AMCJeepMJ

I'm in Central Oregon and make it to PDX in my MJ almost never. If I can run my Escape I'm game somewhere that isn't going to destroy it... even have an OHV permit for it.

Maybe this installation manual from Redline will help: http://www.redlinetuning.com/manuals/QL-JEEP_CHEROKEE_86-01-101.pdf.

Man, i wish I would have known that sooner. I just pulled one from the junkyard last weekend. So the 4.0 and the 2.5 MJs have different swaybars? The ZJ has a different bar contour than the XM/MJ. Will work for a rectangular 4.0 radiator, just not the 'square' 2.5 style. A sway bar from a 4.0 XJ/MJ is interchangeable with a 2.5 XJ/MJ and vice-verse.

Steve, I have two original headliners I can send if it would be of any assistance: one out of an 86 with blue perforated vinyl loosely attached, and one out of an 87 missing 98% of the faded tan fabric.

I have the longer fold-across-the-front kind on my 87, with an Aug 86 build date... until I get the hydraulic lift hood supports installed.

On a somewhat related topic, I e-mailed American Racing (A.R.E) this week about the wheels on this rig (sent them the first pic in the thread) and the SCCA Comanche, and they did confirm they were the manufacturer, but the wheels have not been produced in over 20 years and they no longer have them in stock. I would not anticipate being able to get these wheels again; treat them like gold as you aren't going to get a replacement if you go curb bashing.

Anything ever happen with this, or are there any updates?

I lived in McKinney for 10 years; off Virgina west of 75 and off of Eldorado east of 75. Easy city to live and work in. Back on topic, I am currently a telephone events concierge for an Italian car company, and I talk to some of the most interesting people.

Pulled headliner to put more sound/heat insulation in this weekend, put headliner back in. Put a Ruff-Tuff saddle blanket seat cover on the bench seat, and put in LED glove box light yesterday.

I too have doubts about their longevity, but with eight of them it should be a lifetime supply. Yes, but how many times do you want to do the job over and over again. Buy quality, do it right the first time. Not saying you get more for a higher price, but sometime it just pays to do it right the first time. I guess it remains to be seen how long they last before worrying about doing the job over and over again. If they never fail then there is no problem; if they do fail I have spares. The number of seconds it takes to change a plate bulb in a factory bumper can be counted on fingers and toes... very easy.

Welcome, glad you joined up with such an interesting rig.

I too have doubts about their longevity, but with eight of them it should be a lifetime supply.

It was an eight-pack of LED bulbs for $5.99 [and free shipping] off of ebay that are very similar in appearance to your linked bulb above. $5 for a single wedge bulb is overpriced IMO.

What I mean is that the light fixture would clip itself to the head liner and stay there with out the need for bolts. The shape of the head liner would hold the minimal weight of the fixture up. Ah, after rereading I now comprehend. Thanks. :)

This.... The headliner practically snugs up against the roof and there's really not much room to add brackets. Had my headliner out today; there is nothing but roof sheetmetal directly above the center of the headliner... you won't want to put bolts through there. However, there is a 'ledge' where the sunvisors mount; you could make something work there if so inclined.

Okay, so I found some smaller LED bulbs online that weren't crazy expensive and they arrived this week, installed today. Results below; they are plenty bright:

I have a pair of rectangular tractor work lights on a separate switch under the rear bumper and they illuminate the area behind the truck nicely. Cheap too.

Great pics. How did the LED lights work out? I see quite a few of them on your rig.

I just replaced the water pump and thermostat on my rig today. Used ultra black in a thin bead of both sides of the supplied gaskets.

Replaced the water pump and thermostat. New coolant.

Grilles are all right side up. :thumbsup:

My sister's 88 Cutlass Calais had a Quad 4 in it... went throught three head gaskets at the local Olds/Cadillac/Isuzu/Infiniti dealer (this was way back, obviously). I hope by 2001 they had that issue figured out.

Note: this will interfere with a 2.5 radiator, and will work only on a 4.0 due to the offset of the 'dip' in the bar.

So, for those whom have rented U-haul trucks recently, you may have noticed they have a gauge for 'best economy'... is it just a vacuum gauge?

The dents add 'experience' and 'personality' to it.