89 MJ

Glad you’re back!

Anyone interested in some videos of me wheeling the Eagle? There is also a J10 one on there. https://youtube.com/@vintage4x4s_and_streetrods?si=w9dEOyL7k2HdGc91

August 2024 - Project Scuzzy Build Thread- Year/Model - 89 Pioneer, originally 4 cyl, 2wd, 5 spd manual. Now fully swapped using a 1998 XJ 4.0 4wd auto donor. Drivetrain- Mostly stock 4.0 with stage 1 Clegg cam and K Suspension injectors. AW4 auto, NP231 transfer case. Dana 30 front, 8.25 rear, re-geared to 4.10. Cooling- Stock 1998 XJ Electrical/Ignition- Swapped 100% of electrical from 98 XJ into the MJ. Custom wiring for front lights and audio. Suspension/Steering- Stock 1998 XJ. Slightly longer shackles in rear, pucks in front to raise it about an inch or so. Interior- Ford Fusion seats (power drivers), shortened XJ overhead console, simple platform behind seats hold 6x9 speaker boxes and a place for junk. Currently in the process of installing pillar gauge pods for oil and trans temp. Brakes- Factory 98 XJ. Lighting- Key Parts taillight lenses on factory 89 MJ housings modified to fix 98 XJ bulb sockets. Harbor Freight offroad lights on front bumper with Daytime Running Lights (DRL) and aftermarket LED headlights with DRL; LED backup lights in rear bumper using the XJ rear wiper wiring harness to a dedicated "reverse light' switch where the rear wiper switch used to live. Exterior- stock MJ with 98 XJ doors and front clip. Relocated gas filler door. And a Gladiator rear bumper. Wheel & Tires- Stock 89 steelies. For now. Misc- Complete factory 98 fuel and emissions system; installed XJ gas tank under the bed behind the rear axle. Custom build exhaust from header out the back. Best MJ story- Once I decided I was going to take the plunge and do the 97+ conversion, taking my wife up to Hendersonville NC to buy the 98 XJ donor. She didnt quite understand why I was buying it and she never asked any more questions. CC is Awesome! Why? ComanceClub is a vast knowledge base of all things MJ- related with a great community spirit. If you ask a question you get a legit answer; unlike some of other forums or social media I frequent. I'm really liking this project. Congrats @jeff351!

Let’s see some pictures. The correct way is to cut it all out and weld in new metal.

I taught my current gf how to drive a manual in my MJ. That was fun. I haven’t decided for sure yet, but you do bring up a good point.

Because it was asked on FB, I grabbed some pictures of my trimmed fenders and new CV axles. Figured I’d drop them here too for reference.

I’ll probably start him on the tractor, then have him try the truck in 4 low. But you’re probably right. I also forgot to mention, 8,000 miles since July 2021.

I put gas in it again Tuesday night, gave it a wash and put it away Wednesday night. Also the heater core went out. I’ve got a new one in the box, but not enough time before school to get it in. All said and done, I didn’t even put 400 miles on this thing all summer because the weather was just not great. Makes me feel bad for the farmers too. Most of the crops are behind and it’s already cooling off. Oh well. In some happier news, I might be teaching a family friend how to drive a manual early next week using the MJ.

What time is dinner?

Today I also swapped to some 84-93 S10 CV shafts. They are a bolt in swap that’s 3/8 of an inch longer. With a lift, the stock CVs bind. These longer ones do not.

Took me long enough to get a pic, but here’s the info. A pint will do 1 engine. It’s an acrylic enamel single stage. Color is Kawa Semi Blue, #928250. I’ve put some miles on the new engine. It’s way smoother and more powerful.

I don’t remember. I’ll have to get a picture of the can at home. It also might be in my Comanche build thread sometime in the later half of 2020.

Thank you! It is a great color. Looked even better when I sanded the top of the valve cover and got it sitting in the car. Funnily enough, it’s not AMC blue. It’s a Mitsubishi color that’s almost the same, it’s just got a ton of metallic.

Engine is painted

I know @pizzaman09 wanted to do something similar.

From what I’ve read, they really aren’t worth it. They’re weaker for one and they have a deeper first gear, not a double overdrive. And the overdrive is shorter than the AX-15. I suppose having overall deeper gears would allow a person to have a more highway friendly rear gear.

July 2024 - @TieDyeJK8's Comanche Club Purchase Build Thread- Year/Model - 1988 jeep Comanche pioneer Drivetrain- 2001 Jeep Cherokee 4.0 Cooling- stock Cherokee cooling system Electrical/Ignition- full 97+ XJ electrical upgrading battery cables soon Suspension/Steering- metalcloak 4.5 springs, hellcreek 4.5 leaf springs, wj steering components Interior- full 97+ interior swap, jeep cables double din touch screen, turtle laboratories door cards with 6.5 speakers, boxy jeep rear 6.5 speakers, Rockford p-300 8inch sub Brakes- stock 97+XJ brakes Lighting- cheap Amazon headlights that are amazingly bright. Forgot the brand but can look if anyone's interested Exterior- bushwacker fender flares 97+ swapped parts, eBay hood louvers, some custom made tie-dye decals Wheel & Tires- gladiator spare wheels with 33inch bfg tires. Misc- just needs a paint job in the near future! Best MJ story- I mostly use it as a daily drive and winter vehicle here in Michigan. My favorite memory with the jeep was last summer I took it on a cruise to the UP of Michigan down some dirt trails and all over the eastern part of the UP. CC is Awesome! Why? It's the best place to find information on issues/problems I've had. This is actually where I first found my current Comanche so without it I probably wouldn't be driving one right now!

Thank you! And here is the setup at the fair. That is the Oliver pedal tractor that I rode when I was little with it.

I got the grille repaired and installed at 9pm tonight. The tractor needs to be to the fair at 9am tomorrow. I cut that plenty close.

Tell me about it! Got a few things I want to get done on the tractor before the fair, then my family goes on vacation for a little over a week, then I need to get the engine swapped in my Eagle, all before heading back to school mid-late August.

Already planned. Along with a new timing chain because the 258s had a plastic cam gear.

Right hand drive?

I was asked to have my tractor on display at the county fair. It’s not even close to ready and the fair starts next Wednesday. Tonight we worked on repairing the grille.

Just an aluminum valve cover and new gaskets. The rod bearings looked brand new in it. I suspect it’s around 80,000 miles. Eventually I’d like to stick a cam in it and get a 4.0 head.