What to do with a RWD 4cyl 2 door
#1
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Model: Cherokee
What to do with a RWD 4cyl 2 door
Here’s a gem from Nevada that made its way to the east coast. I’ve never seen a cleaner unibody on a cherokee out here. Only 112k original miles.
Salvage title which I don't care about. It was recalled a year after being purchased in 94. I think electrical issues (wipers and blower motor don’t work, speakers are all rewired into the sun visors).
But it’s a rwd 4 banger. I can’t even find two doors for sale here, especially in a 4cyl 5 speed configuration, so it’s kind of hard to find parts to 4wd swap. Wouldn’t even care much for the 4.0 as I already have a TJ as well, just 4wd comes in handy here. The 2.5 in it also runs like a top. It apparently won’t sell either for the $700 I have it up. I can’t count the numerous people that came out without reading the ad, only realizing what it actually is when they get there. Had an old man come from an hour and a half away just to leave within 5 minutes.
I was thinking roofrack and a bed setup in the trunk and make it a camper vehicle. Maybe another fresh rattle can job white with a baby blue stripe down the side. The headliner is missing and I was gonna have a local michelangelo paint the roof so I can stare at something while camping in the back.
Suggestions? Shame to see such a cool vehicle sit around. Check out the ZJ grill and my TJ as well lol
Salvage title which I don't care about. It was recalled a year after being purchased in 94. I think electrical issues (wipers and blower motor don’t work, speakers are all rewired into the sun visors).
But it’s a rwd 4 banger. I can’t even find two doors for sale here, especially in a 4cyl 5 speed configuration, so it’s kind of hard to find parts to 4wd swap. Wouldn’t even care much for the 4.0 as I already have a TJ as well, just 4wd comes in handy here. The 2.5 in it also runs like a top. It apparently won’t sell either for the $700 I have it up. I can’t count the numerous people that came out without reading the ad, only realizing what it actually is when they get there. Had an old man come from an hour and a half away just to leave within 5 minutes.
I was thinking roofrack and a bed setup in the trunk and make it a camper vehicle. Maybe another fresh rattle can job white with a baby blue stripe down the side. The headliner is missing and I was gonna have a local michelangelo paint the roof so I can stare at something while camping in the back.
Suggestions? Shame to see such a cool vehicle sit around. Check out the ZJ grill and my TJ as well lol
#2
CF Veteran
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Greenville, SC
Posts: 5,920
Likes: 0
Received 190 Likes
on
165 Posts
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: 4.0
If you want to convert the 2.5 to 4wd you can use a bellhousing off of a Dakota to use an ax-15 or nv3350 (think that's the right number) so that opens your transmission options up and gives you 2 stronger options. The rest of the drivetrain is identical for 4 cylinder, 6 cylinder, 5 speed, auto, 2 door, 4 door. I think the driveshaft had a couple different lengths, but that can be googled pretty easy and figured out. Personally I'd build up the motor on it, keep it 2wd and rip around in it.
#3
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Model: Cherokee
If you want to convert the 2.5 to 4wd you can use a bellhousing off of a Dakota to use an ax-15 or nv3350 (think that's the right number) so that opens your transmission options up and gives you 2 stronger options. The rest of the drivetrain is identical for 4 cylinder, 6 cylinder, 5 speed, auto, 2 door, 4 door. I think the driveshaft had a couple different lengths, but that can be googled pretty easy and figured out. Personally I'd build up the motor on it, keep it 2wd and rip around in it.
I’ve been reading up about an ax15 swap. Seems like if I were to put 4wd in it that’s the route i’d go. Finding the correct driveshaft lengths sound like the only pita. What can I do to this 2.5 to build it up a bit?
#4
CF Veteran
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Greenville, SC
Posts: 5,920
Likes: 0
Received 190 Likes
on
165 Posts
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Originally Posted by joeyourbro
Yeah this Jeep would be just a kick around vehicle, if I can get the wipers to work it’d be a no brainer. Gas is great on this thing.
I’ve been reading up about an ax15 swap. Seems like if I were to put 4wd in it that’s the route i’d go. Finding the correct driveshaft lengths sound like the only pita. What can I do to this 2.5 to build it up a bit?
I’ve been reading up about an ax15 swap. Seems like if I were to put 4wd in it that’s the route i’d go. Finding the correct driveshaft lengths sound like the only pita. What can I do to this 2.5 to build it up a bit?
As far as wipers, I'm pretty sure it's a common problem with the intermittent wipers for the module to fail. I've seen quite a few threads about it.
#5
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Model: Cherokee
I've never looked into the 2.5 much, but bolt on easy stuff, probably injectors and a bored throttle body. Not sure there's much to do past that. I'd want to put a cam in it and bore it out a little, maybe get my friends who like to turbo everything to help me slap a turbo on it.
As far as wipers, I'm pretty sure it's a common problem with the intermittent wipers for the module to fail. I've seen quite a few threads about it.
As far as wipers, I'm pretty sure it's a common problem with the intermittent wipers for the module to fail. I've seen quite a few threads about it.
#6
CF Veteran
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Groton, MA
Posts: 3,695
Received 234 Likes
on
207 Posts
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: I6 4.0L
CPS failure seems extremely rare on a stick shift. Now I don't know about the 4cyl, but after 715k over 3 manual Jeeps in the family (2 AX15, 1 NV3550), there's yet to be a single CPS failure. Also, if you do go the 4.0L route, stick with the AX15, the NV3550 I had in my 2k TJ was a total piece of junk.
#7
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Model: Cherokee
CPS failure seems extremely rare on a stick shift. Now I don't know about the 4cyl, but after 715k over 3 manual Jeeps in the family (2 AX15, 1 NV3550), there's yet to be a single CPS failure. Also, if you do go the 4.0L route, stick with the AX15, the NV3550 I had in my 2k TJ was a total piece of junk.
Trending Topics
#9
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Model: Cherokee
#10
::CF Moderator::
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Prescott, Az
Posts: 43,876
Received 1,526 Likes
on
1,238 Posts
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
If both wipers and blower motor don't work, it's likely the brown wire at the ignition switch is burned along with the switch.
#11
CF Veteran
I've never looked into the 2.5 much, but bolt on easy stuff, probably injectors and a bored throttle body. Not sure there's much to do past that. I'd want to put a cam in it and bore it out a little, maybe get my friends who like to turbo everything to help me slap a turbo on it.
As far as wipers, I'm pretty sure it's a common problem with the intermittent wipers for the module to fail. I've seen quite a few threads about it.
As far as wipers, I'm pretty sure it's a common problem with the intermittent wipers for the module to fail. I've seen quite a few threads about it.
#12
Senior Member
Keep it and do a 4wd swap. My grandfather had an 85 4cyl, auto, 4wd, and it was still a beast in the snow. Others on here would know more, but I think you could convert it using parts from a 4 door.
My advice, clean it up and keep it relatively stock , and you will have people offering you money left and right for it. I don't know why people would turn down a rust free XJ in NJ, they are hard to find.
My advice, clean it up and keep it relatively stock , and you will have people offering you money left and right for it. I don't know why people would turn down a rust free XJ in NJ, they are hard to find.
#13
CF Veteran
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Greenville, SC
Posts: 5,920
Likes: 0
Received 190 Likes
on
165 Posts
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Originally Posted by Red1992XJ
Keep it and do a 4wd swap. My grandfather had an 85 4cyl, auto, 4wd, and it was still a beast in the snow. Others on here would know more, but I think you could convert it using parts from a 4 door.
My advice, clean it up and keep it relatively stock , and you will have people offering you money left and right for it. I don't know why people would turn down a rust free XJ in NJ, they are hard to find.
My advice, clean it up and keep it relatively stock , and you will have people offering you money left and right for it. I don't know why people would turn down a rust free XJ in NJ, they are hard to find.
#15
CF Veteran
I always figured if I got a rwd I would just drive it in the summer or even in winter when there’s no snow. Although all I drove was 2wd vehicles for the first 5 years I had my license. Never really had any problems. Only times I ever got stuck was trying to drive through muddy cornfields.