96 engine in a 88 xj
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 63
Likes: 4
From: Yakima,wa
Year: 1988
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
I have a 96 block going in a 88 xj and fallowing cruisers 54 guide im swapping out the intake and exhaust manifold to the renix but one question i cant find is what power steering pump do i use? Cause the has only two holes for the mounting compared to the three hole 96 manifold.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 63
Likes: 4
From: Yakima,wa
Year: 1988
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
but if i use the renix mount then i loose the idler pulley underneath the power steering pump cause its on the bracket for the power steering pump from the 96. thats what im trying to figure out.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 934
Likes: 282
From: PA
Year: 1994
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Custom engineering if you want to use the newer style adjustment w/ the older style bracketry. For the later models, the swap to the newer intake manifold is worth the hassle solely for the improvement in tensioner, but for the Renix, it's a fair bit to either adapt the Renix throttle body to the later model intake, or to adapt the Renix sensors to the newer model throttle body.
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CF Veteran


Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,720
Likes: 44
From: Gainesville GA
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
I put a WJ power steering pump on my 89 XJ w/Renix.
Everything lined up but I had to space out the intake to bracket, with a stack of washers, & get a longer belt. It was a little trial & error but wasn’t at all hard to figure out.
The worst part was the belt size. Easiest way on that is a length of rope.
FWI, I only had one bolt on the top bracket but didn’t cause any issues. Never loosened up even under extreme off-roading.
Everything lined up but I had to space out the intake to bracket, with a stack of washers, & get a longer belt. It was a little trial & error but wasn’t at all hard to figure out.
The worst part was the belt size. Easiest way on that is a length of rope.
FWI, I only had one bolt on the top bracket but didn’t cause any issues. Never loosened up even under extreme off-roading.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 63
Likes: 4
From: Yakima,wa
Year: 1988
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
thanks every one i decided to just keep the 96 intake and exhaust manifold and adapt the vacuum lines and sensors instead. much easier i think. or can be wrong. prefer the newer setup then the old one.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 934
Likes: 282
From: PA
Year: 1994
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Adapting the Throttle Position Sensor will take some work, or money...
https://www.boostedtech.com/solution...o-tps-adapter/
https://hesco.us/products/30791/40l-...7#.YxP2D_rML4Y
https://www.boostedtech.com/solution...o-tps-adapter/
https://hesco.us/products/30791/40l-...7#.YxP2D_rML4Y
::CF Moderator::
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 43,971
Likes: 1,579
From: Prescott, Az
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Because it's rarely used, the other mods are gonna be a pain, the original set-up isn't bad, especially if you print out those diagrams I posted above and kept em in your glovebox.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 63
Likes: 4
From: Yakima,wa
Year: 1988
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
ok thanks for the help every one. im getting prepped gotta get the intake and exhaust manifold wed. had to order it and gonna put it in. appreciate all the help if you see me camping near a trail ill have a cold one for ya.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 63
Likes: 4
From: Yakima,wa
Year: 1988
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
@cruiser54 what pilot bearing did you use on this swap cause the one for the 88 won't fit in the 96 block its a hair bit to big with a smaller inner diameter and the one for the 96 is smaller o.d but bigger id.


