89 Jeep Wrangler ECM

GEORGEJB3

MEMBER
1989 JEEP WRANGLER

I have replaced the ECM in my 2.5l 4cyl 89 4WD wrangler 2 times now and once again it appears to be fried. I originally brought it to an car electrical specialist which determined that the original factory wiring has a flaw in it where if a fusible link were to burn out the ECM could also fry. At first I thought he was joking but apparently after 2 ECMS he was probably right. I have completely rebuilt this jeep and am now wondering if I should/could just upgrade my 4cyl engine to the 6cyl with carb and rewire the vehicle without the ECM. The wiring in the vehicle is decent/not great. Which is why I was thinking about killing 2 birds by gutting the engine and putting all new wires in with the 6 Cyl. Is it crazy to completely remove the ECM and go old school?

1 Reply

ROB66ERT

MEMBER
18 POSTS

Well if you now have the 2.5 4cyl, and want to swap you will have to also swap the transmission, for the 6cyl bell housing is diff, the trans you have now is probably the AX-5 this will not work with the 6cyl, you will have to swap to the jeep tranny AX-15, this comes standard on the 6cyl jeep starting I think in 1989, and if you are going to do this you may as well goahead and put a small block V8 in it, old school carb. All you will need is the adapterplate for the AX-15 bell housing, they make this for around 150.00, because you are going to have to swap trannys anyway to go to the 6cyl, motor mounts, 75.00 and piolit shaft. I have done lots of research on this.I am fixing to do the same thing. I now have the 4cyl and have tons of ignition problems. If you want I can give you the name of the company that supplies all the adapters for this conversion. Alot cheaper and easier than I first thought.