nitroxsteve

are you sure the 85 is 4.0? It should be a 2.8 v6. Unless someone did a swap for a 4.0

Hi Everyone, I am in the process of fixing my dim headlights. I have ordered the harness to upgrade the wiring and I think this will help a lot. I wanting to stick with halogen lights but was wondering if the more expensive lights are worth the money. Does anyone have any experience with the Sylvania Silverstar or Xtravision lamps?

What engine is in the 85 and 88?

I agree

Only an axle from another mj will be a direct bolt in. Xj axle will require welding on new spring perches. Your truck is probably has 3.07 gears being its a 4.0 5 speed. If you get an axle from a automatic 4.0 xj/mj it will probably have 3.55 gear ratio. This could cause a little loss in economy but will give you a little more power for towing. In my experience the 3.55 probably will not cause too much change in economy depending on your style of driving.

all xj are high pinion except for the 2000 and 2001 model years. If you use the 89 you could swap it over to 4x4 in a long weekend. If you use the 99 it is a lot more work ( I'm thinking several long weekends).

Did you have the brake lines open for a period of time? I am wondering if the fluid completely drained from the master cylinder and it has air trapped. I would try removing the master Cylinder and bench bleeding it.

What was wrong with the old brakes?

Or pull the drive shaft and take it to someone who can show you how to do it the first time.

Speedo is run by a cable from the output on trans or tcase if 4x4. See if it's hooked up first. As for other problems your going to need to start figuring out what the PO has rigged up.

body panel under battery is part of the uni body correct? Big problem IMO

Be glad he didnt take it, sounds like a rust bucket to me.

I have this kit and it rides ok. The rear of our trucks are so light it makes it tough to get a good ride. Only 2 issue with the kit is the rear AAL is for xj. It only lifted my truck 1.5 " in the rear and the center bolt is smaller than the mj spring. This should be drilled out and correct bolt installed. I like that it only lifted the rear a little as the truck still sits higher in the back by 1". This kit will only be good for 31" tires with no trimming.

I have never seen a stock mj/xj with 32" tires. 31" is the most I have seen and depending on what wheels you use you can have trouble rubbing in different spots. I have heard of people having rubbing wit 235/75/15's I say 3" for 31" tires unless you want to trim.

I do not have one now but I have had a few with well over 200k. 86 chevy half ton with over 400k 96 chevy half ton with over 300k and a ford can't remember the year with around 230k. All were running when they were sold to someone who continued to drive them.

I don't understand how that is possible the entire cab would have to flex. Unless the frame is no longer connected to the body but I have seen MJ's with no floor boards at all and this didnt happen.

That helps and no matter how I hold my phone the two lines stay the same.

Thermostat was changed out about a year ago. Might change it out to see if it changes anything, but if it were failing, it wouldnt be running within SOT. It may not be completely stuck closed. I think you are going to find a cooling issue not an exhaust problem.

The entire truck is pivoting on the rear axle when you jack the front up. The pinion will move in relationship to the transmission output and the alignment of the two will not change. The only change that may be present is from the rear end squatting from the weight being moved to the rear axle. It sounds like the OP has it handled.

In my experience a clogged exhaust causes serious power problems not temp problems.

It shouldn't matter you are setting the angle to match the drive line not the surface your truck is sitting on.

Lots of smoke at start up makes me think valve seals too. I would go there first if that's not it I would think a ring problem. Can you find out from your uncle if it had a valve job when he had it apart ?

I think this is a winner.

Does it smoke bad at startup or is it smoking all the time?

With a 13 psi cap your boiling point is 251F I don't see any advantage to raising it any more.