87Warrior

The 8.8 swap is fairly easy. I did it as my first ever axle swap with success on my '86. I started out with a '98 Explorer axle. It came from a salvage yard without calipers or useable soft brake lines/rotors. I purchased the RuffStuff simple swap kit, a Spicer 8.8 flange adaptor, a set of Spidertrax spacers, as well as new '98 Explorer Rotors, Calipers, Pads and Soft brake lines. You can use the Ford brake line from the frame to the axle, or you can adapt a Jeep line. Since my truck isn't lifted to the moon, I simply used the Ford brake line from the frame to the axle. It screwed right into the Jeep fitting. I got the RuffStuff perches welded to the axle in the same position as the D35 I pulled. This maintained the stock pinion angle and made for a 'bolt in' affair. The RuffStuff perches allow the axle to move 1" forward or backwards. By moving the axle back 1" you can reuse the stock driveshaft when used with the Spicer flange. I did have an issue with the 8.8 install I did not expect. Shock mounts. Yes, the RuffStuff kit include new weld on shock mounts, but they are very short and would have reduced my shock length by 4" or more over the factory configuration. This is only an issue if you are staying spring under. I remedied the situation by modifying a set of TJ shock mounts I had in the garage. I think using a long, curved shock mount from RuffStuff would be the best way to go when staying SUA with the 8.8. These should allow you to put the shock back into the factory position or at least darn close to it. I did try to reuse my factory MJ spring plates with the shock bolt mounted to them, but I was not comfortable with the material left after elongating the u-bolt holes to fit the larger 8.8 u-bolts. Total cost the the 8.8 swap was about $500 for me. I also simply left the ABS sensor in the housing. No reason to buy a fancy plug.

This winter my '86 could cook me out of the cab at -10°. The silly heater control valve has been missing for awhile. Sure didn't notice any extra heat coming in the cab a week ago when it was 90° either. A failed heater control valve is why it went went in the trash. On a cold day last year I took the truck for a 2hr drive. 1hr into the drive my heat stopped working. At a rest area I determined the vacuum diaphragm on the valve failed cutting the flow of hot coolant to my heater core. I plugged the vacuum line to the valve to eliminate the vacuum leak and dealt with the cold since I couldn't figure out a good way to wire the valve open for the rest of my trip. Luckily the sun was out.

You have it right. Axle (near trackbar) to draglink. They can only fit one way. I suspect your repair manual is not a FSM and was published incorrectly.

That is one sweet Cameo! I bet it is nicer today than the day it rolled off the assembly line.

I have been following the MAXX for a couple of years now as I was intrigued by their design. My TJ is due for tires now that I have racked up 48k miles on a 35" Cooper STT. Quite impressive for a MT if you ask me. While I have no complaints about the tire, I am going to give the MAXX a try based on the online discussions I have followed. I think they will suit me just fine.

When I went to install my JCR rear bumper on the 86, most of the weld nut inside the frame broke off. I decided to break the others off with an air hammer and long chisel attachment I had. Easy to do and I retrieved the broken nuts with a magnet. I upgraded to Grade 8 bolts with a large washer and a lock washer through the frame (from the inside). Nuts are now on the outside with a lock washer. It is a little tight with the JCR bumper, but I could still fit a breaker bar and socket inside the frame to hold the bolt heads so I could torque down on the nuts. Seems to be holding tight with nothing coming loose after pulling a trailer nearly 300 miles. I did this with the bed still bolted to the truck.

I have been a member of ROF since the last day of 2003 when I was looking for help rebuilding my Rubi motor. Don't worry, it is not a group of wranlger owners who think they they are elite due to the Rubicon badge. All Jeepers are welcomed. Although it is a little slow these days, the postings are usually mature and helpful, much like here. I still frequent the site multiple times per day. Congrats on your new purchase. I would love to add an LJ Rubi to my Jeep fleet, but I haven't found a sound reason to do so.

Shoot, the Kansas prairies have been on fire for a month and we have another month to go. Don't worry, I've already burned around my place so the MJs are safe :)

The 97+ windshield and gasket will fit without issue, as long as the installer gets it centered. If the windshield is not centered, the gasket will not fit around the existing trim tabs/nubs found on MJs. My glass installer had no issue installing a windshield and gasket intended for a 99 XJ into my 92 MJ.

My wife loves her WK despite the dismal fuel economy. It is actually worse than my TJ with 35's. The Hemi has been a new animal to learn, but it isn't too bad. QDII with electronic lockers made it remarkably agile when we took it on some forest roads in CO. I still wish we would have bought a WJ with a 4.0 instead of the WK, but she just did not like them. I have always had a soft spot for the WJ. On the bright side, I guess the WK is probably a safer SUV anyhow. I have no doubt an 05/06 WK could be had in your price range. Probably without the Hemi or QDII though. The Commander (XK) is nearly identical to a WK. Image Not Found

Interesting. I bought my MJ Dana 44 from a guy in Corning.

If there were a difference, the parts manual would list separate part numbers for the LWB and SWB brackets.Correct. I failed to state I was referencing the HITCH brackets, not the bumper brackets.

This thread over at Expedition Portal will give you more ideas than you'll know what to do with! http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/69403-Show-off-your-Truck-Shell-Top-Modifications-and-Add-Ons-! Someday I will modify my shell to include a sleeping platform, integrated storage, solar, water, basic kitchen pullout, interior lights and exterior lights. Someday....

If you didn't get the title, there is nothing that can be done. My family members who are involved with law always say a verbal agreement is as good as nothing. Where was this shady character from? Just curious incase I run into somebody trying to pull this kind of stunt.

That is fast. I have only ordered from Summit once. About 6 years ago. The order was for a 2" Autometer air pressure gauge that was in stock. It took 3 weeks to arrive. The customer service was lousy and their shipping department pathetic.

I believe the difference is that the SWB brackets are notched to go around the shackle bolt/hanger.

The heated intake manifold is there to prevent the throttle body unit from icing.

I've got one. It is from my '86. You can have the whole steering wheel if you want. $25 shipped.

Buck, glad you enjoyed the photos! I have no doubt the Kansas climate would be difficult to come back to after being spoiled in Florida. I love being able to see the horizon. You know, when I go to Colorado I quickly get myself above the timber line as I get anxious surrounded by trees with no view. There is also something about unspoiled prairie that is comforting. What is neat about this part of the state, is you can be on the top of what seems like flat land then abruptly drop into a twisting and turning valley.

I suspect I should have updated this thread. I have already found the weather stripping and have it installed. Thanks for the offer though!

It was actually a gift from my folks. They found it via a craigslist ad for an antique shop a few towns over. The person selling it had it advertised as a pedal car and had no information about where she got it from.

It is a solid motor with a reputation like the 4.0. I love my 180k mile 2.5!

I have been trying to find a route through the Kansas flint hills, on dirt roads, to simply drive and enjoy. Of the 500+ mile route I mapped out in google earth, I was able to break away from my busy schedule to verify about 225 miles of road. Every farmer I passed gave me a big wave. Might have something to do with my front license plate. Typical road conditions. Sometimes the county road is really minimum maintenance: One example of what you can find in rural Kansas. Atlas Missile Silo.

I have never liked tinted lights, saggy pants or flat billed caps. But apparently some folks do. Doesn't bother me either way :)

It's Jeep like, it's rusty, and it's past it's prime. Another prefect project. What I think I have here is a Junior-Pro metal pedal car built around 1950 that was used by the Allan Herschell Company as a carousel ride. This Jeep was a 'fire truck'. You can see the bell hood ornament mount, semi circle roll bar mounts and remnants of a red base layer of paint. Period picture: Photos of the Jeep: Image Not Found Image Not Found The Jeep is missing all of the parts to make it a pedal car and it is virtually worthless as part of a carnival ride. The body is shot as are all of the bushings, tires, rear axle and front spindles. I am not quite sure what to do with it. My first impulse is to design it as a down hill truck. The sheer weight of this Jeep would make it fly down hill, but would also make it a bear for a kid to pull up the hill. Regardless, I am thinking rebuild the front end using go kart spindles and hubs, rebuild the rear end with a keyed go kart axle, bearings, and a disc for disc brakes. Install pneumatic go kart tires and wheels then fit a foot brake pedal to operate the rear brakes, seat, seat belt, roll bar and miniature dash. Who knows what will come of this classic piece of iron.