2wd to 4wd conversion?

[daredevil]

I was curious to know...I found a sweet deal on a 2001 XJ locally. Ir's only drawback is that it is a 2wd. I was curious to know if it was a major pain to convert over to 4wd? I already searched the forum, couldn't find any related threads, so if you know of some let me know.

What I am interested in knowing...

Do I need a new trans or will a 231 T-case bolt up?

Do I have to cut anything to mount the 2H-4H-4L selector lever, or do I just have to remove a plate and mount it up?

Do I have to move the stock Cross-member in the 2wd, or is it in the same position as the 4wd models?

Is there anything else I am missing here that I need to look at also?

Thank you for the help.

Matt

 

[RCP Phx]

You need a 4wd transmission for sure.

 

[veedubshafer]

if its that good of a deal I would just buy it and resell it for a profit and buy the 4x4

 

[kdailey4315]

if its that good of a deal I would just buy it and resell it for a profit and buy the 4x4

X2.

It can be done but is it really worth it?

Just how good of a deal are we talking about?

 

[heyjpark1]

It pains me to say this, cause I REALLY hate "search nazis", but there are a gazillion threads on this topic-and I think an actual write-up if memory serves.

Basically, the general consensus is that in no way does it make financial sense to do the conversion.

Edit: I see you said you searched, but obviously not for the right terms. The v-bulletin search function sucks ass, in my opinion. Let me see what I can hunt down.

 

[heyjpark1]

Here ya go, just too a minute to find. Used search term "4wd conversion". I knew someone did a sort of write-up on it.

http://naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=974786&highlight=4wd+conversion

 

[oilyjeep76]

prolly easiest to get trans & tcase together.
should already be a hole in the hump for tcase selector to go. will need the plate out of a 4x4. there is also a linkage bracket that you'll need that goes on the underside left of the tunnel. Holes for it should be plugged with rubber bungs on your 2wd.
I did not have to move my trans cross member. the rubber trans mount is different for the 2wd and 4wd's, though...On second thought. I went from auto to 5 speed at same time, so this may not be entirely accurate. the rubber mount I believe is the same. the brackets to attach it are diff for autos and manuals.
Also, You'd be wise to go junking and find a similar year 4x4 to get the wiring harness out of. Speedo wires will be longer (since they hook into back of tcase). You might get lucky and find a wrecked vehicle that has everything you need (trans, tcase, axle, wiring, brackets). It might be cheaper to go that route than to buy each part individually.
Oh, and you'll need to find a front axle with same gears as what you have now.
The process isn't that hard. Finding time to do it is.

 

[mrmuelle]

If it's as good of a deal as you say I'd try to turn the 2wd around for a profit and spend that cash on a different 4wd XJ

 

[kentuckytwostep]

I did mine and it is a great way to know your truck inside and out. However, it really isn't very cost effective. I ended up spending about as much as I would have to buy a 4wd to begin with (of course that includes a rebuilt Engine).

That being said, I don't regret it at all. I really enjoyed working on mine and it provided a lot of one on one time with my dad (40+ year experienced Auto Trans mechanic) and it gave him something to bitch about.

If you do decide to convert maybe you'll get lucky and find an old 4wd with a blown engine or something because by the time you buy the parts from a salvage yard you'll be upside down on it before you even put yours on stands.

At first I actually had no plan on converting but ended up buying an ol' rusted out xj from northern MI, drove the pizz out of back through the woods and creeks until it blew. Then I decided I'd swap the parts.

The only two things on your 2wd that you MUST change is the output shaft on your AW4 (if its a manual, i assume you still need to change it) trans and your rear drive shaft. To change the output shaft you have to completely disassemble the trans, in other words you're better off to just find one out of a 4wd (preferably WITH a NP231 attached) and just swap the trans. My dad's work gave me a $150 for my 2wd trans and you might be able to recoup some of your expense that way or by just selling it but I doubt there is a very good market for AW4's w/2wd outputs.

addressing your other questions, there is a plate over the hole in the tunnel, no problem. You shouldn't have to cut anything. The crossmember stays put. And make sure that you find a front axle with the same gear ratio as your rear.

 

[magimerlin]

I will let you know after this weekend. xxmidianxx, jeepdog1 and I are converting jeepdog1's this weekend. We should have plenty of pics.

 

[Jeff in VA]

If you have U-pull yards around your area that charge reasonable prices, you'll be fine. I converted my MJ about 4 years ago for a grand total of about $500, and that was with some non-required maintenece items thrown in along the way.

Of course, I stockpiled parts as I found good deals on them beforehand, too.

Have fun, and don't let the naysayers bring you down

Jeff

 

[daredevil]

Ok...so here's the deal with the Jeep.

It has 57k miles on it. It's a family friend. She is the original owner. It's a 2000 or a 2001, I can't remember at the moment. It has been religiously maintained. Documented oil changes every 1500-2000 miles. The thing even still smells brand new inside. EVERYTHING in it works. It has a sunroof. It's black (not white like the current one). It has factory tint.

I also happen to have an XJ with a complete driveline sitting at my place that I picked up for $550 with a blown head gasket. I figure I can swap my lift in, my bumpers over, my roof rack over, and have a fully built rig for under $1000. Plus some labor. My hang up was not knowing if the tunnel was going to need cutting in the 2WD. But since it is just a plate I think I will go ahead with teh build. It will take my 1991 with 207k+ miles and swap it out for something ten years newer with about 150k less miles. To top that off it has had a much better maintainence record than my current rig had before I got it. Not that it was bad, but it was every 3k for oil and this one was overly maintained if anything.

The other plus to this newer Jeep is that it would give me the time to fab up the interior panels I want to do (dash, headliner, door panels, custom center console, overhead console, lock box, etc) without taking my DD off the road until I was ready for the last couple days of work. The luxury of time is a sweet thing. =0)

Let me know what you all think.

Matt

 

[daredevil]

Forgot to mention...the reason I was curious about the build in the first place. I get the rig for freeif I am going to drive it...if I want to flip it for a quick buck she wants to keep it for her kid. I told her I would research it before I decided if it was something I could use or not.

Thanks again for the 411 and comments guys.

Keep it upright.

Matt