JeffK

Rough day at physical therapy but I got the hood back on the hinges. Motor is looking worse for wear. Also check out my 12 year old AutoZone battery. Oh yeah, it's dead. Amazing amount of dust and crud under here. Plus the missing pieces that have become the norm. What's missing here?

Contrary to popular internet belief (circa 2009) and mine, a Dakota light bar is not a direct bolt in. Kind of disappointed I've hung onto this thing for 12 years. I want my Craigslist $50 back. At least it keeps the cover from sagging.

I did a double din head unit in my TJ and I really like the larger screen. I find this head unit. It's a Boss BE7ACP-SD, single din with a floating display that can tilt left-right and up-down. One of the YouTube reviews even had a pic of it installed in an XJ. I like the design but I don't know much about Boss. The majority of the head units have been JVC. I've never had a Boss.

The interior is complete enough now to move on to the engine compartment and work on getting her running again. I'm going to move on for now and I'll address the missing head unit after most the mechanical stuff is done. I did change out the shifter knobs and hooked the pillar gauges back up.

Finished up the interior including replacing the left hand door panel. I had to remove the left side door lock cylinder to get new door keys cut. I simply replaced the ignition key cylinder with one I had the keys for. I installed the lock cylinder in the door this afternoon. Thought it would be fairly easy, but after 3 hours of sweating and swearing I finally figured out the locksmith had installed the actuator arm on the back of the lock backwards. Nice. For now the key situation is done unless I find a 'J' code cylinder.

Fixed my parking brake, ended up using the old spring. Just rent some ends on it and shortened it up a little. It'll work for now.

I've been out of the Comanche loop for a while. What all is involved in mounting the Gladiator bumper? It looks good BTW.

Thanks. Good call, the back carpet looks best with those door cards IMO.

Those do look sharp. I wish I could have found buckets that nice when I was doing mine.

The one I parked next to at the parts store was the first one I'd seen in over 2 years.

I appreciate the reply. Ive been down this rabbit hole for the last 2 days and I'm now Google educated on GM keys. AMC/Jeep only used the 'J' key cylinders. All AMC/Jeep and aftermarket key blanks are only available in 'J'. All current replacement aftermarket key cylinders use the most popular GM 'A' key, which is not available with the AMC/Jeep logo. Also GM 'A' key cylinders cannot be re keyed to use 'J' keys. Probably shouldn't be this particular, but since all 3 sets of keys for my truck have managed to grow legs and walk away over the past couple of years, I figured I'd replace them with what I want.

Iso good used or new OE or Mopar ignition lock cylinder. For 84-90 XJ or MJ. Keyed for Jeep, AMC 'or GM J' code keys. Only looking for the ignition cylinder with keys. Aftermarket works but I'm trying to keep my keys Jeep or AMC.

Just noticed I started this post on May 31 2009. This really needs to be done.

Except for a few screws I've about got the interior back together. I used to toss every screw I removed in the junkyard in my bag and never threw any away. No clue where they all are now.

Tucker's ready for a ride.

When you sign off on letting your son 'borrow' a few parts.

Dusting her off and trying to figure out where I left off.

I painted the speakers I have on my covered porch with that same bed stuff. I'll try it on one of my old front flares.

I appreciate that. I found the broken spring under the edge of the carpet and I'm going to try and make it work. Other wise we have a Napa the road. I was hoping someone had found an aftermarket part.

I'm missing the return spring for my parking brake pedal. Other than pics I have no idea what it looks like. Does anyone have the dimensions or a number for a part that will interchange?

I'm going to slowly (still recuperating) start back into the truck. I spent today making a mental checklist of things to do and redo as well. My goal is to get it started again, sort the brakes out and eventually address the paint. No real time frame just when I have the time and mobility to work on it. I removed the rear fender flares and started wet sanding them. I've got some nice unpaited front flares I picked up years ago. I plan to just paint them black. I'd like to have a matte and slightly textured finish. Any suggestions?

Hard to believe it's been nearly 14 years since I started this. I'm currently recovering from my latest physical setback (apparently being blue collar is bad for your knees). I'm still beating myself up driving the same old Wrangler I bought 10 or 12 years ago. We had some nice weather last week and I pulled the cover off the MJ and mulled over it most of the morning. This morning I told my wife I'm not 100% sure what I'm going to do with it, then an hour later I pre-ordered a set of the Oracle tail lights. Maybe in the next decade it will be back on the road.

Thanks.

Nice. I've been considering having my bed modified for different stock taillights that are still available. Possibly 1rst gen Dakota. Looking forward to seeing what you do.

Great work. Are you planning on eliminating the stock tail light openings?