1989 Overland Comanche build
I have a 1989 Jeep Comanche Pioneer 4x4. I have been wanting to build this truck up for a few years, and I am close to pulling the trigger and starting the process. If anyone here has swapped MJ/XJ before and has advice I can use all I can get. I want this truck to be nice. Mainly on road with occasional trails, although I want it to be capable if I ever decide to do any gnarly trails. Occasional rocks, but I am NOT building a crawler.
5.3L LM7 from junkyard
Rebuilt factory AX-15 trans
Rebuilt factory NP231 Tcase
Novak's 'essential' swap kit
Ford 8.8 rear with Chromoly shafts with locker, axle tubes welded (possibly trussed)
D44 front (if I can find) with Chromoly shafts with locker (possibly trussed)
35" tire, possibly 37" tires
4.88 or 5.13 gearing, undecided atm
--I doubt the factory D30 even trussed with chromoly shafts would hold up if I ever put 37s on it. Other recommendations for front axles)
1-Ton steering setup
Frame stiffeners
Rusty's offroad 6.5" or 4.5" long travel lift kit, undecided atm
Complete front clip conversion from a 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Novak recommends engine accessories from a LS1 engine due to clearance issues. Holley makes a mid-mount complete accessory kit for the LM7 that I think should work, if I cannot source junkyard LS1 parts easily.
One of my biggest questions that I have asked is axle strength under 37's. Some people say a built 8.8 and built 44 will hold and some people say it won't. Like I said I do not rock crawl, the trails I ride are dirt with some small to moderate sized rocks. I want this truck capable to use overland, on unknown trails but still able to drive it up the highway at 60-65mph. I am probably going to run 35's but would like the option to go to 37s and not do another axle swap.