1986 Jeep Comanche, A change in path
#32
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CF Veteran
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,294
Likes: 349
From: Michigan
Year: 1987 MJ, 1973 J2000, 1986 XJ, 08 JK
Model: Comanche (MJ)
Engine: 4.0L H.O
#34
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,294
Likes: 349
From: Michigan
Year: 1987 MJ, 1973 J2000, 1986 XJ, 08 JK
Model: Comanche (MJ)
Engine: 4.0L H.O
#37
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,294
Likes: 349
From: Michigan
Year: 1987 MJ, 1973 J2000, 1986 XJ, 08 JK
Model: Comanche (MJ)
Engine: 4.0L H.O
I've made a lot of progress in the last 2 weeks. Fuel system is finished... Even with running a 18 gal (short bed) tank in the long bed. Front brakes are setup... the steel braided lines are a little long for this MJ being so stock.... But that just means its set for later
Cleaned up the rear bumper and mounted it up, front/rear shocks mounted up. I picked up a clean header panel from the you wrench (95 xj). front end looks much nicer after getting it mounted. I was having issues with my trans shift cable, the way it was routed through the factory trans tunnel had the cable binding. cut a new hole and its all good to go now. Also setup my custom tcase shift **** pictures to come this week... Also mounted up my ammo can center console. Found i was missing a number of fuses, after plugging all the empty slots everything works as it should now.
Extended the rear driveshaft a full 19" (long effin driveshaft!)... I even snuck in some extra time and cut up some expanded steel grill inserts.
More progress to come!
Cleaned up the rear bumper and mounted it up, front/rear shocks mounted up. I picked up a clean header panel from the you wrench (95 xj). front end looks much nicer after getting it mounted. I was having issues with my trans shift cable, the way it was routed through the factory trans tunnel had the cable binding. cut a new hole and its all good to go now. Also setup my custom tcase shift **** pictures to come this week... Also mounted up my ammo can center console. Found i was missing a number of fuses, after plugging all the empty slots everything works as it should now.
Extended the rear driveshaft a full 19" (long effin driveshaft!)... I even snuck in some extra time and cut up some expanded steel grill inserts.
More progress to come!
#39
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,294
Likes: 349
From: Michigan
Year: 1987 MJ, 1973 J2000, 1986 XJ, 08 JK
Model: Comanche (MJ)
Engine: 4.0L H.O
Sooooo i was going to run an 8.25 rear axle in the back.... BUT.... there was some confusion when a buddy of mine needed parts this summer and to keep it short... The 8.25 i had setup and mounted in the jeep is junk.. gears are ruined...
So i was back in the market for a rear axle. made a deal with a guy through Craigslist on another 8.25 for only $60.... but when i got there and seen he had a factory MJ d44, i obviously had to take it home with me... It was never really about the strength differences, just figured it gave my project more character.
I will be sandblasting the cover and repainting it this week
Also got a few of these 4" led lights... pretty bright- excellent value... just not sure if i should stick with the 5 lights or just go for an LED light bar instead... maybe stick a pair of the 4" light on the front bumper once its done.. Idk- what do you guys think?
Also scored this new-to-me spectre intake from a buddy of mine after he decided to sell his jeep..... Freebie!!
So i was back in the market for a rear axle. made a deal with a guy through Craigslist on another 8.25 for only $60.... but when i got there and seen he had a factory MJ d44, i obviously had to take it home with me... It was never really about the strength differences, just figured it gave my project more character.
I will be sandblasting the cover and repainting it this week
Also got a few of these 4" led lights... pretty bright- excellent value... just not sure if i should stick with the 5 lights or just go for an LED light bar instead... maybe stick a pair of the 4" light on the front bumper once its done.. Idk- what do you guys think?
Also scored this new-to-me spectre intake from a buddy of mine after he decided to sell his jeep..... Freebie!!
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84-xj-DALIL1 (08-14-2023)
#40
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,294
Likes: 349
From: Michigan
Year: 1987 MJ, 1973 J2000, 1986 XJ, 08 JK
Model: Comanche (MJ)
Engine: 4.0L H.O
another day in the shop.... as far as a list is concerned not much was knocked off today... though it took some time i got the tailight wiring setup
removed a lot of unnecessary remaining XJ harness and all is well.
also painted up the grill and the expanded steel inserts... Its supposed to be a Navy Blue color.... looking more like purple :/
Also sharing a little trick for when you setup hood pins on your own rig... using the factory latch springs (springs in the corners of the engine bay behind the radiator support) and setting them over the hood pins actually work Excellent at popping the hood up when the "locking" pins are in/out
Waiting on the new brake parts for the D44 and hopefully in the next week, be able to move this thing on it own!
removed a lot of unnecessary remaining XJ harness and all is well.
also painted up the grill and the expanded steel inserts... Its supposed to be a Navy Blue color.... looking more like purple :/
Also sharing a little trick for when you setup hood pins on your own rig... using the factory latch springs (springs in the corners of the engine bay behind the radiator support) and setting them over the hood pins actually work Excellent at popping the hood up when the "locking" pins are in/out
Waiting on the new brake parts for the D44 and hopefully in the next week, be able to move this thing on it own!
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84-xj-DALIL1 (08-14-2023)
#41
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,294
Likes: 349
From: Michigan
Year: 1987 MJ, 1973 J2000, 1986 XJ, 08 JK
Model: Comanche (MJ)
Engine: 4.0L H.O
All fluids checked and filled... actually moved the MJ under its own power for the first time in this vehicles last 6-years! Didn't move far- but it does drive and stop. Working on some wiring stuff and possibly looking at an aftermarket front bumper soon...
#44
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,294
Likes: 349
From: Michigan
Year: 1987 MJ, 1973 J2000, 1986 XJ, 08 JK
Model: Comanche (MJ)
Engine: 4.0L H.O
decided to mess with the interior for the most part today. XJ rear soundbar and new speakers to start... mossy oak headliner had to be re-glued as it was sagging pretty bad... (friend tossed me a can of adhesive saying it was the best thing in the world - Wrong!) xj sound bar wired up, interior light works like factory. Even the original door speakers work.... though one is blown they still don't sound bad.... OK im lying the front speakers have to go! soon coming though.
With not much else to do i decided to pull the roll bar out and weld it up. With it originally a bolt-together design, i know its not strong enough in case of an actual roll-over but i'd rather it be welded up and solid rather than having slop between joints.
I still need to bolt it down and re-attach the light bar portion but those will come along shortly.
I also ordered up some goodies this morning. Got a pack or Red accent led switches, Red led "194" bulbs for the dash and center console and my compressor for the OBA setup to push some air to the semi horn.
Ill throw some pics up when everything comes in and i have all the red goodies installed.
With not much else to do i decided to pull the roll bar out and weld it up. With it originally a bolt-together design, i know its not strong enough in case of an actual roll-over but i'd rather it be welded up and solid rather than having slop between joints.
I still need to bolt it down and re-attach the light bar portion but those will come along shortly.
I also ordered up some goodies this morning. Got a pack or Red accent led switches, Red led "194" bulbs for the dash and center console and my compressor for the OBA setup to push some air to the semi horn.
Ill throw some pics up when everything comes in and i have all the red goodies installed.