I just bought a cross member out of an '87 XJ with a 5 spd thinking it would give me the 3/4" TC drop without losing ground clearance. After comparing the stock AW4 cross member with the 5spd cross member, I see no appreciable difference in the two except some additional mounting holes in the 5spd CM for the TC/tranny.

Unless someone can shed a different experience or something I'm missing, I would have to conclude that particular junk yard mod bogus.

 

the 87 5speed is different,

get a 5 speed CM from an AX-15 jeep

 

ok i will clarify that.....they switched from the ba10/5 to the ax-15 in 1988 right? so '89+ should be good?

 

due to the fact that this is now a sticky i can't update the original post so here is the updated list:

Hey guys for the sake of everyone doing budget junkyard builds I was wondering what parts from other vehicles will fit an XJ with little or no modification that will help the performance/offroad capabilities of the XJ....feel free to post your mods and links to build threads if you have them.....this thread is to help new guys on a budget get started

***note that these are not all bolt in mods, but can be done by most who are mechanically inclined with the right tools

Here is the latest re-cap of what we have found:


Suspension & Lift:
1. ZJ V8 Upcountry Coils = 1-1.5" lift
2. F-150/Bronco Coils ('70s-ish) = 4-4.5" lift
3. Bastard Pack: Any 2.5" wide leaf spring can be used between to make a bastard pack (they may differ in stiffness and lift) i.e. S10, Dakota
5. JK shocks = slight mod to fit 2-4" lift (must be from JK Rubicon, will require Bar Pin Eliminators)
6. MJ Shackles = 1/2" lift
7. Camaro Spring Isolators = 1.5" lift
8. WJ rear sway bar end-links = minor fab to fit 3-4" lift
9. ZJ spring isolators = stronger, metal core, can be stacked
10. GM fullsize pickup shackles ('95-99) = 1.5" lift, better shackle angle
11. Thunderbird Front Coils ('83-97) = 3-4" lift (varies in lift and softness by year and trim package), will need top plate from strut too
12. Ford Exploder rear sway-bar links = may be good for 3-4" lift
13. S10 Shocks (Rear only) = good for the lift you will get when you do a bastard pack
14. TJ Lift Coils (front only) = provide 1" less lift on an XJ than on a TJ


Brakes:
1. WJ brake booster
2. WJ Master Cylinder
3. YJ Brake Lines = 3-4" longer
4. Dodge Ram Van Brake Lines = 10-12" longer (for big lifts), some dispute
5. WJ Rotors/Calipers = bigger brakes and more stopping power (will fit 15" rims)
6. ZJ brake booster, master cylinder, proportioning valve = may need for disc conversion
7. XJ '95+ brake booster and master cylinder = dual diaphragm
8. Dakota Rear Softlines ('95-00) = 6" longer
9. GM C/K1500 Front Softlines ('90-95) = 6" longer
10. KJ disc brake set-ups can be used for a conversion on your XJ axle

Axles:
1. Ford 8.8 inch ('97+) = need spring & shock mounts (3.55, 3.73, or 4.10, maybe LSD, Disc Brakes)
2. XJ I-4 & some V6 = may have 3.73, 4.10, or 4.56 gears may have vacuum discos
3. XJ C8.25 ('97+) = bolt in and upgrades to 29 spline (strength comparable to D44)
4. XJ D44 = found in some but not all '87-'89 XJ's with Towing Package
5. Lincoln Lockers = welded spider gears, operates like a spool, must be a GOOD welder
6. MJ D44 = need new spring perches and shock mounts
7. XJ D30 = ('95-'99) non-disconnect, larger u-joints, high pinion, bolt in
8. Homebrew posi-locks for '84-90 vacuum disconnect D30s, eliminates vacuum actuation
9. G80 LSD locker from '90s Turbo Volvo with D30 rear for XJ front D30 (beware with larger tires)

Front End & Steering:
1. ZJ V8 Tierods = beefier & bolt in
2. WJ Knuckles/Tierods/Draglinks = beefier and crossover steering
3. Durango Steering Box = beefier
4. 350 Power Steering Pump = helps with oversize tires (requires welding)
5. WJ LCA's = more tire clearance (some grinding required)
6. ZJ pitman arm = 1 inch drop over stock
7. WJ rear LCA's = replace XJ front LCA's, 2" longer to accommodate a lift, some grinding required
8. WJ power steering pump (fits '96+, plug return hole, and use XJ pulley)
9. V8 ZJ front sway-bar
10. JK rear UCA = use as XJ LCA, its about 1-2" longer
11. Ford Bonco II (thats the little one like a ranger) Front Swaybar = good for 3-4" lift

Engine/Transmission/T-case:
1. Newer XJ intakes (may require some modification)
2. Mustang 5.0 Injectors = near bolt in (have 4 holes instead of 1, more fuel, better spray)
3. Mopar 136Amp Alternator, bolt it (slight grinding required) found in: 97-98 Dodge Full Size Van, 97-1998 Dodge Dakota, 98 Dodge Durang0, 97-98 Dodge Ram, 97-98 Jeep Grand Cherokee
4. Ford Electric Fan ('90-95 3.8L Taurus, '87-93 5.0L Mustang) = replaces mechanical fan, more cooling (8C607)
5. 2.5L Dakota Alternator = bolt in, upgrades to 117A
6. Dodge Neon Injectors = better throttle response
7. '94+ V6 Dakota AX-15 = bolt in (but must use XJ bellhousing), good upgrade from AX-5
8. ZJ and WJ stock tranny coolers with stacked plates (even an upgrade for us with the stock fin style)
9. 5spd crossmembers give 3/4 inch t-case drop on autos with no loss in ground clearance ('89+ 4.0L only, must be from AX-15 tranny)
10. Hoodvents (i.e. Lebaron, Laser, Turbo Thunderbird etc.) = help keep ur 4.0 cool at low speeds
11. You can convert the closed system to open without replacing your radiator by using the fill cap from a 4.7 durango or dakota, cutting it into your upper hose, and replace your bottle with an MJ overflow tank or any that fit. Then cap off or eliminate the T'ed lines in the heater core.
12. Homebrew Slip Yoke Eliminator (use search function)
13. NV241-OR (from TJ Rubicon only) = near bolt in, 4:1 low range
14. Doubler Options : NP231/NP231, NP231/D300,


Body/Interior/Armor:
1. 97+ mirrors are direct bolt in to older XJ's and allow you to fold them in on tight trails.
2. MJ/2 Door XJ Bucket seats = tilt forward, bolt in
3. ZJ gas tank skid = can be modified to fit 97+
4. GM power antennas replace your broken XJ's with little modification
5. XJ '97+ doors onto older cherokees = one piece windows and better mirrors
6. XJ overhead console = most commonly found in '00-01 or higher trim level, provides space for switches etc.
7. '97+ center console = can be made to fit '96 and older, gives you cupholders!
8.'96-00 Ford Explorer hatch shocks = lift your hatch about 3" lower but are beef (ever see one that doesn't work?) need modification for '97+
9. OEM skid plates (Front, Tranny, T-case, gas tank, found on "up-country" package XJ's not the same as a Country Edition)
10. OEM swing-out tire carriers, get the bumper with it, found mainly on '84-'90 XJ's
11. ZJ skid plates = require slight modification, but can be made to work
12. Wheels from XJ, ZJ, TJ, YJ, Explorer, Magnum Steelies (17x7) (any with 5x4.5 bolt pattern) will fit....CJ, WJ, WK, KK, JK, Full-Size Ford 5 bolt rims will NOT fit
13. TJ Fender Flares (front and rear or rear all the way around)
14. Grand Cherokee center console lid = sits higher, but gives rear passengers cupholders

*view following posts for more details.....and feel free to ask questions and as always....SEARCH!!!

**Also Blazin Den has made a list of links to build threads for us! Recap with Links!

*** PM ME IF YOU HAVE LINKS TO BUILDS FOR ANY MODIFICATIONS AND I'LL UPDATE THE LIST

 

The links don't work, but the update is appreciated for sure.

 

Can we get a mod to update the list on the first page for people to reference?

 

Did my lift today with much needed help from Skunkape & here's my results

Front: ZJ coils and isolators(on top of my factory isolator)...2.5-3"
Rear: GM shackle....1-1.25

However my leaf pack is pretty much shot...so...Monday I'm off to the JY to pull a much better XJ leaf pack and S10 leaf pack to make up for my 1.5-2" drag @$$ lol

Also removed my rear sway back and built the home brew snorkle into the firewall(post pics tomorrow)

 

Oh and not too shabby for free!! :2thumbsup:

 

late 1989-2001 with the 4.0L engine

 

up to about 93-94 they still used small (21?) output spline count

 

incorrect. AX-15's have always used a 23 spline output.

The input pilot tip diameter was slightly smaller on pre-91 models, and pre-94 models used an interior slave

 

you can convert a rear d35 from drums to disc brakes if you take all the components off a 90's-ish explorer.. this will prevent your tire from tumbling away if you break an axle..

 

Good point. There's a lot of info out there if you search a bit.

 

Is there more rear axles that will work on the xj other then what's listed ? (i have a bronco 2 that I could get a rear from will it work ? Or will it be to narrow)

 

The Bronco II came with a Ford 7.5" rear end. This is a step in the wrong direction from your stock jeep axle no matter which one you have