neohic

CC discount, of course. :D http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/9344-State-Highway-29-N-Alexandria-MN-56308/106648001_zpid/

Got a new lawn ornament tonight. :D Link to listing to follow.

Yessir. I was never close to the action but it was still fun to watch from afar.

Hmm... soon... soon. I'll be happy to put my name in this list this year. . :MJ 1: .

So, here we are in April. In the past I think I've posted up some real doozies when it comes to April. You know... "April Fools" and whatnot. Not this year! This year's April is no joke. This truck has had quite a life getting to where it is and its done it all in style. It's clean... it's well thought out... and yet, it's kind of a little b*@$£. Yup! April's MJOTM goes to... YEAR/MODEL ● 1989 Jeep Comanche Eliminator ENGINE/PERFORMANCE ● 4.0L I6 from a 06 TJ Wrangler with about 18-20K miles on it. Banks Headers, K&N CAI, Jeepers and Creepers 62mm Throttle Body. DRIVETRAIN ● Mostly Stock, AW4 transmission with 6 row Derale Transmission cooler, NP231 Transfer Case, D30 Front Open Diff with new Moog Ball-joints SKF Wheel Unit Bearings , and D44 Rear Limited Slip, with 3.55 Ratio. COOLING ● 2 Row Griffin Aluminum Radiator, with 3 10" Maradyne Perfomance E-fans sitting on a custom made shroud, and a Flowkooler Pump. Also a custom overflow Tank made out of an old Vodka Bottle, and to monitor Things at the Cab an AutoMeter Mechanical Temp Gauge. ELECTRICAL/IGNITION ● Odyssey PC-1750 Battery, with heavy duty battery cables. MSD Ignition 6AL Ignition system. SUSPENSION/STEERING ● It's an array of different components, but consists of mainly a 4.5" Rough Country lift, with the exception of the front 2.5" Spacers (to level things up) and adjustable UCAs and LCAs. Poly Bushings at the axle for the UCAs. Steering is the stock Saginaw Steering Box, with the Off Road Only (ORO) U-Turn Tie Rod and Drag link system, and Core 4x4 Heavy Duty Track Bar and Track Bar Mount. INTERIOR ● Mostly Stock, with the stock bench seat in place, except for the Alpine Stereo with Polk Audio speakers, and the Autometer A-Pillar Dual gauge pod. And a Little Trees Coconut Air Freshener. BRAKES ● Rebuilt Stock Brakes, with Stainless Steel Crown performance front brake lines. LIGHTING ● Stock with auxiliary Rigid Duallys with a spot pattern. EXTERIOR ● Bought it with the paint job that it has on there right now and just added the BFG stickers on the side of the bed, (which came from the very first Baja San Felipe 250 in '86, my dad got them and was saving them so I put them to good use). Also Added the OR-Fab Heavy Duty front bumper with the grille guard, and modified it to fit the Warn 9.5ti Winch. Rear bumper is a "Wanna-be stock" makeshift bumper, with a tow hitch that will soon be coming off. WHEELS/TIRES ● 16" Rubicon Moab Wheels, with 295/75 R16 BF Goodrich All Terrain KO2s. MISCELLANEOUS ● Pep Boys window tint done at home, and some Ricer mods under the hood like a set of Russell Stainless Steel Braided fuel hoses with their respective Anodized AN Fittings to fit into the new fuel rail, and also a small Spectre Breather filter for the Valve Head. Also Custom Heavy Duty Power Steering mount, battery tray, overflow tank mount, Motor Mounts, and Fuel line mounts. FULL BUILD THREAD Remember That One Time?... Tell Us Your Best MJ Story ● Well one of the first times after I bought her, I took her out to a local DownHill riding spot where in order to shuttle you drive up an unmantained dirt road which is absolutely necessary to have 4WD since it's loose rocky and ledgy. So I drove her up a couple of times, and spent half the day out there, because we had a party to go to afterwards. Well as we're going to the party we find out that both my brake lights, and passenger side turn signal were not working, so no biggie we decided that a friend of mine was gonna drive behind me and one up front. After we get to the party, I was lucky to find a parking space close to the entrance, because since I had all the bikes and gear on the truck I wanted to take a peak at it from time to time. Well as time passed by, beer started flowing and people started leaving. and Before I knew it it was already very late, and my friends had left. So since I knew that basically my taillights were not working, I decided to take the back streets instead of the freeway back home. But oh Surprise! Right after I take off on one of the streets with the least traffic I get pulled over.. And I was for sure a bit more than buzzed, so anyways the Cop stops me and asks me the question and I explained to him what happenned, and the he looks at the bikes on the truck and he's says "nice bikes man", to where I respond "thanks", and then he starts looking at the truck and starts asking me all this questions, "What year is this?, I've never seen this type of Cherokee.." So I get off my truck and start telling him all about it, and the bikes and stuff, and then after a while of admiring the truck, He says "Well you know it i very dangerous for you not to have any taillights, and I responded "Yes I know but I live somewhat close by, and it's getting very late and need to get home", to what he responds "all right I'm gonna escort you home, just follow me close by". At this point I couldn't believe it, I was like Jessica you saved my @$$! Anyways.. We get home I park my truck on the driveway I wave and yell "Thanks!" to what he responded "Oh and by the way, I know you're @#$%ed up, Have a Good Night!" My reaction was priceless jaw all the way down to the ground! I was like all right this guy just made my day! so I left the truck all loaded up and didn't even bother to lock it up.. Because I was thinking nothing can really happen after this.. haha and that's how this is my Best MJ Story. CC is Awesome!... Why Do You Think So? ● Because it has a lot, and I mean a lot! Of great info and very helpful people, everytime I see a fellow Comanche Driver on the Road, I always try to stop him so I can talk to him about it, and try to make him join CC. I mean now that I just went to Moab for the 50th Easter Jeep Safari, I talked to a few guys which some of them where already on here, and some of them weren't and I told them just join man, and start posting because you don't know which post that you'll do will help out somebody else, and vice versa. This is a badass site and online community that is always looking to lend a helping hand to the one in need for tech info, or just different ideas. This truck is really something special, I think. I totally dig the two tone paint and the big BFG decals... kind of nostalgic looking! That mixed with the updated front end and it really turns some heads. Add in the Moabs and... well... Moabs on an MJ... perfect! Way to go, man! Beautiful truck and congratulations! -Ben This post has been promoted to an article

Update... the Beetle is not coming with me as I'm selling it to my dad, and I just applied for a position at 4 Wheel Parts.

Well, I picked my parts yesterday. EGR, here I come... I guess.

Ugh... so... three of the four tires are mounted and look great! However, one was deemed "unbalanceable" by the tire shop without an absurd amount of weights. Not happy right now. Waiting to hear back from Treadwright on their solution to this problem. :wall:

I'm actually lined up to get parts this weekend from a local guy. Food for thought though, I suppose. I'm sure they'll end up on the truck just to be sure. That thought of rolling in to get tested with MN plates is stuck in my head that they'll be a bit more than thorough. At this point, it's kind of exciting in my head. As much of a hassle it is, it's one more thing on my list to do before we move... which is really what it's all about.

So... ahem... the topic at hand... The consensus is I need all my EGR stuff back under the hood and functioning, yes? What do others suggest I use for a cat? Stock? Something better out there?

No tests down where you are, Jim? Might need to do some more looking as to where it'll make most sense where to pound in some tent stakes. Not sure I'll need a trailer this time around. Thanks though! Austin has made the offer in the past to load up his trailer and make a trip too. We shall see when it comes down to it and I'm in panic mode again.

It's more than likely going to turn into a multi trip kind of move. I have a tow bar for the VWs so that'll put me at a couple trips if I play my cards right. The jury is still out if the Beetle is coming with or not. As for the camper... someone might still come along to buy it?

By now it's no secret that I'm moving west to Colorado. The problem I'm looking at right now is what to do with my '88 Eliminator's emissions components. The truck mechanically really isn't anything special outside of being a mild stroker running on RENIX. The truck has never had a catalytic converter as long as I've owned it and, being that I currently in the cold state of MN where anything goes, I never put one in when I did the exhaust years ago when I was rebuilding the truck. The EGR on the other hand, was removed last summer along with the solenoid and related lines. I'm going into panic mode over what I need to do with it right now. :eek: Here's my questions... What catalytic should I put under it (stock/performance/other)? How involved are the inspections in Colorado (for those who need to do them)? I've looked into how things are tested, but I don't remember seeing anything about a visual inspection of components. Obviously, the cat is an easy one that anyone can just look under and see if it's there or not, but will there be someone who knows what they're looking for in late '80s Jeep emissions technology under the hood? I mean, Jeep got rid of the EGR in '91, so how much will it really make a difference when it comes to the actual test?

I suppose I was more so looking for someone to tell me "it's all going to be okay. :idea: Focus, I'm not worried about. The Cherokee, as far as I know it's only missing the cat. Being that it's a '98 it should only have the one downstream of the O2 sensor. Everything else is in place... again, as far as I know. The Comanche... um... it's got everything there minus the cat and EGR. Never had a cat as long as I've had it and the EGR was actually just removed this last summer. Excellent! Yeah... that's kind of what I was thinking. My real concern is the actual inspection (come the day that it actually is roadworthy) that someone looks at it and says, "well, it doesn't look like a Beetle." The trailer has a VIN assigned to it and it's on the state supplied ID sticker on the tongue. Depending on the DMV you go to, they'll either want to inspect it or they won't. When I went in, they were told that it's a home built pickup box trailer... which it is. I guess I have some work to do. :doh:

Been looking into vehicle inspections today... and getting a little concerned. :( We have nothing to worry about in the cold rusty state of MNso I have no idea what I should be worried about if anything. Being that I have a job waiting for me in Commerce City, I'm sure we'll be living temporarily around the east Denver area. Once moved there, we'll have 30 days to get a CO driver's license, and then 90 days to register my vehicles. Right now, the vehicles that I'll have to deal with are... 1988 Jeep Comanche: 1972 VW Beetle: 1974 VW "kit car" ("dune buggy" is an evil word in the eyes of DMVs and insurance companies) but is titled as a 1974 VW Beetle: 1998 Jeep Cherokee: 2007 Ford Focus (not a great picture, but I'm pretty sure this list doesn't really need pictures anyhow): From what I found on the CO DMV site: The Eliminator, Cherokee, and Focus will need the I/M 240 test every two years which is... ... and the Beetle and buggy will need the two-speed idle test every five years which is... But then... this is interesting too... The exempt list at the bottom has that "kit car" term. Now, my buggy is still technically titled as a 1974 VW Beetle, so I'm not sure what it would be involved with changing that to "kit car" or if it would be worth it. I understand that every vehicle must get a VIN inspection, which my buggy does still have the original stamping in the chassis, but not the dash plaque as it does not posses the original dash (or body for that matter). In MN, it would be considered a frame swap that the vehicle drivetrain and suspension is still original to the VIN/title. Right now the car is just titled in my name too. Being that it's still a work in progress, and I purchased the donor vehicle before you had to have proof of insurance prior to transferring a title, it has no current plates. On a side note, all my quoted information is found at the COLORADO DMV INSPECTION PAGE. So, back to the topic at hand, I'm getting some butterflies over everything. My Eliminator does not have a catalytic converter, nor does my Cherokee. Neither had one when I purchased them and I've never put any thought into it. The Cherokee doesn't have any check engine lights on from it either. The Beetle has no emissions equipment as it never had any from the factory, and the buggy has nothing as well. Should I take the time to add anything to my vehicles? Anything really to worry about? Anything I'm not worrying about right now that I should be? On that note, I'm also probably going to be taking along my camper... (yup... another picture that this post really doesn't need, but it was getting a little dry and people loves pictures, tight?) ... that has been kind of for sale but I haven't put a whole lot of effort into it. There is a for sale add for it, but all the pictures are dead links now because I used facebook. (See? I didn't even take the time to find the ad! How's that for effort?!) I have a MN title and registration for it already so I don't think I'll have an issue with registering it it CO based on this info... ... and I found HERE. Unless there's something I should be worried about with that? It's currently titled as a 3000 pound homemade trailer (note: NOT a camper). It's a one time type deal that got me a piece of paper (title) and a sticker on the tongue (registration). Anyhow... thoughts from the group?

^Agreed. Love that little thing!

Brake lines done. Went a little long with one but it'll be under the car, I guess. It was nice to finally start adding some new fluids to this thing. Next came the pedals. I did need to bleed the newly finished brake system anyhow. I wanted to clean them up first but I also wasn't happy that I didn't modify them in any way yet. It's subtle, but I couldn't let one piece go unmodified. :roll: And then it happened... it's now a roller! My shop got a little cleaned up, rearranged some, and then things got a bit flipped upside down for more finishing. Right now the plan is to leave the body alone. I've made the decision to let things stay with some patina... at least until I have the time to really do it nice. We've made a bigger decision to put the house up for sale soon. Time to get this thing as done as I can! FAST!!!

Heads up, Jim! I'm coming in your direction in a month and a half! If you still have this one... ... I'd still like to talk to you about it.

I'm sure I have it, but I'd have to dig some. Waiting to hear back from Jim on a few things for my upcoming trip out to Colorado right now.

You are about an hour and 15 mins away from Jim. It is worth the visit Adam. Agreed. X1000

PM sent.

Went into work Friday morning to talk with my plant manager about some hypothetical future stuff. I go in this morning to find out that I have a job waiting for me in Commerce City. :banana:

Little bit more today... hit a road block. My goal was to get the brake lines done. I got close though... maybe half credit for showing my work? :laughin: Ran short on one line, kinked another, and should've grabbed one more union.

Oh, what a day. Suspension and steering systems are now complete. I need to make up the hardlines for the brakes, but everything else is in place. Had to make up a few tools today out of wanting to just keep going and not run into town. I did the ball joints that needed an adapter for my ball joint press (piece of pipe with a plate welded to it), and then I needed bearing race punches for the front calipers. I still had the spindles and drum brakes off of the chassis, so... ... they were obviously the perfect size. :yes: Shocks were next. Three of the four went just fine, but I can't believe I never notices the right rear lower mount. Left... Right... Ratchet strap, block of wood, and a BFH made short work of shaping that up. Otherwise, everything else just dropped in place as it should. All I have left of the parts I recently ordered are taillight parts (lenses, gaskets, and trim), and a trigger shifter. Nice to have some big progress like this... even if all you notice are the bright blue cheap-@$$ Monroe shocks. :roll: Transmission seals, lug bolts, and front sway bar bushings on their way.

Thanks dude! :thumbsup: