Pete M

Yeah, but I don't have the means to add hydro cheaply. Plus it wouldn't fix the problem with the truck not always turning even when the wheels are pointed in the right direction. Bob, I can't go to the badlands until I have at least one functional MJ. I doubt dad would let me thrash on the Libby (not just yet at least, it's still under warranty). :D

31s with probably 6 inches lift at the time. Personally I think it looks fine. Since you have 3.07 gears now, there are 3.55 and 4.10 geared Jeep axles out there in the j-yards that you can swap right in for a good upgrade.

There are very few things that I would pay a pro to do and even fewer things for which I would gladly pay them. Setting up gears is one of those. Of course, I haven't had to pay anyone anything yet, as I've purchased all my axles with the gears I wanted (or close enough).

Well, technically I can't go "back" since I've never had an open front in the 88, but I don't intend to use the mini-spool anymore either. I've got a lunchbox locker for it. That way I should be able to shift into 2wd for a sharp curve on the trail and the locker will disengage and allow me to steer and turn easily. :D I figure I won't mind the welded rear since the truck doesn't really see pavement anymore and I tow it around on junkyard tires.

Well, go on. Guess! :D :banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::hate banana: I have to get off my kester and sell some of the stuff collecting in the garage so I can afford the initial investment, but I found a guy selling his Ford axles with 4.88s and a welded rear. I could never justify the expense of outright upgrading my 88 MJ's Ford axles (4.10s), but I've rationalized this purchase because this way I can eventually sell my current axles to recoup the costs. The bummer is that I always wanted even deeper gears, so this is a bit of a compromise. I'll get over it... somehow. :D

I used the pilot bushing from a CJ. It's a $2 part, which is important since the other (and wrong) CJ bushing choice was much more money. http://www.jeeptech.com/convtrans/ax15swap.html

Different brands of CPS might look a bit different. From what I can tell from reading that article, the "slotted" CPS has the elongated hole that allows the CPS to be moved closer to the flywheel. This is just a guess though. Are you saying you tried a new CPS and it worked once but then stopped? Are you certain you don't have any spark?

Yup, long cranking times can be an indication of a failing/dirty CPS or a weak signal due to corrosion in the connector. The computer won't fire the engine until it is absolutely positively certain where the engine is in its rotation.

what are those out of and can i see more I got them about a decade ago so bear with me. If I remember right they are "mini van vents" Not "minivan vents", but "mini van-vents". Smaller versions of the vents people used to put in the back roof of their fullsize vans. I bought them and had them installed at an auto glass shop. Lord only knows if they are still made. I think they are SPC brand or something like that. I've had them since the first year I owned the 88 so they are in every picture of the truck at www.picturetrail.com/petermontie

I agree. I've heard waaay to many horror stories of guys replacing the master 3 or more times in a year.

The idler pulley in my minivan squeaks and we touch a bar of soap to the belt to make it shut up. :D Cheaper and lasts longer than belt dressing I tried.

If I remember right I've 3 different leaks there. One from a cracked hose at the pump, one from a not-tightened-enough clamp at the pump, and 2 from leaking water pumps.

In my 88 I lost backups to a bad switch in the trans and later on I lost my brake lights due to corrosion in the wire harness connector located right behind the drivers side rear tire.

I too used allen-head grade 8 bolts from the hardware store.

If you need it, here's the page from the shop manual:

I don't know of any "slotted" CPS and all I can think of is this mod done to any ol' CPS to make is easier to install (since you can thread in the bolts first, then put the CPS in, then tighten the bolts down). Jeep on! --Pete

86 was a crazy year for gearing and the only reliable way to tell is to look for a tag, turn the tire and count the d-shaft rotations, or check the stamping in the side of the ring gear.

The Jeep 2.5L will need the CPS in order to run. Did Chevy ever use the CPS on the bellhousing like Jeep?

My newest MJ was very difficult to shift out of 4wd for the drive home (from the previous owner's house). I had to use a wrench underneath while a buddy pushed the lever. The whole time I was thinking it was a bad t-case (I planned to swap in a 242 so I didn't care), but it turned out that it was just rust build-up in the lever housing in the cab. The rest of the linkage and t-case worked just fine. :D

Haven't had any leakage with mine and I've had them for maybe 8 years now. :D But then with a fullsize one I guess the roof might flex more and cause the seals to crack? :dunno:

The AW-4 is a tough trans, but persistent stupidity can destroy anything. :D

Sorry, had to type it quick, apparently a bit too quick. :D I had a 4 channel amp powering the front speakers and the 6x9s and another 2 channel powering the sub. I then took out the 6x9s and the 2 channel amp and ran the sub off the first amp. I also had a small equalizer in the mix too. Later on I stole the 4 channel amp and sub for use in the dakota and found that the radio alone couldn't put out enough sound to be heard over the wind noise of my truck doing 65 across Kansas (with the windows down) so I will probably steal the radio and speakers and put them into the 90 (with a new amp I'm sure). Eventually I'll probably put my new CB in the 88's radio hole, but that's a story for another day... :D

I had the infinity 5.25 components and a quality 8" sub in a small sealed box. Powered them with a 4x75rms amp. I had 6x9s in boxes for a while but eventually just removed them. Sounded great without them. :D

The 2.8 and 3.4 are pretty much the same motor. The 4.3 is very different. If it was my truck I'd sell the drivetrain and get a 3.4L.