96 Cherokee with 98 4.0 how do I rig a temp Gauge
 

I have a 1996 Cherokee with a 1998 4.0 in it..How can I rig my dash temp gauge?????

Do you want the factory dash gauge to work, or are you trying to add in a new gauge? If it's #1, you may need to do some creative wiring work, or maybe not, I'm not sure. If #2, you should be able to put a temp sensor in the head. For me, driver side rear corner on top, but mine is a 2.5

Gonna have to drill/tap the head for the '96 sending unit OR install a bushing in the heater hose close to the stat cover so that u can mount the '96 sending unit. Either way, the tip of the sending unit needs to be in direct contact with flowing coolant in the head or flowing coolant that has just exited the head. Hot heater hose is 3/4" ID so an appropriate sized copper fitting with a bushing sized for the '96 sending unit threads will work fine. Probably have to run a ground wire from the sending unit over to a ground.

really good idea! Thanks!!!!

I also put a 98 motor in my 96. What I did was drill a hole in the thermostat housing and tapped it for the 96 temp sensor. The tap was in a AN pipe thread tap kit from Harbor Freight and cost around 6 bucks when it was on sale.

I can get a photo as soon as I get off from work if you need.

if you're looking to install an aftermarket gauge, you can install a radiator hose adapter pre-tapped for a temp sensor and go from there. just make sure to put it on the hot line and not the cold.

^ That seems like the best bet. Could use thermostat housing from a 1996. Wouldn't it fit the 98 motor?

The 96 and 98 thermostat housings are the same. I cut off the temp sender connector, extended the wire through the fuel injector/temp sensor harness, added some more loom and electrical tape and plugged it right in.


https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...70e2dcead0.jpg

Nice, guess that works well!
FYI for OP, the 1996 'usually' has 2 sensors. The block sender is for dash gauge. T-stat sensor is used by PCM for injector pulse width and to trigger e-fan when temp reaches 218 F.