brdhntr

i took my alternator out about a month ago. i am now putting it back in but i'm not sure how it goes back together. i have the entire bracket assembly off. i have tons of parts around for jeeps, gm, audi, etc., and i'm not sure 1 piece i have in the jeep box for the alternator came off the mj. what it is is a smaller "L" shaped aluminum piece with a hole on the top of the "L" and the bottom, and a oblong one in the middle (matches the adjustment hole). so i have no idea where this piece goes and if it's even for the mj. :dunno: anyone have a pic of the alternator bracket assembly on the motor? know where i might find one online? at the least, can someone describe how it all goes together in detail. i was ready to get the jeep running today but this has put things on hold so i'm hoping for a quick response so i can get it together tomorrow. please help!!!!! :help:

done the cheapo kit on many vehicles without a problem. the key is to make sure your system is dry before changing. use a can with oil when you charge it. my mj will get the switch this summer. i have never had a problem with it at all.

i like it!! i'll be doing that as soon as i have time!! thanks for it!!

thanks for the welcome everyone!!! :cheers: and yes, jtdesigns, alot of things stick around that 20 year point for me at the moment. it is kinda funny. married 20 years (in june) but together with her for 23years (too get away from the 20) ;) had my audi 20years (it'll be 21 in april) living on my own for 20 years and many others alot of the reason is because i graduated high school in '88. besides, twenty is a good number!! :rotf:

below is a website that i've been using for years. the site calculates the difference between your old tire and new. it tells you exactly how far of your speedometer is. it give the actual dimensions of the 2 tire sizes. taking the percentage given for the difference, you can then accuretly figure the exact mileage you are getting. if you new tire size is 1.34% bigger, you calculate by adding that amount in. this will tell you how far off your speedo is, how off your odo is, and make your mpg figures correct. the only thing is it uses metric sizing so you need to figure that out if your running. 325 = 35" and so on. when you put a tire size in it gives you the diameter. just remember that you need to round(usually down). a tire that measures 34.2" would be a 35". :smart: the site is: http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html i hope this helps everyone. maybe it should be made into a sticky? :idea:

i was under the impression that, due to the frame/no frame design, you should not use mj's to haul slide in campers around. i always thought the weight and flexing that a slide in camper would case would damage the structural integrity of the vehicles unique uni-body/frame design. if i recall, when they came out, jeep even cautioned against it. i understand the reasoning behind this, but it does strike me as odd since some of the mj's have such a high load capacity. i've seen some of the pic's on the sig's and see that some of you do haul slide in campers so i was curious.

i can't understand why he would tow it by the drag link. i guess he towed it that way for a pretty good distance. the support you show in the pic is along the lines i was thinking of making. i'm not sure if i should go that route or just beef up the bumper. are the bumper anchoring point strong enough to take the abuse or does it need to be reinforced as well. i'm not afraid to weld a bunch of thick steel in. :yes:

i am a true diehard jeep guy for 20+ years. i own an auto detail and accessory business but am disabled with a bad heart and replacement hips as a full time gig. i have done many restore/builds on various jeeps. i am currently doing a 78 cj7. it is the 6th cj i've done as well as a couple fullsize cherokees and wagons, and 3 cherokees. i have also done some cars and motorcycles and am now doing the 84 audi coupe gt i have had for 20+ years. i do almost all my own work (mechanical, design, fabrication, body work, painting, etc.) with the exception of some machine work on occasion. i love tools and have a very large collection (i'm a craftsman man). i am spoiled with a big air compressor and lots of air tools. i have several hundred feet of hose so i can take the air over to neighbor's houses to help them out. i help anyone i can. i leave a hose on a reel on the front of my garage so neighbors can use it as they need and the neighborhood kids can air up tires. i am a very serious hunter of all things and dog trainer. i spend alot of my time hunting and training. i am an active member in 2 dog clubs. in fact i just got back from one after spending some hours on the tractor moving snow. we are getting another storm here so i'll spend 8-9 hours on the tractor this weekend plowing the roads and grounds. i am a family man. i've been with my wife for 20 years and have 4 kids, all girls (god's way of getting back at me for high school). the older 2 are 10 year old twins and then a 7 and 5 year old. my kids are very active in my interests. they each want me to build them a jeep for there first vehicle. they help me when i'm working on stuff. my wife probably knows more about vehicles than most men. she has helped me work on jeeps for 20 years and is an avid jeep fan. they all help me with dog training and love to be in the field. i am very active in several other forums on various topics. i hope to gain alot of knowledge from the users of this forum and hope to help out as well. i look forward to chatting with all of you. :typing:

where do you guys hook your tow straps on the front of the mj's. the guy i got mine from hooked a rope to the drag link and bent it. i can't own a truck without a solid tow point front and rear. so what do i need to do to get a good solid tow point? i was thinking of pulling the bumper and welding some 1/4" steel to the back of it and running tow points from there. i've also thought of making a brace that comes down behind and under the bumper. i'm curious what everyone else does.

i know the difference in the speedo/odo. well i will if i know the original tire size that is. but will it actually get better or worse mpg's? i'm very concerned about the mpg's on this truck. it fit's the spot of cheap run around rig in my line-up. if i lose the mileage, than it takes it out of it's place in the line up and just becomes another vehicle. i'm not getting rid of it for poor mpg's, i just wouldn't drive it as much. i really like this little truck and would love to use it as my, or my wife's daily driver if the mpg's are decent like they are now. the only reason i'm thinking of the change is because i need new tires now or i can't drive it in the snow and ice. i have been looking at tires and i can get a set of the original goodyear wranglers new for about $100 cheaper than the cheapest tires i've found. the only catch is they only have the 235's at that price. i will probably get them this weekend if i can determine the original tire size so i can make the calculations on how much it will effect things. thanks for your help. i'm so glad i found this site. it's great having you guys available for questions.

JeepcoMJ: thanks for the info. i was wondering about the alternator, not the stater. it just seems to me to be something that can be sourced from another model, maybe higher amps. i should run it with the tranny in power mode? it has more acceleration for sure, but i thought it's hurt the gas mileage. i am very concerned with mpg's with this little truck. so far i've been getting between 21 and 22. i really don't want to change that. but if i put it in power mode it won't hurt mpg's? what do you think about my idea of bumping up to 235's? think it will hurt my mpg's much? the main reason i'm thinking of the change is that the stock tires are so small, i think something a little bigger will make the truck handle better, especially if i have a load in the bed. i also have a great deal i can get on a new set in 235's. if it's not a good idea to make the change, i'll just spend more and get the 215's. thanks for your imput. i'm eager to get going on this project.

ok, i'm new to this forum. i can't believe i didn't get here sooner. i'm a die hard jeep guy but picked up my first mj in june. it's a great little truck and i have wanted one to go with my other jeeps for a long time, so i'm happy with it. it is an 87 pioneer with 93k miles on it. it's the 4 banger with the auto/overdrive tranny with the comfort/power option. it has a/c and 4 wheel drive. the guy i got it from did a few odd things with it so i can't figure much out about it and hope you guys can help. i am going to do some work on it this weekend and next week so i'm hopping to get some info. i am going to put a new alternator in it. the old one toasted. trying to find the right one seems pretty simple, but it has to be ordered and is pretty pricey. is there a better option than just the original that may be an in stock item and maybe cheaper? it has a bent steering rod on it. the rod from the left front wheel that connects in the middle to the right drag link is badly bent. i am trying to find one and i'm wondering if a used one off a cherokee will work. if so, what years will fit? do i need to replace both rods or can i just do the one? is there a trick to removing it in a jy without air tools? there is several feet of snow on the ground so i'd like to be prepeared for anything after i dig out enough snow to get under one in the jy. could this one just be straightened safely? the previous owner put some cruddy whitewall commuter car tires on it. they are totally bald. i am planing on replacing them this weekend or early next week so i can start using the truck in the snow. i need to know what the original size tires are for it. i use it to haul a few things and run my hunting dogs around in the summer, and now my wife is going to use it as a dd for winter. i don't need it to be a big offroader, i have other vehicles for that. i want to get the best gas mileage possible. the current tires are 215-75-15's. i kinda want to put 235's on it but i'm concerned about the power loss at start up. this truck is totally guttless. if your pulling on the highway in traffic, it's a wing and a prayer. i mean this thing is really slow. because of this, i wonder if it came with smaller tires on it. if the 215's are original, will i really notice the difference in 235's? it's not like i need alot of power, i don't even switch it over to the power option on the tranny. my biggest concern is gas mileage. i've got big trucks to pull and other jeeps for trails, i just like using the little truck to run around in. i guess to decide on what size i want, i need to know what size the truck started with. please let me know how i can find this out. most of the vin stickers have been painted over :fs1: . thanks in advance for your help. :bowdown: