Pete M

Not so Pete. The AMC-20 3.31, 3.54, and 4.11 were all available on the 86 MJs. At least according to my parts manual. :cheers: car-part.com lists only the 4.10. :dunno: and I've only ever heard of 4.10s so far. hard to prove it's not a misprint until I find one so I'll keep looking. :D

extra equipment? you mean the CAD crap? once again, it's not the 9 that's the problem, it's the front axle. the matching axle is a late 70s front 44. 78-79 used a cast-in radius arm mount and it's pretty much to be avoided unless you're planning on adapting in the ford radius arms like I did or can re-tube the axle. that leaves 75-77 front axles and they aren't all that common. not impossible to find, but not common. I didn't narrow anything because I didn't have the means to do it.

I do believe all AMC20s under a comanche will have 4.10s. :thumbsup: mine does (behind a 2.8).

niiiiice.... :bowdown:

just so you know, MJs don't make a great tow vehicle for other vehicles. they can be made to work, but there are much better and much safer rigs out there (pretty much any reasonably modern v8 fullsize truck will brake better, pull better, and weigh more). but if you insist on this path, I'd highly recommend a double brake booster and rear disks. :thumbsup: and a 242 t-case so you can pull in 4wd.

one option is Grand wagoneer 44s front and rear. or a Isuzu rodeo rear 44 (disks and 4.30 or 4.56 gearing) with a waggy front 44. the waggy front is low pinion and it'll need to be regeared, but it matches the Isuzu in width and bolt pattern. or the aforementioned 3/4 ton ford parts with a 60 rear and high-pinion 44 front. it's wider than the Jeep axles, but I've been rocking the 9"/44 of the same width and it's not that bad (as long as you either cover the tires or never drive in the rain).

it's not the 9" that's the problem, it's finding a strong front end to match the width and bolt pattern. weak links will be in the front axle: u-joints (especially while turning), then shafts and gears. if you can control your right foot, you can use the explorer 8.8 and a mildly built Dana 30 and it should last a while. maybe. :dunno: just be aware that you'll be pushing the 30 to it's limits. In the mud it will last longer than powering up rocky hills or the like.

and rare as all get out. and I think it has smaller shaft than the big trucks. could be wrong about that though. haven't thought about it in years.

What I want for this forum: -a better spam catching program -a smart phone program -functional polls -maybe a chat feature -I like simplicity. I'm not a fan of complicated or flashy websites. the main problem with our phpbb is that years ago we were way behind in our updates (my fault) and then did an update with whatever patch was the closest fit. Seemed to work ok with some minor problems (like the polls). But the kicker is that this has caused all update attempts since then to precipitate bugs and craziness exponentially and the site becomes unstable and we are forced to revert back to the merely glitchy version you see today. So we're stuck with a glitchy forum that doesn't want to take updates. On top of that, it's my understanding that trying to get a smart phone program in what we currently have is, lets say "complicated". Does someone here think they can make the polls run again? They need some line-by-line TLC. Does anyone know how to take all our pertinent data out of the current software and put it into the newest version of phpbb? I'm told this is not as easy as it sounds since phpbb doesn't have a program to do it. oh and just to clarify, our hosts are not responsible for our software, just hosting the site on their servers. They have been very helpful, it's just that phpbb isn't their specialty and this current dilema isn't normal. heck, the phpbb people they have talked to aren't sure what to do. :dunno: We're unique. :D oh, and our data is regularly backed up by our hosts and will be backed up in a separate location before ever attempting to switch or update. We will always have this version as a backup. :thumbsup:

we installed the smaller florescents (t-8?) from Lowes in my dad's little barn. got the brightest bulbs we could and put one ever 6 feet or so. It's like daylight. :)

then I would abandon the 9" and 30 and go straight to an 8 lug 60 rear and 44 front out of a 3/4 ton 79ish ford. at the minimum.

oh, it WILL be fixed. :yes: I'm just trying to kill 2 birds with one stone and that's taking a bit longer than expected. :(

I told our hosts to put off moving us to a new server as planned because I'm trying to get us some new software and if I can, that would require a different server. just a bit more patience please. :) I think it'll be worth it. :typing:

1.5"-2" per side (depending on the brand). only buy high quality hub-centric spacers. don't cheap out here. :thumbsup:

the explorer axle is a hair narrower than the dana 35. it's commonplace to add in 2" spacers so that it pushes the rear tires out wider than the stock axle to afford better clearance from the frame and to better match the front of the truck (the stock axles are the same width, but the rear of an MJ is wider than the front and that's why the rear tires tuck in like they do) the front dana 30 can be upgraded with late model shafts to get the bigger ujoints, or aftermarket alloy shaft, or trusses, etc. it's got it's limits though, and what you can do with it depends on what engine/tires/terrain you're planning to run.

lol. :rotf: but seriously, have they no shame? :dunno: just can't seem to keep from copying us.

good catch! :bowdown:

all explorers had the 8.8. 95+ had disk brakes. they can handle a lot of power. :thumbsup:

here's one solution I found online. this person simply wrapped the cable around and clamped it to itself in his TJ:

a possible hiccup I can see is the later EFI 2.5 needs a flywheel with the cps notches, but the earlier 904 needs the torque converter stuff. not sure if it'll bolt together or, if not, what part you'll need for the hybrid. maybe AW-4 parts will work? or maybe not. :dunno: there's a reason that the 2.5L/auto eventually died out. it was so gutless that jeep put its deepest gears ever in it (87+though, not 84-86), 4.56s. also, I don't believe it has an overdrive. but it might work for what you want. a couple ATVs shouldn't weigh all that much as long as they are on a light-weight trailer. also be aware that the stock bumpers aren't rated for much. and if the bumper is at all rusty, it shouldn't be used for towing.

my 9" has disks. :D but they were converted from drums. :yes:

everything need to be changed, including: drivetrain, fuel pump, all wiring (interior too), hood and latches, etc, etc, etc. basically you'll be completely gutting the truck. :thumbsup:

unless you really want an auto, I'd skip that and hunt down a 4wd AX-5. the 904 isn't exactly desirable. it'll fit fine though. you can use any welder to burn on perches. the bigger, the better, but in the end it's about as easy as it gets. I do recommend stitching an inch at a time and moving around so as to minimize any chance of warping from heat. :thumbsup: the 207 will work fine as long as it's in good shape. the CAD is worthless and should be shimmed for sure. I had my 2wd shaft shortened locally for like 40 bucks. steering parts are all interchangeable. be sure to align everything after you're done swapping things around.

:fs1: could the guts be swapped, because my welding looks like chicken poo, and holds almost as well. swapping the gears is not a simple (or cheap) job. it's infinitely easier to tack weld new perches where you need them on the XJ axle and then take the axle to a shop for final welding. any muffler joint should be able to take care of it for ya. :thumbsup:

I'm signed up now too. :typing: