CaffeineSam

:rotfl2: I agree. Your welds aren't looking so great either. Looks like you're burning through and like you didn't do much prep. :agree: I'm glad i wasnt the first to say it XD I did burn through on a lot of spots until we got colder rods. It IS butt-ugly, I do know about that, this is my first major welding job since ±10 years. Not the best occasion to learn though, some of the spots that punched through were literally paper thin... Next project will involve only new steel and a MIG, I think.

This is something I was beginning to ask myself. It may be done in the future. Probably in a DoKa build-up on an XJ frame later on...

Sucks to get a damaged unit, but it happens. At least the guy was fair and offered you a replacement. It does sound awesome, and this exhaust outlet out of the bumper looks wicked cool !

Cool, I always liked the looks of cleaned out, Edelbrock-equipped engines !

Looks great, those rims are pimp ! How well does the 2.8 fares once modded like that ? Did you have it dynoed ? Nice mud bath too.

Alright, this is taking shape, we are done with the welding, now getting into rebuilding. Anyway, now for the visual aids... New bed brackets, overkill should be solid enough; Ghetto e-brake support; Slots for the fuel tank supports; ... and a brake line for dessert; Let's call it a day... Bolts were welded to the bed to replace the ones that broke off when we removed it. I also built some interesting stuff for the exhaust. I planned a temporary side exit just in front of the passenger side tire, but it's the cat/muffler assembly that got quite thrilling. Since I forgot to buy pipe sleeves to tie them both together, we had to make do with tubular support posts that were holding the floor of the house before the basement's makeover. :rotf: I buffed off about 0,25" of diameter for a comfortable fit and added a 10" length to fit with an eventual, original-length tail pipe. Anyway, this thing will survive an apocalypse or two... and will definitely sound interesting... I will post pics next week to make it understandable. Forgot to take any at the moment.

Another quick update, welded the other side, quite similar to the left side, now I need to reinforce under the cab itself. Nothing new under the sun so I didn't take pictures, but it's fun to feel like it's going somewhere. Even if it's like building a new frame from scratch... I intend to change the whole brake lines to steel-braided, heavy-duty rubber. Should be less of a pain to maintain. And the shocks, while there's no bed... should be a breeze to change !

It's just that you should not throw 33-35 inches on a 105-hp truck... What engine is in that Grand Cherokee ? Any would be an awesome upgrade though. A 4.0 would be a little more simple as there are mounts and whatnot readily available.

I have a few leftover turbochargers I could sell him. :rotf:

... aspirin ?

Nice color, what's special in the X trim ?

Well, got things going ! But things are ugly. Top of the frame didn't exist anymore on the left side, so we had to make one. I think we did a nice job. I'm afraid I can't do much more with the metal that remains. It was terrible trying to get a nice spark, the rod kept sticking to the rust or punching holes through the frame. To be continued, I still have the right side to do.

Short and unremarkable update; Took a little longer before I had time to work on removing the bed and fuel tank. Had to attend funerals last weekend, and anyway, it was freezing, snowing and well, all Hell broke loose... So the semester being done with I have some free time, so I made the 60 kms trip to the 'manche, removed the tank, which is nice and shiny but leaks at the sender unit, and attempted to remove the bed, which has a few deeply rusted nuts. I soaked them in penetrating oil so it should be ready to be taken off for Thursday when we start welding the frame. It badly needs it. Should be ready in time for the week-end. I'm thrilled.

Thanks, I will consider this. Though I'm not sure about what's offered on the current Monroe lineup, having heard some horror stories about them too. Stock height, not planning a lift yet. May or may not happen but certainly not before two years from now.

The truck needs new shocks, and I was wondering what would be the best option between a set of Rancho 5000 or KYB Gas-a-Just. I know that the KYB go for a cheap set of shocks, but I had them under my old Volvo wagon (with lowering springs and stiffer sway bars, that poor thing got so abused when I swapped these in :rotf: ) and liked the handling it gave on the road. The truck being about the same weight I guess the ride would be somewhat similar. So is it worth coughing the dough for the Ranchos ? The Comanche will be used mainly as a stuff hauler for our motorcycles, boat, wood, auto parts, etc., it's equipped with a functional air-ride system. I don't off-road that often, like firm rides and may or may not have a heavy right foot. Hah ! I sound like I'm placing an ad in a singles site. Any suggestions are also very welcome. Thanks ! P.S. : On a side note, would KYB Monomax made for a Grand Cherokee fit on a 'manche ? There's a killer deal on eBay. I know the front fits, but would the rear require a lift or something ?

I found a FUBAR-bodied ZJ Grand Cherokee for peanuts (well, more than I paid the 'manche, but let's not think about it :rotf: ), so I think it's time for me to get myself a nice little parts bin. The truck is a slushbox 4.0, so I might as well start to build up my stroked motor from there, and leather seating is awesome, and that would solve my headliner problem possibly with a nice roof console. 8) So anyway, my question is... I've seen short references to springs and sways and a few parts that could be retrofitted, and being the cheap-a** that I am I think I'd rather have this kind of upgrades if it is possible. What should I be looking for while I am stripping off this truck ? I wouldn't want to junk something I could use because I just didn't think of it while I had it in my hands. ;) Cheers !

Went on to my dad's place to help on his farming project (since he's bought a Kubota, he's gone nuts), so between hauling soil and glass windows and whatnot, I got some job done on the truck. It is now working, So here's the guilty distributor, tweaked and cleaned; Since the truck stalled as soon as a light went on (like, the brake light) or whatever, I got some battery poles to handle the short-circuit; ... and got funky with the headliner; ... which half disintegrated, so I'll leave it that way for now, and call it a redneck day - yes, it was firetruck red from the dealer; Shamelessly showing off the Hurst gun-handle shifter knob; (I love that shiny piece of junk :brows: ) There's a leak here, we'll get to it next weekend and go full throttle on a fresh re-sealing, what is a good glue for glass on metal ? Epoxy ?; Next thing, the top rack is a pain in the a** when it comes to loading the bed, you either need to bend over and twist a nerve in your back or to turn into a midget. So I just drilled a new position there, so It won't interfere, but it will be there if need be, only needing a pair of 13mm keys; ... and a little test ride; Next weekend, I will remove the bed and start repairing the frame all the while re-learning to weld. Hope it's like bicycle...

id like to see pics of the volvo if youve got any handy Got these from last spring's pre-road tune-up : Found a bad hole in the floor, and a few surprising things I really don't want to get into, indicating severe structural weaknesses (possibly an accident or just accumulated rust at the worse possible spots), so I'm on the market for a new body for the engine build (currently a 2.3L turbo intercooler with electronic boost control, Ford Turbo-coupe injectors, ghetto ECU tweaks and a hotter camshaft - I want to swap in a 16 valve head, have the block sleeved +,060" bore and add in a balanced 2.8L stroker kit, making it a 3.0L 4-banger with a bigger turbo and Corvette C5 rear-mounted-tranny drivetrain, got half of the parts handy right now so I'm not backing up on the madness). I know I swapped uglier wheels on it, I felt cheap and didn't want to buy new tires so got the ones from the parts car. /hijack ;)

I'm pleasantly surprised, those wheels sure rock on a beige Comanche !

IT'S ALIIIIIVE !! Runs smoothly, but I'll need new battery poles, broke my + while tightening it. :doh: Aaand a new battery. On a side note, a squirrel ate through my vacuums and underhood sound deadening material in the Volvo. :wall:

I pretty much can't help you, but dang, the mental image of your wiper just standing there ! :rotf: Inverted wires could do this if they send position feedback, maybe ? It's like the motor just stops halfway.

That's a clean little truck. These rims should look nice.

Not yet, buried in homework and CAD designs, last one due on Thursday, so probably somewhere this week, along with carpet removal and all that jazz. I hope !

Wow, that interior ! I really dig the bench. And good job making it street-legal. Nice "massage" to the firewall too, pretty sure it's been relaxing for it. :rotf:

For the floor, most of the build threads here have something to show, look around, it's good reading. That's what I've been doing for two weeks straight. :yes: However for a DD, wouldn't it be better to have longer gearing for fuel economy ? I think you'd be able to find an 8.8 diff with a 3.42 or even 3.13 final gear. Won't get you 35 mpg but they must come initially cheaper and the motor has more than enough torque to keep it peppy. Of course if you're considering hauling trailers or stuff, forget what I said !