4x4 XJ Conversion Question (I'm confused)
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Newbie
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 22
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From: Charleston, West By God WV
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
4x4 XJ Conversion Question (I'm confused)
I know that this has been round and round on this board but I have one specific question that I cannot find the answer... I have a 2000 XJ 2WD and the donor is a 1997 XJ 4x4.... Can I strip the entire drivetrain and swap it to the 2000 with no issues? I have seen articles that indicate the 97' is somewhat different from the 00' but I can this just bolt right up and I go on my merry way? Thanks for the help.
CF Veteran
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,994
Likes: 8
From: San Jose
Year: 89
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 I6
Sorta, you'll need the tcu from the 97 as well.
I did a 2k to 97 transmission swap for a 2wd just recently, here's how its done.
You'll want to take the black 5 (7?) pin connector from the 2k transmission and splice it into the 97 transmission. Two of the wires from the 2k don't exist on the 97 so close them off with e tape or an end crimp or something.
Swap the 2k nss, and cps.
While you have the 97 transmission out, its a good idea to check your solenoids (mine were bad. Of course I found out after I replaced the filter screen in the pan and installed the transmission) this can be done with a multi meter and that black 5 (7?) pin connector. Check the resistance of the wiring when ground to the case of the transmission, you'll want to see about 11-16 ohms on 3 of the wires, and nothing on 2 (4?) of them (speed sensor). If you get anything else, they should be replaced. I'm pretty sure all years are interchangeable, the site I checked for replacements had only one part number for all years. I just used the ones out of the 2k, as they were all good.
The 97 tcu will work with the 2k connector. Its up under the drivers side dashboard on the right side. Its a little aluminum box that has a big grey connector. It should also say "aisin" somewhere on it. The connector needs to have 2 fins ground off the outside, don't panic, its just plastic. Using a knife, or very delicately with a dremel, remove the two fins on the top of the connector on the edges. Unfortunately the 97 tcu is a different shape than the 2k tcu, so you have to get creative when you bolt it back in. I notched the bottom bolt hole of the 97 tcu because its a pain to find the threads otherwise, and mounted it to the left side hole that was meant for the 2k tcu. I left the other bolt alone.
I think that's it? If I remember any more ill let you know. Ill also post pictures of some key things and verify anything I put a question mark on.
Cheers!
I did a 2k to 97 transmission swap for a 2wd just recently, here's how its done.
You'll want to take the black 5 (7?) pin connector from the 2k transmission and splice it into the 97 transmission. Two of the wires from the 2k don't exist on the 97 so close them off with e tape or an end crimp or something.
Swap the 2k nss, and cps.
While you have the 97 transmission out, its a good idea to check your solenoids (mine were bad. Of course I found out after I replaced the filter screen in the pan and installed the transmission) this can be done with a multi meter and that black 5 (7?) pin connector. Check the resistance of the wiring when ground to the case of the transmission, you'll want to see about 11-16 ohms on 3 of the wires, and nothing on 2 (4?) of them (speed sensor). If you get anything else, they should be replaced. I'm pretty sure all years are interchangeable, the site I checked for replacements had only one part number for all years. I just used the ones out of the 2k, as they were all good.
The 97 tcu will work with the 2k connector. Its up under the drivers side dashboard on the right side. Its a little aluminum box that has a big grey connector. It should also say "aisin" somewhere on it. The connector needs to have 2 fins ground off the outside, don't panic, its just plastic. Using a knife, or very delicately with a dremel, remove the two fins on the top of the connector on the edges. Unfortunately the 97 tcu is a different shape than the 2k tcu, so you have to get creative when you bolt it back in. I notched the bottom bolt hole of the 97 tcu because its a pain to find the threads otherwise, and mounted it to the left side hole that was meant for the 2k tcu. I left the other bolt alone.
I think that's it? If I remember any more ill let you know. Ill also post pictures of some key things and verify anything I put a question mark on.
Cheers!
Herp Derp Jerp
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 18,251
Likes: 17
From: Parham, ON
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L OBD-II
Ish. You may not have the wiring for the transfer case sensor but most of us drive with that light inoperative anyway lol (I drive a stick so I'm used to looking down if I don't remember how I left the shifter).
A big factor will actually be emissions on your XJ. Do you have the California Emissions setup with two mini cats and 4 O2 sensors in the exhaust manifold? If so the High Pinion D30 from a '97 won't fit - the drive shaft will bash the exhaust unless you're lifted (I think it's 4" or so to get clearance). Federal Emissions (49-state) with a single big catalytic converter and 2 O2 sensors shouldn't have this problem.
A big factor will actually be emissions on your XJ. Do you have the California Emissions setup with two mini cats and 4 O2 sensors in the exhaust manifold? If so the High Pinion D30 from a '97 won't fit - the drive shaft will bash the exhaust unless you're lifted (I think it's 4" or so to get clearance). Federal Emissions (49-state) with a single big catalytic converter and 2 O2 sensors shouldn't have this problem.
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Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 22
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From: Charleston, West By God WV
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
The 2K has only one large cat so just the standard federal emissions, I was thinking my other option is just drop my 2K motor in the 97 and be done, depends on what shape the 97' is in I go to look/pick up next week......
CF Veteran
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,994
Likes: 8
From: San Jose
Year: 89
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 I6
Ish. You may not have the wiring for the transfer case sensor but most of us drive with that light inoperative anyway lol (I drive a stick so I'm used to looking down if I don't remember how I left the shifter).
A big factor will actually be emissions on your XJ. Do you have the California Emissions setup with two mini cats and 4 O2 sensors in the exhaust manifold? If so the High Pinion D30 from a '97 won't fit - the drive shaft will bash the exhaust unless you're lifted (I think it's 4" or so to get clearance). Federal Emissions (49-state) with a single big catalytic converter and 2 O2 sensors shouldn't have this problem.
A big factor will actually be emissions on your XJ. Do you have the California Emissions setup with two mini cats and 4 O2 sensors in the exhaust manifold? If so the High Pinion D30 from a '97 won't fit - the drive shaft will bash the exhaust unless you're lifted (I think it's 4" or so to get clearance). Federal Emissions (49-state) with a single big catalytic converter and 2 O2 sensors shouldn't have this problem.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 22
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From: Charleston, West By God WV
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
JerryTheJeep did you do an automatic or manual tranny swap in your 2k? Both of mine are automatic, didnt know if this changed anything?
CF Veteran
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 47,923
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From: Broward County Fl.
Year: 1989 xj sport 2dr
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 12 hole bosch Injectors
CF Veteran
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 47,923
Likes: 38
From: Broward County Fl.
Year: 1989 xj sport 2dr
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 12 hole bosch Injectors
I have a 2000 nv 3550 in my 89 had a ba/10 I swapped the speedo an reverse switch with no issues. Don't see how swapping whole sensor from one to the other don't work. Unless the positions of them have changed.