GirsMJ86

I'll just leave this here for ya... http://comancheclub.com/topic/39590-88-mj-pioneer-in-philly/

I can't see it getting into the wheel well, but into the shock area and over top of the axle sure. My new rear shocks with coil springs around them come very very (I'm talking less than 1/4") close to the outer rear corner on my tank. I could only imagine on a SWB how far back it would sit.

$125?! I was just looking at those just a few months ago (ended up buying one from Meijer where I work that has more amps and better or same warranty for $80) and they were only $100. Still more than your old price of $71 but still... hopefully it does lat ya just as long.

As mnkyboy said, it's mostly preference and I prefer an automatic. I like the "not having to worry about it" feature. Right now I have a 5spd and I can't wait to yank that puppy out when I do my drive train swap. Nothing anyone here says can really decide which he wants. Does he want to have complete control over when his vehicle shifts or does he prefer to "just push play" as I like to say? Either way so long as he picks his year right, the ax15 manual and aw4 auto are just as bulletproof as the 4.0l driving it. To me the better question is which 4wd system does he want, now there is something not at such extreme differences that asking opinions on could actually help a decision get reached. I like full-time selec-trac.

If you want to keep it in good shape, you need to be preemptive. Yank out the carpet (as nicely as you can if it's in good shape and you want to reuse) and por-15 everything, maybe adding some removable drainage plugs in the lowest spots on each side like Wranglers. Ditching the flare retainer brackets and replacing with stainless nuts/bolts/washers after fixing any problem areas you find behind the flares is another good idea (or at least one I live by on my MJs). If you have a relatively rust free MJ, going to extremes is really about the only way to prevent it from rusting out badly, unless you want to take that new-to-you rig and move straight to a better climate. The one nice thing though about it being an '86 is that I've found they tend to be the least cancerous. My first '86 had only very minor rust (came from NJ as well), pinholes and such with solid floors. My current one has always been in Ohio AFAIK and it only is just starting to show signs of cancer around the flares.

Yea, this was brought up before not too long ago. It is very expensive and isn't really durable/permanent. It would have to be touched-up at least once a year I would imagine. POR-15 and Monstaliner is a much better combo alternative IMO.

Most are probably referring to factory rails when they say that. I would imagine though if you're just after a set that will work meant for another truck though it shouldn't be hard so long as you find the right length and pending how they install.

Yea, that right there is a case of looking too much into something.

Those never were offered in chrome, would look very tacky if you ask me. But to each their own. And just an FYI, those are actually functional cab vents, not just decoration. AMC decided to make them visible rather than hide them. My truck is covered in all the factory chrome stuff, even have the chrome side trim pieces that I just have to figure out how to stick them back on. I'm tossing around the idea of removing all of it instead though by either painting it or swapping on the standard black parts and off-road bumpers. I've just never been a chrome fan and not sure if I want it on my truck or not, even if several of the parts are pretty hard to come by.

Nah not interested in buying factory MJ ones, I'm sure I can just hack up the XJ ones against my better judgment if I just had a cardboard template. Don't care about the brackets either since I can figure out how to mount them on my own. I just meant if I got a cardboard template I could do a write up with pics and a pdf download and stuff so others can modify XJ ones.

I just did a test fit, my rears are most definitely meant for an XJ. They will not work at all without me hacking them up pretty good and then I'd still have to figure out how to mount the things. If I had a template of the factory MJ rears I'm sure I could create a DIY write up for turning XJ rears into MJ rears since I'm sure they are easier to come by. If any of you with true MJ rears would be willing to send me a template shoot me a PM and we can figure this stuff out for others.

Figment of your imagination. I personally vanished for a few years because I was MJ-less and exploring the excitement of other vehicles I always wanted but was disappointed with in one way or another, and others were just what I always figured but past owners didn't take care of them well enough and I got sick of fixing things. Then I was very active on IFSJA and FSJnetwork because I had a Gladiator which I should have kept but I was missing having an MJ more than the cool factor of the Gladiator. I'll get another someday. When I finally returned recently I too noticed a lot of people missing, a lot of new names, and some old names but they don't seem to be as active as they were. My MJ may not be currently running sadly (and will be that way for awhile still even though I already got all the parts since I just don't have time to wrench), but I'm pretty active again nonetheless. The addiction has a hold of me again for sure and everyone here is still as great as ever. I think rough times have made most rethink things and the hobby vehicles have had to go. They seem to be making a slow comeback though.

Dang, those are the style I wanted since my truck is an '86 but I just bought a set of 4 NOS ones that only say Jeep. Only problem is those ones appear to be four rears since the fronts should actually be shaped differently. I'm sure they would be cut and adapted though. Let me just hop in here after test fitting my flaps. XJ rear flares will not work on an MJ, on the rear or the front. They would require some serious cutting and then you'd still have to figure out how to mount them. XJ fronts should work on the front just fine and would also be a lot easier to modify for the rear too I would think since MJ rears are just a rectangle basically with a notch cut in them. Pics of true MJ rears and the NOS XJ set I just got can be seen in the recent mud flaps topic, I'd link but on a phone. I really want flaps but I don't think I'm willing to hack up a NOS set unless they were the ones with the AMC logo and only after doing plenty of cardboard template fitting.

I've been looking but all I can find anymore are the goofy euro style ones. If you find the oem style ones let me know. Really want to get them on my current rig since they would go so well with all the chrome it has.

Just buy new ones of those as well. Had some aftermarket ones before off ebay and they fit decent. Guess I should have asked for specification earlier, but been so tired lately I didn't think.

Mine are listed as "Comanche - Cherokee - Wagoneer". I'll be sure to snap pics while I see how they fit and install them, if I ever get the time.

Only option would be to take it somewhere that could rechrome it.

Definitely keep us updated and start a thread in the projects section if you get it. I love these old Willy's. I always see the trucks for sale around here, usually restored or all original and running... if only I had the money.

I just got my hands on these... NOS front and rears along with all mounting hardware in original and stainless plus instructions. If you want templates I could make some before I modify them by adding the AMC logo above the word Jeep like they were in '86 and sticking them on my truck. I will say they are basically a thick plastic rather than reinforced rubber like semi mudflaps or even a lot of aftermarket ones in this style. The back side (or the side that faces the tire) has grooved channels that go about halfway through the mudflap.

Look at those leaf packs. I'd try to get that whole rig though, talk about great shape and rare. Or at least grab the fenders, leaf packs, and d44 and clone it.

That seems pretty crazy considering they are the same as XJ fenders and can still be gotten new, probably for less than half that price since I could get new ones for my P71 for only $60.

Looks better on the 'manche. :thumbsup: Still awesome though, probably the only TJ I'll ever admit that I like.

Would be great to roll up to a car show or off-road park hauling your show car/trail buggy with one of these. Lil Big Rig

Yea, not very off-road aggressive looking, kind of the same reason I don't like the BFG T/A KOs. Not aggressive enough in my eyes and, in my experience, not very good in off-road conditions that count most to me. Mud and snow. There has to be something out there, check out companies like Cooper (have some pretty sick ones called Wildcats, not sure the sizes though) and such. The smaller brands have always been what I preferred, and most are actually owned by the big name brands.

Good looking rig, I only see one problem... That rear bumper. You don't have a use for it and you think it would look better on my rig anyways. :cheers: