Medicwithamanche

No I never did. Just kept it local on FB marketplace.

So update on the build. I have it running and driving!! I got the AX15 in a fitted to the crossmember by drilling new holes in the existing aw4 crossmember. Works for now but long term would probably need to be replaced with aftermarket parts with long arms. At the moment she runs fine and has no issues starting even after sitting for a month. It seems to run a little warm in the summer months but I’m not surprised by that. It has a 185 thermostat right now and seems to work with a laser temp gauge and sissy around 220 after a few mile slow drive. Could be an easy fix with a bigger oil cooler and another electric fan but overall I’m happy with the build and where it is. The exhaust is open behind the turbo so it smokes into the cab some but it’s not bad as long as your moving with the windows down. That’ll get fixed in the future but not at the moment. I almost wanna run it out the hood but I’d had to buy and paint another hood one day. Pipe it out in front of the rear right tire is the plan. I have it listed on my Facebook right now as of 8-30-2021. Long story short it’s at a stopping point where I can either dump another 10k into with tons and better suspension and the likes of I can let go and start fresh with something else. I don’t have to sell it but I’m seeing if anybody else would like it. I have a little girl coming Feb 2022 so I’m moving to better suit her! I’d probably regret it. But I built it once I can do it again!! Future plans would be Ford super duty axles and 4 linking everything. Regearing axles to better suit the torque of the 617 and AX15 and Putting tube doors on and probably chopping the bed or making it into a truggy build with a work bed I have lying around at my dads place. Of course a bigger turbo and intercool it. Bigger pump and injectors and really stretch the HP gains the MB can achieve with the proper equipment. This has been a fun and mentally exhausting build and as of now the chapter has closed and can’t wait for what’s next!! IMG_1584.MOV

Selling this one now. Located in East Texas. Asking $1600. As if this posting it’s available.

True. I should!

Alright. Little update on the build. Had to replace the steering column cause the tilt steering knuckle had broken. Found I’m not getting my power to my fuse panel and the engine harness has some splices and rats have chewed on most lines. I’m thinking fusible links are bad. Probably just gonna replace it from a parts rig. Bought all the stuff for a tune up but I need to get it turning over first. The new column is giving me troubles. I can’t turn the key back to “Off” so the little release arm may be stuck or my ignition tumbler needs replacing. Another project and more problems yay!! So much for a quick fix and daily it.

Mercmanche, I ended up using the pilot bearing that seated further back into the flywheel. It was much smaller than I anticipated so I didn’t have to machines anything special. I can’t remember the bearing number off my head but it fit like it supposed to for an 88 4.0 flywheel. I haven’t really tackled the steering components yet but ill need to do something with my oil pan definitely as far as reshaping it.

Buying this tomorrow morning from a buddy. Figured I’d add it to the registry. It was his buddies that passed away a few years ago and it sat in a yard for about 5 years. 88 Eliminator 4.0 5-speed 2wd needs fixing as of now 1/18/21: -steering column needs replaced -no headlights or taillights work with the switch but has brake lights. -general tune up -new tires -washdown. I plan on leaving this one stock and make it a cool little farm truck.

OD diameter is 45mm, input shaft is 15mm. Not having much luck finding one. There’s a couple brass bushing I’ve found but the OD it too big. I’d have to turn it down anyway so ill looking into a custom turned one at a machine shop.

So I got the center console pulled for the swap. Did some cleaning while it was up. The original carpet is more blue than I remember though. Lol thought about a custom center console but that comes later. so I thought I was being productive today too and was gonna get the pressure plate and clutch installed. Torqued my flywheel to 60ft lbs with blue thread locker and went to center the clutch and remembered the pilot bearing. Mildly important is an understatement to say. So I still need to order that. Bearing or bushing y’all think? Have also been playing the the tcase. Separated the halves and ordered a used input shaft. Ordered the 94+ 23 spline so it doesn’t work. Had to order another from Morris and went ahead and got the seal kit to go ahead and reseal the case while I have it out. It should be here next week sometime. not much to report today but I like to continue keeping those following about progress. December 16th last year is when I pulled the 4.0 out. So maybe it makes it driving again on the road before the anniversary.

Are you needing a 231 for your AW4? I have my old 231 with a 21 spline input. What year is your AW4? I'm over in East Texas area.

Updating with some phots of my engine bay. Acquired my AX15 and hydraulics and new bell housing and pedals will be here first of next week. I need to drill for the master clutch cylinder still but I have everything to mate the transmissions to the engine. Still working on the Tcase input shaft. Do i buy an appropriate Tcase or rebuild mine I already own.

I found one on eBay Beat. it should be here by monday next week. Pedals will be here shortly as well. I believe i have all the parts on hand come next week. I had to reach out to Joe from Doomsday Diesel for his flywheel but I've got everything i believe. Reading another swap I've learned i need a new floor cover though for the transmission shifts to come up through. As far as my Tcase though ill need to either source a new to me 2000+ np231/23 spline or get the proper 23 spline input shaft for my 88 case and breakout open and swap them. Ive never opened a transfer care but I'm almost eager to try it!

MiNi, what are you missing? I've slowly been collecting parts for my swap myself and could maybe help. Joester, did you happen to remember the hole saw size you used for your master cylinder hole in the firewall. And did you just screw in the mounts with bolts or self tappers? and is the manual trans cover necessary, besides to keep noise down some and keep the grime out. I didn't think about that piece at all.

I haven’t made the time to post in a while so here’s an update. The motor is all in order, will have to probably have to cut the oil pan to get my track bar from connecting but that’s on the back burner. The truck can run around the house with just 1-2 and 3rd gears. I never got my tps setup to make the aw4 shift correctly but i just use the stock shifter. I had been sourcing RAdesigns rail shifter but never got around to ordering. Exhaust is still unfinished but that’ll come in time. I had been using the truck around the farm the other day and was running okay. Parked it that day and noticed a red puddle under the Jeep. Leak was coming around the bellhousing, meaning to me the torque converter or the front pump is leaking. Either way the tranny has to come out. I had really wanted to do a manual transmission for the build but the aw4 was still useful at the time. Ive sourced an external slave ax-15 out of a Dakota behind a 5.2. I still nee to source a 4.0/ax15 bellhousing to use but i got the master and slave cylinders from the seller. Manual pedals is till need to source as well. The most fun part is my tcase is gonna need to be changed. My aw4 is 21 spine output but the ax15 is a 23 spline output. I have two options, either open my case and replace the input shaft or get a new transfer case that has 23 spline. Long term goals are to have long arms all the way around, 3 link up front and 4 in the rear, and do custom gauges in the dash. I would like to have a few more gauges besides what’s in the dash and like the look of 2 large multi use gauges. A little embarrassed of how much i have put into a 30 year old truck but it’s a labor of love. Just a long winded update tonight while laying in bed.

so i know i haven't posted lately but you know how life gets. She actually been in the sunlight for the first time since December. i got my driveshafts bolted back in and drove it around the house the other day. A little depressed about the power output but i was suspecting that and i didn't give the turbo time to spool of boost. Plenty of time after i get it road worthy to work on power increases but for now it gets from A to B. I cleaned up all my wiring except for my aw4 wires and external ups set ups. Is till need to fabricate a bracket of some sort to accept the TPS sensor and the aw4 cable (I can't think to the purpose of it atm). I need to get an CAI setup, Cooling fans still need to be wired in and a vacuum system to stop the engine when key is turned off still needs to be wired in. thats easy enough to just pull vacuum from the vacuum pump and wire the switch to key negative and a ground, just need to get the parts ordered. vacuum line into the cab and a syringe do the part right now. exhaust will have to wait till it is road worthy so i can take it to the shop for help. I figure I would update everyone on progress in the build. I'm getting low on motivation but it needs to be finished. joined_video_6deba7cf8ef348d4bd37daec3c32249c.mp4

SO great news!! She runs and starts with the key!! EA9F1807-B85D-4A2F-A0E9-5FA32DEC06C2.MOV I have been working on getting my remote oil system finished and finally have it completed short of two AN fittings for my cooler. I had to get a custom power steering hose built to go from the Jeep steering box to the Mercedes pump. I set up my alternator wiring and it’s working well, charging like it should. My wiring for the auto transmission needs completed and I need to work on making a bracket to put my aw4 cable and TPS sensor wired in. I’m thinking a bracket with a strong spring to allow more travel from my throttle cable than the TPS has. I need to wire in my fuse block wires and somehow figure out a timed delay relay system after I turn off the key to kill power. Little nuts and bolts are all that’s left to finish it. Short of putting my driveshafts back in its drivable. Started working on all my axillary lighting wiring and have my dash put back together. Just an update from my last post in February. Hope to have it finished by the end of the month and move on to my next project.

So I’ve been working a lot lately with not a lot of time for the Jeep. The motor and tranny have been mated and put back in the Jeep. All my wires have been labeled and just need to be connected. Starting relay needs to be wired and I need to rewrite all my aftermarket lights. Got the starter lined up and can now turn the motor over. Not much but enough to bump it over. Oil cooling plumbing is all in just need to find a good spot for my remote oil filter. I tried to work on my exhaust and I’m running into a problem with clearances and connections. I have to figure out my best option for connecting my downpipe to my turbo. I’m probably going to have to get a bigger lift. Didn’t really want to but I’m having bad clearance problems with my track bar and my oil pan now. I have the RC 4.5 atm but I may go to a bigger long arm kit later once it is running. Motor mounts are welded and painted just waiting to get holes drilled. It seems like a check a couple boxes and more boxes show up. Wiring and plumbing are my biggest hurdles at this point and will be tackled soon enough. no real details today just a quick update while I’m stuck at work.

So my Doomsday AW4 kit arrived Friday from Joe and I pulled the motor back out to fit it. Still waiting on the flexplate and crank adaptor but that should be here this week after it gets machined. The flexplate had to have 6 new holes in it to match the Mercedes crank adaptor. Joe is sending all the new hardware too when he does. So far top notch products I’ve got him so far. Still have all my wiring to do but I got the transmission harness to tie into the rear of the engine harness and sending units but that unfortunately may be the last thing I do. I have connectors that are at the house that I’m gonna use to tie the harnesses together. Gonna use the Jeep sending units for cost reasons at the moment. Not like the 4.0 is gonna need it. Lol I need to figure out my ignition wiring to make my fuel pump run. I believe ill be able to use my same fuel tank as long as I’ve had all the gas cleaned out. I drained the tank the day after I pulled the motor and the cap has been off since so I’d bet its dry. Would need to change out the fuel filter and prime the line prior to filling but it’ll work I’d hope. My oil cooling system needs to be done. Still trying to figure if i wanna use barbed push lock fittings or make it nice and use AN fittings. I will have the motor running by the end of the month and hopefully driving as well. Interior is back together and looking to do a new audio system after the motor starts.

Thanks pete. gonna have to wait on the Tj and willys projects. gotta get the manche together first.

Ive got one of those too. put it on casters and roll it around the shop.

I'm looking at it too. leaning towards either dirt bound or iron rock kits.

1988 Jeep MJ LWB Pioneer Grey bedlined with a little metal flake put in and has Grey bucket seats and grey original interior In progress with a new heart of a mercedes om 617 with AW4 transmission and 231 tcase. Dana 30 discs up front and Dana 44 drums in rear. Hah a 4.0 reined originally. I added a RC 4.5 lift with new 15x7 methods and 31" MT tires. Added JCR crusader bumpers all around and the JCR bed rack. I bought it army green from the PO and repainted it and lifted it and new JCR bumpers all around with their rack. Ive used it as a pool truck for my business until I decided to put the diesel motor in it this winter. Its currently in my shop but will be finished in a couple months. I'm the current owner in East Texas where it sits with its 47 willys and 2000 TJ cousins.

Another update. I got my stuff from Joe in the other day. Stuff looks great and it’s awesome. The EGR delete I got done with a buddy and got it all cleaned up. The oil relocated plate is on and I just used the stock turbo feed line and carefully bent it around to where it needed to be. I still need to plumb in my remote oil filter and cooler but waiting on those to arrive in the mail. I got his ADA delete too and it was the easiest thing ever to put on. I don’t need cruise control anyway.

Well I got is in the engine bay last night. I used the MD AX15 plate to keep it all together and left out my flex plate for the moment. I separated the AW4 from the 4.0 sunday and cleaned it up and let it dry. I got it the wiring harness labeled and sorta know where everything needs to go. Need to tie in my reverse lights figure out where to run my brake and VSS wires and get my remote TPS tied in. I think I'm gonna get one of those kits that has the waterproof male and female plugs and redo everything that way. Just in case I need to pull everything out in the future. I bolted in my starter and had to shave away an 1/8" of the MD pate to get the starter fully seated against the bell housing. My MD4x4 motor mounts showed up yesterday and I got the frame pieces on. I had to tap the front mounting hole because it wasn't already tapped but looked like it had a tappable plug in it. Props to jeep engineers btw, the MD kit places the frame mounts further back than stock so good job on using those holes. But the MD perches had to be welded to the frame mounts. Was hoping it was all bolt and play but it made that way to accommodate angled pitch for higher lifts I suppose. Ill have to wait and get that welded this weekend when i can get some more help at the house. After I got everything in i started to check for clearances. the motor is still supported by the engine hoist but it close enough to the oil pan where it'll connect whenever it flexes a little. My fear is ill have to end up with a complete custom suspension. I was going to wait on the long arm kit because of financial reasons but i might have to bite the bullet and go ahead and get he long arm kit with taller springs and a drop pitman arm for now. Ill have to get a new trackbar at some point too because it sits close t the oil pan. I really don't want to notch the pan because thats a lot of welding but i might end up having to. the Aw4 i need to figure out cooling. I was just going to use the stock cooler lines but I'd like to do soft lines and tie them back into the radiator so does anybody know what thread the transmission lines are by chance? I still need to get cooling on the 617 figured too. I have been debating on using the brass push locks or the an fittings. I want a clean but cost effective build, as ironic as that sounds. Still a long way to go with finishing up. I still need to work on pluming, wiring, new radiator fans, starting system, glow plug relay

I'm actually doing a swap right now. i have a thread I keep undated with all my plans and info.