Dadinator

Got my spider gears. Looks like the ring gear will have to come out. I'm pretty sure it has 3.73 gears, though. But the pin won't clear the ring gear. Crap...

Never been a fan of those flares from the front. I wish they did a better job of blending them into the contours of the vehicle. I like them other than that. Very nice truck.

Yea, but I ain't got any money.

love to have that rear bumper.

Thanks. Loved that truck. Only reason I sold it was I was driving 60+ miles per day and the 17mpg wasn't getting it. Now I drive a focus (34mpg) and have the old family truck for my truck needs.

If you don't know, the gamblers are what is on mine. See sig pic. Some baja's would look good as well. Go with a 15X8 size. Here is an example. This was my old ranger.

got my lower boot from quadratec.com something like 8 bucks if I remember...

31X10.5's on stock height and TJ Gamblers. Very little rub...

Didn't realize it has been so long since I posted on here. Some updates. Still no headliner, windshield, emergency brake or spare tire thing hung. I sold what was left of the donor. I broke the spider gears in the D44 a couple of weeks ago. Will have to repair that. I tightened up the console as the 1 little clip was broken. Made a little L bracket inside it and bolted it down. Nice and tight now. Still haven't gotten the thing to keep from dying at times on first start up. I thought I fixed it with the ballast resistor, but it still does it sometimes. Other than that, I haven't done much to it. Drove it some. Will update again when I fix the D44.

I see you took my advice over at JF (97_4popper) and came over here. You'll like it over here as far as MJ's go, this is the place. Like I said, check out my build if you get time.

Guess I'll try it this weekend. thanks for the encouragement. :thumbsup: One more thing... Looking at the parts I need. 30 spline axles?

So, don't have to remove the ring gear?

So, the spider gears are toast. Broken teeth, etc. How much of a job is this? googling. . . :peek:

Out here in CA I don't think there is any such thing as legal seats in the back...even if you have a dog back there they have to be leashed, or in a cage...or wearing a parachute and a helmet...or all of the above. Cops can always find something to bust you for. I could never live out there, I don't care how nice the climate is. As for bed size, I've got a 7 foot one on mine. If you plan on making it strickly a wheeler, then get a short bed. If you plan on using it to haul, the short bed will work, but obviously you get more stuff in a long bed. Also the long beds are the only ones that you could get the big ton option in. I do like the looks of the short beds better, but I like the looks of the long beds too.

That's what I figured. Got a spare d44? :oops:

Really irritating. Just got the thing on the road less than a year ago. Anyways, if missing teeth, then how hard is it to replace gears? Never done any rear end work. Always been intimidated by it.

OK, so here's the deal. Put it up on the jack tonight finally. Haven't taken it apart. If I turn the back wheels, the driveshaft doesn't turn. then it catches kind of and then the driveshaft turns. It feels like it gets stuck but you can push it through. This would be the pop when driving it. What do you think? Pinion gear, ring gear, differential, axle? What? :wrench:

Like I told you on the JF, if you are good mechanically, it is a good choice. If not, pass. These trucks are old. Great trucks, but old.

:agree: :yes:

Like my long sleeve T. Still waiting for you to do ballcaps.

No. A header (only one on a straight 6) probably wouldn't be worth the cost and work unless your manifold is cracked or damaged.

Don't know. Nope. Don't know. Haven't dove into it yet. Had to work 12 hrs today. Maybe later this week, I'll check it out more.

Yep, the D35 in the wifey's TJ is still good after 175K. But it only has a 2.5 pulling on it with 31's and doesn't do much wheeling. The D44 in the MJ has over 200K on it and it has had a hard life. Not wheeling, but towing and pulling and yanking stuff. I know the history of this truck because it has been in the family since new.

I just killed my D44. Pulled out of the driveway after tightening the steering column and hit 2nd gear a little hard and pop! Something in the rear end is broke. I was hoping it was a shock mount or spring, but nope. The rear end is the culprit. Crap! :mad:

Gears, header and good free flow exhaust system. Cold air intake. Cam and roller rockers larger injectors, larger throttle body. N2O or blower if you're serious. Not sure how much the factory computer can take.