1999 MJ

As I continue to collect parts and what not to make a 1999 MJ, I’ve thought about adding SKIM, so hopefully my MJ doesn’t disappear (get stolen) on me. I completely understand the parts needed & the DRB-III scan tool needed. - PCM that should code itself, when the ignition SKIM ring is plugged in. - Ignition SKIM ring. - Gray chipped / coded SKIM keys. I believe the computer can store up to 6 different programmed keys (not cloned keys). I’ve weighed out the inconveniences of; - A). Having the truck stolen with a regular 1999 XJ ignition and probably getting my truck back in “totaled” condition. - B). Damage to the ignition system and needing the truck towed for repairs. - C). Potential SKIM failure (I understand it’s a robust system) and needing to get it towed for repairs. - D). Roll the dice with a manual transmission & regular 1999 XJ ignition. - E). Other? I have no desire to put a kill switch in / give the truck a special handshake to start it. I’m pretty confident I wouldn’t use the kill switch 99.99% of the time and therefore, it just be a regular 1999 XJ ignition system to defeat. Pros? Cons? Sounds like a great idea? I’m bringing more trouble to myself? Does anybody exactly know how SKIM works? Let’s pretend the Ignition SKIM ring fails. Can I just swap Ignition SKIM rings, because it’s an antenna? I believe I understand the Ignition SKIM ring is just a gateway to the Security feature in the PCM and the Ignition SKIM ring unlocks this feature and keeps it open, until a DRB-III computer says otherwise / the PCM gets re-flashed. I understand the PCM stores the programmed keys, therefore the keys get coded to the PCM. I’m just wondering if each Ignition SKIM ring is unique? My daily driver XJ (completely different Jeep) has SKIM. I’m not afraid of the SKIM system. I’m just wondering if I should know something I might be missing about SKIM?

Lots of excellent points. Especially, if I’m going to daily drive it, I want to enjoy it. As for seats, I sure do miss my 1987 XJ rocking seats. I’ve wondered if I could find that style of sliders and mount some 1997-2001 Classic seats to the rails, then swap in the seat hinge mechanism, to access behind the seat.

So, as I collect parts for my 1988 2wd Laredo Longbed, with a non-original engine I’ve been having second guesses. I’ve got a 1999 2dr XJ 4x4 5spd that will be going into this MJ. My question, with comments is: - I plan to drive it daily. Make it a “useful" vehicle as opposed to a car show queen. I do plan to restore it, to a point. I don’t plan on rebuilding an engine or transmission, just replace wear & tear parts. I know I enjoy seeing originally restored MJ’s. I also enjoy seeing "updated" MJ’s. Does an updated MJ significantly hurt the resale value? Does it help it? What’s everyone’s opinion if an updated MJ was available for the 1097-2001 years? What if there was a fully restored 1988 MJ, just as it rolled off the assembly line (top of the line trim model), and a 1988 MJ that was restored / updated using 1999 parts (top of the line, trim model)? No crazy engine. No crazy lift. Everything created equal. Just "updated"? ZERO miles on both. What would you value both at? What would you prefer to drive? Comments, based on what you’ve seen.

The curse strikes again. It’s one of those things, where you are driving around and you can spot it a mile away. So, I stopped and talked to the owner. He’s currently looking for a wiring harness and a computer, to get it running and back on the road. Says he’s the second owner, with his uncle being the first. Sounds like the fuse block went south. I’m assuming, due to the clutch master cylinder leaking on it? Year, Make, Model. 1987, Jeep, Comanche (MJ) Image, if available See Below Engine / Trans / Transfercase / Front axle / Rear axle / Wheelbase 2.5 / Manual / 2wd / 2wd / unknown / short bed Build date: (its on the driverside door sticker, in the form of month and year) Missing / Repainted Current Location: Region will do, state, and area of state. Guam Status: Is it still on the road? Work In Progress White in Color. Red / Maroon Bench Seat. Has a plastic bed liner. Sliding rear window. Not sure what the rims belong to???

I know this is from 18 months ago, but this company advertises copper / brass heater cores (superior cooling dot com). https://www.superiorcooling.co/4874045-399233-heater-core-jeep-cherokee-comanche-wagoneer-wrangler.html

THANK YOU SIR!!!!

1988 LongBed that will get a 1999 XJ 4x4 conversion. With my upcoming Comanche build, I’m hoping to get something around a 2 inch lift to perhaps a 2.5 lift, on 30 inch tires, with the Spring Under the Axle. I want to keep stuff looking factory, even though it really isn’t…. Any recommendations? I’m currently looking at the General Spring, in KC at a 1700 pound load capacity. https://www.generalspringkc.com/1986-1992-jeep-comanche-rear-leaf-spring-5-3-2-leaf-1700-lbs-capacity/?utm_source=instocknotify&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=instocknotify Any recommendations for the front coil springs? I see Crown / Quadratec has 2 inch lift coil springs.

4.0 powered got the AW4 slush box. 2.5td got the 5spd manual transmission. I thought production years were from 1999-2001, but I was corrected that the 1998 model year was the first year of the Orvis XJ. Somewhere I read, the XJ’s were taken off the boat & sent to an outfit / organization to get refitted, to be made into the “Orvis". Best I can tell (I think), they started out as a Classic or Limited for export, due to the color coded bumpers & door moldings, the hood liner, and I want to say the carpet is thicker / more plush, but I’m not sure. I’ve never had this Orvis XJ, next to another XJ, where I could really compare. Real wood trim veneer was used. The ZJ 5.9 hood vents are non-functional on the Orvis XJ’s. Just stick on’s… My 1999 MJ project I’m working on, I plan to put as much of an Orvis XJ interior into it, as I can. Lack of a better term, I think it will be a "yuppie” truck / mall crawler / daily driver, when I’m done.

1J4FJB8SXXL665578 I was working & living in the UK, so I had an opportunity to buy a 1999 Jeep Cherokee XJ Orvis. The “Orvis” was meant to compete with Range Rover. It’s too bad, the Orvis XJ was never sold in North America, to compete with the “Eddie Bauer Ford Explorer” or the “L.L. Bean Subaru Outback”.

With being in Minnesota & subject to super freezing cold, all the way up to getting toasty in the cab, I feel the metal ones will hold up better in my situation. Makes sense. Let me see what we can do to do another run of metal ones. That Sir, would be greatly appreciated. 👍👍👍

Here is what I’m dealing with.

With being in Minnesota & subject to super freezing cold, all the way up to getting toasty in the cab, I feel the metal ones will hold up better in my situation.

Good to know. Thank you Gentlemen!!! 👍👍👍

I’d like to buy a L/R pair of his last generation of metal speaker brackets, for the back part of the cab, for the MJ. https://boxyjeep.com/products/jeep-comanche-6-5-rear-speaker-brackets

1). Largest full size spare tire that will fit under the truck in the factory location? a). I imagine there is a weight limit to the MJ cable system. b). Is there a vehicle I can search out for a 16 inch steel rim, that will complement 16 inch XJ aluminum rims? *** Goal is a 30 inch spare tire, on a 16 inch steel rim. 2). MJ needs floor pans. I plan on swapping a ‘97-‘01 XJ interior to this truck. Which floor pans would you recommend? MJ floor pans? XJ floor pans, because of the ‘97-‘01 interior swap? *** off the wall idea, I’d like to find Renix “rocker” seat bases, that I could put into this MJ & then bolt the ‘97-‘01 seats to the Renix base. I’m wondering if the "rocking" Renix seat base would allow for the ‘97-‘01 to hinge forward, to access the rear of the cab? Side note, I have a 1999 2dr XJ 4x4 5spd as a donor / parts rig to allow me to accomplish the majority of this. Please feel free to chime in with FYI’s & things to think about / consider.

Courtesy of LEAD_NOT_FOLLOW There are 17 digits in the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number). Once we have this finished I will make a nice easy-to-read table. 1 - Country of Manufacture - 1 = USA / 2 = Canada 2 - Manufacturer - J = Jeep Corporation / B = Jeep Canada 3 - Vehicle Type - T = Truck 4 - Engines - B = 2.1L 4 Cyl, Turbo Diesel E = 2.46L, 4 Cyl, 1-B Carb H = 2.46L, 4 Cyl, TBI M = 4.0L, I-6, MPI Y = 2.46L, 4 Cyl, 1-B Carb 5 - Powertrain - E = 3-speed automatic, column gear shift, part time 4 W/D F = 5-speed manual, floor gear shift, part time 4 W/D G = 4-speed automatic, column gear shift, 2 W/D J = 3-speed automatic, column gear shift, Select-Trac/ 4 W/D L = 5-speed manual, floor gear shift, part time 4 W/D M = 4-speed manual, floor gear shift, part time 4 W/D P = 4-speed automatic, column gear shift, part time 4 W/D R = 4-speed automatic, floor gear shift, part time 4 W/D S = 4-speed manual, floor gear shift, 2 W/D T = 4-speed automatic, floor gear shift, Select-Trac/ 4 W/D U = 4-speed automatic, floor gear shift, 2 W/D V = 5-speed manual, floor gear shift, part time 4 W/D W = 5-speed manual, floor gear shift, 2 W/D X = 4-speed manual, floor gear shift, part time 4 W/D Y = 4-speed manual, floor gear shift, part time 4 W/D Z = 3-speed automatic, column gear shift, part time 4 W/D 6/7 - Body Type - 63 = Jeep Comanche, 4-W/D Pickup, 6.0" bed, 113" wheel base 64 = Jeep Comanche, 2-W/D Pickup, 6.0" bed, 113" wheel base 65 = Jeep Comanche, 4-W/D Pickup, 7.0" bed, 120" wheel base 66 = Jeep Comanche, 2-W/D Pickup, 7.0" bed, 120" wheel base 8 - Gross Vehicle Weight - F = 5001# - 6000# Comanche, Base, Metric Ton, Big Ton / Comanche, Custom, Metric Ton, Big Ton P = 4001# - 5000# Comanche Pioneer R = 5001# - 6000# Comanche Pioneer, Metric Ton, Big Ton S = 4001# - 5000# Comanche Chief T = 4001# - 5000# Comanche Laredo U = 5001# - 6000# Comanche Laredo, Metric Ton, Big Ton 1 = 4001# - 5000# Comanche Base 5 = 4001# - 5000# Comanche Eliminator 9 - Check Digit - a single character, alpha or numeric entry 10 - Year - E = 1984 F = 1985 G = 1986 H = 1987 J = 1988 K = 1989 11 - Plant Location - J = Brampton, Ontario, Canada L = Toledo, Ohio Plant No. 1 P = Toledo, Ohio Plant No. 2 T = Toledo, Ohio 12 - Sequential Serial Number 13 - Sequential Serial Number 14 - Sequential Serial Number 15 - Sequential Serial Number 16 - Sequential Serial Number 17 - Sequential Serial Number

I’m going to have to do some digging around. I was surprised with my truck, that it used to be a I6 & someone converted it to a 4 cylinder. Now I’m curious to know what the transplanted drivetrain is.

I appreciate the response back. I did run the VIN through “Google" and it came up with a fuel tank size, through another website. Thank you for taking the time to run the VIN & post the information.

I’ve tried figuring out how to interpret the data, from my build sheet that @jdog provided. For example, I’m not sure what some of the 3 letters mean. "JGB" / "CGW" / "MFD”, etc…. Also, for the decoding I’m not understanding: ”APA" - Monotone Paint, but what color. -SA - Charcoal, but what’s that mean? Charcoal canister for emissions? "MBF" Bright Rear Bumper? Does that mean Chrome? "WJN" - 15 Aluminum Wheels? Was only the turbine rims available? "NHQ" - what’s a transmission heater, on a manual transmission? Fuel tank size? There are several other decoding letters I’d like to figure out / get an explanation to. If someone could point me in the direction, that would be awesome. Maybe once the decoding definition gets put up, maybe it could be made as a sticky, so it’s always at the top for each model year?

I know. Kind of a shame. I always wondered why, because it’s a lot easier for me to get in and out of the 2 door XJ’s than the 4 door XJ’s. I’m usually hitting my head on the upper door frame of the 4 door, if I haven’t driven it in awhile. Also, this 1999 2 door 5spd 4x4 fit the bill, for what I’m looking for, other than the fact it didn’t have 2 more doors. I’ll also be able to graft the 2 door power window switch controls into a drivers front 4 door panel.

Currently on vacation in Thailand. Returning to Guam for work on Monday.

Are you still on Guam? I’ve seen a few XJ’s here, on this island of Toyotas. I do plan on making this 1988 Comanche as much as a 1999 Comanche as possible. So, yes I will be swapping over the 1999 XJ drivetrain, wiring, dash, etc…. I’m currently collecting parts, my projects are stateside and I’ll deal with them, once I return to the states.

Good to know.

What hiccups did you run into? Truck is currently a 1988 2wd, 4spd, Long bed. Plan: Make this a 1999 4x4 5spd, 2 inch lift, 30 inch tires, DAILY DRIVER. - I have a complete 1999 2dr, 5spd, 4x4 XJ. Pretty rusted body. I see a lot of people “piece” in the firewall. Has anyone actually cut the firewall out of the XJ & welded / grafted it into the MJ? Everything appears to be straight forward bolt in, except the door jamb latches. Sounds like an easy welding project, for anybody that welds. I don’t weld, unless I’m playing with wrenches around the battery. Haha. 🤣 🤣 🤣 Questions: - 1). Did you end up doing a bolt in exhaust? Fabricated exhaust? I’m looking to put a performance header on the 1999 engine. Probably a “Banks” or a “Gibson”. I’d like to continue to run a “Quality” exhaust all the way to the back. Recommendations? - 2). Hard to source parts, that I should start looking for now? - 3). What would you have done differently? Why? - 4). What transmission mount / cross mount did you use? - 5). Any non MJ / XJ parts I should seek out, to install on this build? - 6). FYI’s I should be aware of? - 7). Things I should consider? Some of my plans: I do plan on doing the “Brown Dog” Engine Mounts. I’m probably going to do a 2 or 3 row radiator, WITHOUT the internal transmission cooler. I think this is a custom unicorn part. Cooling products from https://hesco.us Disc brakes onto the C8.25. Should I / do I relocate the lower shock mounts? BDS - https://bds-suspension.com/products/2-inch-lift-kit-jeep-comanche-mj-86-91

Thank you for the specs on what that lift did to your truck. It helps give direction.