DREDnot

The high flow cat won't hurt but the throatier sound you want will come from replacing the exhaust pipes with the next bigger size.

Is this some sort of test of belt tension? That sounds a little loose to me. I would replace the belt and tighten it a little tighter than you normally do. The correct tightening procedure uses a tool to measure tension. Since nobody has one, I usually hold a straight edge across the pulleys and deflect the belt in the middle and tighten till you can't deflect it more than a half an inch.

Just an FYI on this subject If you want to disable the seatbelt buzzer but retain the headlite alarm, just unplug the drivers seatbelt wire. There is a plug just under the carpet where the wire disappears.

15x7 steel "5 spoke" 26 lbs(UPS scale)

15x7, "10 spoke", aluminum 21 lbs (UPS scale)

15x7", aluminum , "grizzly" style 19 lbs (UPS scale)

The "rrrrr" of the idle stepper is normal...the "click,click,click"may be a signal that it is out of adjustment any time a P.O. messes around behind the dash(or you hit a bad R/R crossing too fast) the factory harness will drop some of the previously tucked away un-installed options' plugs. Also when someone gets around to ripping out that clear box for the emission reminder, it leaves behind one of those plugs.A few of those others are for the yellow cruise control box that may have been velcroed up under there My 88 2.5 2wd AW4auto has the power/comfort switch. Just like the XJs.

I just did my bench to 2dr bucket swap and I'm pretty sure you can use that channel from the passenger side of the bench and swap on the top channel from the xj. Just pay attention to the orientation of the metal wheel and ballbearing cage that the tracks roll on. MJ on left, XJ on right, (both passenger side) this pic is for those wondering why you can't just use the XJ brackets The MJ rear bracket has a matching step-down Drivers side,XJ left, MJ right

I , for one, like to mix and match different sets of factory wheels for a unique look to my jeeps. With the ever rising fuel prices, one factor I consider is the weight of my wheel/tire combination. The weight of the tires can usually be found on the tire MFRs website, but I haven't found a good resource with all the weights of the bare factory rims. If anyone has the weight and a pic of any factory wheels, steel or alloy, post it up... I'll start...weights are for the bare wheel only...no tires. 15x7 Five spoke, Aluminum, cast "Jeep" 20 lbs. (bath scale)

All the chain drive jeeps Ive owned, new or used, had a noticable whine in low range. 87 YJ, 90 YJ, 99 XJ, 05 LJ all the same. Even my 07 megacab.

all the service manuals show those valves in cutaway so you can see how they operate. all the way in clockwise,front seated,isolates the compressor from the system... to remove it. all the way out counterclockwise,back seated, is the normal operating position. half way between the two, mid position, the gauge port is open. this position is used for charging, discharging, evacuating, and checking system pressure.

My 2.5L has the 4.56 gear. Seems like the bare minimum needed given the meager horsepressure of the 4 cylinder.

How old is the timing chain? I had an 87 YJ 2.5 that did the same thing. Replaced all the obvious stuff. No change. A grizzled old jeep dealer mechanic said to replace the timing set(cam retarded). BOOM ...fixed. My MJ is acting almost the same without the full stall. I am gathering the parts to change mine out soon. Just a thought

I just happened to see this little quote on the Novak enterprises website in the aw4 page. "The AW4 and the 2.5L engine was a rare combination in the XJ / MJ model Jeeps as spec-to-build. They recieved 4.56 axle ratios."

I was surprised myself when I cleaned the crust off the axle tag...

My first Comanche,(my eighth Jeep). 2.5L low output, AW4 auto trans, 4.56 D35, A/C! 219k miles I'm scouring the local yards for the up market options. Got an ebay 2" spacer/shackle lift to go on it. Converted to laredo wingback buckets from a long trashed bench. Arizona Rust Free!!!

How about finding the woodgrain trim panels and dash from a country model XJ?

Hogjaw!

They usually come in a set for the YJ wrangler.There are kits that cover the headlight proper, and those that cover the whole yj bucket.(won't fit) I have used them on most of my rigs for 20+ years and they have saved my treasured Cibie E-codes numerous times.