Smokeyyank

I'd put that flair money elsewhere . IMHO things are ugly AF and serve no purpose. If you want the clearance just do a quality trim job and bumpstop. Best trim is here, http://www.yuccaman.com/jeep/trim.html I'm also assuming since you're going up to 35's you already have the gears and rest of the axle set up to handle that? If not I'd step back a few and do that before you slap a lift and tires on. Stock gearing on 35's is going to be a absolute turd. Also based on what you're saying 31-33's would do exactly what you want. No need for 35's.

D44a is junk. No aftermarket support and different bolt pattern.. I'd either go with a 8.25 or a 8.8. Both will handle that power just fine. Biggest problem with the 8.8 is being shorter so needing wheel spacers. Also for you suspension set up you're sprung under so I find it a little hard to believe you had that much axle wrap but you can always add a traction bar. Cheaper and a lot more manageable than going links.

At a minimum a double shear one. https://www.ironrockoffroad.com/product/xj-zj-adjustable-double-shear-track-bar-kit.html https://ironman4x4fab.com/collections/mj-suspension/products/mj-track-bar-system

Biggest challenge swapping in a V8 to a MJ. Tight squeeze to get a proper cooling system in there. If you do swap it in I'd put new heads or at least have someone pin the valve seats. 4.7's aren't cheap to rebuild I know. As for the rest of the swap, WJ is bigger so you're going to need to figure out a way to make those parts fit if that's what you want to do. Seats are going to be tight as they are taller than XJ/MJ seats. I personally would junk the 247 and quada-drive and swap in a 231 or 242 and either XJ axles or something other than the WJ ones. Low pinion 30 with CV axles and faux 44 just isn't an ideal option to swap in.

I haven't ventured too far into the realm but my dad has painted a few cars and I've picked up a few things over the years. One thing not mentioned is you need to have a good compressor that is able to keep up. Rest won't matter if your compressor is junk. I would also make sure your "booth" is able to stay as clean and leak free as possible and try to utilize a downdraft airflow system. Keep all dust to a minimum and try to have your intake air as clean as possible. I prefer negative pressure as it get's the air out quicker so less chance for things to linger in your booth. For paint guns check pawn shops. My dad has picked up a few guns for pennies on the dollar. He has a devilbliss and a TCP global. I would put more focus on your clear gun vs paint. Suits whatever is comfortable if you're just doing a few car's disposable would be my suggestion.

I guess the one advantage of renting would be not having the deprecation factor along with any mechanical burden, but I can still see the point. Are you looking at diesel or gas?

Personally the cost of most new vehicles is outrageous and I wouldn't go that route. No reason a basic truck needs to be 40-50k. Not sure what your budget is but assuming around there. Have you thought about just renting a truck when you need one? Keep the MJ maybe get a Honda or something easy to just daily. Take all that cash restomod CJ and keep a decent MJ. Have a Honda because you own jeeps and need something reliable.

The head issue with the 00-01. 97 was the crossover year and is a electrical mess. If it was 4wd then obviously you only get the HP30 up to 99 but I know you aren't looking for a 4wd.

I'd vote 98-99 XJ for a few reasons. Overall they are easy to work on, parts are cheap, they are pretty simple from a technology standpoint, and familiarity with the drivetrain is nice. Both are going to be used cars and have their unique set of issues. I think the XJ would provider a better resale point when you get there.

Nothing huge, just a cosmetic update. At the JY last week I stumbled on a 01 gauge cluster with white faces. I like the look of it the only downside is that the odometer stays on the cluster so I gained 40k.

Thanks Cruiser, was waiting for you to share some knowledge. Wil I need to do anything with the head? Here's what the engine set up is. 96 4.0L block with 91 7120 head on it, with 99 intake manifold & 91-up exhaust manifold. Renix fuel rail with Volvo 746 injectors. 96+ throttle body that’s been bored out to 63mm. Renix distributor & alternator. 98 power steering pump & bracket.

Just woke up and had a urge to jam to this..

More than likely this is going to be a short lived project that I don't want to dump a bunch of cash into. Really just want to get it running then move on to rebuilding my WJ. Although the thought has cross my mind to either find a obdII engine or just a running XJ. Figured I would try to finish what's there before jumping down another rabbit hole.

No where even close to that part. Still need to get a gas tank and rest of the fuel system hooked, oil filter housing, plug wires, battery, cooling system, power steering. It's a big list I'm chipping away at.

I did double check those plugs and they are all spliced and connected to the 6 injectors. That lone connector is also a ways away from the others. I got it with the current set up. I'd like to get it running as is before considering moving to a OBDII. I believe it will still have the knock sensor as it retains all the renix controls and is just modifying a few things to get the HO head and TB on.

It's still all renix. Just an HO head, manifold with the throttle body. Electronics are the one area I'm not great in and mainly just because never had to deal with them a bunch.

Here are some pics. I went and connected what I could, but I got more than a few wires leading to no where and others coming off the engine with no home. This is on the lower part of the harness after the fuel rail. The one connector looks like a fuel injector clip but those are all connected. Here the upper part of the harness by the fuel rail. I know the TPS needs to be modified but there are a few connectors in the back with no home. These are connectors coming off the modified relay box above my hand. From looking back through Neal's build thread looks like they are future connectors for accessory's but not really sure. You can see below the dizzy it's unconnected and I can't find a connector for it. I know there is something that needs to be modified with the HO head but not fully sure just yet. Am I tracking in the right direction? Is there a wiring diagram for dummies somewhere I could peak at?

I guess that my question. Where should I start? Do I reconnect everything and see what's missing. Start with one part, ie ignition, fuel, and work from there. My learning curve on the electrical/wiring is going to be huge. Never done this big of an undertaking for that part.

Updated the title. Last year I picked up MeanLemons Comanche project. It was a a great platform for what I was looking for. Axles already built, decent suspension, beat to crap so no shame in chopping it up, etc. Well after I picked it up we ended up moving, did a home remodel and had another baby. Comanche had been hanging out at my dad's until I had the space to move it to the new house. Last weekend finally got it moved into the garage to see what I was really getting into. I knew things needed to get finished with the biggest the wiring to get it running. So Neal had already done some things for the wiring, C101 delete, resoldered AMC's great connectors, couple other things. He had also started doing the renix/HO hybrid and that's is my biggest question mark. I know there is the video going over the change but since I'm mid project kind of at a loss with where to start. Right now I have a slew of wires and some I've been able to connect and others I have no idea. The basics I know. 99+ intake already on 98+Throttle body on Exhaust manifold on 98+ power steering is there Renix fuel rail adapted along with injectors clips soldered on Updated TPS sensor ( I think that is what it is) So where would be the best place to start? I can post some other pics later.

Nothing really new to add other than gathering parts to build version 2.0. So far got trailforged front and rear bumpers. I did get new axles I'll eventually put in. Running a HP44 and 9. Will probably go with 4.56's, zip lockers and 35's. Still need to get stiffners, what ever I plan to do for a suspension, right now leaning towards fabbing links and running TJ metal cloak coils to get about 6.5", and new steering.

Dang nice rig. As for bumper here's an idea if you want to ditch the park bench design that everyone makes for them. https://trailforged.com/product/wj-modular-front-bumper-complete/ I have it just not installed yet.

If you only got spacers and coils up front you got a long way to go before doing a 4 link rear.

You really need to be flexing hard on some crazy obstacles to need coils in the rear. What are you running up front? Only thing "bolt on" to get some more flex out of the leafs would be. https://www.boostwerksengineering.com/BWE-Comp-Shackles-_p_24.html

lol.....sad but true. I currently pay about $120/month for 3 vehicles, 2 of which have full coverage, other is just comprehensive.

Why do you want to put that boat anchor in?