87Warrior

Shoot, I got the better end of the deal with 3 square meals, plenty to drink and even some fantastic frozen custard! This was my first time doing suspension work on an XJ. I ASSumed the whole thing would be designed like an CJ/MJ/YJ/TJ. I saw those rear leaf brackets and had a major WTF moment.

Would it be possible to require, from a drop down menu or an empty field filled in, that location be a part of the subject title? Then possibly add a searchable location option to the site to sort out different areas? Example Subject Line in the For Sale forum: [ TX ] 1991 MJ Big Ton [ CO ] Lot of 19 Rust Free MJ's [ CND ] Like New Taillights [ MD ] OME Shocks for 4" lift I personally do not have an issue with the current configuration. This is just an idea for members, like this fellow from Tampa, who would like to only view relatively local classifieds.

Ever have one of those projects that was just too easy? One of my long time friends had been pestering me to help him with his XJ for quite some time. He also had a couple of new kids I hadn't seen so I decided to trek across the state to do what any good friend would do. Knowing his garage would be far from complete, my wife and I loaded up the car for the weekend. We got started the following morning, then 6 hours later: - New leaf packs - New 10.9 leaf bolts - New shackles - New shocks - New Ubolts - New Progressive rate coils - New lower control arms - Used disconnects - Welded holes sliced into rear leaf brackets (not my doing....) All but two of the leaf bolts were rusted to their respective bushing. Typical and annoying. After hacking at a leaf eye for awhile, we decided to remove the rubber from one of the bushings then heat the sleeve until it glowed red and split. On the others I heated the bolt head until the bushing started to smoke then attacked with a big ol' breaker bar. This was surprisingly successful. This Jeep has lived its life in salt loving KS for 130k miles. I loathe rust. Coated everything in excessive amounts of anti seize before installation. I was shocked we got everything done in such a short amount of time. It was almost too easy :dunno: On a side note, what genius at AMC thought it was a good idea to weld the leaf spring nuts to the INSIDE of the uniframe? :doh:

Don't need it, but I WANT it!!!!!! Why does it have to be on the wrong side of Missouri :fs1: Maybe Correy will snag it up :dunno:

Nice find Rob! Someday you need to get acquainted with an oversize scanner and permanently save that stuff for ever. Then share with folks like me who would like to hit 'print' to have a copy for shop decoration.

I like to compare the 2.5 TBI to the 4.2 Carter carbed motor in the YJ. They seem to drive the same and have about the same power output. The difference? The 2.5 will get 2X the fuel economy and will continue to run without headache. I can't insult the 2.8 as I've never had the (mis)pleasure of owning one. But I am quite happy with the 2.5 in my '86. It is certainly not a 4.0, but can still hold 75mph through the Flint Hills on the interstate here in KS.

The nut in the frame is already tapped. But, it is probably rusted so badly the right sized bolt will not thread correctly. You will need a tap, 10-1.50 plug tap. This is the same tap you need for the rear frame bumper brackets and just about all of the other bolts in the 'frame'. When tapping, go slow, lubricate often and remove the tap on occasion to clear out shavings. Tap is on the left As long as the stock bolts don't break, this will be real easy. If they all break, that's just the way it works for me, you will have to drill out the bolt. I would suggest using class 10.9 (metric) for the bolt strength.

Dana 44 carrier should work in another Dana 44. Not sure why your brother would want a TJ air locker though, unless it is for the rear axle of his non rubi JK and it is dirt cheap. You can buy a 1330/1310 conversion u joint to use your stock shaft. If the axle is complete, hub to hub, I would think sub $1k would be reasonable.

Replaced the radiator that has been flopping around in its mounts since I bought the truck. It just seemed like an accident waiting to happen, probably when I would be a long ways from home.... - Flushed the slimey brown/green gunk from the radiator/motor - Radiator - Thermostat - Upper and lower hoses On this fine Sunday morning, I decided to leave the house early for church services and drive some of the county roads. The rural roads of Kansas never cease to amaze me!

Wow, that looks slick. Looks more like a school project rendering than anything Chrysler did, unfortunately. I would take a new Jeep pickup like that even if it had, gasp, IFS. That's easy enough to 'fix' :)

This threw up a red flag for me. Are you sure the torque converter is locking up? A slipping torque converter will add slot of heat to the system. Regardless, all of the hot transmission fluid is heading straight for the radiator. Which leads to this: I too had a high load/speed cooling problem with my TJ. It has 5.13 gears and 35's, so it is not lugging by any means. After replacing everything but the radiator it was still having problems. Bought a Griffin radiator and it hasn't had a cooling problem in 4 years.

Manhattan, eh? You aren't far from me! Sounds like a nice truck you are building. Be sure to post some pictures of this fine rig!

Crown Automotive #4713021 http://www.jeep4x4center.com/oil-pan-gasket-set-4713021.html The fit was pretty loose, but works well with some RTV on each side.

I put the gray one piece gasket in my 86 2.5. A little RTV around it and she hasn't leaked at all.

Are you sure it is not TBI? For some reason I thought 86 was the last of the carbs. If it is TBI, the first thing I would do is replace the CPS, crankshaft position sensor located on the edge of the bell housing behind/below the intake manifold.

I feel let down. That isn't a crawler!

My parts XJ is sitting on 4 large Osage Orange (hedge) stumps laid on their side. Seems quite fitting as it is sitting in a barn with a dirt floor.

I'd say you did good! The truck looks fantastic.

Agreed. I bet that guy wants at least $9,999 for that fine automobile.

I really like the repurposing of the XJ speaker headliner/sound pods as the carpeted back panel. I am going to borrow that idea for sure. A lot of heat and a big breaker bar or impact should pull that axle nut off.

I'm not.exactly sure what you mean? Maybe the heat is getting to me. Everything starts at the dealership in Manhattan. From there you will either convoy to the Tuttle Creek ORV park or start the road rally. I know for wheeling everyone is divided in small groups once at the ORV park, then you hit the trails. I don't really know how the road rally works, as I've never done it, but I think it is similar to a poker run. Everybody ends up at the city park in Randolph for lunch and awards/prizes. The jamboree is technically over after lunch, but small groups of Jeeps usually head back to the trails for the afternoon. I could even load up a transmission/tcase and bring it ;)

22nd Annual Briggs Jeep Jamboree October 6th, 2013 22nd Annual Briggs Jeep Jamboree. October 6th, 2013. To register visit http://www.briggsauto.com/jeep-jamboree I know there are a handful of members in the area. YOU SHOULD COME :brows: Even if you drive a 2wd (or 4wd) street queen, they have an event for you, the Road Rally. The Briggs Jamboree is always a great time and supports a great cause. Come show off your MJ (or other Jeep vehicle) while enjoying good company, great food and an awesome experience. I will be there with my trusty, rusty, 86 this year since I sheered the trackbar bracket off of my rubi axle in Colorado a few weeks ago :eek:

The rear will need shortened. For the front, I would find one from an XJ with the same drivetrain as you are swapping in. .....in fact, you would be money ahead to buy a parts XJ with the drivetrain you want to do the swap. That way all of the individual pieces don't nickle-and-dime you to death.

If you are swaping in a HO 4.0/ax15 in place of a TBI 2.5, you will have to do the engine harness, dash and harness, frame motor mounts (bolt in) and radiator support. It is essentially the same type of work as the 97+ swap, just everything bolts in place as it should.

Looks like it is 2/3 front XJ and 1/2 of an MJ. I would totally dig it if the bed was its own unit.