TheDirtyJeep401

What about water pumps? It’s been a while since I put one in on the 86. I started tearing down the 92 and noticed that it has a reverse water pump. Did all of them have reverse rotation? Or is it something that they did on the 91+ motors? I can’t remember for the life of me on if the 86 was reverse or not.

Well, after running a compression test. Turns out the original 2.5 is worn out. Worse than I originally anticipated. I have a few 2.5s laying around but have few questions. I have an 92 2.5 sitting on an engine stand. From what I have found, all 2.5 blocks are the same. I know there is a slight variation in the heads over the years, but still work on a TBI motor. The big question I have is the cam. The TBI models from what I’ve seen have a slightly bigger cam than the MPFI models. So with that, does the MPFI cam work fine in a 86 TBI? Or does it need swapped over? Are there any other variations that would need swapped over other than the normal stuff (Intake,flywheel,sensors,etc..)?

It honestly surprised me on how well it was stopping with the shoes pretty much gone. Didn’t even make any noise. I never thought twice about it because of how good the brakes were. Just sucks that I had to replace the shoes instead of getting it swapped over to discs once I had the parts. Now I’ll just have to wait till these or worn down.

Apparently the Jeep was feeling neglected with all the other projects and things that I have going on. So it decided it was going to break. Originally I thought it was just the master cylinder since the pedal fell to the floor. But turned out to be more that needed replaced than I thought. Hoses were cracking, rear shoes were completely worn. Had to wait a few days to get parts in. After a few days of waiting, and me messing up a brand new hose and having to get a new one. Back in the road and now it stops like a new truck. Glad it’s done. But wish it would have waited a month or so, and not in the middle of the week.

Been getting mixed answers on the output spline count. Did the 86 A904 have 21 or 23 spline count? I’m looking at transfer cases and was trying to figure out what spline count I have. Everywhere I’ve looked said 23, but wanted to verify it as earlier models were 21.

Been putting the truck through more work rather than working on it. Every time I get the time to, something with the house decides to go wrong. Had a few trees fall, including a huge oak in my backyard from a storm that came through. Luckily this massive oak missed the house. Poor thing is probably tired of hauling firewood or stuff on the trailer. By the time I’m done, it’ll have done 3 trees and running a mower back and forth since mine is down. Suspension isn’t too happy, but doesn’t really bother the 2.5 much. Also heard a clunk in the front end when putting it in 4X4. Found the driver side axle u joint is getting pretty loose. So another thing to add to the list. Are you guys sure the saying wasn’t “Easy to be a Jeep. Hard to be a truck?” Because I’m sure it would much rather just be a Jeep.

I had thought about making a separate bed trailer with the camper shell for camping. Only problem is the shell I have has the missing window on the front with a boot that goes up against the cab so you can open the back window. Since then I had a Willys MBT trailer that was passed down to me that I plan on using to haul gear, and use the truck bed as a camping space. Having a matching trailer as the truck would definitely be the best set up ever. The possibilities you could do with it would be endless. And it would look awesome going down the road too.

You’re really making me want to drag my topper out and put it on…. I’m just wanting to wait till i finish the lift to put it on so I can sit back and have that look. Glad I’m not the only one who likes lifted long beds with toppers. It’s like it just screams take me camping or on a road trip.

Didn’t get the time to take pics of it all since it was so late, and of course, took a lot longer than it should have. The radiator was leaking, so I had to rob the radiator out of the other 86 since it was practically new, and I was in a pinch. The one I pulled out in silver was the original radiator. It was so clogged it didn’t even drain all the way. Noticed that the fan clutch was broken and had to swap that out too. Upon installing the radiator, I noticed that the fittings on the radiator for the transmission lines were different. And after many runs to the parts store trying to figure out a fitting, I ended up getting an external trans cooler as my only option. The fittings went from standard on one side, to metric on another. Had no way of finding an adapter for the lines. I was already doing a fluid/filter change on the transmission to see what was causing it to not go into reverse fully. Figured a cooler wouldn’t hurt for as warm as the trans gets. So far everything is holding up and working properly. No leaks, fans not as noisy, and the transmission is shifting smooth like butter through all gears. Still have some leaks and noises to address soon. The timing chain sounds like it’s loose and the rear end has been howling with a nasty pinion seal leak. Soon it won’t be making unnecessary noise and leaving stains on my driveway. Did take a photo after it was all done and cleaned up. I take too many pictures of this truck. Seems like it’s always at a good angle when I look at it.

It’s a Dana 35. If it had a 44 in it, it wouldn’t still be under that parts truck.

Long beds have a longer wheel base compared to the short bed. The 4 speed is a AX4 it is basically the same thing as a AX5 just with 5th gear so the drive shaft is the same. Automatics I’m not sure of off the top of my head. They should be posted somewhere on factory lengths. 4x4 rear drive shafts will be shorter than 2WD ones. My 87 parts truck that’s a short bed I believe still has the shaft under it. Don’t know where you are located, but I have no use for it. All I own is long beds. Or I can try to crawl under it and get some measurements off of it.

Short bed or long bed? Are there any local places that could build a new one? Usually you can take the measurements to them and they can make a new one.

So after I noticed that the fluid level was a little low I topped it off with Dexron. Here lately when starting the truck up, usually when it’s cold, it doesn’t want to fully engage in reverse or it shakes trying to back up. Foward gears are just fine. Let it warm up and it seems to be going into reverse just fine. Fluid level is where it should be and still does it. I plan on changing the fluid and filter. Is there anything else I should do and or look for? Adjustments of any kind?

Just went out and started it and drove it around. Didn’t see any fuel coming out on start up or after driving.

Here lately I’ve had a new issue start. Starting up my truck it starts just fine, but runs a little rough for a little bit like it’s loading up on fuel. After about 10 seconds of idling it finally clears out and runs fine. When it happens you can also smell fuel relatively strongly coming from the engine compartment. MPG is down a little from what I was getting, but I can’t find any leaks. Checked the injector to see if an o ring has gone bad, but seems to be pulsing and spraying like normal. No excess fuel coming out. Just started doing it as it has gotten warmer out. Anybody have an ideas on what else it could be? 86 2.5

Have any pics of your camping set up? I’ve been trying to gather ideas on sleeping platforms, but haven’t found very many for long bed MJs.

Got the valve cover gasket put on. For all 2.5 people, I can’t recommend these gaskets enough!!! I have tried almost every gasket you can get for the 2.5 and this is by far the best one out there. It is the same style gasket I use on every vehicle I own. They can be pricey but Amazon has them for $22. Parts stores are usually around $40. It’s better to get this gasket then try the other rubber style. The black rubber one most commonly found with the plastic valve covers fail pretty quickly. I had one last maybe 2 weeks before it started to leak again. If you can get your 2.5 to stop leaking, this is your best bet. Look for a 92+ YJ 2.5 Valve cover gasket P/N posted below. Now to see how it does this weekend on a trip to the lake with some vacuum leaks fixed, a new gasket and a fresh oil change.

And for the rear. Getting the old bundy bumper off turned out to be even more cutting. From the looks of it, they cut down the factory rear brackets and sandwiched the 2 together and welded them together. It was kinda thrown together but was still pretty strong. Only problem was part of the bracket was hanging over one of the bolts. Had to cut off the ears to get the bolt out. The Bundy bumper weighed so much more than I thought it would. Whole thing is practically solid steel. Made the JCR rear bumper feel light. For the license plate I have another receiver mounted style. Had to drill a hole in it for the lights to be ran through. Just used some lights off of Amazon that bolted straight to the plate. Not the biggest fan of the way the tag is on it. The bracket is crooked making the license plate crooked. Just plan on running it like that for now and putting a flip bracket on it later on. So I can still access the receiver and not have to pull the plate off every time I need to use it. Next step will be ordering another pair of pod lights for the front and hooking it all up. But first have to take care of the valve cover leak.

Finally after getting the bed liner sorted out, the front bumper is on! Had to do a little more trimming on the fenders and got it bolted up. The rear should be ready tomorrow. Still need to add the lights to the bumper. The red Shackles are ones I just had and threw on it just to get an idea. Only complaint on the front bumper is the front receiver tube was welded slightly cockeyed. For the front plate I have a receiver that slides into it the bumper. Had to adjust it to make it look level. Plus the mounts for the lights were welded too high up and I have to re drill the light brackets to get them to fit. Over all it is still a pretty stout bumper.

Possibly. I planned on eventually doing the 97+ gasket. There is a small chip that I was thinking would’ve cracked in the winter. But actually held up. Would have gave me the excuse to replace it. Once I get the flares and bumpers put on, it’ll probably bug me even more than it already does and I’ll end up painting it.

Decided to go ahead and get the grill and headlight buckets painted. Was debating on what style of black I wanted to paint it. As the bumpers and trim will eventually be black. I didn’t want anything with a high gloss, but didn’t want it to be completely flat black. Found some Krylon satin black paint and figured I’d give it a shot. Before with silver buckets and faded black/ silver grille: And after: I'm happy with the way it came out. At first glance after putting it on the truck, I thought it was too glossy. As it fully cured after about 24 hrs the glossiness finally toned down. Hopefully in the coming weeks I can get the JCR bumpers I have painted and put on. Then I won’t have just one thing on the truck with a good paint job. And a pic of it clean since I scrubbed the turbines for probably 2 hrs to get these results.

Thank you!! That’s the first place I’ve seen that has the cab seal. I was worried that it was going to be the hardest to find.

Has anyone ever found new seals for their toppers? I’ve got a Comanche specific Snug top, and the seals have seen better days. The seal going to the cab sealing it off is starting to pull away and so is the windows on the side. I’ve looked up everywhere to see if I could find new seals, and just end up with seals for the newer style. Anything I’ve looked up comes to a dead end. Even on snug tops website. Didn’t know if someone has resealed their toppers and had any ideas on replacement seals or what you did. Thanks!

Sounds a lot like a sensor issue. Have you tested the CPS to see if it’s in spec? Aftermarket sensors on these things can be brand new and actually be out of spec. I would be going through and testing sensors.

Got to take the Jeep out this weekend camping. First time taking a drive for an extended time on the highway. Was curious to see how the truck would do with the 31s and the 2.5. To my surprise it cruised at 65 70 the whole time, even though I was on the flat lands of Kansas. Rode like a dream and didn’t have any issues like I thought it would. Probably needs an alignment and worn out steering components replaced, but was truly impressed with how it rode. Really need to get the cruise control sorted out. Would have been really nice to have just cruising along. Definitely going to be making a kayak rack. Whether it be on the camper shell, or my Willys trailer.