CRF136N

Wow, actually looks pretty good :thumbsup: Just checked out their website http://www.grizzlygrip.com/ I'm impressed, and the price is great. Thanks for the writeup on this, think I'll give it a shot since I'm ready to do my bedliner now :cheers: -James

Come to think of it...the x-over pipe/cat meet up and secure onto the trans support, and the aw4 4x4 trans cross member was at a different location (further back) than the ba/5 2wd...so possibly there could be different lengths of x-over pipes? I am at a loss now :hmm: DAMMIT, my curiosity had me going out to look at my truck, and everything was WHITE. WTF, its snowing :rant: Its only Oct, I'm not ready for this crap yet! :wall: -James

OK, so I said I was done working on the truck for awhile...SO WHAT, I LIED!!! My rescent Pick and Pull adventure revealed plenty of fresh '97+ C4C XJ's, and while I am more or less indifferent on the front end swap as I like them both, I have before seen the '97+ front bumper with the pre-'97 front sheetmetal, and found it to be a rather tasteful update for the MJ. I couldn't resist this '99 bumper. I am going to be returning for the OEM fog lights off another one soon I had to modify the fenders to fit the end caps, and I chose a lower cut and fold under so I could bolt the '99 end caps onto the fenders, and of course I managed to chip the paint at the fold on the drivers side :doh: Guess I'll be getting that touch up paint out now. I'll probably also get the newer fender flares since they only want $5 a piece for them and try to figure out how to get them to mount onto the older fenders. Before anyone asks, this MJ is more a pavement pounder than a wheeler, so I prefer the looks (and the price over an off-road bumper) :cheers: -James

In my Quadratec catalog they list the same part number for an OEM replacement exhaust MANIFOLD for the '92 and '94, and they list the crossover pipe for the '91-'92, but not for the'93-'96. Being as the manifold # is the same, I don't see why the shape would be any different...The one thing I did notice from my swap though, and I don't know if the change was Renix-->Chrys or when they did it, but at some point the O2 sensor went from being in the exhaust manifold, to mounted in the crossover pipe. Worst case there, just go get a junk 'O2 sensor to plug the other hole if you wind up with two :dunno: Hope this helps -James

Then I say just wait a little longer till you got the extra $$$ needed to get a "good" lift; You will be much happier in the long run. Just do it right the first time, otherwise you will be spending double time and money to re-do it later...done this to myself way too many times. Just my 2 cents. :thumbsup: -James

as mentioned...assume the running lights and turn signals are wired as they should be: I ran a separate wire to the rear of the truck from the brake light wire (coming off the brakelight switch at the pedal), was able to neatly tuck it into the OEM wire loom all the way from the elecrtical output from the cab to the taillights. I cut the the flasher/brake light wire going from the bottom bulb to the top bulb at the taillight housings. This allowed only the bottom bulbs to function as the turn signals. I then spliced the new wire I ran to the rear to the top bulbs bright terminal. This allows the top bulbs to operate as the brakelights, completely independant from the turn signals. The running lights work normal as they are on a separate circuit. It works really well. :thumbsup: -James :thumbsup:

We use the Rotella 15W40 in our 05 Ford Excursion Turbo Diesel because thats what the diesel guys recommended. Ill use that in the Manche too. Think its OK to use the Rotella 15-40 in all the vehicles including the 4.0 in the 05 Wrangler Unlimited? I also stick with the good Wix filters from NAPA. No Fram ever. I run Rotella in everything I have owned, 2 wheels or four, new and old. Its great stuff. The only car I have had issues running it in is my 2008 4 cyl Subaru...cold engine startup it struggled a bit and fuel mileage dropped, but everything else I have run it in has been great. Fully agreed on the filters...although I personally am too cheap to buy the expensive filters, I do stay FAR away from Fram :thumbsup: -James

OK, so I did my Junkyard mission today. I am fortunate enough to have two pick-and-pulls within 40 miles of my house, so the plan was a big loop, I would first go to Carson City P-N-P, then the Reno one. It has been about a month since I had been to either one. I woke up feeling lazy, so I figured I would grab enough basic tools to pull a diff cover if I had to, to get gear ratio...and enough to get whatever else I couldn't live without and basically make a scouting mission of today, and go back tomorrow if I found what I needed. Carson City P-N-P usually has about 8-10 XJ's on any given trip, but they are usually older, 80's models...its a score to find a early to mid 90's one. Well, I was FLOORED on this trip. I had completely forgotten about that whole C-4-C program. After walking through the cars to get to the small SUV's and trucks, I stopped in my tracks with the first two I came to. To my left was a MINT '99 Grand Limited, and to my right was a MINT '03 Grand Laredo :eek: As my eyes scanned the yard, all I saw was 97+ XJ's and tons of other late model Explorers, escapes, 4-runners...all late '90's and up in great shape :nuts: They had for the most part not been touched, so they must have rescently been put out. Once the shock had passed, I did briefly feel like shedding a tear for all AWESOME, well cared for rigs that ended up here...until the reality that all these XJ's had parts that were mine for the taking! HAHA, I must have looked like an overly hyper ADD kid in a candy store...running from XJ to XJ anxious to check out the next one. Carson City had 16 in all, 6 of which were '97+, and seemingly countless more in their holding yard (including an '05 liberty :nuts: ) Of course, of the 16, NOT ONE WAS A 4 CYL!!! :fs1: Reno did have about as many XJ's out, mostly pre-'97, but once again, NO 4 CYL :fs1: :wall: They had so many C-4-C in their holding lot, they were double stacked! A '98 tacoma, on top of an '03 Suburban, in front of a '97 XJ, under a '98 Lexus, next to a '99 Durango...and on and on. ALL FLAWLESS!!! What a trip it is to see that. I did, however, see 1 MJ that fell victom to the C-4-C :( So, a whole day devoted to this, and I didn't find any 4.10 axles, the closest I came was two sets of 3.73's in a couple V-6 2.8's. I didn't go home empty handed though!!! (its a good thing I only had limited tools on me, otherwise I would have spent ALL my $$$ on '97+ parts...plenty on perfect, complete '97+ doors out there :doh: ) I did get a '97+ front bumper though :yes: I got to go back for the OEM foglights for the bumper, they were on another painted bumper and I didn't have the tools with me to get those off. It appears as if I will be frequenting both p-n-p's now too see the latest additions from their holding lots :shake: My new bumper :clapping: put it on, but have to fender trim tomorrow for the end caps to fit: This one has got everything I would need for a complete '97+ conversion, everything is straight there and even the right color :wall: And the one MJ I saw, RIP :( DEFINATELY going to keep my eye on this one to get into the yard for the tailgate and taillights as they looked great (the bed even looked nice): Anyway, Raoden83, thanks for the reminder, I forgot about those guys. I already called a couple other full service JY's and only one had them, but wanted WAY too much $$$ for them, so I figure if it comes down to it, I will proceed with my current 8.25 (3.55) install just to get me through winter with 4x4, then proceed with my search for 4.10's. -James

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! This is the info I was looking for. I will be making a day of Junkyard hopping tomorrow, in search for 4 cyl XJ/MJ's with 4.10's front and rear Unfortunately, I fear I may get stuck with a d35 rear, but whatever...so long as it will work for NOW, I'll take what I can get. I'll keep the Ford 8.8 in mind as a last resort...I want as simple of a swap as possible though to minimize complications and the need for too much work. HAHA, I saw that. Too bad its so far away :wall: I already tried that, and wound up screwing myself even more financially...Lesson learned; if you ever come across a great deal on a Ford with a 460 V-8, its not such a great deal: -Plan on stopping at EVERY gas station to top off, to be sure you make it to the next one. Then when you can no longer afford to fuel it, plan on selling it later for much less than you paid because seemingly EVERY potential buyer knows about their excessively thirsty nature, and their 1st question being "Does it have the 460?", followed by immediate disinterest. One cannot deny it will tow anything you put behind it though. The other issue, aside from additional insurance, is storage. Besides, my MJ was suprisingly stable towing it at 60 mph, more so than the XJ, but the slightly longer wheelbase might have something to do with that.?. Anyway, 'nuff said. I don't doubt my MJ can handle that trailer, as long as I watch the weight of my loads and am selective on the mountain routes I drive to reduce drivetrain strain as much as possible. Ya, she's got a little tail squat with the trailer attatched...but it looks worse than it really is; I think those Hell Creek leaf packs are a little on the soft side(whick is nice driving unloaded) but remedies are available for that if it gets to me. Anyway, hopefully I'll come home tomorrow with some treasures. Oh ya, and trailer brakes are definately next on my list before I take that trailer anywhere else. Didn't wire them up for the last trip, because it was all up hill (for the most part). :chillin: Thanks again :cheers: -James

OK, so I know re-gearing is the primary response to many inquiries on power, I never concerned myself with it because I was happy with the AW4/4.0 HO/3.55 setup...until now. I have found myself in a predicament where I believe gearing will be my only answer, and of course cannot find the exact info I need, and doing a search gives me 167 hits, most of which are irrelevant for the info I need; maybe someone can give me a quick answer to save hours of searching.?. My situation is with my MJ shortbed I did the 4.0 HO swap on. I have the 3.55 front axle in it; but have yet to put the matching 8.25 rear in it, so I am still suffering with the pathetic 3.07 as a 2wd truck only. Since I lifted it, I am planning on going with 31" tires. After the lift, it is still SUA, AND I WANT TO LEAVE IT THAT WAY! The issue: I have a 2,200 lb 7x14 double axle enclosed trailer. After towing it (loaded with about 1,200lbs, totaling trailer weight at about 3,400 lbs, with my donor XJ before the swap, with the same 4.0 HO 3.55 axle as planned for my MJ), in the mountains 6,500+ ft elevation, I realized the jeep struggled a bit more than expected. That in mind, the trailer was a bit larger than I needed, so I had planned on selling it, and purchasing a smaller single axle 6x12. Unfortunately, since new a few months ago, I have used the trailer very little and had CRAP luck with it...it got paintballed on one side, puting about a dozed dents down it, then someone backed into it denting the rear door, then I loaned it to someone (I trusted), and they demolished the front by driving about 60 miles on a dirt road with a lifted truck putting countless dings on the front from rocks getting kicked up :fs1: I am stuck with it now as I REFUSE to take as much of a loss as I would have to in the short few months I have had it. I also do NOT want to buy a bigger truck. What must I do so my MJ can tow it with relative ease? I figure I can get away with only about 500-600lbs of load in the trailer most of the time, totaling the trailer weight less than 3,000lbs. I am holding onto the hope gearing may save my situation. I just towed it with my MJ for the first time, with about 400 lbs in it (totaling about 2,600lbs) with my 3:07 rear and 30x9.5 tires up a 2,000 ft climb, 8 mile long grade. While the MJ wasn't happy about it, it gave its all @ full throttle and still held 45 mph in 2nd revving at 3,000 the whole way. It did OK on flat land. Sooo, needing a rear end AND matching axles, wanting a fairly quick and easy swap, DIRECT front swap and perch welding OK for the rear...hitting the wrecking yards, what am I looking for? running 31" tires and an HO motor, will the 4.10 gears be sufficient, or should I be looking for another ratio? I still want it to be practical for long distance highway driving unloaded. Once needed ratio is determined, what XJ's should I be looking for, for the axles I need (in other words, years/motor/trans setup?) I honestly don't NEED any rear axle in particular, sure I would like a d44, but I will take whatever I can get for now just to get it DONE as winter is around the corner and I need my 4x4 working SOON; then I can fine tune from there. Can anyone give me something to work with PLEASE? Thanks! -James

UGH, those are the EXACT ones I want! :wall: I take it you don't have them anymore? -James

I ran a separate wire to the rear of the truck from the brake light wire (coming off the brakelight switch at the pedal), was able to neatly tuck it into the OEM wire loom all the way from the elecrtical output from the cab to the taillights. I cut the the flasher/brake light wire going from the bottom bulb to the top bulb at the taillight housings. This allowed only the bottom bulbs to function as the turn signals. I then spliced the new wire I ran to the rear to the top bulbs bright terminal. This allows the top bulbs to operate as the brakelights, completely independant from the turn signals. The running lights work normal as they are on a separate circuit. It works really well. :thumbsup: Got them sitting outside my shop with worn-out 30" m/t tires for $300/set. The get a lot of attention, and people rave about what a great deal it is, but I have yet to see any money :hmm: The rims are in great shape, straight and not scratched. I see your in Vegas, I may be coming your way soon if your still interested. Thanks for the info on those Teflon wheels. What a bummer. Guess I'm just going to have to be careful with them when I get them, I already have myself sold on a particular style; plus a get a pretty good deal on them through my work. I'm still months away from getting them, so I may convince myself otherwise before then. -James

A couple years ago I had seen a beautiful, MINT, unmolested, 100% stock 1990 LB 4.0 4x4 pioneer running around my area. The guy driving it had parked next to me one day (still a couple years ago) and I got to drooling over it...then I saw the odo that read 32,000 miles. He told me the truck had been stored indoors for many years, and he rescently purchased it from the original owner. I knew he purchased it to drive, but I urged him to use it sapringly and to take care of it as he had an extremely rare gem worth a mint and was only going to appreciate in value. Well, here we are a couple years later and I have seen him driving around occasionally since. I ran into him again a couple days ago. He remembered me, and we got to talking again...a few nick and dings on it now, with over 100,000 miles :( Damn. Sure was cool seeing 32k on that flawless MJ just a couple years ago. Regardless, I told him about the CC, so hopefully he'll join us here at least :yes: -James

Well, this is going to be my last update for awhile on my MJ. Its been an awsome project, but now its time to go enjoy it With travel plans, dirtbike races, etc going through the beginning of Dec, I decided to put the final touches on the truck for this coming winter and be done with it for awhile. -I have put some stock Jeep wheels on it with 30x9.5 Goodyear Wrangler GSA's (trying to sell the American Racing rims, I want some black teflon coated wheels...the polished aluminum just doesn't fit the truck) -I put the camper shell on it :ack: ...but I got a nice fitting air mattress for the back, so it will serve its purpose well. -I got a GREAT deal on a new sony stereo that has a USB input, so I just leave my thumb drive in there with 1,000's of songs and it has great sound quality...I never got into the I-pod craze.. -and I finally registered it (been sneaking around with plates off my other MJ until now :roll: ) I wound up getting custom plates, for as much as I HATE them, the lady at the DMV conned me into getting them (long story) I don't like the standard "sunset" plates as they call them, so I opted for these retro blue plates pic'd. She said I had 5 spaces, and she began to come up with all kind of stupid stuff, so the only thing that came to mind at the moment was 4X4MJ...it was avail so I just went for it to get out of there :shake: Image Not Found And the dirtbike found a new home :clapping: And a great use for my new hitch :banana: I just got back from a 263 mile trip with about 20mi of which off road (desert motorcycle race in the middle of nowhere, NV...they couldn't make the access easy :fs1: ) and this setup works GREAT! (but I can definately feel the 350+ lbs hanging off the back, wouldn't want to jerk the wheel hard at high speed) Anyway, its been fun and thanks for all the compliments, help and support. I'll be happy to answer any questions or help anyone in any way I can for anyone who wants to do the HO conversion, just send me a PM -James

So I went to my local Auto Zone auto supply store and went into their little "import" section...there I found a red LED light strip; although they claim it to be weather resistant, before I go drilling holes in my cab I am going to adhesive it to the inside top of my rear window. Would look kinda goofy w/o tinted windows, but fortunately I have a tinted non slider rear, so when I get around to it I will install it. Just a non-invasive idea to avoid cutting up your cab. They also had them at Wal-mart, but I didn't like those as much.

It was a 2008 Subaru Impreza, (had a driving job with a long commute, got almost 80,000 miles on it now :ack: ) but since I got my MJ going (and quit my driving job), I have driven the Subie 3 times...Just realized the registration expired on it last month and I don't have the $260- to renew it right now, so I'll park it and be driving the MJ for awhile :clapping: Prob switch back to the Subaru for winter tho b/c I am terrified that someone will crash into my MJ and total it (flatland fair weather tourists can't drive in the snow). Sure is irritating writing a $400 check to Subaru Motors Finance every month when I can't even legally drive it (why does this stuff cost so damn much?! :mad: and to ad insult to injury, I don't really even like the car but can't sell for even half of what I paid for it b/c of the high mileage :wall: I refuse to loose that much money) -James

Definately the Eliminator; 91-92 in any color (all OEM colors look great on that truck!). I really like the color matched fender flares, 3 peice color match grille, bumper fog lights, 10 hole wheels and the simple decal arrangement on the shortbed body . I'm not much for decals, removed them from every vehicle I have owned...but the Eliminator decal package just seems to fit the truck nicely. Although not stock (I don't think), I do also like the 2-tone look I have seen on some MJ's where the flares/rockers/bumpers are silver or tan with the appropriate body color to flow with it. (like the XJ laredo and country packages) I REALLY like that burgandy one pic'd behind the MJ that Pete posted on this thread :yes: Minus the rollbar, make it a shortbed and put some stock silver finished jeep wheels on it...(anyone know where these pics are from? Chrysler museum or private collector, etc?) -James

Wow, that looks like a really nice MJ. I'd like to see a few more pics of that one before you change it. (actually I would really like to see a side shot with the white truck/black rockers as I have been thinking of doing this to mine, :brows: ) And about that Toy axle...since it doesn't sound like your doing anything extreme with the truck, wouldn't it be easier to just slap an XJ axle in it? :hmm: Anyway, nice find. -James

What is the difference in the taillights? That is not what I expected to read in a Renix to HO swap thread! XJ donor. XJ's have separate turn/brake lights where as MJ's use both top and bottom bulbs for both functions. I'm just not that great with electrical to combine the two systems to function correctly the MJ way (flashing turn signals while brakes are applied, etc) so it was just easier to run an extra wire to the rear of the truck so it functions more like the XJ. The top bulbs are brakelights, and the bottom bulbs are my turn signals. Both bulbs still function for the running lights as they are on a separate circuit. It works great. :thumbsup:

Ya, as 89eliminator said, its an stock OEM Jeep bumper. I got it new from Jeep about 3 years ago; forked out about $280 bux for it if I remember correctly. It hurt then, but supposadly they are sold out now and one cannot purchase them new through Jeep any more, so I am glad I got it...money well spent :thumbsup: SO parranoid I am going to get rear ended though. At least if I do now, the hitch reciever will now take most of the blow :brows: That happened in my cherokee once, and I had a hitch in there...the woman that hit me was driving a brand new VW Passat...yep, put a hole right in her motor, totalled her new car :shake: Scratched my bumper (with a minor bend) & bent my exhaust pipe :rotf: I wound up with a new flowmaster exhaust and lift kit, compliments of her insurance company

Started DIY thread w/ pics; more details on hitch install if interested: viewtopic.php?f=9&t=18297 -James

I have noticed quite a few inquiries about trailer hitch recievers for our MJ's. I figured I would post a separate thread for better exposure. I did the researh, made the calls and the cheapest new one I have found was through U-haul part #75021. Not sure if the cost varies from place to place, but mine was $209.95 plus tax. I think it is a class 5 (maybe 3?)with a 2" reciever. The label says V5, 500 max tounge, 5,000 max trailer wieght. It will fit either shortbeds or longbeds. If you go in there, they will want your vehicle info...tell them you have an automatic tranny, because otherwise their idiot-proof computer system may automatically put you in a class 1 hitch. I installed it myself, and it was a perfect fit. I had to get 6 longer bolts for the bumper bracket, and two extras for the bumper bottom. I loosened all the bumper bracket bolts, and removed the top 3 closest to the rear. The hitch slides right into place over the bumper brackets: I installed the longer replacement bolts (hand tight), and then loosened these two bolts on each side inside the bumper: This allowed the bumper to rotate up and down to match the two outside bumper ball mount holes with the hitch plate holes above the reciever: Once everything was together, I went around and snugged all bolts down in opposite order of loosening/removal. The fit is great: FYI, there is no plug-and-play trailer wiring harness for our trucks, so you gotta get out the test light and figure that one out on your own :brows: I wired my taillights differently because of the XJ donor having separate turn/brake lights, so I am no help there ;) Hopes this helps for anyone looking for a hitch :thumbsup: -James

Carpet padding and 3M spray adhesive kinda the redneck way, but it costs next to nothing and it works great! Done it on my MJ, my '02 Toyota Tundra (when I had it, I miss that damn thing) and my '08 Subaru Impreza...HUGE difference. I suppose for those of you in damp/salty areas it would probably collect too much moisture though, increasing the chance for rust. Your Quiet Coat sure does look a lot more professional though :yes: Looks like a good product...but $500 is a little steep :nuts: Let us know how it works! -James

Ya; I wish I had taken more detailed pics as I was doing this, but I just wanted to get it done ASAP, so I didn't take the time...although I do have a few more pics I didn't post (and can still take some). I did, however do it all myself so I have the experience now, along with some tricks that I had to learn...and it was all just a couple months ago, so its still fresh. Been considering writing it all down in step-by-step detail and doing a DIY thread with pics if there isn't one on there already. Its funny how everything swapped so easily though w/o any major modification, I thought for sure I would run into some issues, but I really didn't. And yes, I basically stripped my MJ to a bare shell and rebuilt it from the donor XJ. Literally, everything. viewtopic.php?f=7&t=17382 -James

Sorry Pete, I gotta chime in :roll: Now that my HO swap is said and done, I would absolutely do it again. Lots of work, but as long as you have both the donor (don't even try to do it without a COMPLETE running/driving donor) and some extra time, its really quite FUN! :banana: It's also easy as long as you transfer in sections, so you don't get confused as to what is what. As a huge benifit, it gives you the opprotunity to tear everything apart and re-assemble it right, doing more or less a full resto in the process. :thumbsup: Furthermore, it gives you (forces) the opportunnity to LEARN everything you could ever want to know about your jeep inside and out, every wire, hose, line EVERYTHING so should something go goofy down the road, you'll know that there is a wire harness behind that part, or whatever. Also, when re-assembling, you can see every part in detail, so you'll have confidence when everything is together that all vaccume lines are fresh, there are no corroded suprises in the electrical or plastic clip thingies that are dried out and ready to break. I can drive my MJ anywhere with confidence because of this little piece of mind. Sure, doing a stroker may be the better choice for getting more umph, but at what cost $$$$?! VS. a good running wrecked HO donor on CL for a few hundred bux that has a greater parts availability?...then you can persue the stroker thing as you financially plan for it. FINAL point being, the whole XJ-MJ mating. NOT a big deal at all. Fuel lines, piece of cake. taillights, I had to go outside of the box a bit and do it the only way it made sence to me, but it works GREAT. The ONLY issue is my fuel gauge does read backwards :shake: but thats just something I have gotten used to for now, and I haven't given up on making that right too...there has to be a way, I just don't have time to figure it out right now. If you should persue this option smithe1811, I got your back and would be happy to answer any questions you have and help you through it via phone, text, email, pics whatever. Just let me know if you pull the trigger so I'll know the fun has begun ;) :clapping: :banana: -James