Sir Sam

Not sure where this belongs, not really MJ tech, but more XJ. On my 00MJ I added the factory Sentry Key Setup for theft protection. Its a pretty good setup in that it cannot be easily bypassed. I bought a new uncoded SKIM module off of eBay, two keys and got to work. Since my MJ is an 88 I had a used ECU from a 2000 that I had flashed to have my MJ vin put in. If you have the original ECU with your correct vehicle VIN then you could skip this step. As soon as you connect the SKIM module it activates the SKIM setting in the ECU. Then plug into it with a DRBIII or other tool, load up the SKIM module, and do “SKIM Replaced”. It will prompt you to enter the vehicle PIN, this is where you make one up you will never forget. It will then tell you the pin is correct and it is programmed. It will then read the country code and VIN from the ECU and set those in the SKIM. Next program the new transponder keys to the SKIM like you would normally do. So I now have two transponder keys, which are set to my Jeep. I’ve tested and without the key installed in the halo ring it starts and then shuts off after 3 seconds. So I’ve anyone ever does try to steal it, they will mess up my steering column, but not get my vehicle to drive off. For as cheap as this was, less than $100, I think it’s a great thing to add to your Jeep if you worry it might get stolen, especially if you have lots of mods that attract attention.

Find a 97+ donor vehicle to do this. I basically did the same on mine, check my build thread in epic builds. ya you wind up with the body stripped down, takes longer to put together than take apart.

yup lots of info out there already. Right now this is more of a conceptual of what the project would be and how it would be executed. If I buy it I will store it a while, like a year, until I would get to it. I have some other projects I want to knock out first. So it gives me time to consider options. Mostly I’m just thinking if the body is in good shape I have the chance now to pick it up for a reasonable price that I should jump on it. I like the aesthetics of the early trucks and they seem way more classic to me than the newer ones.

I appreciate the info. I have a cursory knowledge of these truck. I don’t have much interest in keeping the existing drivetrain. So it would be a repower. I don’t have much interest in the close knuckle drum brake front, hence why I am thinking of replacing with a JK d44 front, and then finding a matching spare. my Land Rover has closed knuckle front ends. I’m over it. it’s good to know about the floor pan changing for the drivers drop. Pretty much all I can think I would do would be a drivers drop. Maybe I might consider an older Chevy or dodge axle that is passenger side drop. Or get crazy and use a Land Rover axle because I hate myself. I’m thinking about LQ4 or LQ9 for a engine and rubicon axles or JK frame and axles for a repower. newer v8 waggys are still in junkyard so I could also rob parts from them.

Ya they are asking 2500 right now which I won’t do.

Thoughts on value as is? You know as much as me right now.

Another thought is swapping in the 2.8 CRD engine that is in my wrecked KJ CRD. I know the electronics so that’s not an issue other than time to rewire. And it would give me something I would like. That being said, I’m not sure the end goal if it’s a keeper or a seller.

Kinda worried about someone finding it if I post them. But it helps to make a decision. Ill get them cropped tonight so someone doesn't get as much information from the pictures as possible.

gladiator SWB/LWB is 119/131. JLU is 118.4 JT is 137.3 So if its a shortbed a JLU would be a good match, probably need to extend the rear frame some to support the bed, bumpers, etc.

Thats a possibility to do a frame drop. But I would need to consider the costs. Now maybe dropping it on a gladiator frame..........how much is a totally rolled gladiator with no useable body parts, but a straight frame and good drivetrain going to cost me? And then how hard will the electronics and wiring work be?!

Not much traction on them. They also arent a 1965 Gladiator. Pro: 1965 Gladiator Con: 1965 Gladiator

Good luck, usually they have enough CYA verbage in there that its near getting blood from a stone.

Been seriously thinking about a Gladiator lately. Since the MJ is roadworthy and I am trying to do content for my youtube channel I have been thinking about buying a 1965 Gladiator. I only have a few crappy pics and I would be trying to talk them down, and its a few states away so I would be towing it home with a borrowed trailer and my dads CRD. I don't need another project. This would be a big project. I don't need to spend the money. I could spend the money on other projects and have them closer to completion. But its fukkin cool. And it would be really cool to take wheeling in Ouray, Moab, and show up all the new gladiators how its really done. That being said, I don't know where I would go with the project, thoughts so far are matte clear coat it to lock in patina, use my JK D44 front, pickup a JK rubicon D44 with 4.10s to match to I have front and rear lockers. Pickup a nice set of JK/JL/JT take off tires and wheels. Install aftermarket under dash AC.........and then what? What drivetrain? stroked 4L sounds cool, but minor returns on power compared to the cost. Pros would be that its Jeep original so it stays with Jeep, but the engine build would cost what a chevy LS would cost. And it still have much of the fabrication that the Chevy would have. So then I go chevy, LS with what trans, auto or manual, and what can I find for a reasonable price? Best deal would probably be engine/trans/xfercase. I like the idea of running a 242 transfer case....I think those are easily mated to chevy trans. Then some custom driveshafts and it would be a great driver with plenty of power, reliablity and AC. But its not in the Jeep family. 5.7 Hemi sounds cool, but I think the chevy would be easier and is the goto swap these days. thoughts?

I find no difference in the aesthetics. SWB or LWB in an MJ is going to feel longer than an XJ. I noticed the length in my longbed all the time driving it compared to an XJ. The same would be said for TJ vs XJ in turning radius. That being said while its noticeable the turning radius is still very good Keep in mind, the longbed is a 7 foot bed, not a fullsize 8 foot. Heck even the shortbed has a bigger bed than some of the new trucks with their microbed. So far offroad the breakover angle in the rear has not been an issue.

Well, I guess I'd still have all my XJs. Since I have only every owned one MJ it wouldnt be totally different.

Yup, been there done that before. Got the hatch fixed. Second video premiers in a few hours:

96 is older style. 99 would work. Maryland is the opposite side of the country from me. EDIT Closest white fender to me is 400 miles away in Idaho, so not exactly local. And I doubt shipping will be reasonable or arrive un-damaged.

Yup, looked there already, nothing close to me. Few color matching body parts and it would be really straight. I'll keep an eye out, but at this point I've decided to leave the fender being banged up over painting a green one I have here.

I have not gotten lucky with that, and I am actively looking.

Rear hatch is fixed already. Havent managed to find a white fender yet, straightened this one out decently. Scored a complete new header panel assmbly for $40. Straightened the front bumper out pretty well where an end cap would make it look like nothing happened. But it looks like I will put an aftermarket front bumper on it. Got a set of JK wheels and tires on it now. Cleaned interior but have a seat rebuild to do still. Need to patch a floor rust hole. I have like 8 more videos ready with details of all that work, but I'm holding off on uploading untill I decide the best way to do it. Scheduled releases seem to be good for keeping viewers/subscribers interested. I don't really want to play BS games, but I do want to grow the channel and try and monetize it however possible, ads on the video are one, but amazon affiliate links for the stuff I use are another good way.

Edit: no idea why it keeps doing that. Very odd. Managed to get OP edited though.

Weird. Some sort of forum bug I guess.

Ok since the MJ is totally done and doesn't need any more attention from me my dad and I picked up this cheap XJ as a little fix and flip type of project. I've decided to do it up as a YouTube episodic thing so I've been cranking on work and videos, have about 8 videos in so far. So here is the first.......made a 20 second intro with some random videos I had on my phone and some free youtube music: Since this is my first time doing all this....feedback and thoughts?

I also hate wearing pants, but I do it anyways.