Xj moo

Ok guys for all u veterans out there I'm in need of some help. I currently just bought a 1989 2door cherokee 5 speed 8.25 rear with rear disc brakes and 8" lift. I picked it up for 600$ with some issues such as bad ring and pinion in the 8.25 has some teeth broke off. Also the clutch is bad and stuck idk what the deal is there yet and the starter is sticking which I'm thinking maybe something with clutch ordeal not sure. The reason I bought this jeep is because my 96 4door which is a trail only rig I bent the frame on and is rusted out pretty bad and has only 41/2" lift, so I figured I could take two and make one. My question is would it be smarter to fix the 89 put a new clutch pressure plate and throw out bearing and put a ring and pinion in and running the renix or should I take my HO 96 motor and auto tranny and swap them in? I have no knowledge of the renix engines at all I have been all over the HOs and have encountered every problem out there and fixed them so I got a little more of advantage there. I got two jeeps here with lots of good parts but the 89 is gonna need new floor pans and prolly frame stiffeners. This is not a problem I'm a experienced welder and have two welders so I can do both of those. I want to hear back from u guys I need some directions to go in. Do u guys suggest just fixing the clutch issue on the unknown 89 and keep the renix? Or do I swap the 96 HO and auto tranny? Or do I find another jeep with a better body and just use them as parts jeep and rob and build something with a better platform to start with? Here is some pics of the 89 and 96 both are rusted out pretty severely on the inside

cruiser54

If you want to do the HO and retain familiarity, you'll need to do the complete harness.

Nothing wrong with Renix.

Which trans in the 89? BA10 or AX15?

Xj moo

I'm not real sure ill do some investigating all I know is its a 5 speed. And is a harness job on these things a pain? I've done engine swaps in the past but only on carb motors.

cruiser54

Alot of work for no real gain is all. The Renix makes just as much torque as an HO anyway.

Xj moo

So I'd be better off keeping the renix fixing the clutch and run with it?

cruiser54

Up to you. You're the one who seemed more comfortable with the HO and it's electronics. I sure wouldn't go to all the trouble of a swap just to get an HO with Chrysler electronics.

I'm concerned about which trans the 89 has. Know how to tell the difference?

The bA10 POS has a seam tunning front to back where the 2 halves of the trans are bolted together.

Xj moo

It looks like that's what it is

cruiser54

Maybe just do an AX15 swap to the earlier Jeep? You've certainly got all the stuff..

Xj moo

Is it better than the AW4? My jeep is a offroad use only, which is better and more reliable? I'm pretty hard on it and I'm stepping up to 35s or 36s from 33s Im currently running 4.56s. I do alot of hill climbing and some crawling

cruiser54

Ax15 and Aw4 are good. Ba10 is bad.

Xj moo

Lol ok thanks for all the help I really appreciate it