Pete M

No idea what the struts went to. The auto parts store wasn't organized in a way that could tell me that. For all I know it came from a minivan. :dunno: One of the brackets is from the old hood prop and the other is, um, I forget. Probably just something I found in the garage. :D Not the best choice for hardware, but they get the job done and were free.

As often as the general public refers to the 4.0 as a v6, I had to ask and be sure. :D

His has the full cage, mine is merely a rollbar. More pics are here if you haven't seen them: www.picturetrail.com/petermontie down near the bottom in the "Project MJ (Protection)" folder. I designed it myself and paid a local guy to bend and weld it up. The box in the bed is situated to open and clear the bar. Getting into it is pretty easy when standing on the tire. I couldn't fit the box in any other way and still fully open the lid.

Mine? Or the one in the above post?

The steering parts should be interchangeable. As are the control arms if they are in better shape than yours. But the rear axle from that 98 XJ will need the leaf perches moved to the MJ spot.

See if he can read you the numbers off the tags. What year is this MJ? And rather than killing what I assume is a rust-free MJ, how about swapping your axles under it and selling it whole?

I knew that truck looked familiar. Congrats! :clapping:

I never had any issues like that. You may need some better tires though if you're leaving skid marks all over the place. I was running the old gen BFG ATs (this was a decade ago after all). Go find a 3.55 axle with the posi in it and be prepared to have a permanent smile. :D And 3.55s isn't enough for 33s. 4.10s minimum. You get the same issue I had with 3.07s and 30s. Not enough gear to match the rolling radius.

Pete is me (although there are a couple more on the site these days) and Pete doesn't know much about 4 links or in-cab bars. :D aaronsh2rcvry owns a truck that should help out with some ideas. The previous owner built it up, but I'm sure he can fill in some details. Here is his project thread: viewtopic.php?f=7&t=14595

Not the same. That's an auto. You need to experience 3.55s with the stick. :thumbsup: I went from 3.07s in a blown 35 to 3.55s in an incredibly overly-priced Dana 44 and it put a smile on my face that lasted for weeks. :D Made me remember what my truck was like with the puny 27" tires (was wearing 30s at the time of the swap).

Pull up your carpet, ASAP! Nice rig. :D

I've got a factory kit too. :D Someday I might get around to installing it in something. :shake:

As far as we know (nothing's set in stone with Jeep), yes that is true. Good call. :thumbsup: Pardon me as I smack myself upside the head for not noticing that blatantly obvious clue. :doh: :fool:

I thought about firing them up and moving them to the other side of the parking lot. :dunno: Maybe tomorrow I'll actually get around to doing it (if it doesn't rain too much). I've gotta swap the new axle into the trailer too so we'll see how long that takes.

So do I. :thumbsup: Got the idea from one of the offroad mags. I've got my secondary fuse box in there too. :D

Big Ton springs don't necessarily sit any higher than a regular MJ of the same drivetrain (2wd or 4wd). The springs are just a bit stiffer. As mvusse said, the rear springs are the best indicator of Big Ton or not. 4 total leafs = regular 5 total leafs = Big Ton (or a regular set with an AAL)

43/14 sounds right to my brain. :thumbsup: I can tell you haven't experience 3.55s :D

I believe Hells Creek makes a 3" lift full pack. :thumbsup: Somebody does at least.

My fear is that they'll bring back the nameplate and just slap it on an unworthy and undeserving "truck". :shake:

You don't have to gift it, I'll come over there and, um, get it. :D Just let me know where it is and when they close for the day. :brows: I've seen my share of good stuff gone to waste because "that's the rule". :(

Or maybe it's not fully filling up? :hmm:

Finally found the image of my hood strut (filed it in the wrong folder).

You couldn't pay me to put a M engine in my truck. :D But aside from that, advanceadapters.com should have some info on Ford engines.

Yup. 4.0L + manual trans = the sucky 3.07 ratio. If I was going through the effort/cost of swapping axles, I wouldn't even think about anything less than 4.10.

I use lithium grease in a spray can (one with a straw), but pretty much any lube is better than none. I added one to my 88, but just blindly purchased a couple from the store and found one that I could make work. The power of the lift and the angles it's installed at are very important. There are several holes in my hood as I tracked down the sweet spot.