jpnjim

I used to work with a guy who had a beeper style alarm. Watching him drop everything, and blast out the door with the crazed axmurder look on his face brought the lolz (all were false alarms :clapping: ). Tip of the day: Don't set the sensitivity too low, unless you need the exercise. :D

No wonder you had so much trouble, that's three halfs!!! :idea: :D Pretty much the same, but 351's use a taller deck height than 302, which makes them wider, and means the intakes are different. Also (to the OP) be aware there are 3 different 351's, 351 Windsor, which is the 302's big brother, and the most common version you'll find. 351 Cleveland, bigger ports, canted valves, different engine, though people (and the factory) sometimes swap Cleveland heads onto Windsors (Factory Cleveland headed Windsors = 302 & 351 Boss engines). 351 M, the 'truck' engine of the three, pretty much a 400M, with a 3.5" stroke, instead of a 4" (all the above engines have a 4" bore). I'd say swap an AMC V8 in instead. :D

I've seen irregularities, but most of the stories that start with "AMC used whatever they could find to get the orders out" can be filed right along with "AMC 390's were Ford motor's". I'm surprised they used 3.55's with a 4cyl/5spd, but they're very well may have been an 'economy special', that came out later in the year (Data Book's are printed during the previous model years). Also could've been part of a fleet order, since 4x4 SE's aren't the most common XJ's around (were they similarly optioned?). Regional specials, and late additions are common, and most would never have made it into a nationwide Data book. Most of my surprise comes from them not even listing those gears as optional. Each combo (engine & tranny) has to be EPA & CARB certified every year (which is why some vehicles/years only have a single California engine available, or they drop lower selling engines in a final model year, like the 4cyl not being available for 01'XJ's). I always figured this extended to gear ratio as well, since the emissions & gas mileage is going to be much different in a struggling, undergeared 4cyl, than one operating in it's powerband. As far as the VIN search goes, did everything else match what they told you? I've heard of alot of guys with earlier Jeeps getting misinformation (options not even available that year, listed on the sheet, etc). Was it pretty much 'spot on' with the rest of the options? I never bothered with an option search after hearing some of the results from 1980's Jeeps, have you checked alot of them?

:cheers: Even the parts books couldn't agree with the Dealer Brochures & Data Book that year. Dealer books said gear options were 3.31's, 3.54's, and 4.10's (but not telling you which combo got which gears) Parts book only lists part numbers for 3.08's, 3.55's & 4.11's. Only thing I'm sure of in 1986 is Metric Ton MJ's got AMC 20's, with 4.10's. Other than that, I'm not even gonna guess. :smart:

1994 Jeep Eagle Data Book: Page JC7: These books are about the same size as a FSM, and have tons of details on each model. and were printed year to year, to inform the dealer of exactly what he'd be selling that year. The books & brochures I have from 93-97 all say the same thing in relation to 4cyl XJ gears. (4.11's w/5spds) Anything is possible, but as far as literature goes, the factory Data Books are usually about as accurate as you can get. I guess 3.55's could've been ordered behind a 4cyl/5spd as a regional thing (flatlands maybe?), or maybe you just got that unlucky to find two that had been swapped out. I know with the hills around here, a 4cyl XJ with 3.55's wouldn't be using overdrive 5th very much.

Back when my MJ was still my daily driver, some junkie smashed my window with a big rock (left it laying inside the cab), and stole my Sony CASSETTE player, when I was at work. :headpop: Also tore open the glovebox to get the faceplate. :fs1: Sorry man, Keep an eye on Craig's list, maybe your radio will show up there.

Dealer brochures, loose leaf (Dealer) Data books, and parts manual's were used to make this list. Almost every year's info was backed up from more than one of the above sources. 96 4cyl manual = 4.11/5spd 92 was the last year for a 4cyl/4spd manual, even then, it was only in shortbed MJ's (last year for a 4cyl/4spd XJ was 88'). Just remember, this was from factory literature, but anything's possible (especially with 10-25 year old Jeeps).

Yeah, I don't know why, but that pic always looked like a chop. Height is deceiving, since the MJ's sitting at 8"+, without the engine weighing it down. Next pic in line: I'm really just under 6'1" Only Photobucket pic I have of me standing (next to the King his-self ) I look like a friggen Gorrilla next to him. :yes:

I understand what you mean. I left a plate hanging out behind the back of my current tranny mount (hard mounted to tranny & isolated from X-member) & may end up getting one of those rear Atlas mounts, and tie it directly into that plate. Not exactly what you plan to do, but I've seen the same thing done, with individual bushings mounted to each frame rail, like you explained. Thanks. :cheers: Rock climbing (like hand to hand), or rock crawling, in the Jeep? I'm 40 years old, 240 lbs, and no longer in the best shape of my life. :ack: I've tried those mechanical rock walls, where you never get more than 4' off the ground, but that's about it. :yes: As far as the Jeep goes, I like playing on rocks, but there's not much 'just rock' wheeling in New England. We have rocks & mud, & waterfalls & mud (sometimes with real water ;) ). You can find stairsteps, w/o mud here, but for the most part, unless it's man made, you'll have to deal with slop atleast some of the time.

:rotf:

:cheers: Glad things are getting better. Your original post had me thinking about my situation, and how, all of a sudden things can just pile up on you. Now that things are on the upswing, hopefully you won't mind me posting my "when it rains, it pours" saga :ack: My last year & a half: November 1st 2007, laid off after 9 years with one company. December 2007 "house taken" << found on city hall's website, under my name. ended up being a snafoo, but they really did 'take my house' (even got a notary to sign off on it) & it cost me ~$300 to fix it. December 13th 2007, GF had miscarrage (2nd in a row). January 23rd 2008 got back to work (different company) May 2nd 2008, I experienced Sudden Cardiac Death, at home, in my bed @ 5:15am. luckily parametics showed up quick enough, hit me with the paddles (6 times), and kept me on the right side of the grass. (survival rate for cardiac arrest outside of a hospital = 5% :eek: ) May 7th 2008, after 5 days of testing, no reason for the cardiac arrest was found, so they gave me an ICD implant (defibulator) June 1st 2008 got back to work (even though Electrician is NOT the best job for someone with a defibulator inside their chest). Luckily, the guy who just hired me in January stuck by me, and kept me around. December 2008 eye doctor told me I have a partially detatched retina (lifted in 2 spots, + there's a hole in it), and may need a vitrectomy (drill hole in your eye, and suck out the gel inside, sorry to anyone eating right now). After the surgery, I'll have to lay face down for 10 days, so an inserted gas bubble can apply pressure to my retina, and get it back where it belongs. January 2009 Turned 40 years old (actually happy about this :D ) Febuary 2009 down to about 50% vision in the 'bad' eye. April 28th Vitrectomy surgery date. Not trying to bring everyone down, I have a positive attitude about all of it, and am glad to be here. I don't want to hog the thread, just felt the need to share.

Jimmy, Boston, Ma (playing with fuel line O-rings)

V8 ZJ coils could give you an inch+. My L6 4x4 ZJ had the exact same coils as my L6 4x4 XJ, so those might not provide much lift, depending on what you start with. 1.5" ft spacers are a decent option too. Rear, def do shackles, unless your springs are starting to de-arch.

:clapping: We pretend he's driving all the time. Probably gonna turn him into a serial killer, but.... but he acts like he's driving, and I act like I'm in the street running (in place) in front, trying to get away. Then he catches up, and I bounce off the hood. :rotf: Please don't call child protective services on me. It totally cracks him up. :rotfl2: :rotfl2:

These were my favorite 4x4 tire (regular, non 16.5" sizes), till they got discontinued :( Sidewalls were thin, but a great tire otherwise (& I'm guessing the Hummer versions got better sidewalls than the civi's)

A tree attacked her XJ!!!

It's my DD. (Driveway Decoration). ;)

Isnt that bolt a external torx???? It can be. I think only 84-86 though. Dunno. I ran 85' 3.73 axles in one of my old XJ's (and had another set of the same kicking around), but if they were external Torx, I forget now. I know the 87'-01's are 12 point 13mm's tho (since my MJ axle is an 87', and I just caniblized a knuckle from an 01')

13mm/12 point.

:smart: If you add it all up, atleast 600k ;) Cab: 220k (88 MJ) Engine: 25k (92 YJ) Tranny/T-case/nose/doors: 70k (01' XJ) ft axle: 280k+ (87 XJ) rear axle: who knows (1969 Charger) Bed: who knows (?? Eliminator)

Iris: Comanche Winter-(Jim Hedgecock-2003)-Sdlg. F-69-W-TB-34"-M - There are a lot of good white irises already on the market, but our customers have been going tothis seedling wanting us to introduce it. When we entered it in the Pony Express Iris Society show this spring and got best seedling in show, we decided to put it on the market. The wide pure white florets have just a touch of yellow at the hafts. Form is heavily ruffled with superb substance. Beards are white with yellow tips. The foliage is extremely healthy. Show stalks with a bud count of eight. Mild sweet fragrance. Agape Love X Unknown. $7.50 http://www.comancheacresiris.com/2003_introductions.htm

I had checked out a vehicle once that the guy defaulted on one of the last payments. He said "bla bla bla, they told me to keep it, but refused to send the title". I always assumed he 'stole' it from the bank/lender with just a few payments left, and they didn't bother to go through the trouble of repo'ing it for a couple hundred bucks. Maybe you could find the name of the lender, and see what they feel the status of the vehicle is. No matter what, I'd find some way to save it. No way I'd strip/scrap a straight MJ with decent floors in New England.

I did a couple more little jobs to the MJ. I tried one of those $10 Eldelbrock filters, very nice filter, but it wouldn't fit in the position close to the firewall, I have the K&N now. Swapped in the ft Edelbrock res style shocks: only place I saw to tuck the resi: and swapped the RE HD track bar bracket for a T&T bracket (gained 2.75" of track bar to dif cover clearance): T&T bracket is almost a mirror image of the RE's Had to drill out the RE joint to the next size (not sure if I was supposed to do this, but the T&T bolt is way beefier, and I wanted to use it): after that it was a great fit: I was able to pull the RE track bar forward to fit in the bracket: but it wasn't the right solution, so I took a few degree's out of the last bend (next to the joint), and it worked, without misaligning the lower bushing to make it fit. Using the T&T bar probably would've been a better choice, but I already had the RE bar, so that's what I used. and it looks like the tie rod to track bar clearance will still be OK. The MJ's still a driveway decoration for now, so YMMV if you try the swap.

Thanks! :cheers: This was helpful, I still haven't done the swap yet (waiting till after surgery at the end of the month). I'm still leary of doing the doubler + Atlas, partly because of the weight hanging so far out, and partly because I'd like to get away from the 231's cast aluminum case. I'd probably use a Klune if I had one. :D :banana: I would like to keep the 2.73 option tho, if only for slippery hills, where a taller reverse would be better, if/when i get into trouble (quickly shifting from 3rd/5:1 low, to reverse/5:1 low in case of a sticky situation = a huge change in gearing). I'll post up pics whenever I get to the swap.

Yeah, I didn't post many pics there, I'm surprised you saw it. I've wheeled with Baystate Jeepers, and Patriot Jeepers. Both good clubs, low key, family style wheeling. BS is geared towards Jeeps from stock to 35" tires, PJ stock to 33's. More hardcore than that would be New England. There's a ton more clubs than that, but those are the ones I'm most familiar with. I'm hoping to get some runs in with Baystate this year, but we'll see how far along I get with the MJ. Yeah, I bought this MJ in June 03, bought the rolled 01' XJ in August 03', came up with a build plan, got a ton done.... then had a son on June 04. :thumbsup: Priorities changed, and it's been on the back burner since. :( I never really stopped working on it, but things don't happen as fast anymore.