abovenbeyond

Hello all,
OK here is the deal, I am meeting a guy to look at swapping a car for a '89 Cherokee (2 door) I have only seen a pic and it looks nice and already has a 3" lift (not sure if body or susp. yet)

Anyways, here is the BIG question...

The engine has been swapped out for a 1996 Grand Cherokee motor, which seems cool... but there is at least one issue, it does not automatically shift, you have to manually shift from 1 to 2 to 3 back to 2, etc.

I would assume it is because the new engine maybe originally had a ecu controlled shifting?

Is that right? If not what could or would cause that on a 96 drive train?

Please respond asap, I am meeting him in about 4 hours.

BlueXJ

Originally had two 'puters ECU & TCU but the 96 had a combined 'puter. Must still have a old 89 'puter and needs the 96 to get the combo going.JMHO.

abovenbeyond

Well that would make since, do you think the 96 comp would work in the 89, I would assume they should have done that in the beginning. Do you think there is some other reason the 96 comp could not be put into the 89? I am thinking sensors not part of the engine, maybe something from the chassis that went away when the 96 did??

What I am really looking for is what it might take to make it right and if it is possible, usually anything is possible... lol

Was the 96 an OD trans? I would assume yes, and if so do you think it is bad to drive it this way?

abovenbeyond

Also I am assuming at this point that the trans was swapped, maybe I should not do that...

Let me ask this being you said they used at one time 2 comps...

What if the engine was swapped, but the trans is the 89? Would the 89 have had 2 comps? If so then it should be shifting correctly I would assume??

TrueBlueXJ

Well I CAN tell you that the Cherokee has a supsension lift, not a body lift (unibody - no frame). As for the tranny issues... could be a transmission speed sensor? Maybe it went bad in the swap, or wasn't included in the swap.

BlueXJ

Don't really know without seeing the computers. Sry! The old one is a Renix one and the 96 is a Cryco one. That is all I can tell you. The Renix would need all Renix sensors to run and the 96 would need the Cryco electronics to run so I have no ideas on what was done to this particular Jeep.

abovenbeyond

Hmm... So if one computer controls the engine and trans this could be a pain then huh??

What about a manual valve body? Is that possible on the trans for the Cherokee, I would be fine with always shifting so long as I felt I was not damaging the trans in doing so... example would be if the trans was just slipping all the time... sooner then later it will be smoked.

Bouncy

Ask if he changed out the harness.

If he did, it probably has the 96 computer. However in a Cherokee, the GRAND Cherokee harness, computer, sensors, idiot lights etc are all different.

The usual swap is to use the 89 stuff with a 9x long block and just reuse all the old sensors and harness.

That being said, his kickdown linkage could be misadjusted, his TPS sensor may not be set correct. The tranny could have bad solenoids.

Or it was just installed terribly and some power wires for the TCU may not be hooked up, poor grounds for power, etc.

There is quite a few possiblities here and without seeing it, Who Knows???

abovenbeyond

I am not afraid of the little things like the TPS, linkage, or even the solenoids.

I will call the guy again before meeting him and ask more about the swap.

When I am looking at it, is it easy to tell if it has the 89 trans vs. the 96 trans? Do they look different? If so what should I be looking for?

Bouncy

They would look basically the same.

The only difference in the trans is the 21 spline and 23 spline from the rear of the trans connecting to the t-case.

And that would be impossible to see unless the jeep were in parts form.

abovenbeyond

Well I talked to him again... His wife said it was swapped and thought it was a complete swap, well husband says with a chuckle no, and that it was a long block from the 96, basically stripped down and all the 89 stuff put on the 96.

This does sound better no?

Also it sounds like it is the original trans.

So if this is what was done, what are some possibilities of failure. Also I found out the speedo is non op, would the 89 use a cable, and if so and it is broke would that effect the trans?

BlueXJ

Yes easier. Yes there is a speedo cable. Check to see that it was reinserted into the tranny first. It could be as simple as a blown fuse then. When the TCU has a power failure it reverts to manual mode. Check for the fuse first. I think it is in the passenger side kick panel.

abovenbeyond

Would it damage the trans driving it in manual mode?

Kyle

It wont hurt it but I wouldnt recommend doing it for a long distance and I wouldnt do it more then a couple of drives.

okcjeeper

I dunno unless it's s steal of a deal I don't think I would even bother...Sounds like they did a hack job of a motor swap and it wasn't done properly..This is what happens when you start using newer stuff on older stuff and not doing it properly..Now if you get the jeep you will be left with a 96 block and 89 upper end with who knows what year trany to try and fix which will in the end cost you well more then it's worth..I'd hold out and find one that has an original motor or needs a motor and then get a reman motor and do it right. Just my thoughts...I bought my 91 knowing it would need a motor and I jsut bought a reman and did a direct swap and had no issues..

My buddy has 93 XJ and put a trany and t-case from an 89 in and things went south from there with the speedometer, fuel gauge and something else...So think long and hard before jumping off on this..