWIW to you ........

This was a 2W when I bought it, I drove to Atlanta from Knoxville pick it up.
Go where you gotta to get what you want.

MonacaYankee

97 transmission won't work correctly for a swap into a 98. You want a 98-01 aw4.

Look for the naxja aw-4 info thread.

thomasc

Thanks for the help everyone. I knew the basics of what I had to do, but I just wasn't sure what years would be compatible. That's cleared up now. Thanks again!