Hi...I just picked up a '93 Cherokee 2wd,in very good condition,and I have a couple of questions about some things I'd like to do to it...First,I'd like to raise it up and put 31's on it.Can I use any of the lift kits or components made for 4wd lifts,to raise my 2wd? I was thinking that maybe the lift coils could be used,but I am not sure. Second,eventually I'd like to convert it over to 4wd.I'm sure I can find a transfercase and front drive axle in a boneyard,but what would I have to do to my 2wd auto tranny? Would I need to replace the tranny output shaft and tailhousing,or just the tailhousing.If I knew what parts I need to aquire,I can start getting them together and do the swap when it warms up this Spring...Any info will be greatly appreciated....John <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

Hey biker it you want a 4x4 BUY one! The parts don't just jump in there trying to change one to the other..
You will be waaaaay ahead just trading yours for one you really want.
Big JIm <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

Well if I could have found a 4x4 here that wasn't a rust bucket I would have..What I found was a cherry 2 door from your neck of the woods,Big Guy...No I don't expect the parts to jump in there by themselves..worked on too many Isuzus to know that won't happen in my lifetime...besides part of owning one of these things is playing with them...I'll let you know how it turns out...John

actually i am almost positive you can use a lift from a regular 4wd cherokee. im also pretty sure if you get the trans,transfer case and front diff it is pretty much a direct bolt in. all you need to do is buy one of those rust buckets you was refering to for the for wheel drive parts and other spare parts you may eventually need.Try to find one without the vacuum actuator for the four wheel drive. Mine is like that and it is great i put it in 4wd and its in i take it out and it is out. no vacuum to worry about failing

Thats my thoughts exactly...While scouting the junkyard,looking for parts for my Trooper, I saw a rolled Cherokee...Body's gone but the running gear was there..My motor and tranny are good in the '93..My real question was whether I needed to replace my tranny completely with a 4wd model,or could I just replace the tailshaft and add a transfercase...What years/models axles were you talking about that didn't have the vacuum actuator? I thought that I could lift it using the 4wd coils,but wasn't sure..I figure that I could get the lift done first,then when I'm ready,do the running gear swap...Thanks Cuervo....John <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

my brother just bought a wrecked 95 cherokee with a high output 4.0. pretty nice jeep. just needs fender hood grill.

he told the guy what he wanted to do with it and he said "you know its only 2wd right?"

my brother thought the guy was an idiot and didnt know his jeep was 4wd.

well to his surprise it is a 2wd.

so now he wants to do the same swap.

we'll just find a donor cherokee and swap tranny/transfer case and stick a front end under it.

i really wouldnt mess with trying to change the tail shaft.

i tried to do that with a 727 Torqueflite that i had and it was a pain in the arse.

you have to dis assemble the entire tranny from the inside out just to remove the tail shaft to change it.

it was a major pain.

if i have a choice i will just install the right tranny!

yeah,thats what I thought,too...I think that finding the parts won't be that hard..Just swapping the whole tranny out would be alot easier...Well this is a summertime project..right now its snowing and we're supposed to get 12-18" over the weekend

The Transmissions are the same except for the output shaft. The tail housing is simply discarded for 4x4 use. I have swapped a couple of shafts and it requires major disassembly of the transmission. if you are not comfortable with rebuilding an automatic transmission, don't try it. You should be able to find all the parts you need for the conversion in one vehicle. I'd recommend trying to find an entire vehicle, intact, with perhaps a badly rusted frame/body you can buy for $1000 bucks or less, then you will have everything you need and then some. If you can't get all the stuff for less than a grand, take BJ's advise and buy a good 4x4 Jeep. Good luck! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />