JHS

Hey guys, been a hecktic summer to say the least. But the MJ has come a long long way, dare I say "finished" (well, almost) Ive got to set some time aside this week to update my website and everyone here. VERY VERY pleased with how this build works. Wheels hard in the trails, then drives at 75 down the freeway with one finger on the wheel... here's a few pictures for now :) A video of the ROCKers in action: https://youtu.be/21PiNecTvi0

Great write up and idea. I am just about finished my 99 swap into my 88 MJ. I'm messing with fuel now. Both were 4.0. I am looking at my 99 fuel pump, and it doesn't have the mesh filter like your earlier one does. Should I buy a new 95 pump or is the factory 4.0 form 88 enough to run the single line system? Thanks!

Already had another MJ guy around here get me the measurements! Thank you though. As for a bolt on slider, what have guys been running? I assumed XJs would fit kinda close. But if there is a need I would look into. Its hard to compete with the other bolt on jeep parts market. -Joe Ill work on some more pics tonight. Been super busy, but thats a good thing,more $$$ for MJ parts :D

Yes! I've already sold my initial batch, and have a bunch more made up now. Also, I was able to get some #s on a LWB to figure the difference in stock. So far so good! Also I just finished the prototype rear xj tire carrier bumper, the mj one will obviously be different, but I have a much better idea how I want to build it now. Lowered prices on my bumpers as well, they are finally selling pretty good now. Almost ready to drop the drivetrain in. I will post more pictures here then. There's some on my Facebook page for now. Thanks! -Joe

I will need some measurements (well one) from any LWB guys if you're interested! Next, I'm thinking about building a sort of rear-ish exo / truck rack to offer some protection/rigidity, some place to put wood and, more importantly to mount a Roof Top tent! http://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/Car-accessoreis-travelling-sleeping-tent-Longroad_60075828961.html Yes, its alibaba and mega China, but the specs seem good, and I did some hunting around about Long road. Seeing how I don't want to shell out $1000+ for a damn tent I may go this route. It would be sick to have on the upcoming trip to the North Maine Woods!

Drivers side flew together today, I am really happy with how everything fits and works together. All my notes are updated as well as my drawings, so I should have them posted for sale on my website next week once the stock is in. I improved the cab corner "curve" to match much better, added a triangle support for the rear under bed slider, and increased the bend offset of the slider slightly to have it sit better on the outer ROCKer here's some big pics! If these don't work, I have been uploading them right to my website on a page dedicated for files/images. HERE

Brickmiata, sounds good to me! Sure, let me mess mine up then yours will come out perfect :yes:

Had a few jobs come in this week, so I had to stop and pay the bills. :rotf: Got to do allot of work today, Ill have the drivers side done tomorrow. Ive figured out all my changes and made all my edits to the prints, so these should be good to go next week. Here's a shot of the rear cap / support. Really like how this piece ties into the frame rails nice and solid. A few things, Do you guys like how they are rounded to try and match the cab corner? Or should they just be straight. Also, I will be adding a gusset / leg to the rear support. I had a crazy moment and thought about hole sawing the frame rails and passing the pipe threw and welding in a double shear fashion.... Then I calmed down and just figured Id add a support gusset. lol Love the ground clearance It still has even with full sliders! More to follow!

It has begun! Worked on the ROCKers today, took some time in the backhoe to dig it out, but its finally above freezing in MA so the snow is actually melting! Follow the build here! http://comancheclub.com/topic/46365-camoanche-spadano-enterprises-mj-build/?do=findComment&comment=472931

Today I started building the Prototype MJ ROCKers I build and sell full rocker panel replacements. I call them ROCKers (for hitting rocks) :shake: Currently I have sell sets for XJ guys and WJ guys. So naturally my MJ had rusty rocker panels. I like the ROCKers because they offer a better appearing look vs box tube, and in my opinion, weld in more completely and easier to the unibody structure. Not to mention if you have rusty rockers, and plan on adding sliders, why weld in replacement sheet metal panels, only to then bolt sliders on under them and sacrifice ground clearance. Kills 2 birds with one stone... here's my rot before, Also got a nice dent on the cab corner... Might as well hammer and dolly some while I'm in here. Inner ROCKer tacked in to verify fitment. For the MJ, the XJ profile was pretty close. Ive had to do some tweeking here and there, but in good shape at the end of day one. Tomorrow I will bend up the sliders and show more pictures of how the sliders will tie into the uni body to take the beating.

Hey, New(er) member Joe Spadano here. Going to try and keep a detailed write up on my MJ build. Its a 1988 2wd, 4.0. SWB The previous owner did a SOA 31 spline 8.8 swap, as well as a Rusty's long arm kit. The body was in good enough shape that I figured I could make something of it. Also, around the same time I bought it, a friend was selling their 1999 XJ 4.0/Ax15/231 HP D30 power everything blah blah. price was right at $500, all it had was a slight "knock" (a more noisy 4.0 in all honesty) I will be swapping the front clip, harnesses and the full interior from the 99' As well. After a full disassembly of the 4.0, and time with the mic's, everything check out well within standard service ranges, with no signs of failure or premature wear. Plans are to keep the 8.8, throw in the AX15, 231 and D30. While I have the front axle out I'm planning on... True-trac diff with 4.88 gears Chromo shafts Alloy USA ball joints Custom truss BTF HD LCAs and Coil mounts Ruff stuff OTK steering Custom Track bar Rear axle will be getting True-Trac with 4.88s U bolt eliminators Better travel / beefier shock mount setup I am planning on 35" tires, and running the dual true tracs, This will most likely help serve DD and give my XJ a break every now and then. Also after selling my 2500HD, and giving my El camino to my brother, the MJ seemed like a great little rig. I love wheeling, and I need a lil' sumthin sumthin to put crap in. Feel free to share any opinions and insight on my plans/build! I will be using the MJ to also expand the products my business builds including a HD rear bumper with optional swing away gas & spare mount, ROCKer panel / sliders and really anything else you guys can think of.

Tommy, Ive been trying to figure out the same thing! My only guess is maybe volume shipping gets reduced rates. I tried to pitch UPS and Fed Ex but to no avail. They also said the 150# was just too heavy for them. I will keep trying!

Thanks, Thats a pretty good point. My thoughts are have tire position as an option to people. I don't think it would be hard to configure different layouts on the Jig.

Ive read about and heard about the 8274, all good things (40+ year life expectancy, etc.), but Ive never actually seen one. Ive been to allot of wheeling events, but I just haven't seen them Shipping is killing me. I have gotten quotes as high as $250... I had an idea the other night to try using Uship and have smaller shipping companies give me bids. JCR sells their vangaurd at $740 shipped. Many others are less, but I find JCRs stuff to be high quality. at a price of $560 I have about $100 in steel, say $10 in welding gases and wire, $20 in electricity, $25 in grinding/cutting/drilling/plasma consumables and $25 in hardware. Plus my time building one, roughly 8-10 hours. not including time spent building the Jigs and fixtures. So at $180 in physical costs, that makes my labor worth about $42/hr. Which isn't very good considering Rent / Insurance etc. Its a totally different topic, but being in business for myself has really shown me how discouraging it is to start your own business. Politicians claim to want to help the little guys, but the amount of hoops you have to jump through (esp. in Massachusetts) are crazy. Not to mention fees and taxes and permits etc. Heath care is another thing just making me not want to get up and work for myself. I just wonder why anyone would want to go into business for themselves... Craziness!

Just a point from my stand point, build a bumper for $100 less then I do for a winch 3x the cost of most common made is US warns. I just don't see how I could make it work.