Pete M

There's a hoodless MJ in "Sahara". When the badguys attack the group, they set all the rigs on fire. But if you look closely, you'll notice that the "MJ" that is burning isn't actually an MJ, but an XJ fabbed up to look like an MJ. :D

Not a poll-poll perse, but what does everyone want to do? -We are keeping the magnets to use them as handouts like I first intended (we just can't use them on the trucks (well, those of us who live where it rains can't). As to the flag MJs: -I found an online company that makes full color bumper stickers in small quantities for reasonable prices. This means I can make specialty ones like the canadian flag or other colors (within reason of course). The only issue is I have to get the graphics guys at my dad's office to convert my bitmaps into vector art, but that's just a time issue. -The stickers will be 3"x5". Not exactly huge by any means, but the prices and order quantity are acceptible. I'd actually double-up our images on the 3"x10" size and save a few bucks more. :D Vinyl "ComancheClub.com" letter cutouts: -Still working on getting the long windshield cutouts. -How many people want the smaller 12" long letter cutouts? I ordered about 25 and they should be ready shortly

Heat will definitely be a concern. My custom foam insulation ceiling started dropping from the metal when the supposedly "high-temp" glue got soft. Later on I tried silicone with varying degrees of success.

Also add to my list of carnage a dead posi in the rear. Stupid ford axle.

I didn't say the engine didn't matter (lord knows an AX-5 wouldn't last long if you could bolt it behind a 4.0). Manual transmissions simply don't absord shock loads like autos can and big tires or popping-the-clutch-at-high-rpm can send enormous stresses through the entire drivetrain, eventually finding the weak link. Hard wheeling and/or big tires have taken many an AX-5 to the scrap bin. Safe, easy driving (along with proper maintenance) can keep even weak tranmissions alive (like the Peugeot). I read a while back about a guy drag-racing his tiny Geo metro with a souped-up twin-turbo 700+ hp engine, and running that power though the STOCK transmission. I bet he's very careful when he shifts. :brows:

Any axle can break. The ford 9" is touted to be mighty and all, but I have a loose yoke and a dead posi in mine from 33s and a day of tough dirt trails. Stupid axle. :mad:

Lockers RULE! Stock "car" tires suck!

All I can say is AX-5s are not known for their strength and hard wheeling (or hard shifting) puts lots of stress on a manual trans regardless of which engine is in front of it.

Don't forget that a 2" spacer lift will take the front end out of alignment.

The AX-15 is much stronger than an AX-5.

Pull-your-part junkyards generally have axles for $75-$150

Ribbing? :dunno:

Don't forget that cherokees can donate everything you need except for a rear driveshaft. But you can get your current shaft shortened. Also, avoid TJ/YJ parts unless you want to fabricate.

The trails were awesome! It's the kind of terrain you wish would never stop. I could do that stuff for days. It's a shame some of it is being snatched away. OK, here are the few pics I got: Changing the tire on the YJ: Notice my Co2 tank, impact gun, and shovel. Not seen in the pic is my floorjack which is what is actually lifting the axle up. People seemed shocked I would bring that kind of stuff on a trail. Pfft. Amatures. :D My truck on the trail: I LOVE the boggers! The extra width proved magical in many areas, but I cought a lot of trees. There were at least 2 places where both my rear tires were touching trees at the same time. I can't imagine if I had a fullsize truck on those trails. :eek: The body would be toast for sure. My suspension: Bob and I in the parking lot: Couple of competitors in the rocks: To anyone that says that static tests with the tire are good enough, I say: I dented the fender in Colorado and simply crushed it more. I also lost my radio antenna (don't use the radio anymore anyway) and dented the body on the passenger side in front of the rear tire. The big concern is the fact that my rear axle's yoke moves slightly independently of the pinion nut. Just a bit of a wiggle. Haven't a clue what's wrong, but I imagine it's not an easy fix. Stupid Ford axle. :headpop:

Sure looks external to me. Honestly, I don't spend much time under the 86. I'll snap a pic tomorrow.

Depending on the drivetrains involved, only the interior, doors, axles, suspension, and front fenders may interchange. The axles may have a better gear ratio, but that depends on the truck you buy. I unknowingly bought an 86 with the 2.8L for parts and just about nothing can be used on my 88. Good thing the truck still runs. :D

My 86 MJ has an external slave AX-5. The "1994.5" cuttoff is specific to the AX-15.

I once ordered a large section of 1o" wide duct tubing for where I was working at the time. A few days went by and it never arrived. The company overnighted me another and life went on. Then, about a month later I got a shipment. What do you know, it was my original duct! Looked like it had been run over and then dragged behind the truck and was stamped that it had gone to Alaska at one point in time. :D

Well, the diesel ones anyway. :D

Just checking here, but the lift was for an MJ, not an XJ, right? Make sure you got the right add-a-leaf as the XJ AAL won't lift as high as an MJ AAL.

Blocks are evil. I also haven't had any issues with spring-wrap after going spring-over with an extra main leaf.

After 20 years, few A/C systems will still work without maintenance and it appears few owners of high mileage trucks want to sink that kind of money into them.

Keep in mind that if you stiffen it up, it WILL try to flex somewhere and stiffening up only part of it will lead to stress risers and cracks.

Just to let everyone know that I did in fact survive the trip home. We got in very late last night . The Liberty gave me 22 mpg hauling 4-5k lbs, which is better mileage than if I had just driven the MJ! Dang I LOVE that diesel!! I don't have many pics because I gave my cousin the video camera to use rather than the still, but I'll get my stuff up tomorrow. Maybe I can figure out how to get the video posted. :D