88towmanche

I didn't see it mentioned here but I had a sudden massive oil leak on a Cherokee ('88, Renix, 4.0) and it was a failed sending unit - cheap and easy.

Got spacers on mine - think maybe 1-1/2...have to look it up. Technically there is a puck n shackle 2" lift with but the old saggy leafs & springs it's probably just a bit above factory height.

I used these off of Amazon - no complaints

Chinese seatbelt:

The two door XJ seatbelt is longer/shorter than the MJ - can't remember exact dimensions but it was a little close for comfort so on mine measured the old belt and bought one that was as close as possible - Chinesium unit off of Amazon. On the bench seat the china unit was almost too short on the female side and had to modify the bracket for the retractor to bolt up properly and still not interfere with trim panel. I have a 2 door Cherokee will have to look at that again to see the difference but think the retractor mount is on the floor on the Cherokee & on the MJ it's about half way down the pillar.

new 410 44 is in place - new ubolts & hardware, working on airbags & waiting on cut down driveshaft.

Used fork extensions on the Hyster to reach up under there and pull the old axle out while truck is on the lift.

Still hacking away at this - bending and flaring brake lines Using the nickel-copper tubing makes it easier to form good flares

Had a 69 Nova that was Butternut yellow - similar color

I got a set from Krusty specifically made for long bed.

More progress.... Got the cover (new) on the diff - did a quick tape/spray job and clear coated the whole thing. Used a couple of studs to stand off the LSV bracket (thanks to The86manche for the bracket) getting the brake lines sorted - have some cunifer line and ss gravel guards to diy replace the hard lines on the axles....but the ones on the '88 are pretty clean so might just use those. Waiting on a few more parts - have an airbag kit plan to install but with the shackle lift need spacers for the airbags - those are on the way...

Slowly plugging away at this - collecting parts (it's the little stuff....) Cracked the cover on the diff - what am I looking at here - PO said something about a Yukon posi - this looks like their Dura Grip LS - clutch style. Anyone running one of these?

Works for me - will DM you.

Boom - this is critical intel - if I was guessing I probably would have used the larger assuming it was stronger. Thnx Pete!

Sweet - no idea what they go for but I'm good for market price & shipping - just let me know.

Does anyone have the part # for the D44 bracket for load sensing set up on the rear brakes? I read on here that they are different - I'll pull the bracket of the 35 and see if it can be modded to work, but if there is a factory part out there will see if I can grab that - like the load sensor to work rather than delete.

Was the drive shaft on the 86's different from the later years.... The driveline on the 86 donor is nearly 4" in diameter - the one on the 88 is like 2-1/2" One of them is going to have to be cut - should I use the apparently beefier one out of the 86 or the oem one in the 88..

Going to pull the old axle out of the 88 on the lift. first time have even looked at the spare - at first thought maybe it was a pristine rim but it has not aged well, has patchy corrosion/missing clear so maybe this one was on the truck for a while.

Also putting together a brake component list for a D44 (not 35) so can refresh the brakes before putting in

Agree with everything you are saying here - the PO was clear that it took him months for find that D44 and put in that truck - said he also had a Yukon locker put in it- going to leave existing leafs in the truck, new shocks and looks like will need a new drive shaft - or cut one down to compensate for the longer D44

Have to be drums for now, on a schedule and interior needs some work - bench seat has to go - might see how much an upholstery shop wants to re-do the buckets out of the donor, have to do headliner & carpet

She uses the theme song from the show as her ringtone when I call her........so I use the old Star Trek Red Alert klaxon for her. She hates that, so she never calls, just texts....win/win

There is no end to the madness - disc conversion will have to wait....maybe.....now going to compile a list of parts to complete disc swap....damn.

Ok, got the D44 out of the donor. Plan is now to R&R the axle: Go over the brakes - inspect/replace shoes, drums, cylinders etc as necessary Crack the diff cover - inspect gear set/oil replace oil Wire brush and rattle can Might get one of those fancy diff covers to liven things up

PO swore it was a factory MJ 44 - said it took him months to find but you never know There was a piece of duct tape on the left tube - nothing legible on it. The brake line on top of the left tube looks identical to the 35 on my other truck (blurry pic) Can't find any evidence of cut off perch or sloppy welds on the ones on there - if it was modified they did a good job. Should have it out today/tomorrow and get a closer look at everything