I wouldn't install one in my truck. If anything happened and the clutch went out, you could at least move the truck with the starter. Not the best idea, but you gotta do what you gotta do.
I would just wait for an AX-15 to come along, even if it needs to be rebuilt. I had a tech school rebuild mine. It needed a new drive gear and all new synchros. Total was $341.
I agree with your first sentence. I do believe Ford is coming out with an electric F-150 and I'm curious as to how that will compete and what the pricing will be. Maybe they will come out with some sort of solar panel charger?
Turns out, the climate control switch thing went bad. I swapped it with an extra that I had. I also swapped in a radio (circa about 2002, no, it did not remove a stock radio from the truck) that works. It's gonna have tunes! I'm excited.
I’m 16 currently. I have a link to a 3(ish) inch rear lift that I did on my truck for the rear. You should be able to pick up a used XJ 3 inch lift for cheapish and modify it like I did. I used a 3 inch XJ lift in the front and put some of the leafs in my current pack to net about 3 inches of lift.
Also, from one high schooler to another, I will tell you that a shiny truck will get you more attention than a lifted one.
Here is a picture of mine. My parents didn’t pay for a single thing on it.
Feel free to PM me if you have any questions about daily driving an MJ in high school or need any other advice about HS.