cherokee axles

[eagle88]

I was able to get a 90 cherokee that was rolled over body shot but engine and drive train in good working order.  I am asking what is all required to put that running gear under my 88 wagon?  My skills are above average as far as the ability to do it.  I plan on using the 4.0  also sidenote it has power windows, will the window regulaters work in my manual windows?

[carnuck]

The EFi is Renix if it's not a '91 up. The computer is under the dash and the harness a bit tougher to wire in. '91 -'95 is easiest to wire in (almost all under the hood unless it's auto. Then the controller is above the pass side package shelf)

[Jurjen]

Some other points of consideration:
The Aisin Warner auto has a controller too, you will somehow have to wire that in.
You will have to rewire your existing dash.
You will have to shorten or lengthen the drive axles, do they fit at all?
The 4.0 exhaust manifold doesn't lineup with the Eagle exhaust (it interferes with the front diff support).
There may be a problem with the alignment of the cooling fan and the radiator.
As long as I have been on this forum, I have never seen a completely successful swap, but that should not keep you from trying it!

[doc65]

If you have the skills don't let that deter you, it's not THAT bad.  All Jurjens's points are mostly valid, but most aren't as difficult as they might sound.  You didn't mention whether it was an auto or manual trans Cherokee. If it's a manual then the TCM that is referenced is not a factor, if it was an auto then it becomes an issue of which trans are you intending to use? the TCM is only like 4-5 wires(can't remember without looking) but it's small & easily installed under the dash somewhere.  Which trans you have/intend to use will play into the drive line issue, if you are keeping the original eagle trans/t-case then the DL's are no issue(though you will need to modify the bellhousing for a crank-sensor or go to a relocated one on the harmonic balancer), if going to the AW4(if it was auto, if it was manual DON'T use the manual as it will be one of the very week options used at the time) from the XJ then you'll need to lengthen the front & shorten the rear as well as fab some on the cross member.  Best solution to the fan issue is to get a few parts from a wrecking yard & maybe a new water pump from the parts store to fit a ZJ Grand cherokee and convert to that belt routing, that'll put the fan back on the waterpump and not off on a seperat idler pully as the XJ started.  You shouldn't need to do anything with the dash to make it run, though you will need to do some minor wiring to get the idiot lights to function again. On the exhaust, none of the 4.0 manifolds/headers will connect to the eagle exhaust, and the Eagle manifold won't work on a 4.0, but of all the options you have one of the best as it "should" clear the d-shaft the best.  with that said that portion is no worse than all the 4.0 head swap stories out there.

I'm not sure that I've seen a writeup on the full swap either, but I have seen them on all the required components, head/EFI, Trans/T-case. so the information is out there, you may just need to integrate a couple of the swaps that some have done with those that others have done to relate to your situation.  I have a 4.0 from a 92(HO/OBD1 injection setup) that will go into the brown Eagle Wagon along with a Wrangler TF999, that should be a mostly bolt in afair other than the wiring for the injection, and as noted that version is a mostly stand-alone wiring harness; I'm also putting together a 4.6 stroked 4.0/4.2 combo that will go into my SX/4 with a GM controller & harness(programmable & tuneable without spending an arm & a leg)  I'm going to use the existing T5 in the SX/4 and on nice thing about the GM injection setup is it doesn't require a crank sensor it works off the cam distributor signal.

Skills aside, research & planning are KEY to making it go smoothly & getting it running quickly.  Best of luck, I love the 4.0 nice smooth power, reliable & long running for reasonably maintained.

[eagle88]

I plan on using everything from the cherokee complete wire harness will even try to modify the cherokee instument cluster fo fit the eagle dash.  my 88 right now is a manual, but will use the auto from the cherokee.  My biggest concern is the mounting of the front axle.  the bottom mounts dont look to be too difficult, its the way the upper with the springs mount that is the problem.  if someone thinks it is best to cut out the inner fenders fom the cherokee and graft them into the eagle, that is what i will do.  Not afraid to cut and weld. 

[standup650]

the bottom mounts dont look to be too difficult, its the way the upper with the springs mount that is the problem.  if someone thinks it is best to cut out the inner fenders fom the cherokee and graft them into the eagle, that is what i will do.  Not afraid to cut and weld. 

hmmm... i wonder if that works. i just got a 93 cherokee and im planing to do the same as you. The way i see it is I've seen a chevy chevette with a caddy engine in it so what we are going to do cant be that hard. If you search solid axle swap on here there is a nice writeup on it. But im thinking of useing leafs instead of coils.

[carnuck]

If std, the trans will be AX-15 which isn't too bad.

[doc65]

You're right it should be an AX-15, but if it was an early 90(late 89)it might have the BA10, I was working from memory on when exactly the change over was...

[carnuck]

the manu trans changeout was a year after Mopar takeover because the contract expired and they wanted nothing to do with renault.

[eaglefreek]

If std, the trans will be AX-15 which isn't too bad.

  my 88 right now is a manual, but will use the auto from the cherokee.