Blackz28joe

I'm a newbie to this forum and I have been impressed with the knowledge of most people on it. Ive own a '86 jeep Comanche (2.5) since about 1997, it's my work truck, and now my next project. A few weeks ago i bought a '89 jeep cherokee laredo that was wrecked. I took the 4.0 with auto trans, all wiring harness, bucket seats, doors, dash, computer, anything shiney and pretty much everything. I plan on putting this motor into my comanche. Has anybody ran into major problems with this motor swap? It looks like i might have some problems with the whole radiator thing. let me know. -joe

Metmknice

86 and previous had a shorter front piece, but depending on the build date (I would check your local dealer with your vin and see what info they have), you might have a later model body. Which would mean, with proper wiring you should be able to do the swap pretty easy.

Blackz28joe

Now, I removed the fuel pump out of the 89 cherokee, will that fit in my fuel pump module for the comanche? on yeah, here what's left of that cherokee... not much..

radio flyer

I have an 85 that had 2.5 & 4 speed- Bought wrecked 91 w/ 4.0,5 speed, & 231tc I had to use upper rad. support and sides of front that are spot welded on, seemed like i had to drill out 100 spot welds between both xjs to get the parts i needed, as the hood latch set up is diff. for the 4.0 The lower rad. support is also diff. I cut and fit 2.5 upper support to use as lower support for 4.0 rad. as doner lower support was trashed beyond use.

PingPong

I had a friend do this swap, and I gave him 90% of the hard parts out of my spare parts boxes. I dont want to pimp another club site but if you go to Comanche club.com and look up Post by MJjeff he did a real complete write up, and a super clean install. He is also the man to see about PNP parts.. he got me a lot of the parts I have used in the turd build.

Blackz28joe

Thanks for all info. I check out that post on Comanche club, very nice and answered a ton of questions. I'm kinda kicked myself now because I didn't keep the gas pedal out of the cherokee. or the cable.. Well see, I broke the cable and out of anger i just left the whole thing in there.. But I'll have a good swap to post in the coming months. I'm an autotech at a mom & pop shop in tx, and I plan I taking plently of pictures.

PingPong

Search for post by Mjeff87 he has done lots of super clean installs on his rig. His sriteup on the swap is about as detailed as they get. He also includes the "lil" things, and debunks a bunch of myths about the swap

Blackz28joe

Started my project this weekend and I've ran into a problem. The motor mount bracket on the left of the 4.0 engine is an 1.5-2" to far foward. The mounts on my 2.5 were even but these mounts on this 4.0 are offset. Can anybody help?

I know the pic is kinda hard see, but that's the bracket off the block sitting on the bracket where the mount should bolt to...what?

Blackz28joe

Well, thought about it all day, Talked with a friend that works in parts at the dodge place... And I think I'm just gonna break out the welder and start making my own crap. I can make anything run, but i'm not a body man. So, it's gonna be a bumpy road with many bad words. Why is the 86 jeep comanche the odd ball? neways, doesn't matter because I got too much into it now. After finding a donor jeep, getting a transfer case, and front diff... and driving the camaro @8mpg.. I've spent enough. If nebody has any info on getting my jeep on the road quicker, let me know!
After working on everybody else's cars all day, I don't want to work on mine. I don't think I'm gonna touch it til this weekend.

radio flyer

When i did my swap i had to take the mount off of the doner xj, bolted right up. I remember when you started this project and i didnt think about the mounts. hawkins01 did the swap and asked me about it, but i couldnt remember and my jeep was at my buddies shop at the time cause i was changing from 3:73 to 4:11- couldnt check at the time and then forgot bout it. I just went out and looked and it all came back to me! Go get the mount at the jy.....

Blackz28joe

You took the bracket that is bolted to the frame, that the mount sits on?
My doner is now crushed... again.. (first by a pole, now by a car crusher)
so, I guess I'm gonna be out hunting in the junk yard to see what I can come up with. thank you for helping!

radio flyer

I,m pretty sure that the 4.0 mounts stayed the same thru at least 93, I,ll dig thru my stuff and post back unless somebody else chimes in before i log back on.

stumbras

Did you ever finished that project. I too have 2.5 and would love 4.0

radio flyer

I don't know if he finished his, but if you have , or can get a complete donor and have time and some skills--- go for it! If you need some help let me know!
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/member...ng-took-place/