dasbulliwagen

If you want to stay with the auto, search online for rebuit trans for your application. I did this on a friends toyota, it came with three year unlimited miles warranty, new torque converter, and all. Its been almost 4 years now and he has yet to have a problem. They even arranged the pickup of the core. If you are willing or able to do the swap yourself this may be a good option for you. I'm sorry I can't remember the name of the company that we got it from, but it was a national chain. This may be the easiest swap option for you if you don't think you can set up the stuff for the manual trans. By reading your posts it does look like your are getting confused by all the options, but what you do should depend on your abilities and if you are able or willing to do some modifications. We are here to help! And the 2.8 is externally balanced no matter what trans you have. The 2.8 flywheel I have was mated to an AX5 and would keep your engine externally balanced. PM me if you need the flywheel and Ill work on getting a shipping price.

Wheel diameter really doesnt matter, what matters is tire size (diameter or overall height of tire). 16 inch wheels would be no problem. If you give us some more details we could help you better. I'm planning on some 17 inch wheels for mine in the near future if the price is right on them, I already tried one to see if it would bolt up and if the hub was right and it is. Let us know what your plans are! :thumbsup:

On 2wd pull the driveshaft out and count the splines, on 4wd pull the transfer case off and count the splines. You don't need to pull the trans to do this. :thumbsup:

Where are you located? I have a flywheel for that exact application out of my 86 parts truck that came with the 2.8 and the AX5. I would let you have it if you pay for shipping.

I have an RCA DVD home theatre system hooked up in my MATCO two bay top and bottom tool box at work. I have the subwoofer mounted to the side of my box, and the speakers double taped to the inside of the top cover. When I hook up my laptop to it, I can actually play movies or streaming audio through the system, or play DVD's or CD's, MP3 etc... and it will all lock inside the top of my box! I don't have a garage at home yet, but when I do, ypu can be sure Ill have a system in it!

Where are you at in North Carolina?

Being a former Michigander, I have to go with the Wings!

Ive used wratchet straps before to pull it into place. It wasnt pretty though, but I got the job done. I did it on a WJ that needed a new front axle here at work, but same setup for the MJ. good luck!

I would carefully remove the old security system. Ive seen many problems like this before where the PO put something in and the new owner doesnt get all the stuff and down the road problems start. Remove the old system and then see what happens... it is likely that it has a kill circuit for the systems that arent working. Hopefully, if it was installed proffesionally, it is pretty easy to remove without too much damage to the original harness... though you may still have to splice a few wires together. Look under the dash, and if it don't look factory take it out, keep an eye out for factory wires that have been cut and spliced to the new unit and hook them back up to each other after the non original part was removed. Same goes for connectors installed as jumper harness for the security sys. Good luck!

The 3/8" square hole in the drain plugs is made to accept your 3/8" wratchet... no need to grind down a special tool. Just thought Id pass that on, might have been easier than making a tool. :thumbsup:

I know it been awile sine this thread was up, but I just now got some pics of my bike to share. Its a 1997 Buell Lightning S-1, 1200cc V-twin.... same motor as in the 1200 Harley Davidson Sportster, but with hotter heads and cam from the factory. Built in Wisonsin with love! And here's one with the MJ in the background!

1948 Willys Jeepster Overland.... what a creampuff!!! I love it! Just thought I would share! :cheers:

If thats true Ill be there too....If thats true!

sounds like butyl rubber, any glass shop will sell tou a peice of body shop supply store.

Butyl rubber?

If you have lots of time, take a day and stop into Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio right on 80-90. This place has the most roller coasters and big rides as anywhere in the world if you like that kind of stuff. Its right on the south shore of lake Erie... wonderful place, look it up!

To comment on vehicle sexiness... I beleive when a vehicle of any type is reffered to as sexy, it not really a matter of sexual attraction, I think its more a case of sexual energy. Nobody in their right mind is really sexually attracted to a vehicle to the point of wanting to consumate, its more an issue of if I had that car it would make me more sexually powerful to the opposite sex... at least in your head. You can't tell me that a black Porsche 911 turbo with a whale tail isnt sexy in this context. Or "insert your fantasy car here"? For anyone on here to actually beleive that people (in their right mind) would be sexually attracted to a vehicle is absurd. Its just figure of speech. Take it easy!

Canadian Army eh? Do you know Bettina Mayhew-Fuchs? I think shes stationed in Victoria too, something with special forces maybe?? Not really sure. Shes a friend of a friend, small world.

Why didnt he just replace the stupid gasket??????????? WTF???????????????????????

Ive had my Buell Lightning S-1 for almost 10 years now. When I was looking at buying a bike, I didnt even know that Buell existed, but I always had it in my head that I wanted a sportbike, but I wanted it to sound like a Harley. Then while looking through the motorcycle classifieds I started to stumble on the Buells, did a little research and My dream had come true without my even knowing about it! I really wanted an S-1, but most of what I was finding were M-2's and X-1's. So in preparation for buying a bike, I went to the local Honda shop to look at helmets, and there on the showroom floor was a used 97 S-1 with 2500 miles with a $5900 price tag on it. I bought a helmet that day, and left the dealer. The bike sat in the back of my mind for a week, all the while I'm telling my friends about it being there and being the exact one I was wanting. This one buddy of mine got tired of me whining about it and told me... "JUST BUY IT!!!" So I called the dealer, and made an offer over the phone for $5800 out the door, with tax, title and tags. They took it and I took it home without some much as a test drive! I didnt have my bike endorsement yet at the time, and had to take the driving portion of the test on this monster. I just barely passed and have been scared as hell at the power this thing can make ever since. I love it! The new bikes are nice, but most of them are just too small for me, being 6'1" and 250lbs. Hell, I'm really to big for the S-1, but the new bikes are even smaller, with the exception of the Ullysses. And yes the white lightnings are a hot bike. Good luck on your MJ build and you bike search! :cheers:

I'm planning on some of the Valspar truck and trailer paint from Tractor supply. Ive heard of people using this with good results. They sell hardener for it there too. Actually they have 3 levels of paint they sell... 1 is tractor paint, 2 is truck and trailer paint, 3 is called restoration paint and supposedly the highest quality, but it is special order, at least in my local store. I plan on buying a spray gun to do the job, and either wiring up my 60 gal compressor, or going to someone elses house to paint it. I need to sell my bug first before I can start that project though. The biggest issue I see with the tractor supply Valspar paint is they only have a limited number of premixed colors.... basic tractor colors mostly, White, black, red, green, orange...etc. Good luck with your paint job!

Installed my 4:10 rear axle, and found that the longbed parking brake cables will not adjust up to allow my parking brake to work. I will have to swap in the original ones to try to get it to work. Loaded the Buell in it to drop it off at the Harley dealer for a new rear tire, state inspection, recall and a full detail...I'm going to pick it up tonight. can't wait to see it all polished up.. my Buell that is! Ive been neglecting it lately, so Ill have to try to keep up with it this summer! can't wait to go for a ride!

I wish I hadnt sold my 85 econoline, it had a good 302 in it I could have used for a V8 swap like this... but I sold it way before I got into the MJ's. Hindsight!!!!!! Ive always wondered about doing this same swap too. Glad to see you using a Ford. Theres no way Id put a chevy in anything I own!

If you have bent fingers on the pressure plate, you will need a new pressure plate. I don't see it being safe or reliable just trying to bend it back. Those are made of spring steel and if bent, the pressure plate should be replaced. And mocking up with just the bellhousing... remove the bellhousing from the trans. With your clutch and pressure plate properly mounted, bolt the bellhousing to the engine, bolt your slave cylinder to the bellhousing, and then have someone inside the truck to operate the clutch pedal. You will need a clutch alignment tool first to properly align the clutch plate, but at this point you will need it to see if the clutch spins freely while the clutch pedal is depressed. If while the pedal is depressed the plate will not spin, you have other problems... wrong throwout bearing, bent pressure plate fingers, improperly mounted throwout lever. With just the bellhousing mounted you will be able to watch and see what is happening and beable to fix and adjust as needed without hefting the whole trans. When you get everything working good, them remount the bellhousing to the trans and reinstall the trans. I hope this helps, as I have never done this before, but completely understand the concept. Good luck. I'm sure if I'm wrong someone will let you know!

You know how I know youre ghey? You go to an antique dealer! :rotf: