CommandTrac to SelecTrac

[SSRodriguez]

Hello there,
I have been searching the forums and couldn't seem to find an answer here, so I will start a thread and hopefully someone can point me to the right direction.
I have a 2003 Liberty (Renegade) 5 speed manual transmission, with CommandTrac. I would much prefer to have SelecTrac installed. It's clear from the lights on the dash that the instrument panel light is there, but aside from the correct tcase and shifter, what else would I need? Also and MOST importantly, has anyone done this before? If so, any pointers would be greatly appreciated. My brother is a mechanic with his own shop, so feel free to be as technical as you like (I'll just show him the post, lol)

Thanks
UPDATE TO ALL
As of today (May 15th 2017), I have a fully functional Selec-Trac in my 5 Speed Manual Liberty Renegade. We have pretty thoroughly tested it, all seems good. The change went through with no complications from what we expected. I will post further updates as I road test it through out the year to determine long term reliability.
NOTE: The only real issue was that we were unable to get the Full Time light on the dash to come on, despite I know the light is there, and CAN light up. But I am alright with not having it if that is the only issue we ran into. Everything works like a charm, and after the mechanic fully exploring the 242 case, he really could not come up with a valid reason as to why there should be any issues.

I'll keep you all posted on the year long road durability test

 

[renegade 04]

You will need a new transfer case, a new shifter, new front and rear driveshafts.

 

[sota]

and if The Orange One gets in here, he'll tell you it's a bad idea because you have a stick shift and you'll blow up the transfer case. (something about shock loads.)

 

[Dave]

Welcome. Selec-Trac t-case was an option on the KJ with the a/t. Not available with the stick from the factory as far as I know. Not sure what the difference would be other than the ****** gearing in the standard shift would be different than the a/t of course and the diffs were 3.55 where the auto was 3.73......(the 4cyl was 4.10 gears) All of these differences would affect the t-case gearing.


Dave

 

[SSRodriguez]

renegade 04 have you done this before? Any problems after doing it if you have?

 

[SSRodriguez]

It would also be especially helpful if anyone has done this before and what if any were the difficulties you ran into

 

[SSRodriguez]

Sota,
I would be fine with his opinion if he has done this before and seen any particular issues and has any suggestions for addressing them

 

[tommudd]

Not heavy duty enough behind he manual trans

 

[sota]

My recollection was fixing it isn't really possible. That's not to say I don't toss the idea around myself occasionally, and if I were to come across a selectrac equipped donor jeep for a stupidly cheap price, I wouldn't give it a shot myself.

I guess the best question to ask would be: what do you think/believe selectrac will give you over commandtrac?

 

[SSRodriguez]

Sota,
Where I live in Colorado, particularly over the last few years, The road conditions are quite erratic, changing from dry to snow pack, to black ice, to slush, often within even a short commute. Having owned an xj previously with SelecTrac (when I lived in Alaska) I found the option of full time/Part time very useful, and despite originally believing that Liberty's were the ugliest thing jeep ever made, I have actually grown quite fond of my little cartoon jeep.

 

[SSRodriguez]

Tommud, is that from personal experience? Have you done it before or known someone who has? I'm trying to see how many if any have attempted this.

 

[tommudd]

and if The Orange One gets in here, he'll tell you it's a bad idea because you have a stick shift and you'll blow up the transfer case. (something about shock loads.)

And he is right , like I stated before , the select trac is not strong enough to stand up behind a manual

 

[tommudd]

Tommud, is that from personal experience? Have you done it before or known someone who has? I'm trying to see how many if any have attempted this.

LOL you don't have to attempt to know its not strong enough .
You just have to knwo how they are built and what loads they will with stand.
They are a good bit weaker than the Command Trac.
Rebuilt both many times

 

[SSRodriguez]

Tommud,
Thanks

 

[renegade 04]

I have not done the swap, but I have looked into the swap before.

 

[GunnerSchenck]

and despite originally believing that Liberty's were the ugliest thing jeep ever made, I have actually grown quite fond of my little cartoon jeep.

New renegades IMO.. even riding in my friends, I really wasn't fond of it, even inside.. felt like I was crammed inside a fiat 500.. oh wait, lol.

That being said, I think it's a pretty good lookin jeep you got there.. minus the fact that half of it appears to have been repainted..and from the looks of it, incorrectly. But maybe it's just the picture

 

[SSRodriguez]

New renegades IMO.. even riding in my friends, I really wasn't fond of it, even inside.. felt like I was crammed inside a fiat 500.. oh wait, lol.

That being said, I think it's a pretty good lookin jeep you got there.. minus the fact that half of it appears to have been repainted..and from the looks of it, incorrectly. But maybe it's just the picture

GunnerSchenck
To the best of my knowledge, it has not been repainted, however I am the second owner.

 

[CalcityRenegade]

I would not bother with a swap like this. My Renegade with manual ****** had great tires and did not even need to be in 4HI is most situations. However I did use it when conditions warranted it as what is the point of a 4WD if you are not going to put it to work?

 

[GunnerSchenck]

GunnerSchenck
To the best of my knowledge, it has not been repainted, however I am the second owner.

So is the color difference between the front to back door just in the picture? Appears from the photo it was panel painted with no blends..
But as I said, could just be the picture. Hundreds of ways to tell in person though

 

[SSRodriguez]

So is the color difference between the front to back door just in the picture? Appears from the photo it was panel painted with no blends..
But as I said, could just be the picture. Hundreds of ways to tell in person though

Yes