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'94 to '95 tub & body swap?

1K views 15 replies 5 participants last post by  buckdaddy00 
#1 ·
Hi guys, I bought a '95 YJ that has a crushed tub from a fallen tree. I was hoping to get the 4.0 engine and AX15 tranny out and swap it with my 2.5 4-banger in my '94 YJ. I have seen several post saying this is not a good or easy thing to do.



The '95 YJ has the 4.0 I6, AX15 transmission, 9" Ford rear axle, Tom Woods slip yoke eliminator, SOA lift, etc. All of the chassis is better than my '94 so I was thinking about swapping all of my '94 2.5 YJ's body onto the "95 YJ, is this a good idea? Will this work? Will everything fit...and how hard is it to do?



Thanks for your advice!
 
#3 ·
Yep would be a straight forward swap BUT swapping the drivetrain and wiring is also an option... what condition are the frames in?

The biggest difference between swapping drivetrains and swapping bodies will be welding the 4.0 motor mounts on the 2.5 frame
 
#4 ·
As for "how hard is it" that is hard to quantify without knowing you..... tell us of a mechanical project you did that you thought was really hard so we can compare for ya.

To me NOTHING is hard, just more bolts, more cutting and welding, and MORE money....
Well maybe reverse engineering complex wiring and computer stuff to make a non standard swap starts getting hard bordering on impossible but you wouldn't have any of that to worry about.
 
#5 ·
I'm 54 and getting achy doing this kind of work but I've been pulling motors and transmissions since I was a teen. I pulled my 4L60E out of my '99 Z71 and rebuilt the transmission by myself with some good info from nice guys sharing their know-ho with me on the internet. My son may be a lot of help on this project if I can get him over here. I wanted to make sure the tubs are the same and I am wondering if I have to use the '95 instrument panel or will the '94 work with the '95 ECU.

Thanks for your reply!
 
#8 ·
Oh yeah, Please post some pics of your project as you do it.

Good Luck, L.M.
 
#9 ·
Thanks, that's some good info! I'll get a few cans of PB Blaster on it right away!

I'm going to have to use the fenders from the '94 too, it will be a complete body swap all the way down to the chassis, however, I would like to keep the '95 instrument panel because it is in better shape and has cool blue dash lights. Some of the stuff under the dash is crushed around the fan motor and vents, I'm hoping I can use that stuff from my "94.

I will post pics when this gets underway!
 
#10 ·
Fwiw 4 guys can easily lift and carry a jeep tub...

The ecm does not have a seperate harness.... I THINK most stuff will interchange between 94 and 95 except the engine specific stuff

You'll be fine.... giterdone
 
#11 ·
If you have done neither, the tub swap is by far the lesser of two evils, as there is zero fabrication involved. Tub swaps are straightforward and certainly easy to accomplish, all things considered. And since the differences between the two years are virtually nil (removing the engine/trans. combo from the equation), it will be cake.
 
#12 ·
Thanks, This is encouraging!

Just to clarify... Now we are talking about a complete body swap all the way down to the chassis right?

Also, I have not done this before and not sure where to start. Would it be best to start with the dash or under the hood, fender/firewall?

Here's a pic of the donor Jeep.
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1fn_639XXzzcrUNbjOP8txd2NA42L1tB4
 
#13 ·
Pull the hood grill and fenders top doors...
Unhook brake lines hoses throttle clutch wiring steering etc at firewall
Remove body bolts and fuel fill hoses
Begin jacking tub up slowly looking for anything you missed.
 
#15 ·
Ah yes shifters.... t case shifter is a little tougher to remove... I'd remove the knob and boot on it and lift over
 
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