Red Mistress

1600 mile road trip in Comanche last week. Scored nice rear bumper that looks like it should work with rear PTO gearbox Stopped by online buddy of 25 years to meet & see his collection of CJ & SJ's and Jeepmobilia. Most of driving was 75-80 except thru the mountains. Wife bought antiques and we always go rock mining so had heavy load on way home. .

I've been collecting NOS parts for future Willys Truck for years and have crazy amount of goodies. Plans are to keep the patina, go thru all the mechanicals, then add Koenig PTO winch & bumper, twin stick PTO on D18 specifically for truck, and rear PTO gearbox and belt roller for powering implements. Search "Sweaty Jeeps" to see video's of all the accessories in working action. I've got 2 types of overdrive's so gotta decide which one. The 230 Overhead cam engines made almost double the F134 so factory changed 5:38 gears to 4;10's. 230 steering was also improved, although still Ross box, so I dunno yet if I want go 70mph. 6 levers will be sticking thru floor so be complicated driving !

Well like I needed another distraction... but I've been looking since 2006 for a 63-64 Willys Utility Truck to add to collection. Not many 63-64's built due to SJ Gladiator release in 62. Of course it had to be RED and have the Tornado overhead cam 230 straight 6. Much like finding a 91-92 Comanche. So here's the Comanche's great great grandfather ! Original paint and NO rust ! I still can't believe found one !

Totally mind blowing top notch ideas and execution ! As always.

Really unbelievable and privilege to acquire NOS Grey Luggage cloth for my HO Eliminator restoration. Many thanks to GJeep for parting with these treasures ! He replaced the vinyl with cloth where seat snubbers rub through, as seen in middle of picture. I've known lots of passionate Jeep dealers experts thru the years, but none as knowledgeable as GJeep on XJ platform.

I really don't feel that headlight relay is necessary with LED lights. If I hadn't found these stock looking LED's & kept halogens, the upgraded harness would be good failsafe. But, would only do like Gjeep does and repurpose a spot in the PDC so it would look correct. do plan on upgrading the wiring on the electric fan as the late model XJ's e-fan uses more juice. Nothing is worse than opening the hood of a vehicle and seeing bunch of add on wiring all over the place. On daughters 01 XJ build I used a Bussman power distribution module (black box near brake booster where air connect is pictured) for all the add on accessories.

Holley did their homework on these lights, nice plug n play, good wiring, good plugs & heat sinks. Beam pattern is wide with nice cutoff at distance. Before I installed these, I always had bright lights on. No cars ever flashed lights at me either. Now I run low beam & haven't been flashed. Not sure how many amps they draw, threw box's away. But most LED's draw way less.

Tried these Holly Retrobright lights and WoW they are incredible. Should help the original headlight wiring harness. Since I installed the Rigid headlights on 01 Cherokee I knew difference of LED but didn’t want spaceships lighting on MJ.

Trying put dealership collectibles away since last parts haul, so can get back to work in shop. Couple pics from 88 & 91 Salesman data books. Framed the Black Eliminator heavy card stock print. I would trade this for other goodies:)

I installed the ACOS Pro on my LJ. The hydraulic bumpstops with low lift made a racket even while street driving as they were in contact often. 3.5" lift springs solved the space issues. Think the XJ platform has taller coil spring so may not be problem in you build. Just FYI Enjoying your build. I'd love to have bluetooth in RX-171 radio :)

I'm sure the OEM straps will fit better and give better clearance. Sorry about rubber suggestion but I can't stand metal on metal abrasion over time. (rust) Even though Jeep didn't use rubber pads on all years of XJ, doesn't mean that it can't be improved. Ordered 4 crown straps with rubber and plan on throwing the strap away and keeping the rubber liner. I had bought roll of self adhesive rubber strips, but like your idea much better. Rear brake line looks legit ! Thru the years, I have had problems with braided lines on different Jeeps. Seems that the braided hose doesn't flex as much as rubber and all the flex happens at fittings, which is where they have failed. Good idea on the sub, won't take up much room and keep crap from going under seat. Which brand subs did you get? Looking good as always.

Glad to see you found solution. Looks like Spectra shows a clearance of 3 to 6mm. Which is around 1/8 to 1/4". I would think any metal that has hot / cold liquid weight sloshing around would expand from time. Not so much a pressure swell, just weight. The creases in tank are engineered to minimize the swell. Ford uses a hard rubber liner that is riveted to straps to prevent metal on metal abrasion. Some XJ's use the straps around plastic skid to prevent metal on metal. Guess Jeep didn't worry about MJ tank abrasion?

Glad to see the Boostwerks kit going to good home.

Just AMAZING detail as always !

Been working on my Comanche dealer showroom prints / poster size: New clear acrylic for the original easy change silver frames. Prints with holes require a special plastic frame and acrylic takes hours to dremel the holes to fit.

Like to see more pics of this track bar / steering setup. I'm wondering if can still use the OEM front skid plate? Looks like you also raised & gusseted the sway bar mount. Truck looking good !

MJE doing Jeep truck work:

I've got bits of the kit, haven't seen them in over 15 years ! air overload springs 27.02 air shock hardware kit 22045123 AMC tire accessory inflation kit air pump

I've been looking at used D44 axle but backing plates are bent and haven't found info on replacement plates. 87 parts book shows backing plate 5252 720 for model 35 & 8350 2386 for model D44 axle.

100,000 miles and lots more life left !

R12 Mineral oil does not mix with 134a PAG oil and will clog the system leading to poor performance. I'm suprised the TSM didn't say to change all the hoses & condensor and flush evaparator.

Nice find !

Not very much going on with MJ, trying to finish up my Daughter's 01 XJ 2 door. She's off at college with no wheels, so I lost my good helper. https://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1151762 MJ is about to hit 100K miles and has been trouble free. I do need replace fuel pump as check valve is bad and takes while to start up. Did grab window crank And not sure if MJ or XJ Chief 2 door gets NOS front skid. Not a single scratch so doesn't need trip to powdercoat. https://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1159090

I hear this truck got Trophy @ Bantam Jeep Festival.