shelbyluvv

Wasn't there a thread on JU not to long ago about them going out of business? I hope I am mistaken, but I remember reading that somewhere.

I took some time off the dash install to make the 97 seat belts work. First I had cut the lower bracket off because the XJ one is too long. Then I re-drilled the mounting hole. Next I pulled the lower belt cover off the factory MJ bealt and put it on the new belt and snugged it down. The front seat belt buckles in the XJ have a metal strap in them instead of the webbing. I am using a bench I needed the web style. Just so happens that all the rear belts have the webbing and the longer center seat belt needed for the center passenger. I am trying to make everything in the truck look factory, I need the seat belt light to work too. I tore apart the front belt with the switch in it and moved it over to the rear belt buckle.

I finally got around to pulling the doors, under hood wiring, and drive train. Once those monsters were out of the way I gave me room to start the dash install. It started with me stripping the 97 of all her goods. I got the dash installed in the MJ first. It was not too bad, just time consuming. I had to redrill the lower "A" piller holes and make some new brackets to attach the dash to the windsheild frame. I also modified the center console out of the 97 to work with the MJ bech that I traded the buckets for. It is not done yet because I am still waiting to install to shifters and carpet. I pulled the dash out of the MJ and started the cutting and grinding. All the old brackets off. I used a $5.00 Harbour Frieght spot weld cutter for the whole process. It worked really good too. Now that all the old stuff is out of the way it is time to bolt the new brackets in. Here are a few shots frome under the dash showing the new brackets. The 2 bolts going through the cowl into the bracket. And all the new bolts coming throught the driver side fender area. Now the column is mounted and almost finished. I say almost because I still need to finish the hole the column goes through the firewall. You must move the hole up about an inch from the stock location. Because MJs use a foot brake for the parking brake it opens up a whole nother can of worms. I did some cutting and grinding and finally got it to fit where I wanted it. Now where to put the brake release handle? Cut and grind some more and there ya go. Right where it should be on the lower right side of the dash. Cool, the brake is done! Now what about the hood release? More cutting and grinding again. I used the stock MJ lower kick panel and modified it so that the XJs hood pull would work with it. If you look closely above the hood release handle you can see where the factory MJ hood release handle cut out was. You can also see the new bolt for the lower dash mount.

I like it! It looks good. But, if you have seen my station wagon you would understand!

Brown Santa dropped mine off today! :wavey:

Tell me about the cold in GA! I had to perform funeral honors for 2 different Marines yesterday. Man was it cold! Dress Blues do nothing to stop the wind and chill. It was 20* when we did the first funeral at 1000. The second funeral was at 1200 and the wind was whipping. It felt like it was -10*. It sucked. But, it is what we do for our fallen Marines! PS- These were not active duty Marines. We perform honors for any Marine who has been honorably discharged. No matter how long or when they served. Once a Marine, Always a Marine!

I got the dash out of the 97 XJ today. I also yanked the heater box out of the MJ. Putting the 97 dash in the older trucks is not to easy. Once the weather gets a little nicer I will be pulling the windshields in both (both are cracked) so I can get a little more room to work and get the upper dash brackets out of the 97.

I did not say I wanted to be true to the brand. I said "I am A huge MOPAR man and there is no way I would put a SBC in my Jeep".

Mine is there as well.

I debated it for awhile. I am a huge MOPAR man and there is no way I would put a SBC in my Jeep. There is no one who makes motor mount kits for a 318 MJ. They do make SBC kits. I also could not find the right maniflods to make the swap work. My plan was use a 94-96 ZJ drivetrain and wiring. I eventually decided to just pick up a 97+ XJ and swap in the newer stuff. Good luck man!

I personally would never run a spacer that is lug-centric. If it were me I would pay the extra cash to put hub-centric spacers on my DD. At least with the hub-centric spacers I know the rotor hat and the lug nuts are helping keep the wheel centered. This lessens the chance for them to vibrate loose.

Me Too!

I got the one of Onyx but it is dented up pretty good. My nused one is inbound from Ca.

Now we need a location.

27th may be doable for me too.

I finally got my top secret project 95% complete. I took the overhead console out of my 97 parts rig and modified it for use in the MJ. I basically cut 10 inches out of it and pieced it back together with a lot of Gorilla Glue, heat, JB Quik, and plastic weld. It is a total PIA! I do not ever want to do it again. It took me about 3 hours a day for a week to get it to this point. The only thing I have left to do is get it covered in the same color material that I will be using for the headliner and visors. I am waiting to install the 97 dash before I do the visors and what not to get the best color match. Here are some pics. Yesterday was my birthday so my wife ordered me these with a little help from me.

Don't shy away from the WJ platform either. I have an 04 Special Edition and love it. I use it for everything. It is my tow rig. I have towed as much as 6000 lbs without even a wimper from it. If you go with a WJ stay away from anything with the HO 4.7 and dual climate control. Mostly the Overlands and Limiteds come with those 2 options. Make sure you get one with the regular 4.7 V8. They have gobs of power and get decent mileage, about 22 hwy. The best part is they can be bought for $7000-$8000 right now for the 04s!

Check on NAXJA. There are a few people who have done it.

I work all week and most weekends. I'm out for this yard run. Plus, Agusta is a haul for me!

I work all week and most weekends. I'm out for this yard run. Plus, Agusta is a haul for me!

I have used and abused my ProTool from Advanced. It has a lifetime warranty too.

http://www.solidaxle.com $65 shipped for diff covers!

What year and what size motor? Your sig says 97 Comanche? :hmm: :nuts:

I sat down and starting thinking last night. I was putting together how much I had currently spent on the MJ rebuild, it was a lot! I still have at least another $4000-$6000 to spend before I finish it. I already have over $2200 in it! This is with me doing all the work myself. At this point it is still a carcass. Just an empty shell sitting there. MJ $400 XJ parts rig $1200 Bumper caps 97+ $45 Door panels 97+ $45 tailgate $100 MJ Dana 44 $260 Rubi MOABs $175 If you think you can build one as nice as that one for under $7000-$8000 you are sadly mistaken. Once I finish my truck I will never sell it. I know I will never get out of it what I will have into it. Just my thoughts.

JY run is cool with me too. I see ya'll need parts. EVERYTHING from the doors forward is up for grabs off Onyx. Doors, fenders, bumper, header panel, dash, motor, trans and all the wiring. Maybe a meet here at my place and we can get some parts out of my garage.