DangerWillRbnsn

This is news to me. My stock 1987 cad d30 is a high pinion?

I just picked mine up with 250k on it. I resealed it, top to bottom, New plugs, wires, cap/rotor, fuel filter, and measured all the sensors to ensure proper operation (resistance values, ohms values, etc) then compression tested it. Once I was happy it was indecent shape, I have her a good pull to red-line. Nothing came apart, no knock, and she pulled strong. While 5k isn't necessary it was nice to know I can rev it if I had to.

Also got my rear gears in the mail. Precision 4.56's. I'll pick up a carrier, locker, and shim kit sometime this week after I do a bit more homework on what I want. I have not ordered front gears, as I'm unsure on wether our not I'll be keeping the front d30 or moving to a waggy d44

Thanks for the heads up Zach... I'm posting all this from my phone since the laptop died. It's tough to move a big thread full of pics on a mobile phone. Maybe a mod can help me out and move it over? Anyway, in the meantime... I've been going very slow because it's dark and cold here. I got the factory tail light holes filled in. And got my new LED oval lights cut in and installed. Did some more trimming to fit the bumper I'll be making soon. And the dana 44 from a 94/95 rodeo is in now. Don't recall if I took any pics of that bit of work.

I sure do enjoy your updates... nice work!

I got the rear end in last night. Set pinion angle, removed a few leafs on each side, New bushings, New shackles, cut/welded the isuzu flange to my drive shaft. I have not set up an e brake yet, or properly bypassed the rear valve. For the tune being, I have just disconnected the front drive shaft. I also ordered a set of 4.56 precision gears for the rear... but those 4.30s make and amazing difference! It's coming along slowly.

I'm working slowly at the Bob... I'll peck and tack welds as I have time, but the rear end I'd like to have in next weekend. The snow slows me down a bit. I'm trying to figure out what I'd like to do to finish the rear bumper and tailgate. I'm thinking of a swingout tailgate, because I want to keep the bumper high and tight. Also, the rear end is an early rodeo with 4.30's and a LSD. I'm trying to figure out what to do... regear it to 4.10 and a locker, so I can match the front d30 maybe?

Well, I've been tinkering some more. I don't intend this to be a build thread by any means, just figured I'd update the thread here for those who've asked, PM'd, and or posted here to help me out. I picked up a Dana44 from a Rodeo today. Cut the perches off, smoothed it out and I'm about ready to weld on the new perches and get ready to install. I'll be running an adaptor/spacer to take it back to 5 lug. I have no figured out a parking brake answer yet - but I'm considering a line lock. I have also got the rear of the bed tacked back in place. The body lines came out good, now I'll have to finish the welds, blend it in, and complete the new tail light setup. I plan on filling the old tail light holes and installing an oval LED tail light setup. If you'd like pics, let me know and I'll get to posting.

Are they the same as the standard leaf bushings? I need to replace mine, but having trouble finding anything specific to metric ton, suggesting they're are all the same... just wanted to ask the pros. Tia

Starting this project is what led to the discovery of the springs. You really think I'll leave them like this?

Weird double post action goin on...

And since I have to daily drive her for the time being, I redneck rigged this simple light setup do I can get back and forth to work while I'm figuring out the next few steps. These were free, else I would not have used them. I'm trying to figure out if I want to flat-side the end caps and add LED lights there, or if I want to weld the rear back in place and fill the tail light housings in THEN add LED tail lights.

As requested, here are a few pics of my MJ, and what I've been up to the last two days.

What is the easiest way for me to figure out what 8.25 he put in the truck?

Cool, thanks for the verification. I'll weld on some perches in the right location. Any chance you have the measurements for correct perch location handy? I took a few pics today... started the bed bobbing process today. I'll try making up a new rear bumper at work tomorrow (or at least stay out). A nice, simple 2x6 is easy to do.

Empty Post

Pretty sure it's an 8.25. Looking at things today, I'm noticing that the spring perches were not relocated... it's causing the leaf springs to bow out severely. The shackel & spring bushings are toast.

Yessir, the Mj in my sig... and this response make perfect sense. I was under the impression that all MT trucks got an AX15. I must have been misinformed. The trans actually shifts just fine. The lever is sloppy as all getout, but it shifts just fine. I don't hot-rod my bimmers, and certainly not the Jeep. I suppose I'll just service the fluid and hope for the best.

I recently moved to CO from NV. I come from a car only past, and have a passion for old BMW's. Living in CO almost demands having a 4x4 truck, so I sold the cars (except for my baby) and set out to find the right truck. Althought I haven't much experience with the MJ trucks, but I have always enjoyed seeing them around. I know a little about XJ's, but decided I would like to have the MJ with the Metric Ton package due to the 4.0, AX15 and D44 they are reported to come with. I wanted something STRONG. So I set out searching, and found a decent little MJ on Craigslist closeby. Despite the DIY CAMO paint-job, I took a ride to check it out. The owner reports not knowing enough about the truck to keep it running and wanted to sell. It has 260k on it, but It started right up, ran around the block fine - albeit leaking a bit, 4x4 worked. The truck has the Metric Ton package, logo's, and the VIN check shows it was built with the MT package. The owner ADVERTISED it with the D44 and AX15. Since I don't know in my head what those LOOK like, I take his word for it. After a bit of conversation, i ended up taking her home. I am happy. A couple months go by and I get around to replacing the rear main seal, oil pan gasket, valve cover gasket, and harmonic balancer. I am crawling around and generally sizing up the truck. I see some odd things. The rear axle looks... small. So I take a pic on the phone, come inside and compare pics to the ones found on the internet. DUDE! That's not a D44, it's a Chrysler 8.25. An OPEN 8.25. What the hell man?! I also notice that the transmission has a seam down the center... That's not an AX15... that's a Puegot! DAMMIT MAN! This guy's duped me pretty good. Who the hell swaps inferior parts in? Anyway, I suppose it's time to get to fixing... Any advice on what I should be looking for on this one? I'm still excited to have the truck, just bummed I have to replace things I thought I already had. Anyway - looking forward to being part of the community. DWR