the_midwesterner
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Evansville, IN
Hello all,
So I am new to the forums, but definitely not new to vehicles. I have come to a question in which I cannot find an answer to online, nor from the suppliers providing the product.
The vehicle:
I picked up an '85 cherokee with a 2.8L, a A904, and an NP207. Yes I understand that this is not the most attractive drivetrain in the world, but I need it running and capable by KOH since it will be a chase rig for our TJ that is racing. Trans and Tcase were rebuilt already for parts cost, $400, and the engine is in the process of getting a freshening up and all harnesses removed to run a straight carb. The vehicle is destined for an LS1 swap in the future so I am not concerned about powertrain right now.
So my question is as follows:
All of the LA kits that I have found online show '84-'01 model year applicability, but they list only the AX15/AW4 for trans and 231/242 for Transfer cases. I have called the manufacturers directly to ask if the LA kit will fit my jeep's powertrain or not, but no one knows for sure if they will fit or not.
I have my eyes set on the TNT kit or the Clayton kit, but TNT claims that it won't fit and Clayton says he isn't sure but is willing to work with me to get measurements and such.
I know that there was a small body change in '87 to fit the 4.0L, but I can't find any numbers or data that implies that the crossmember location may have changed.
So.......I ask the XJ knowledge base in hopes of getting an answer: Will any LA kit fit regardless of the applicability that the mfr lists? The crossmembers are the same and the trans mounts are also the same. Sooooooo what gives????!!!
So I am new to the forums, but definitely not new to vehicles. I have come to a question in which I cannot find an answer to online, nor from the suppliers providing the product.
The vehicle:
I picked up an '85 cherokee with a 2.8L, a A904, and an NP207. Yes I understand that this is not the most attractive drivetrain in the world, but I need it running and capable by KOH since it will be a chase rig for our TJ that is racing. Trans and Tcase were rebuilt already for parts cost, $400, and the engine is in the process of getting a freshening up and all harnesses removed to run a straight carb. The vehicle is destined for an LS1 swap in the future so I am not concerned about powertrain right now.
So my question is as follows:
All of the LA kits that I have found online show '84-'01 model year applicability, but they list only the AX15/AW4 for trans and 231/242 for Transfer cases. I have called the manufacturers directly to ask if the LA kit will fit my jeep's powertrain or not, but no one knows for sure if they will fit or not.
I have my eyes set on the TNT kit or the Clayton kit, but TNT claims that it won't fit and Clayton says he isn't sure but is willing to work with me to get measurements and such.
I know that there was a small body change in '87 to fit the 4.0L, but I can't find any numbers or data that implies that the crossmember location may have changed.
So.......I ask the XJ knowledge base in hopes of getting an answer: Will any LA kit fit regardless of the applicability that the mfr lists? The crossmembers are the same and the trans mounts are also the same. Sooooooo what gives????!!!