neohic

:redX:

Thanks dude! I wouldn't have the Jeeps I do without inspiration threads like this for fun little details. :cheers: Yeah... The JK Moabs are easier to find and run about a dime a dozen. The TJ Moabs have a little deeper face on them. I like that... not quite as flat looking. From the side, I could really go either way, but in profile I really prefer the TJs. Really diggin the black/silver look on yours! Noted if I find a set.

Looking good, Bo! :thumbsup: There's just something so right about Moabs on an MJ. I'd really like to put a set of TJ Moabs under my Eliminator at some point. Can't wait to see this truck all cleaned up nice.

Ugh... again?! :roll: Another pissed off bird later, the Ape got some more attention. Today I took care of some more wiring. The wireless module finally got taken care of but I had to figure out what wire did what first. I looked around online and found what I thought was the correct pin out, but the only color that matched up to what I've got was black. Here's what mine ended up being for reference: green = power in, white = power out, red = 12v supply, black = ground. I put the 12v supply on a switch so there wouldn't be any potential unfortunate accidents in the future. Mounted the module in the header panel so there would be good line of sight for the green antenna. "Plan B" switch right above the electric fan switch with a fancy light because I found it in my toolbox. Didn't want to leave the original connector in the cover. Bugs me when there's wiring or really anything that's left in a vehicle that doesn't work. OD green duct tape for the win! ... then the cover finally found its way back on. Then I added a cute little storage box in the rear. Nice to keep things from rattling around back there. One deep drawer in the bottom and a couple swallow ones that'll be nice for keeping tools in. Scratched a major item off my list today too. Everything needs another good coat of paint once the sun comes back. Make up a steering box brace Swap in another drag link Change oil in the diffs Still need to change the front. Change motor mounts Start and finish the rear fender flares Fix drain plug in the oil pan Get windshield replaced Update OHV registration Maybe weld up the exhaust to do away with a few dozen exhaust clamps... that all leak Wire in the wireless winch control module Make a mount for the tube doors to keep them secured somewhere inside Change out the radiator Brakes

That's a tough price range to work in there, Pete. The Miller 190 is a fun little package, but for a little more I'd look at the 211. Never have I ever said, "ya know... I really wish I had less capabilities" when talking about a welder. If you plan to go Miller, have a look at THEIR REBATES going on through Dec. 31. Otherwise, have a look at the Lincoln 210 MP also. That's a stout little machine and can be had for right around $1000. It just came available this year and the demand is big enough that a bunch of suppliers are a few weeks out on getting more in my area. While in the same price range, a Tweco (formerly Thermal Arc) 211i is a real winner in my book when it comes to functionality and fine tuning options in the small welder line. 110v or 220v is a nice option too. But again, for a little bit more its bigger 252i brother has a ton more punch. I'd highly consider looking a little higher than the $800 cap. :thumbsup:

I love these drivetrain swap threads. It's always little details, and little details, and little details... and then it all comes together! Nice job so far. :popcorn:

It was a Robin... and it was pissed. Now I get dive-bombed just about every time I go outside! :peek:

Key word there is POTENTIAL. :D Life is hard for us in the northern country.

Sounds like a potential leak turning into rusted floors for either you or the next owner. I wouldn't do it. :ack:

Spent a little bit of time on the rear again and got them looking more how wanted... Got one some fully welded while the other took more time to get to fit nicely. Originally I wasn't planning on sheeting over the whole quarter panel, but I really didn't like how it turned out the first time. Still not totally thrilled with them... I'm typically not a "that'll do" kind of fabricator, but I spent way too much time on the passenger side flare. They look fine, but it really bugs me that they don't match from side to side. Couple measurements got a little out of hand... not that you can see both sides at the same time anyhow, I guess. Make up a steering box brace Swap in another drag link Change oil in the diffs Still, still, still need to change the front. Change motor mounts Start and finish the rear fender flares Still started Fix drain plug in the oil pan Get windshield replaced Update OHV registration Maybe weld up the exhaust to do away with a few dozen exhaust clamps... that all leak Wire in the wireless winch control module Make a mount for the tube doors to keep them secured somewhere inside Change out the radiator Brakes On a side note, I went outside this morning and saw that the Ape is returning back to nature in more ways than just the rust now. :laughin:

It's May!... and then some! We're a little late but better late than never, eh? Had some issues getting some pictures figured out but I'll guarantee everyone that it's worth the wait. This month is another one of those members who puts together a truck that just stands out. Everything on it seems so right! Everything looks well thought out, in its place, and pretty damn cool while getting the job done. Was it planned? Was it just the way it worked out? Or was it something that came in a vision from a higher power?... almost... spiritual? This month goes to... YEAR/MODEL ● 1988 Comanche Sportruck ENGINE/PERFORMANCE ● Homemade cone style intake and flowmaster muffler DRIVETRAIN ● 4.0L with 99k miles, currently the stock BA10-5 awaiting a rebuilt AX15 swap with newer np231 with SYE and CV shaft. I've also got all of the pieces for a gear swap and ARBs front and rear, and 30 spline chromoly front shafts and chromoly rears. I plan on mounting the air compressor inside of my tool box and making a small hole between the cab and bed for the lines to run from. COOLING ● New factory cooling system parts with an open radiator conversion. ELECTRICAL/IGNITION ● OE ignition with new plugs, wires, coil, cap, rotor, ignition control module, and CPS SUSPENSION/STEERING ● RR 1ton steering upgrade, 5.5" Rubicon Express coils, factory springs with Ruff Stuff perches and shock mounts for SOA swap, ORV shocks, RR adjustable track bar, RR sway bar disconnects, RK long arm front. (currently with custom cross member for BA10-5 use) INTERIOR ● All stock bench seat, Hurst pool ball shifter (white), Rubbermaid cupholder mod, factory vinyl flooring, aftermarket headunit with USB and AUX ports, 5.25" JVC door speakers and Pioneer 6.5" rear speakers. (need rear brackets!) Also a homemade velcro in headliner since my truck didn't come with one. BRAKES ● Cross drilled and slotted rotors for the front, factory pads and calipers, rear disc swap from the 8.8 with OE pads, rotors, calipers. LIGHTING ● Trucklite LED headlights, two 3" cube LEDS on stinger bumper. EXTERIOR ● Customer front steel bumper with stinger and JCR rear DIY rear bumper with 2" receiver. Factory faded paint, repainted grille and bezels, aluminum rear tool box. WHEELS/TIRES ● 33x12.50x15 Mud Dawgs with American Racing AR62 rims. FULL BUILD THREAD HERE Remember That One Time?... Tell Us Your Best MJ Story ● I think the funniest story I have so far would have to be when doing my SOA swap and long arms. I had one day on two different weekends so we focused on the SOA swap the first weekend. So at the end of the night I drove home with the rear up about 5.5"-6" in the air on 215/70s and the front at stock height. My rearview mirror was pointless and I got some CRAZY looks when driving it home. Aside from that it would be the whole journey with this thing from pick up until now. This truck had sat for a 11 years and only had 94K miles on it bone stock when I picked it up! CC is Awesome!... Why Do You Think So? ● I love the wealth of knowledge about these trucks and getting inspired to do things to my truck from watching other people build theirs! ●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●● This Comanche has it... period! You did an amazing job with function, form, and a bunch more form, Rev! From the dirty little scrappy truck that it was to the beast that it is today, this truck has definitely been touched by something divine. Definitely worth at least a few more spiritual puns, anyhow! Please feel free to list more... :D Congratulations, Rev! -Ben This post has been promoted to an article

Swapped the radiator this morning and started on the rear flares. Not all that happy with how they're turning out though. Probably salvageable... it'll just take some time. :grrrr: Make up a steering box brace Swap in another drag link Change oil in the diffs Still, still need to change the front. Change motor mounts Start and finish the rear fender flares Started Fix drain plug in the oil pan Get windshield replaced Update OHV registration Maybe weld up the exhaust to do away with a few dozen exhaust clamps... that all leak Wire in the wireless winch control module Make a mount for the tube doors to keep them secured somewhere inside Change out the radiator Done Brakes

:cheers:

... unfortunately, it's still a turd. :shake:

Go get'm, Marcell!

A very wise man once told me that when going downhill offroad, all you need is to pick two of three things... good brakes, a good shifting transmission, a horn. Figured since I still don't know why my horn doesn't have any power, I'd better take a look at the brakes. That was this afternoon and HOLY CRAP!!! When all you know with a vehicle is how you got it, one sometimes doesn't realize how bad things are until they work properly! It'll actually lock up all four now! I had most of the parts on my shelf for a ZJ disk brake swap in the rear and the front just got new pads and rotors. Shiny! I didn't use the backing plates or the parking brake though. The plates were in sad shape and the parking brake was missing a bunch of parts. This was another thing that has never worked in this Jeep for me either so I don't miss it. The cables were mangled so they got removed so all that remains is the handle in the console, the cable going from there, and the splitter bracket. Another fun find was taking the diff cover off and finally finding out exactly was going on inside the axle. All anybody could tell me about it was that it was welded. Didn't know if it the spider gears were welded to the carrier or not. I even talked with the guy who welded it about ten years ago and he didn't even know! So?... nothing was welded to the carrier! :banana: This means that I could easily remove them and swap in a locker in the future with little fuss! I was very happy to see this. As for the cover itself... ... it looks more like a golf ball than a diff cover. :laughin: Inside there's a couple grooves where the ring gear was actually rubbing away at it. Just about paper thin! I had another stock cover on the shelf so that was used with a couple new patches of steel. Took it down the road and back. What a pleasant change! No more planning ahead when wanting to stop. On an added bonus, I think the steering is in good shape too. I was planning on swapping in another drag link that I have, but after seeing how warped and rusted the front rotors were, I can see how they would've added to the problem. Picture just because all the other ones in this post were kind of boring... Make up a steering box brace Swap in another drag link Going to run it as-is. Change oil in the diffs Still need to change the front. Change motor mounts Start and finish the rear fender flares Fix drain plug in the oil pan Get windshield replaced Update OHV registration Maybe weld up the exhaust to do away with a few dozen exhaust clamps... that all leak Wire in the wireless winch control module Make a mount for the tube doors to keep them secured somewhere inside Change out the radiator Brakes

Couple things taken care of today... oil pan and steering box brace. I decided to leave the oil pan under it and just weld on half of a 1/2" pipe coupler. That went well... tight squeeze at times... but went well. Then the new brace. I tied into the old sway bar mounting holes on the passenger side on made a clamp similar to most aftermarket units. Still needs paint. Make up a steering box brace Swap in another drag link Change oil in the diffs Change motor mounts Start and finish the rear fender flares Fix drain plug in the oil pan Get windshield replaced Update OHV registration Maybe weld up the exhaust to do away with a few dozen exhaust clamps... that all leak Wire in the wireless winch control module Make a mount for the tube doors to keep them secured somewhere inside Change out the radiator Brakes

Trying to work up the ambition to go out and work on this thing this morning. It's raining and crappy outside and it's really taking the wind out of my sails. To trick myself into thinking that I'm getting something done, here's the dreaded list that needs to be taken care of over the next few weeks... Make up a steering box brace Swap in another drag link Change oil in the diffs Change motor mounts Start and finish the rear fender flares Fix drain plug in the oil pan Get windshield replaced Update OHV registration Maybe weld up the exhaust to do away with a few dozen exhaust clamps... that all leak Wire in the wireless winch control module Make a mount for the tube doors to keep them secured somewhere inside Change out the radiator Brakes I'm hoping to not find anymore surprises as I really don't have time for them. Going up to Gilbert May 29th in it. Will it all get done?... probably not.

Need to finish up the face lift soon... it's MJ season. When I ordered a radiator for the Ape, I figured I might as well order two. They came today! There really wasn't anything wrong with the single core that has been in it for the last eight years or so other than the fact that it's a cheap single core that's been in there for eight years. Obviously, I'm on borrowed time! So... need to finish the rear bumper, paint it, paint the grill and headlight surrounds, paint the fender flares, might as well paint the rears too so everything matches, C101 delete, wash and enjoy. . :MJ 1: .

Radiator came in today and it's beautiful! :banana:

Mine used to do that but when I had the interior out last I tweaked the rear bracket over so it would fit better. I too struggled with the seat belt when it fell down. :fs2:

Unless it's a known good one for a real cheap-o price, I wouldn't fuss around with a used alternator. Either have yours rebuilt or just go with a parts store rebuilt unit.

I wouldn't even dink around with it. Cut it off and weld on a new receiver tube from just about anywhere you can get a draw bar from: Then to keep things clean, I use a real fancy square wire brush that's made for use inside a 2" receiver tube. Can't find a picture online, but just imagine a wire brush that's square... I think I got it at a Harbor Freight? Anyhow, I'll scrub it out good at least once a year depending on how much it gets used. Make sure to touch up the paint inside afterwards too.

Yeah... it's pretty easy to be a creep online. I took it upon myself to spice up your credit score also by opening a few credit card accounts and then used them to put a down payment on a lake shore cabin. Think of it as an investment property. :thumbsup: