4 Wheel Drive/SUVs/89 jeep cherokee

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Expert: - 5/1/2004


Question
Hi
I got bullshited by a so called friend that said he could swap 4.0l engine for me well he left my jeep engines in parts.
I have did the swap myself but he did not mark anything electrical.
I dont have much money left and wondering if you can tell me where i might find a FREE online manaul that would have a a chart or something of that nature?

i am in a tuff spot since its my only car to get to work.

THX joey

Answer
Joey,

Whoops.  That's not the first time I've seen this happen.  I would contact a company called Painless Wiring, along with Advance Adapters, and question them on the problem.  Many times they will make up wiring harnesses that will make the wiring much simpler.  How tough the wiring will be, depends on what you are putting the 4.0 ltr engine in.  I would suggest that you purchase a repair manual (around $20) for your model Jeep.  These manuals give step by step instructions on most repairs, along with electrical diagrams, and diagrams of smog controls, such as some of the vacuum lines.  The electrical part of the manual should give you the color codes of all the wiring, so that you can trace out the existing connections.  These manuals can come in handy for future trouble shooting.  They can be purchased at most auto parts stores.  Depending on what you want to do, either set it back up to stock, or run a different carburetor will determine how many vacuum lines and hookups you will need to retrace.  When you modify with, other than stock components, you need to check all of the other engine functions such as the timing.
The next thing to check out, would be to see if you can find a 4x4 club in your area, preferably one that specializes in Jeeps.  Usually members have run into similar problems, and are more than willing to help out on projects like this.  

  Carl

4 Wheel Drive/SUVs

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Carl Brandt

Expertise

Will discuss suspensions, lifts, lockers along with tire suggestions. Trail ratings and possible requirements needed for specific type of trails. Safety equipment and what you should carry with you. Certified off-road instructor. I am not a mechanic, and 4-Wheeling is a hobby, so if I can't answer a technical question it is due to my mechanical knowledge being related to vehicles that I have owned, or have worked on. I do not have manuals on all vehicles.

Experience

40 plus years of 4 wheeling in a variety of vehicles. At the present time, my major off-road rig is a 94 Jeep Wrangler with a spring over and a 1 1/2" suspension lift. This gives me a total lift of 7" or so. I have lockers front and rear. I have removed the track bars, and sway bar for maximum articulation. I am running a stock 2.5 ltr 4 cylinder with a Jacobs ignition along with a cold air high flow filter. It has 4.56:1 gears with a Dodge NV4500 transmission along with a 3.8:1 Atlas II transfer case. This gives me a final ratio of 105:1 in low gear/low range. Other vehicles I own, are a 96 Ford F-250 with a 6" lift, posi rear end, 36" Hummer tires, 5 speed with a fuel injected 460 ci engine, an 87 Samurai with an 8" lift, Ford 9" rear end with a spool, Chevy Dana 44 front end with an electric locker, 5.88 gears, 16% reduction in high range and a 6.5:1 low range with 35" Baja Claws, and a stock 2003 Grand Cherokee Overland. Trails I have run are the Rubicon (10 times), Dusey Ershim, Fordyce Creek trail, McGrew trail, several trails in Moab, Utah along with local monthly runs.

Organizations
Lost Coast 4x4's Cal 4-Wheel Corva UFWDA Blue Ribbon Coalition

Education/Credentials
Certified off-road instructor - Certificates in engineering/electronics

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