Pete M

if I had to redo my truck: -HO swap from a 91-96 cherokee (96 being OBD2) including dash and interior (having said that, my wiring harness is a corroded pile of crap, so I need something in good shape. if yours is corrosion free, I'd probably keep it renix and swap in an 88-90 computer which gives a few extra hp over the 87) -95+ AX-15 -96+ np231 (has a sealed rear output) OR any 23 spline input 231 and then rebuild it with all the goodies (wide chain, better planetary gears, and SYE) -regear the dana 44 to 4.56 and add ZJ disk brakes -Tom Woods driveshafts front and rear (or at least the rear) -dual brake booster from a WJ (one of the best mods you can do, period.) -remove the rear height-sensing prop valve for a manually adjustable one -I'm assuming the front is a nice clean dana 30 and so if I was in a rust-belt state I would probably keep it (because the junkyard axles are probably in pretty sad shape) and regear to 4:56 and upgrade to late model axle shafts with the bigger ujoints and a one-piece passenger shaft. SOA conversion in the back -long arm 6" kit in the front -armor, armor, armor. rocker guards being at the top of my list. I smashed both my rockers on a simple trail ride about a month before I had planned to do rocker guards. and then never, ever let it touch salt.

180k and all 4 are solid so fingers crossed. but the lower boots are trashed. I've hosed them down with grease in the hopes they can stay usable until I add in the lift (and replace all of the frontend parts). I saw a rumor that the rear lower arms might be getting a recall soon. mine seem just fine but I'll take some free new bushings

have you looked into benches from other trucks? the Dakota split bench seems to be popular.

youtube should have a few write-ups on windshield installs. edit: will this one work?:

the rear window is "glued" in like most other trucks so you should be able to find a youtube for that. the rest are the same as Cherokees so look for "cherokee window weatherstripping" and you should find what you need.

most of it just pulls off. which pieces are you talking about specifically?

those are pretty bad indeed.

did you use the original crossover pipe? it seems that it'd be too low.

whatever the weaker locktite is. just has to hold enough to tighten the nuts. I replaced only the e12s.

pretty sure the studs were like an inch longer than the bolt would be. add locktite to the stud and use 2 nuts together to tighten it in. let the locktite cure before installing the trans and try not to bottom out the studs.

you should probably start a new thread for the ZJ

facebook.com/Comancheclub/ it's not a page for discussions as much as a page for sharing MJotM and pics linked from the IG page.

a budget boost (2" pucks and lift shackles) will clear your 31s and costs less than 100 bucks. then later on you can do the lift and axles at the same time. it's a whole lot less work to gut the suspension just once.

I replaced my e12 bolts with studs. helped out with aligning the trans for installation.

looks solid! don't let it touch the salt and you should be able to hand it down to your own grandkid.

yup, obnoxious is the word I would use. I broke the pipe upstream of the muffler on a wheeling outing and had to drive 2 hours home. anything over 900 rpms attracted a lot of unwanted attention.

that's a good plan

send a message to Eagle. I'm sure he'd be willing to replicate it.

not sure what those particular ones are for, but you'll find extra connectors all over the truck. Jeep tried to reduce the number of different harnesses they were making and so you'll have plugs for things that just don't exist.

do you already have the 8.8 installed or is this hypothetical?

a stick shift ZJ?! do you know how rare those are?

to me, the fun is in the challenge. I could have done a straight-up 4wd swap but noooooo, I had to go with wacky ford suspension

further research has shown that I can rent a cargo van from enterprise for a little more than the compact car and the van will come with unlimited miles and an attached "mobile apartment"

well, first let's find out what you've got. 86 was the first model year for Comanches (though a bunch of those were made in 1985). but the Pioneer wasn't a trim level available in 86. you'll want to confirm what the truck is before going further. essentially you'll want to find a 2.5L/5speed/4wd XJ to do the conversion. will have everything you need but the rear shaft.

most MJs have a bit of rack from back to front so the shackle lift works well to give a balanced look to a 2" front lift. what is the state of your current leafs? all rusty and sagging or clean looking and factory height?