First off, hello first post here. I'm a long time Jeep owner and have had everything from CJ5's to JK's. Currently own a 89 XJ that's my toy, and a 2WD 2011 KK that's the wife's Jeep.

I know this topic has probably come up a few times but it always leads into "it's not worth the cost blah blah" so I would like to avoid that. My question is has anyone actually done it yet?

I recently did a 4WD swap on a 2000 XJ, and unfortunately the AW4 automatic has an output shaft that is only removable from the inside. Because of this, it was easier to just swap in an entire new transmission and transfercase combo. Will I run into this same issue on the KK?

What transmission is in my KK?

Just answered one of my own questions, it has a 42RLE.

Ok so after more research I'm pretty sure I've found a few more answers. The 42RLE is the same trans used in 07-2011ish JK's. In 07 and I believe 08 JK's were offered in 2WD, so I found a JK 2WD to 4WD build thread seen here: http://www.jkowners.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9488

The rear cone and output shaft are easily removable, all I have to do is get a 4wd output shaft and t-case adapter.

I'm thinking of using a JK transfercase as they are easy to get, and I might get lucky enough to score a Rocktrac NV241OR with a 4:1 low which will be nice because I'll be hauling my adventure trailer behind my KK a lot. A mechanical shifter is also a plus. Might have to make a custom bezel in the center consol for the shifter to pop though but that won't be too hard using some JK parts.

Sounds promising. Now to find the t-case, crossmember, and front axle (I plan on keeping the IFS, I feel it's better for what this KK will be intended for).

The mechanical part is easy,getting the computers to stop freaking out(ESP) while in 4wd(more so 4low) is impossible unless you totally disable the ABS system.

The KK's 4wd system is computer controlled while the JK is not so no programming issues with a JK but will run into a lot of electrical issues with a KK even if you do not go the OE 4wd route.Oh and the resale value will go down to next to nothing.

There's a guy here in town that has a rocktrac 4:1 transfer case in his KJ. You would need have to get the drive shafts reworked. I have one sitting in my shop, but its alot of work to drop it in a kj

Sent with the power of children's screams!!!

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2002 KJ Limited 3.7, 5.25" lift via coilovers, custom HD rear springs, 32.2" tires on moabs (soon 33s) 4.56/JBA diff, OX lockers front/rear, NP241OR, Parker Fab front/rear bumpers, rock rails and roof rack, Viair OBA.

2006 KJ sport 3.7, 4" Ironman lift, 32" tires, Parker Fab front/rear bumpers and rock rails.

If you do go through with it, you will be the first that I know of. As far as doing the swap, TJ is right about the electronics. If you go with a manual t-case you could bypass the whole 4wd selector that we deal with. Problems might come from the abs.

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2011 Deep Cherry Red KK - Skyslider - JBA/Bilstein Adjust-A-Strut set at 3.5" - OME 731 Rear Springs - Bilstein Rear Shocks - Al's A-arms - 245/75-16 Duratracs - Rock Liazard Super Sliders

Might as well make some Jeep porn.

Very interesting on the ESP issues. I had some ESP issues on one of my previous JK's I ended up splicing into the wire for the ESP and putting a switch on it, it allowed me to completely shut it off at a flick of a switch, and just as easily turn it back on. Gonna have to do some digging around to find some info on wiring diagrams for the KK.

Our tcs/esp etc runs off of the abs. You can pull the fuse(or wire a switch to it, I think Scar0 made a write up for it). That could work offroad. I'm not sure how everything would work in 2wd on road though. For all I know, you might not have any problems...

So you don't have to go searching forever:

viewtopic.php?f=88&t=51166

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2011 Deep Cherry Red KK - Skyslider - JBA/Bilstein Adjust-A-Strut set at 3.5" - OME 731 Rear Springs - Bilstein Rear Shocks - Al's A-arms - 245/75-16 Duratracs - Rock Liazard Super Sliders

Cool thanks for the link!