Thinking about a drivetrain swap

So, after a week, I'm thinking if I'd asked about lifting the XJ 20 feet, adding fifteen more gears while installing 5 ton Army truck axles with 15 foot tall tires plus also swapping the 4.0 for a diesl locomotive engine I'd got 10,000 replies.

Oh, I forgot the rattle-can over Herculiner paint job.

This newsgroup is as useless as the online XJ forums.

I'm outta here

Bud, my MJ came with the 3.07 axles and a BA10/5 pos. tranny. I swapped in an AX15 tranny and I've put just over 100k on it. Lots of that was on the highway between Colorado and South Texas one summer and I can only say that above 4-5000' that 5th gear was useless unles I was downhill with a tailwind. At the same time my son had a 90 XJ with the slush box and 3.55 which was pretty snappy and drove well on the road a 5-8000' where the MJ was pretty anemic without down shifting so I would expect the auto with the

3.07 to be seeking a lot on the road. Off road, either should be OK as long as you aren't into rock climbing. On the highway, you may get a different result if you swap in the MOPAR 4.0 for the Renix version - there is a significant difference in torque/power.

I figured under 50-55 mph I'd just shift to 3rd and not D and then OD wouldn't engage if it begain hunting too much.

Over 50-55 I'd shift to D.

The current speed it goes to OD, depending on driving style at the time, is between 35 and 40. Below that it engages the converter lock up but not OD.

My older brother has a Mopar 4.0 in his 99 XJ and I don't see that much advantage to it.

I'd rather have the torque band of the old carbureted 258 (peak TQ @ 1800 rpm, iirc), but I'd need to also figure out how to either control the auto with a standalone computer or swap in a TorqCommand 3 speed auto out of an older Jeep / AMC 4x4 vehicle, say, an Eagle.

I think I could tweak it to about 25 + mpg compared to a highway best of 20 with the Renix F.I.

If I could do that, I'd be as "happy as a tornado in a trailer park."

The pre-chrysler 4.0 peaks out way too high for me as well. It actually does pretty well at sea level - 5th gear is usable once I get South of Amarillo on the way to the Rio Grande Valley. One good point is that low range is really pretty good on the fire trails and dirt roads as the top reasonable speed is under 30 mph. I would like a lower creep at times, tho.

All that said, ANYTHING is better than that POS BA10/5 so go for it. Look up the torque/hp curves for the MOPAR mpi, tho. There are significant differences between the Renix and the MOPAR setups. A lot is due to the better head and manifold design. I have been tempted to swap in the later engine but this one just keeps going and going and ....

LOL!!! the 88 has 385K on it and the 89 325K. Still, I had a 65 225 Slant Six in a 64 Valiant with a carb and 425K miles ... there was a tough engine!

The 10/5 doesn't like cold weather (below 40F.) ... shifts stiffly and acts like it's never had synchros and that's with the recommended multi-grade lube. I even considered ATF for winter use . . .

Neither the Renix or Mopar 4.0's has the torque band I like: Build usable torque just above idle quickly, peak at 1200-1800 and hold it to 5000 ... that was the old 258 ... and the Slant Six.

I even considered a 4.2 crank in the 4.0 with a cam change to the carbed 258 cam as a possiblilty but I'd need to order 8 to 8.5:1 pistons so I wouldn't need 91 octane fuel.

I've even considered a 225 /6 with a 904 if I could get it to fit the 242 T-case.

BTW, I'm at 5400 feet in Canon City CO almost due south of Colorado Springs.

We have similar tastes, it seems. I think a good diesel would suit me just fine - one like the tractor I use over at the church.

I'm in your neighborhood fairly often - if I can get the time between doctor's appointments anymore. Between the wife and myself, we seem to spend an inordinate amount of that free time in retirement sitting in waiting rooms. There are definite drawbacks to growing older....

Will, are we twins that were separated at birth (02/20/47)?

I've looked into a diesel conversion also with either the Jeep offered XJ diesel (Perkins, I think) or a something like a small Cummins 4 cylinder or even a Kubota engine.

I don't need triple digit top speeds and I only drag around a 1000 lb capacity trailer I use for reyclables or a fishing boat.

I hear ya on the doctor visits ... I have T-2 diabetes and a heart condition and the better half has sleep apnea and chronic asthma. I had more miles going to doctors on my Jeep than I did going fishing.

If yer in the neighborhood, drop by and I'll put a fresh pot of coffee on.

Forget the Jeep part - real POS. I tried it in an XJ and was less than impressed.

If you have the 3.53 diffs, it's hard to beat the 4.0. The 3.07 I have is too tall and the D30 is actually too wimpy for the rest of the drive train in the MJ. I'd love to swap in a pair axles from either an XJ or the export version of the MJ to get the 3.53 ratio and a D44 in the rear end. Hauling a full load in the pickup is dicey as it is now.

More things we have in common. VA says the diabetic condition is due to agent orange exposure in 'Nam where I flew a lot of fire suppression missions for the Ranch Hand outfit while they were spraying the crap.

I'll do that. Drop me a phone number via email.

The two heaviest things I haul are the little trailer and a receiver mount carrier for the better half's mobility scooter so I don't need a lot of power or torque.

D-35 high pinion front, D-30 open rear on both XJ's. True, both are light duty units compared to the bigger Danas or even the 9.25 Mopar, but they're all I need.

Sorry to hear about your exposure Agent Orange. I was Nat. Guard Combat Engineer during 'Nam but never saw action. I do want to thank you for your service for our country and it's citizens.

Ya got it coming to ya, Will!

FYI, there is a presumptive cause in the law if you were so much as in- country during a certain period - roughly 1966 - 1969. Even one day triggers it. That will be on your DD214 if it applies. The causative relationship applies to certain cancers and heart conditions as well as diabetes. Worth checking with the VA as it's pretty easy to qualify and reach enough of a disability rating to qualify for a small payment that will cover your beer consumption ;-)

More importantly, you may qualify for prescription services. That ain't peanuts for some of us.

Don't hold your breath waiting for the VA to act. I spent 22 months, 14 Sept 1969 to 31 July 1971, in country with the 101st. A veteran friend told me about the "presumptive cause law" so I applied for a disability ... in February of 2011. I got a letter from them asking for more "proof" in May of 2011 so I know they got my VA 21-526 and supporting documents. The only bright spot is if I get approved finally the disability is retroactive from the date of my application. If you're a member of the Legion or VFW talk to them. Most posts have a guy who will help with the forms. Good luck.

Nope, never out of the continental USA. My unit, 1313th Eng ARNG was behind two other IN units for activation when the conflict ended ... IMHO, they threw in the towel.

I lost a best friend a few years back to V.A. medical ineptitude ... complications of T-2 Diabetes, so I'm not interested in V.A. care. I have Medicare A,B, and D for my disability care. Soon I need to hook up with a Part D provider it seems .... I guess they spent too much money elsewhere again.

I have checked in with the local V.A. rep and I don't qualify.

To be honest, not every soldier, sailor or airman went into combat ... not in 'Nam, Korea, or WWII, yet they all got V.A. bennies. Reservists, like myself, that served in the reserves (12 years for me) and didn't run out of the country like Clinton, and we get nothing.

I don't think that is right. Three IN units, not to mention other units in other states, all set to be shipped over when ordered. One IN unit, Co, D,

151 Airborne Rangers, volunteered and served in 'Nam with honors.

But the rest of that didn't run and hide got nothing.

We're way OT here but your first sentence caught my attention. I was regular AF for 12 years (cadet time doesn't count for service longevity except you get to wear the stripe), flew 300+ combat missions in SEA, etc. and my benefits aren't much more than yours because I got out at that point.

I came back from 'Nam and was sent to Univ. of Wisc. for a MSEE so that I could teach at the Academy - incoming briefing by the AFROTC commander included instructions that we were to wear no item of the uniform on campus... Felt like I should have brought my helmet and flak vest with me when I came back (Jun 1970). We probably agree completely about the draft dodgers.

I really feel that those who serve should have a vested position after some length of service. That has been tried several times but never got past the bean counters.

Aw, dang ... I wuz jest a E-6 (SSGT) 'n I'z gonna haf ta salute ya ...

It was bad enough, from what I've learned from WW-2, Korea, and 'Nam Vets, to have to put up with the abuses when coming home for good but to be denied wearing your "colors" as well is just too much.

I wear 70's Army camo pattern (woodland) on a baseball cap with a logo that reads "God's Army" but enough Vets notice the camo and ask if I served. I don't hide that I went N.G. and I get many heartfelt "thank you"s for my service time.

I always keep my eye open for a cap, shirt or jacket denoting prior service or Vet status and for anyone in uniform, including ROTC and give my thanks. To the last two roups I see what their plans are for the future and encourage them to continue to serve.

Of course, you know the difference between officers and NCOs don't you?

Officers accept the praise for jobs well done.

NCOs make them look good enough to receive the praise.

;

I was the first active duty NCO's kid to graduate from the Academy - I had a slightly skewed outlook on the world.

The three scariest things you will ever hear in the AF.

1) An Airman saying, "I learned this in basic." 2) A 1LT saying, "In my experience."

and

3) A Chief saying, "HEY, Watch this!"

Not skewed ... you just knew who to call on when you had your backside in a sling.

The best officer I ever served under in the N.G. was too young for his commissioning when he graduated O school, so he spent two years getting dirty as an E-6 SSgt.

2nd Lt. Gary White was then knowledgable of his platoons skills, attitudes and what they just plain wouldn't tolerate.

His platoon, 4th (front loaders & bulldozers), and mine, 3rd (Dump Truck), moved enough dirt one two week summer camp to make a pile 10 feet high and wide and 75 miles long.

Double that length and you have what all 4 platoons accomplished that summer camp.

Great outfit!

In the Army:

Private or Specialist: "I think this'll work. . . . ."

2nd Lt: "I think God should have asked me first."

C.O. "Huh??? What????"

1st Sgt: "No, really ... you don't need to worship me . . . . . in public.

SSgt: "So what do you want me to do now? walk on water? Come on ... give me a challenge!"