Minuit

Mine was also wired for courtesy lights. Just get the sockets and brackets. They're located at each end of the lower dash panel.

The correct code is " : needpics :" :needpics:

Alright. Today was the day. I'm now 100 miles from home at university, so my wrenching time will be mostly limited to weekends and breaks (although I can see myself fitting in a parking lot oil change and the like) This means that this thread probably won't get nearly as many updates as usual. The MJ is a joy to drive on the interstate and has performed flawlessly on the numerous 100+ mile drives it's been on recently. The next wrenching session will be one of de-leakifying the engine. I am 99% sure the engine is in need of a rear main seal (oil filter adapter and valve cover gasket have been taken care of) as well as a new front main seal, which has just started recently. While I'm at that, the engine will get a new timing set. I'm also pretty much positive that the oil pan threads are damaged, and as a result the plug drips some oil occasionally. The oil pan will either be repaired or replaced. All of this is about $220 in parts, but quite a bit in labor. I should be able to take the truck off the road for several days in a few weeks, so it'll be getting done then. It leaks oil like a 23 year old 4.0 currently, and that's something I want to fix soon. Stay tuned, although the next update may be a while. :thumbsup:

I agree it's corny... but the idea behind a lot of the mods (windshield guard, 32 gallon gas tank, dual battery wiring, LED bar, etc.) are feasilbe and "acceptatble" for anyones camping, offroad, or hunting rig, in my opinion. That's true and it's sort of what I was getting at. That XJ as it is would make a fantastic overlander, which he does say in the video.

I've been following this guy's channel ever since one of his videos came up on CC a while back. That is a sick XJ and his videos are awesome but IMO the zombie theme was a bit corny. Of course, that's probably the point.

:yeah that:

My truck's build date is 4/17/91 and it's definitely a '91 model year. Additionally, '91s have ML VINs, and '92s have NL VINs. Your truck is 99% likely to be a 91, which is just as good a year as '92. There's just more '91s out there. :thumbsup:

:banana:

The first video update is here! Let me know what you think. I'll be making a text update later. There isn't enough stuff for one yet, and it's doubtful that there will be for a while. Tomorrow I'll be filming a front to back, in depth overview of the truck and a little bit of its history. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwVR4ceuqrE

The 2.5 diesel engine (which I don't think we got in the US) got the AX-15. If you have the gasoline AMC 2.5 then you have an AX-5.

The AX-15 was used behind the 4.0 litre inline six and has an AMC bolt pattern, which your engine does not have. The AX-5 is used behind the 2.5 litre inline four and 2.8 litre vee six and uses the GM bolt pattern, which your engine does have. You cannot use an AX-15 from an XJ and expect it to bolt in. They made both 4wd and 2wd versions of every single transmission used in these things. They made 4wd AX-5s, so that is what you will need if you're pulling your stuff from a Jeep. Short answer: 5-speed 86 MJs had 4wd versions of the AX-5. ok so is 86 the only year of jeep that i could possibly pull a transmission from for my 4wd convertion? if it'll fit but like Minuit said the bolt pattern aint the same, could i take the bell housin off my AX5 and put it on the AX15? Redwolf 1. No. The AX-5 was always the 5-speed manual behind 2.5s/2.8s from the factory as far as I know. 2. The Dodge Dakota briefly got the AMC 2.5l engine (the same one that Jeeps got!) with the same bellhousing bolt pattern as your 2.8. The AX-15 bellhousing will not fit the AX-5. However, if you can find a 5-speed Dodge Dakota with the AMC 2.5l engine, you can use THAT AX-15 in your MJ. No others unless you swap the bellhousings. However, these Dodge Dakotas are rare. All transmissions that fit the AMC 2.5l engine will fit your 2.8. They use the same bellhousing bolt pattern! You can only use an AX-15 if you either find a bellhousing or an entire transmission from a Dodge Dakota with an AMC 2.5l engine.

Certainly, but I left it out for simplicity's sake.

The AX-15 was used behind the 4.0 litre inline six and has an AMC bolt pattern, which your engine does not have. The AX-5 is used behind the 2.5 litre inline four and 2.8 litre vee six and uses the GM bolt pattern, which your engine does have. You cannot use an AX-15 from an XJ and expect it to bolt in. They made both 4wd and 2wd versions of every single transmission used in these things. They made 4wd AX-5s, so that is what you will need if you're pulling your stuff from a Jeep. Short answer: 5-speed 86 MJs had 4wd versions of the AX-5.

Well, I recorded the first part of what will be the first video update today. Since I know all 19 of you that have seen the last post are on the edge of your seats with excitement, I won't spoil anything. These videos will be slightly edited and basically consist of me pointing a camera at things and talking about them. I'll definitely be doing an in depth walk-around of the MJ and possibly a brief driving video. I may branch out into other things if this sort of stuff is received well. :thumbsup: and no, I won't be shooting these vertical. :cheers:

Guys, somehow I don't think being pedantic is going to help his problems. :hmm:

THE INTERNET IS SERIOUS BUSINESS!!!

Have you checked the ignition coil itself yet? I had essentially the exact problem you're having now and it fixed it. Not sure how you'd test it if it's an intermittent failure, though.

:bowdown: I'm forever envious of your fab skills. That was quick!

Uh oh, it's another one of those late-night thoughts posts... When I was doing the control arm job, I made the comment that "maybe I should have left it under that tree". The MJ has taken revenge for that insult duly and once again decided it wanted to be a pain in my @$$. First, the oil pressure "sending unit" decided to unplug itself. I originally thought that the bulb in my dummy light cluster went out and didn't worry about it because the idiot lights are on borrowed time anyway. It's disconcerting that this thing stays off when there's no signal. ...and then this happened :eek: The symptom was a really loud squeak when any vibration occured. (thanks guys who provided pics of their gas tanks, it's back on now) And now, I've been blessed with very, very, very slow cranking, although it does start up and run correctly every time. Tomorrow I'm going out to clean up some electrical connections. ...aaaand the electric cooling fan is making tons of noise whenever it's on. It still works, but it'll be replaced and hopefully upgraded eventually. Tip: Never insult the MJ when you're around it. It can hear you. Anyway, time for some non-Jeep content! I occasionally dabble in detailing cars. It's something I would eventually like to do as a side job, but there's bigger things to worry about now. Here's my dad's 1995 Buick LeSabre with 163k miles. This car gets rode hard and put up wet consistently, so it felt good to make it look nice for a change. It's also got the fantastic 3800 engine. Here's my mom's 2004 Cadillac Seville... which I would never ever like to work on, thank you very much. A 4.6L V8 (yes, the Northstar...) stuffed sideways into a FWD car is a horrible idea, but it's one of the smoothest vehicles I've ever driven. It's really fast and makes a good noise, too. Of course the truck had to get in on the action, too. One thing I'm considering doing is video updates. I'd like to know from you guys whether or not there would be any interest in this. It would give me a chance to show things off in more detail than I can in pictures, for sure. Let me know!

Yeah, we're going to need more details on those seat covers. :bowdown:

I think I've found my new favorite Comanche paint scheme. :drool: Here's a few bits of advice in no real order: - They are much more expensive, but I'd suggest finding a factory service manual if you're serious about working on this truck. They're still in print and can be found if you look on rockauto or maybe eBay. They have a lot more in depth diagrams and explanations that the Haynes won't have, and you get all sorts of fancy technical specifications to look at too if you're into that kind of thing. They are really big books too so they make great freeweights. Very worth the 100 or so bucks they cost. - This truck looks astonishingly clean from the pic you've posted, but you're very likely to find rust on the floors if you pull up the carpet (and you should) - You have an '87, so this thread(click me) will be a godsend. The one on the C101 connector will be of particular interest to you. The procedures in there aren't hard to do and will drastically improve your truck's reliability. - These trucks are probably one of the best things (short of an old carbed pickup) to learn on. You'll collect knowledge pretty quickly once you get out there and start working on things. If you post questions you'll get answers pretty quickly. We're a helpful bunch. We're also a very visual bunch, so post more pics of your gawgus '87 :thumbsup:

:drool:

Thanks! Wanna buy it? CC member pricing of $3500 lol. At least I know it'll go into good hands and I can still see pictures of it haha. Unfortunately that's about $3600 too rich for me right now. I already have enough stuff to throw money at :fs1:

I think this is something we've all wondered at one point or another. I sure have. I don't think $4k is that far off - more if you go up north and find the right buyer. One thing I have to say is that your truck is pretty much my ideal setup... :thumbsup:

Wow, you've done more in 5 days than I've done in 2 and a half years. Great to see more members in TN.