shelbyluvv

Read threw my build on Onyx. I tried the Copperhead ring. The slosh tray was in the way. I scrapped that plan and adapted a XJ sender to the MJ pump. It worked and was really easy. Then I had the idea that a TJ cluster was better looking than a XJ one. :nuts: This involved a lot of work. I took some pretty decent pics of the X/MJ sender configuration. EDIT: check page 11 on the Onyx build.

I did not say that was the build date. It was the day it showed up to get a lein put on it. Probably sold to the first owner. I wish I could read the build date on the door. I will give a $20 reward to whoever can tell me when this truck was built and have documentation to back up your claim.

Thanks for the update! Let us know if you need anything.

Looks like she was sold awful early in 86 too. 05/17/1986 RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CA Motor Vehicle Dept. TITLE (Lien Reported This has got my wheels turning. I might have an extremly early truck!

A two hour drive? Really? I drove 13 hrs to get my first 86 (GA to PA, then back), 4 hours to get Betty one way, 5 hours to get Onyx one way, and 4 hours to buy Betty back again. If you want a truck you have to put in a little work to get one. I just drove 3 hrs to get my donor rig. It is all in how bad you really want/need it.

Year, Model: 1986, COMANCHE Custom Driveline: WAS, 2.5L, AX-5, 4X4, D35 Build date: 9/85 Location:In my evil hands Status: Torn apart and getting a 5.2 Magmun swap Exterior: Black Interior: Black Current owner: Me The vin breaks down as such, 1-Place of Origin, US J-Manufacturer, Jeep Corporation T-Vehicle Type, (1986 only) Truck H-Engine, (1986 only) 2.5L AMC Gasoline I-4 L-Transmission and Transfer Case, 5 Speed Manual, Part-Time 4WD 65-Body Style, Comanche Truck 4WD LWB 1-Model and Gross Vehicle Weight, Comanche Custom, Standard Payload 7-Check Digit G-Model Year, 1986 T- Check Didgit 003550-Serial Number I got the VIN decoder here http://www.comanchemj.1hwy.com/custom3.html

I am in for one as well. My son would love to see the truck in print!

Nice truck! But your grill is in upside down.

Rob, What is the earliest known 86 you have seen? I know you can tell by the last six numbers in the VIN how early or late it is. The vin on Betty has me wondering if she might be an extremly early 86, 1JTHL6517GT003550 I think that means she is the 3550 truck off the line in 86. :hmm:

I made my own bracket out of some old scrap I had laying around.

I spent about 10 hours this weekend cutting up the factory dash to get this done to it... I installed the ZJ's gauge cluster, heater control switch, and the headlight switch. I don't know if I am going to use this dash or not. The cover is trashed and the whole thing is in rough shape. I have not checked into getting it recovered but I am sure it is not cheap. I also cut a few things I did not need to. There was a lot of trial and error with this project. I still need to finish the cluster surround but, it is getting there.

That looks just like my NOS bumper sitting on the shelf. Same scratches on the caps and all. I got mine for about the same price as you. I am not sure if I will ever run it. I might just hang onto it for a few more years and sale it for stupid money on EBay.

LOL, I pulled the front end off to work on it. There is nothing wrong with it really. I bought the ZJ strictly for a donor for my MJ. I did the same thing with the sweet 97 I bought for Onyx. They are just metal and parts to me, LOL!!!!

late 90's to early 2000s. The tank is just about the same size as a stocker.

Here are a couple pics of the donor Jeep. It runs very good, that is a major plus! I have been messing with the gauge clusters a little here and there. I think I got it figured out. I will be able to adapt the ZJ gauges to a HO XJ cluster! What does mean you ask? I will be able to retain a factory MJ interior while using a FI small block! The next hurdle will be the heater/HVAC wiring. I am hoping to be able to adapt the ZJ wiring to run a HO era XJ heater box. All in due time. This getting dark at 5:00 stuff really hurts my tinker time. Here are the pics of the $400 donor rig. Oh, I sold the tires and wheels from it for $200!

A Dakota tank will fit in the stock location with very little modification. The biggest hurdle will the gauge sender. It works very well for a 97+ conversion. If you have a short bed truck, a TJ tank will fit in the spare tire location like it was made for it. Again, you will have sender problems with your stock gauge. I am going to see how well a ZJ tank fits in a couple months on Betty. I am sure you can't wait that long for the update if your tank is rotted away.

I put a TJ tank in Onyx. I think a Dakota tank is a better fit.

Your eyes playing tricks on you pops? :D

get these and be done with it!!! Guess what way I am going on Betty!

Could I get the part #s for the mounts and pics of how you made the new frame mounts?

Why? :shake: I think a bed lined vehicle looks like poop. But as long as you're happy with it keep going.

I am guessing that you are under the age of 25...

Yep, 4.0L all the way. If you want a true PIA do a MPI 5.2/9 Mopar engine out of a ZJ.

I have had no time to deal with the donor due to Turkey Day. I have been thinking about using the ZJs dash in the truck. The ZJ has a really cool digital heater area. I think that would be trick in the MJ. :brows: I think the ZJ dash with it's updated look would flow better with the 2500 front end. Plus that will solve about 9000 wiring issues. The biggest hurdle using the ZJ dash will be it's width. I would have to trim it down a couple inches to fit. Once I get nuts deep in the project I will document it better than I did with Onyx's build. Stay tuned! :cheers:

I just found my donor rig! It is a 94 ZJ, 5.2, auto, 4x4 Limited. Looks like I got the V8 before the 4.0 for the swap. I am not sure where to start with this one just yet. I am thinking get the Magnum bolted in then move onto the wiring mess. I will work on it a little bit in the up coming weeks and see what I figure out. She is going to scream with 4:56s and 33s!