Manual trans in a 97 zj?

[Jayare250]

I'm getting a good deal......free... On a mint fully loaded 97 grand Cherokee. I have a 94 xj that has a manual with the 231 transfer case. I wand to swap the trans and transfer case to the zj. Has anyone done this, or it it even possible? Any inputs would be a great help. Thanks in advance.

 

[desertrunner]

Can't be done between a 94 and a 97.. looked into it for a 97 xj and it turns out in 97 all the engine wiring and computers changed along with the body styling and on automatically the trans is electronicaly controlled. So I guess it is possible... Either your really good with electrical and can trick the computer Into thinking the auto trans is still there or you can get an entire harness and computer from a ( hard to find) manual 97+ xj to swap. If your xj was such a jeep it would be a normal swap but because its pre 97 ... I would say no

 

[Jayare250]

I had a feeling that would be the case. This is why i love this place, always someone with a answer. Thanks for the input. In getting the jeep for free so I might give it a try. I'm ok with electrical, but my buddy is a genius so I'm hoping we can figure it out. Would be kinda cool to have the only 5 Speed zj I know of.

 

[desertrunner]

If you hook it all up without the electrical I'm pretty sure it will run. But it will definately throw engine codes or possibly run poorly and depending on where you are it won't pass smog because of it.. I'm in California so... Yeah. Passing smog is here is upsetting to say the least

 

[Jayare250]

I'm in northeast Ohio, so smog is not a issue.

 

[eric m]

I had a feeling that would be the case. This is why i love this place, always someone with a answer. Thanks for the input. In getting the jeep for free so I might give it a try. I'm ok with electrical, but my buddy is a genius so I'm hoping we can figure it out. Would be kinda cool to have the only 5 Speed zj I know of.

you could find a 93/95 zj with a 5spd, they are rare but around. I owned one till I was rear ended back in may.

 

[desertrunner]

I'm in northeast Ohio, so smog is not a issue.

Oh in that case.... I'm sure you could find a way to do it.. I mean anything can be done with enough time research and money. Try just disconnecting all the electronics to the transmission and transfer case. Then see how it runs. Don't drive it... Cause it probably won't go anywhere but start the engine and see if it runs smooth. If all that happens is ur check engine light comes on and throws engine codes then IDE say ur probly good to go on the swap. But because ur going from an xj to a zj some of the linkage might be wrong and the transmission mount pro ky won't fit so IDE count on a bit of custom fabricating