GHayduke

I did some more work on the manche this weekend and relized I haven't provided a update here for awhile..... So here it is. A few weeks ago I did my battery cable upgrade. I bought a roll of 4 gauge red wire and copper crimp terminals and replaced all the old nasty cables. I went to marine style post terminals. negative cables I wrapped in black tape. As I didn't have a megafuse or fusable link to protect the alternator from the rest of the system, I added a 100amp fuse next to the underhood fuse box. When I did the interior I ran 10guage power wires inside for the power seats and future accessories, but I didn't have a circuit to turn off the power with the ignition... The seats were temporarily wired in with the headlight power..... So this weekend I was in the boneyard and I picked up a Gentex power mirror from a Cadillac Escalade (auto dimmer, temp, & Compass) I went home to install it. I tried to find a good power source at the factory inside fuse box but it was acting flakey, so I decided to do it right...fix the power to the seats as intended... I disassembled the underhood fuse box and probed it for a power source that turns on and off with the ignition, I ended up with the the relay for the electric fan power. I used this as my low power trigger wire for a relay to run the power to the cab. In the pictures you can see three relays in a row, the yellow is for the power seats/ acc power. The other two are for the headlights hi and low beams. The new mega fuse gives me a easy place to power the relays from..... I then wired up the mirror and calibrated the compass (after setting the correct zone) and It all appears to work (I haven't tried the auto dim feature yet but will tonight.) So far I like it after driving 16 miles to work.... During troubleshooting and testing I kept smelling a electrical melt down smell but couldn't find it.. :dunno: . So after completeing everything I ran the engine for ten minutes to see what happens... Eventually I smelled it and eventually saw a wisp of smoke... it was my electric fan. I'm not sure if something in my new wireing caused it to go, or if it was just time. The electric fan came from a junkyard jeep with unknown miles on it... I'm actually not sure if it ever ran since installed (I tested it before) as it's been so cold out since the jeep was built. I unplugged it and ordered a new one this time... :doh: . I'm not sure why my testing would cause it to fry if it did? The fuse didn't pop and the fan never came on... It may have just died.... I guess I'll find out when I get the new one. Any thoughts? Here's another pic of the general wiring going on now.... Image Not Found

Ordered a new steering box from Rockauto for a 98' Cherro.

I developed some death wobble over the winter. I ended up replacing the old steering box and then did the axle ball joints to resolve it....

Thanks for posting the pics........ These look easy enough, I would be tempted to add another plate on the inside of the frame horns to make the tow points beefier.....

Automan2164- Is there a good place (besides CL) to look for a used scx10 in our local area? So Cool... I want to come check yours out when it gets warmer.

Wow.. I've got some old RC-10 trucks in the attic... this makes me want to order a new body and get one going again!

One Month Update: Locker still working fine. Happy with it for the price. The clicking noise could be a little louder though as it doesn't scare people very much....

Installed my Lokka about a week ago. Liking it so far in the snow!!!! I would recommend it so far! Image Not Found

I installed a diff locker in my rear axle. Went with the "Lokka" $250. shipped from AU. Happy with it after a week! http://lokka.com/site/

Thank you, checking it out now. How has it held up in the last year? Any additional tips? Distance you held the spray paint from the truck? I may start with my canopy. If it's cool out, heat the can in hot water (I put mine in the hot tub) and shake for awhile before using. Hold it about a foot away- this will vary with the brand/type of paint. practice on something else metal before painting your truck as to how close to hold the can. By Canopy do you mean roof or hood?

Sabonis - I would suggest looking at this thread: http://comancheclub.com/topic/37110-mj-backyard-repaint/ from when I painted the truck. Remember half of painting well is the Prep work. After sanding & wet sanding you need to make sure the surface is dirt and oil free. Wash the panel with dishsoap & water & dry, then 5 minutes before you paint wipe down the panel with a lint free rag and isopropyl alcohol (red heet) or a paint shop alcohol type prep chemical. let me know if you have any questions on my attached thread above.

After living with this paint & would suggest sticking with Rustoleum Gloss Paint and prep with white or even better White Clean Metal Primer. This paint is not hard enough and gets soft with alcohol applied (some wipes off). The cap is Rustoleum gloss black and holds up more like I expect.

Thanks for your input Guys (Especially 54bobby) haha, I have ordered a "Lokka".

Wowsers Your right !!! It says it includes shipping! I was thinking LSD would be much better road manners but for this price... My truck is a Automatic now which may help the road manners... I'm running 17" Rubicon moab wheels and tires (few inches bigger than stock) which may help the road manners. At least on my CJ with bigger tires, it got better on the road with a lock-right.... Here's what I found: JEE-RO-100: JEEP - Cherokee - XJ - Limited, Sport, Classic (Global) - Rear - Open - Chrysler 8.25" , 29 Spline Delivered Price (USD) $249.00 including shipping to your address in United States.

Hi Guys, I'm thinking about a Ozzie Locker for my 98' Chrysler 8.25 rear axle. Has anyone tried these? Any feedback ?

I decided to paint the doors to match for now..... Getting the old trim adhesive off was a bear & I scratched the panel. So Bondo to the rescue.. Once the yellow hardens I'll do the lower panels. 0 degree weather and snow likely are not helping my drying time... Yes that's dirty road salt filled slush on the new paint etc... :doh:

Have you hooked up the new rear view mirrow yet? I'm eager for your review.

Junkie- The seats came out of a 2001 Chrokee Classic. May have been a "Limmited" package.

When I first bought the Comanche someone had painted it White over Red. Why oh why would you???? Since my last three trucks where White, I wanted something different thus my first repaint: Now I'm thinking of maybe going AMC Chestnut Brown Metallic like my first Jeep... This time I want to have it painted right and not just spray painted.

Nex big step would be paint..... again

Drivers Side: After:

Headliner / Roof Before After

We my Interior is about finished so time for some before and after photos to tell if you can see the difference: After Before After

Cap is Complete & Installed just in time for lots of snow, salt and weather below 0F. What do you think?

The cap has graduated Body (fiberglass & bondo work) and is into Paint. I'm going with 2+ coats of Rustoleum Gloss Black & a wax job.