I'm trying to get answers for a friend of mine. He has two Cherokees. A 1989 or 90 4x4 and a 2001 2wd. He would like to swap the transmission, transfercase and axles from the old xj to the new one. The suspension won't be an issue because they are pretty much the same. Our issue is with the transmissions. I'm fairly certain 89 trans will mount 01 engine, but my question is what electrical issues will we have to get the older trans to work with the newer engine? Plus what kind of headaches would we expect to run into? Any help would be greatly appreciated since my buddy wants to dive into this like its a sure thing.

 

Hard to say. You need to know what you are going to swap in. Are they all select-trac or command trac 4x4? I think it would be easier to swap more similar years.

 

Maybe this will help http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1053970

 

LOTS of electrical differences.

 

With the HUGE difference in the years of your XJs, it would be cheaper/easier to just sell the 2001 and purchase a nice clean post '97 4x4 XJ. Or keep the 2001 and find a nice 4x4. Market on post '97 XJs around here is crazy low right now for some reason. Picked up a clean 99 4x4 for $500 and a 97 runner 4x4 for $300.

Quicker/Cheaper to buy a 4x4 unless you have the same year parts Jeep, deep pockets and lots of time.