89 MJ

I am skeptical of it saying it fits TJs, YJs, and XJs because I know TJs for sure have different shifters compared to XJs.

I wouldn't bother with the stock linkage. I'd recommend going with something like linked above.

Do you want to spend a long time building the truck or do you want to drive it? I’d find a better shell and swap the parts over.

Maybe because of the roll down rear window?

Looks like that was probably a good buy

And the Comanche badges to be in the right spot on the fenders

Glad to see this update!

Looks like a nice one! I was wanting an LJ for years, and my dad still is, but with how picky and cheap we both are, neither of us found the right one. Now that I have the JL, I feel like I'd have a hard time going back to a 4.0 in a Wrangler . I don't think there is a modern Jeep that is anywhere near as cool as an LJ though.

I'll agree with everyone that flushing the cooling system is absolutely crucial. I'll throw my experience out there, what I think some of my culprits were, and how I fixed it. For full transparency, here is my setup: 96 4.0 block, head, and exhaust manifold, stock Renix engine management, a high altitude CPS, a bored throttle body, stock fans, AX-15, 31s, and 4.10 gears. Running on the interstate (figure 72-80 mph range depending on traffic flow), my truck would overheat over time. The first time took roughly 40 minutes. This ended up being a partially clogged radiator. The second time happened after about an hour and a half. I believe I have solved this with a high flow water pump, the truck stays near 195-210 now. I think that there are a few things to blame here. 1. Obviously the radiator was bad (the block was spotless when it was installed) 2. High altitude CPS advances timing something like 5*. Too much timing does make an engine run warm and my truck has lived around 900 feet of elevation during my ownership. 3. The heater core was partially plugged and has since been replaced. 4. Sustained RPM. My truck turns ~2750 RPM at interstate speeds. That is a lot of RPM for a long time when I don't think that the cooling system was designed for it. Ultimately, my truck wanted a high flow water pump to deal with this.

Flagstaff trip last weekend. Hit Schnebly Hill Road in Sedona on the way and some forest service roads while we were in the Flagstaff area and also saw Mary’s Cafe where part of Two Lane Blacktop was filmed. Pretty neat place and a lot less warm than Tucson. I finally took the doors off too.

The first responders really liked this car at National Night Out last week.

Yes!

Hmmmm, if there is an oil filter relocation kit, I think I’d do that and then the oil cooler in series with the remote filter. I’m curious about this now too.

The knuckles, bearings, and brakes changed on the front axles in 90. I believe you can get a big brake kit for the earlier axles though, which is nice. I did not know that about the rear brakes.

I have a shirt that says safety 3rd. My favorite shirt to wear when wheeling

And possibly a little bit safer too

Looking forward to the next update!

I'm really liking this plan. There was a time where I wanted to make my truck have 33-35" tires, but now I am glad that my budget only allowed 31s. I'd possibly be a buyer if you've got an AX-15 to LS bellhousing you'd want to sell though, just make sure you won't want to use it first

If that thing is solid, that would be a much better buy than that $3500 truck he posted.

I would take it into a place that sells supplies for body shops. They should have an AuVeCo catalog and will help you match it up to something.

Now that I have the Wrangler, I would be able to do spring of 2027 now. I am liking the idea of spring more and more with fires being a concern in the summer and fall time.

All of that sound deadener is going to make a huge difference with that truck. It will make it a pleasure to drive.

Were both of your XJs 4wd? The best my MJ has done is right around 20 mpg. It has only done that on one tank, every other time has been in the 16-18 range for highway driving, so I think you're right in line with what you should be getting. I think there could be a number of factors for the worse fuel economy. Needing a tune up, like you thought, the lift is a big one, and MJs are naturally a little higher than XJs it seems and probably less aerodynamic too. From my experience, 4.0s actually like some RPM, so the factory 3.07 gears are hurting you some. 3.55s would probably yield better mileage. It is also worth nothing that the cylinder head, intake manifold, and exhaust manifold (possibly the cam too, I don't remember) changed in 1991 when the HO Jeeps came out. All of those let the air flow better, which will help gas mileage.

I agree. Those doors look very nice.

A good body shop should either have the capability to install the glass or will be able to give you the name of a good glass shop. We've always Glass On Wheels in La Crosse, but you should have something closer.