mjeff87

Just saw this. Yeah, those UCA bolts are a real treat, especially the rear ones, and especially especially the driver side rear one. I had to replace my UCA's due to a bad upper balljoint on the driverside, and I just did both so both sides were new. I can confirm that job was one of the worst ever repairs I've done on any vehicle I've ever worked on, probably only second to the timing belt/water pump on my buddy's VW Golf. Of course, if say......the ENTIRE engine wouldn't be in the way, the job would probably be alot easier

The 3.7 (and 4.7 big brother) does have a counterbalance shaft, of sorts....that's why the timing chain system is such a nightmare to work on. Trust me, I know this well....lol. It's not that the engine is shaking around in mine, although I will check the motor mounts as they most likely are original, it just feels/sounds like it "skips" firing a cylinder every couple seconds at idle. Kinda hard to explain unless you are actually driving it. It sounds completely normal from outside the cab, and does run fine, but just feels choppy when sitting inside in the driver seat. My little 2.0 in the Focus is much smoother, and the 4-banger boxer engine in the wife's Subaru is damn near silent. So much so that I have to look at the tach to make sure it's still running at idle. No complaints from me on the KJ though, it's an almost 20 year old vehicle (only 140K miles on it though), running 20 year old Chrysler technology For what it is, I'm quite happy with it.

Starter bolts on the 2.5 are both the same, and are external torx headed just like the top bellhousing bolts. The 4.0 is the one with 2 different sizes, one standard and one metric. I don't recall the thread pitch/size but the metric one is a 14 or 15mm bolt head and the standard is 9/16" head. Because, as you mentioned.....AMC.

Just for grins and giggles, the next time the problem happens try unplugging the O2 sensor too and see if the problem goes away. My old MJ originally had a 2.5 that developed random, intermittent engine stumbles similar to yours that I spent weeks trying to figure out but never could. One day driving to work it acted up so I pulled over, popped the hood and started pulling sensor connectors. As soon as I disconnected the O2 sensor everything went straight back to normal. Replaced the sensor and never had another issue with it again. Its a no-cost test, worth a shot at least. Good luck

Also, when you source the shifter bits for the TC, make sure you get AX-15 parts. In particular, 3 specific pieces. The actual shift handle that bolts into the trans tunnel is universal, but the bracket that attaches to the trans, the bracket that attaches to the underside of the trans tunnel, and the rod that connects the shift mechanism (the one that adjusts by loosening the setscrew) are all specific to the AX-15. If you want to stay factory, you need very specific parts......or you can go with an aftermarket shifter assembly (Novak, etc.) and eliminate all of the failure-prone factory stuff and not have to worry about it.

I know you say your new crossmember is bent, but......try unbolting it and flipping it around 180 degrees and see if the bolt holes line up better. Been there, done that. It may look symmetrical but it is NOT. For my clutch line, I used a braided SS line (with fittings already pressed on) from Advance Adapters. They have (or had at the time) 2 different lengths. I don't remember the exact sizes but I chose the longer one which gave me extra line to route it away from the downpipe.

You win the understatement of the year award for that one, LOL Every time I'm stopped in traffic with my KJ it feels like the engine is missing spark on random cylinders. It also has the "air hammer" when the rear windows are down but the front ones are up. I've mitigated that some by installing vent shades, but it still does it. Cracking the passenger side window makes it go away.

I'm thinking that, yes. Not so much an issue with a 2.5 like 'Scout says.....but definitely a problem with a 4.0.

It's for clearance....there's not enough room on the inboard side of the framerail for a regular nut to fit. I don't remember exactly what it is, but there is something right there in the way.

My wife has an aunt/uncle combo almost equidistant on both sides from Morgantown. One set lives right outside of Lancaster, the other right outside of Valley Forge/King of Prussia. We've driven past the turnpike exit for that place many, many times. We'll be up to visit the Valley Forge aunt/uncle over Easter. If you're around, we can meet up there

4WD leaf packs will put your 2WD about an inch higher in the rear right from the start.

Earlier models (all MJ's) were aluminum. Later model XJ's (96+) are stamped steel. The steel ones are preferable if your tired old 4.0 has a lot of blowby....the CCV baffle is at the top of the cover inside and oil is less apt to get sucked out and into your airbox. The aluminum ones have baffle towers that sit much closer to the valve train and pick up oil/vapors much more readily. Its an easy swap, but you will need a new gasket and have to change up the CCV hoses and fittings.

My wife and I honeymooned in Ireland (many years ago). I was shocked to see that most (all?) of the pubs there did not have refrigerators. All the canned/bottled beers were kept on a shelf or in a cabinet, right around 50-55 degrees.

I'm down in FL now visiting friends with my wife for the week. We were at a Mexican place yesterday in st. Augustine and Pacificos were $3 each. Needless to say, they had to reorder them for today's crowd after we left there Later on, we ended up at an Irish place (I'm Irish on my maternal side, we honeymooned in Ireland even). They had Smithwicks and Harp on tap (and the obligatory Guiness which I'm not a huge fan of....). I had more than a few Smithwicks, a Harp, and a local pilsner. Good times. Later on in the day, we found a shop that specialized in international beers (bottles and/or ans) and I had a couple Presidentes, which is the national beer of the Dominican Republic. One of my favorite beers ever....it is made with corn grits.

Jeep Driver, Good to know. Thanks.

Like I said....Si Vis Pacem, para bellum. Since HB961 was tabled, I was fortunate enough to find the guy I sold all my stuff to and was able to buy it all back. We'll see where it all goes from here.

Appreciate your point of view, but did you really need to post this?

Not a connisuir by any means, but I know my way around a beer menu or three. My EDC is what I call "grass cutting" beers, basically any light commercial beer. Virtually no taste or body, just cold fizzy stuff that you can drink 37 of and not feel any difference. Step up to a bit higher ABV (6-8%) if I'm out for a nicer dinner, 1-2 of them and I'm fine. Not a huge fan of overly-hopped IPA's, but Troeg's Perpetual IPA is highly quaffable in this arena and I can put them down like it was my job. Next step is the heavy beers, 10-12% ABV and +80-90 IBU 's, maybe 1-2 of those in a proper glass and temperature and I'm good to go, usually sitting at home on my couch. Chimay white or blue label is my favorite in that arena

Yeah, it's supposed to only be in the 40's here late Thursday and Friday. Interior/central NC is progged to get a snowstorm (5-8") on Friday even, lol. It will actually be better weather back up in VA than down here come the weekend.

It would have been a sumbitch trying to get a luggage tag on it

We were able to upgrade our seats to first class on the way down (American). Flying back on Delta via Hartfield on Friday. If we can upgrade, our checked luggage should be free, lol. Spent the day today in St. Augustine....really cool little town. Weather here has been great the last couple days, but the bottom falls out tomorrow. We're just gonna stay inside and drink/eat all day

:mic drop: /end of discussion (no offense rokinn)

I'm down in northern FL for the week right now, about 4 miles from the FL/GA line. Google says I can be in Macon in about 2 hours.....hmmm..... Can I bring it back with me on my Delta flight this weekend?

Thats a shortened version of our full state motto. It cherry picks the main points, but still gets the main point across.

Please merge this thread into the Hb961 thread, if possible