88towmanche

There are write ups about it on this site - they are too wide to fit stock, have to be cut down, I bought a couple abrasive wheels for a chop saw and figured that's what I'd use to start - think some guys angle grinders or sawzalls with metal cutting blades? When I did the budget lift, I pulled one side of the LCA's to get the axle to drop far enough for the pucks - think I measured the factory width at 2-3/4" and the WJ's are like 3" or something, so you don't have to take that much off.

That's what I've read on here - I have the WJ LCA's but have not installed them yet - living with the rub until I get to it (kind of a hassle jockeying the trailer around but otherwise not a problem so far)

I am not very active on Social media and don't have a Bookface login - but my kids do! Will have them log in so I can look around tonight. Appreciated

Ok - I am officially looking for an MJ D44 with at least 3.54 gearing - like that idea better than messing with the (not broke yet) 35. Have to start scouring the web - Fleabay, car-part.com, row52...maybe even luck out on Craigslist

Yep, pretty sure 3.07 dana 35 rear end - also sure that is what sluggy's problem is. If there is a way to upgrade to 3.54 cheap/easy that would be worth a try - most of the threads on here suggest not to invest too much into a 35 (I won't be using sluggy for wheeling, but dragging 3500 around on the freeway and up/down slippery gravel launches will give a workout) Will be investigating quick n dirty gearing swap.

Got out after some fish this weekend - shake down run for the boat & the MJ - kilt more beers than salmon, but nothing broke and weather was above par. Revised weight calc on the boat & trailer - closer to 3500 than 2500 - and that truck knows it is back there, think it will be fine for local lakes and close in access points for Puget Sound - but don't think I'll be dragging it to the coast just not enough grunt and hauling it over the pass to Eastern Wash is out of the question - at least for now. Thinking if I get the air lift suspension kit on there, upgrade the brakes and wring a little more power out of the mill (Throttle body upgrade) might re-evaluate.

Appreciate that - looks even better in person, been getting a lot of comments on it when out and about. Crew at the tire shop really were into it - thought maybe they'd give me grief about going with non-factory tire size but they were all over it, did the swap and some trailer tires for me for practically nothing.

Got the tires on it, looks pretty good. 31 x 10.5 x 15 on factory rims with a budget boost = very minimal rubbing on LCA's - have the WJ LCA's that will go on eventually but for now driveable as is. Need to get trailer wiring done and air bags in so it is ready for towing the boat as the season is in full swing up here.

Appreciate it. Should have tires this week - got a cousin in the business owes me a favor - says I got a set of 31 x 10.5 x 15 BFG K02 A/T's on the way - tracking says delivery on Thursday. Got the WJ LCA's from Rock Auto but still have to cut em down and install - also picked up an Air Lift suspension kit to help with towing - but wanted tires on first to make sure there is no interference and since I put those shackles on, might need to buy or fab up spacers for the air bags - not sure. After that, interior gets some help - dash is all original and will leave as is for now - wanting to do a seat up grade, got brackets on order with Krusty, am thinking the 40/20/40 Dakota seats - needs headliner... This list goes on..

Did a budget boost over the weekend..... Spacers & Shackles - 1-3/4 Daystar pucks & RC shackles. Front measurements before lift: 31-3/4 from ground to lowest edge of flair 18-1/4 from center of hub to lowest edge of flair Rear: 33 from ground to lowest edge of flair 19-1/2 from center of hub to lowest edge of flair Front measurements after lift: 33-1/2 from ground to lowest edge of flair 20 from center of hub to lowest edge of flair. Rear: 34-1/4 from ground to lowest edge of flair 20-3/4 from center of hub to lowest edge of flair So, got 1-3/4" up front and 1-1/4" in back. That job is tougher than you would think - figured I'd knock it out by myself in a few hours, ended up taking most of the day - couldn't find my deep 21mm socket so had to muscle the shackle bolts off with a crescent wrench and a cheater, took forever. The front axle rotated back when I pulled the passenger side LCA - had to use a bottle jack to push everything back into place - stuff like that really slowed it down. Got before & after pics - the one with the flag is the after.....

Ok, one post and now I have multiple options to replace that mirror - CC is one hell of a resource - much appreciated eaglescout

98001

Damn, that is really cool - let me know $$ and will shoot you an address.

Wow - my internet skills obviously suck, you got a link and/or part #? - much appreciated.

The fat lady is singing for the 30 year old rear view mirror in the cab of my '88 Pioneer - the silvering is gone in the center. Haven't found anyplace that lists or sells the OEM mirror - rather buy new than scavenge one out of a JY (probably from an XJ - still haven't found any JY MJ's up here) Nothing wrong with the mounting tab on the windshield - is that a weird size or can I just get a newer mirror and swap it out? Not important to me to keep the mirror factory correct, anyone know if newer jeep mirror (manual) swaps out? Or Ford or Chevy.....

Thanks, good information. Going to put a airbag kit on my rig to help with towing - boat motor & trailer only clock in at ~2500lbs but like to be overly cautious dragging stuff around.

Nice rig. Any comment on the air bag suspension? (maybe you already commented and I missed it) I have had air bags on old trucks (F100 & Cheyenne) those old hoopty's were so wore out have no idea if the bags affected the ride or not.... My MJ has a nice ride and I don't want to mess with the leafs - but they are a little soft for towing my boat so I was going to add an air bag kit - figured I'd leave them down around 10lb's most of the time - affect the ride at all?

Wax on/Wax off....... Trying to get the paint where I want it, one section at a time - got after the front clip this weekend, hood and fenders. Started with Mequires Medium Cut Cleaner, then Mequires Ulitmate Polish and finished with Mequires Gold Carnuba Paste Wax. All by hand (why I only finished the front clip)....now thinking maybe I can dig up the $$$ for one of those random orbital buffers after all. Looking at the pictures - can still see a bunch of compound in the seams and jambs - sloppy, need to get that cleaned up. Got the 4x4 and Comanche emblems back on (Plasti dipped)

The stereo in the rig was pretty sad - had an aftermarket Panasonic CD head unit pushing all four of the original (30 year old) speakers and they were done. Consumer electronics are as cheap as they have ever been - picked up a Sony mechless head unit, 4 Kicker speakers to replace the factory units and a 400w Powered Sub - whole system for less than $200 brand new (the Sony head unit is a mechless marine model - got them on sale for $45 bought two so have one for the boat) Pulling the dash and interior panels apart was interesting - broke a couple of mounting tabs behind the dash, but nothing tragic. The factory wiring for the fog lights, cargo lights, etc is all there even though the truck was not optioned with them. Fairly straight forward process - the audio place wanted $600+ to install the system so I DIY'd it - took me a while but got it done over the weekend, sounds pretty good. While I was at it, upgraded the dome lights.

Keep plugging away fixing stuff... Got the headlight harness upgrade done, along with finishing up the battery cable upgrade - moved some cables around, still need to work on routing. Still need to do the main ground from the firewall to the stud at the back of the motor - that one is a biotch to get at, think I am going to do it when I replace the valve cover gasket.

Starting to use the truck as intended for weekend stuff - got in a bike ride over the holiday, this bike rack is way overkill for a little truck that can barely carry 3 people, but I can transport bikes for friends that otherwise have to stuff them in trunks of cars.

Shout out to Spencer at jeepsticker.com He hooked me up with new decals for the tailgate - these are really nice, show up as black during the day but really "pop" at night reflecting headlights (need to get night pictures)

Searched Euramtec on Ebay and they popped right up - Ebay Item # 121059797132

Sort of stows behind the seat - too long to lay flat, have to put it in there at an angle

Seems like it is put together with quality materials - the rear bar and all three bows pop right off and you can rap the tonneau around them and stow behind the seat in just a couple minutes - makes using the full bed no problem. The frame is clamped to the rails so no--drill installation. Fit and finish is good - $299 shipped. Tailgate opens and closes with tonneau in place.