Pete M

I'm hampered by the fact that I'm usually the guy holding the camera, so there aren't many shots of my truck in action. :( Ok, so that last one is mostly water. :roll:

Finally. Some progress worthy of photos. On that top lug you can see the spacers I made up. They tuck in very nicely and should prevent any movement. I was able to reuse my custom U-bolt plates. The bumpstop and spacer will be removed in favor of a taller bumpstop. Notice the YJ shock mount that I left on the axle. Turns out it juuuust doesn't quite line up with the stock MJ upper mounts, but it got me thinking... And this is now how I'm mounting the shocks. Previously I wanted to pop a hole up through the bed and mount them to the rollbar, but that became really complicated really fast. This should provide me with full movement (something the truck has never had). Still working on the brakelines, leaf spring bolts, and whatnot. Then I think I'll be ready to move on to the front axle.

How much of a gap is there? An inch? 2? What about ignoring the gap and welding some mounting tabs on the bar to attach the header?

Don't you mean "less arch"?

Taz wrote up a how-to on posting pics: http://comancheclub.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=11077 Available on longbeds only, the Big Ton package gives the MJ a payload of about 2200 pounds, with unique heavy duty springs front and rear (4+1 leaf packs in the early years, 5+1 in the later), heavy duty shocks, the Dana 44 rear (AMC-20 in 86) and they came with 15x7 steel rims and a fullsize spare. Anything in particular that you'd like to find out? :D Sounds plausible to me.

You don't need a kit to do a turndown. Only the proper size muffler and a turndown tip to add on to the end (and maybe a short pipe extension if the 2 don't quite reach the rear hanger like mine did). I imagine both could be had at a local auto parts store. Buying the proper sizes will be key and the guys at the store should be able to make sure you're getting the right stuff. Just be sure to measure the exterior diameter of the pipe on your truck where the new stuff will be added. The pipes need to fit inside each other so inner and outer diameters of the various parts are important. Or you can buy the stainless steel band clamps like I've done and then the outer diameters need to match. I keep forgetting about the legal concerns that other states may have. You guys and your crazy inspections...

Got any pictures?

My dad has a 20x24' 0 car garage. :D

Hit the spring pack clamp? Are they supposed to go above that particular leaf (the one that has the clamps attached)?

The turn-down seems to be a popular choice. Or you can have it exit right in front of the tire. I've seen that too and it seems pretty easy.

Officially they came out in 85 as an 86 model. I'm insanely curious to see what the title says. Wouldn't be the first mistake by the DMV. And it wouldn't be the first time my reality was shattered by new info about AMC during the early years of the XJ/MJs. :D

Where is it? I wanna be on the exact opposite side of the planet so I can indeed have the last laugh when it works and they get sucked in first. :yes: But in all actuality, no I don't think it'll work.

Nope. Nothing over the usually fees except for the 10 dollar late fee. It was registered as late as 06 though so it's not that bad. And I forgot to update that there's a shiny new new plate on the Z and it's up and running again. :D

I used door flashing for a while. It was cheap and available at the local home center. I used metal but it comes in plastic too. Yeah it's cheesy, but it worked. :D

Not quite yet. I realize that I'm trying hard not to pay attention to what's going on, but last I heard Brett still has to officially get past the try-outs cut, get chosen for the first string position over the other guy, and then not get completely pummeled by his ex-fans before game 1. :D

Shortbed and longbed are the same. 2wd and 4wd are not. (2wd sits 1" lower) Big Ton vs regular are not (Big Ton are stiffer) Personally I would use the better packs but take the main leaf out of the old packs , cut the eyes off, and sneak it right under the main in the new pack. It helps support the main leaf and helps combat spring-wrap. http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL91/512 ... 173844.jpg

Not toe-stepping at all. Heck, I've had that problem and simply ignored it until it magically went away (which probably just happened to coincide with a reboot :roll: )

Do you have intermittent? If so you should be able to bypass the box and plug the 2 connectors directly into each other.

I had to replace that box in my 90. The wipers would go way past their proper stops and smack the A-pillar and the cowling pretty hard. I thought it was bad bushings in the mechanism but it turned out to be just a bad int. box.

Have you tried hitting the cylinders? Use a plastic or rubber mallet and a small block of wood to give each a whack to free it up.

According to the Explorer guys I talked to a few years back, all of the Explorer axles are 31 spline. Apparently it's the cars and rangers that got the lesser splined 8.8s. But I've never torn a drum one apart so I can't say for sure.

[insert generic "made in china" joke here] :D

So do the MJ light sockets go in?

Buy me a flight and I'm there. :cheers:

Bump for a trip to the DIY forum...