BIGHEEP

Cool thanks! I am going to try running them SUA on my 2WD MJ with stock springs so inverting the shackles shouldn't be an issue.

Has anyone ever tried this? I was looking to lower the rear of my truck just a bit to take the rake out of it. I know in theroy an XJ shacle should fit I was just unsure if it would cause any binding due to tis short length.

Any updates? That 97+ front end looks as good on your MJ as it did on mine. :thumbsup:

How bad is the actual cab/bed of the truck?

Any progress on this since July?

X3 on the upper arms. You have way to much pinion angle. Just throwing this out there. If they sent you directions for a WJ lift are you 100% sure the lift itself is not for a WJ?

A machinist is not just someone who knows how to use a manual Bridgeport or mill. There is a lot more to it. Years ago if you knew math, your speeds and feeds, your metals, your tool types, uses and how to prep them I guess you could call yourself a machinist. In today's machining field everything is run by computers. Not only do you need to know the things mentioned above but you also need to know all your programming codes, how to use the controls on a CNC machine and a understanding of how to use cad software. The days of the self taught machinist are over. I personally learned through a apprenticeship program right out of high school. Now just using a manual milling machine to make some simple parts is another story. The internet is your friend there. I am sure you can find lots of info out in cyberspace. Also, the Machinist Handbook is your friend as well. It can answer pretty much any question you could have but it is not always very newb friendly. Good luck and remember. SAFTEY GLASSES and be very careful! It only takes a split second to make a very bad mistake and after 13 years in the trade let's just say I have seen some $#!& that would make you wanna puke.

Thanks Pete, yeah I saw pics of that MJ. It is nice but I am going to go with a sportier look. The front sheet metal on the truck is pretty banged up so I think I will be swapping on the 97+ front end I kept off my old MJ. If I could find one I wouldn't mind going with a Wagoneer nose either. I talked to my buddy tonight and he said he sold the low profile rims and tires that were on it so it looks like I will be using stock rims and tires for the time being. I am going to see the truck tomorrow so I will have more pics soon.

Well, after selling my 88 MJ earlier this year and building up an XJ I figured I was done with MJs for a while..... wrong. One of my buddies that owes me some cash picked up an 87 MJ Eliminator, 2WD, 4.0L, 5 spd., with a D44. He bought it for the rear axle. He is going to settle up his debt by swapping out the D44 with a D35 and giving me the truck. The truck was already used as a sport truck (Redneck style). It currently has chrome 15" wagon wheels w/low profile tires, the D44 has 4.10 gears and someone installed a Gibson Super Truck muffler that exits through the side of the bed in front of the rear tire. The truck is ruff and has a rot hole in the drivers floor but it is going to be a fun side project. My plan is to build this MJ into a fun street truck but spend as little money on it as possible for the time being. I already have YJ project and an XJ for wheeling so I really don't need to dump money into something else. I am planning on making the truck look somewhat Rat Rod-ish and modify/repair it with all used parts that are either cheap or I am able to trade stuff for. I should be getting the truck next week and I will post some pics as soon as it arrives. This will be the 4th Comanche I have owned. :nuts:

Well, tomorrow will be a sad day. I just got done piecing my MJ project back together so it is drivable (well onto a trailer at least) and it's new owner is picking it up tomorrow. For the time being I will be Comanche-less. I had to many projects and needed to thin them out a bit. This was my 3rd MJ but not my last. Once I have completed my other projects I am sure I will be looking for another one. Here is to you old friend. :cheers:

I'll grab them if I see them!! I get up your way (NH at least) when we go to Field and Forest. You know the place? CW Yep, I was there at the fall crawl. I am a NEA member as well. :cheers:

Thanks man. It's a D44. I have been watching this build since the beginning and it has come along nicely. I am surprised our paths have not crossed yet since we are in the same area. I sure I will see your truck in person one of these days.

Where did you get those spring plates?

Sorry I have to disagree with you on this. 1997 was the first full year they used 29 spline shafts. 1996 was the change over year. The earlier 96 XJ got 27 splines and the ones built later that year got 29. The 29 spline 8.25 in my XJ came out of a 1996. Just because your 1996 XJ axle was 29 spline does not mean that every 1996 axle is 29 spline. So the "safe" bet is to not even mention a 1996 axle as if you tell someone a 1996 axle is 29 spline; they go buy a 8.25 out of a 96 and it ends up being only a 27 spline. Then they are pi$$ed cause you told them a '96 axle was 29 spline. Most likely the 1996 XJ your 29 spline came out of was one of the last '96 models to come out. They most likely ran out of the 27 spline one's and used the new 29 spline one's still in the older body style. Being that 1996 was the year the most XJ's were made even tell us that they were throwing whatever parts available to them on the available chassis' to move them out the door. I will even venture to say 9 times out of 10 a 1996 8.25" will be 27 spline.

Sorry I have to disagree with you on this. 1997 was the first full year they used 29 spline shafts. 1996 was the change over year. The earlier 96 XJ got 27 splines and the ones built later that year got 29. The 29 spline 8.25 in my XJ came out of a 1996.

I am bumping this to find out what springs you used up front to lower your MJ?

I played, got to level 52 then decided to get my life back and quit playing. :D I did the same thing by posting my link in this forum. ;)

One reason they are worth a lot is there were just over 27,000 made in the 5 years they were produced and just as you said, most where driven into the ground or rotted away. I am glad I have 2 in the yard. :D

I am in the process of doing a SYE on my NP231 and have run into a problem. After swapping the main shafts and reassembling the internal workings of the t-case everything spins nicely then click the shaft drops down maybe .050 and the chain rubs the syncro sleeve. The chain is tight and the pin on the mode shift fork is resting on the shifting selector. I compared the 2 shafts by eye and they seem to be the same length from the shoulder on the main shaft to the end. I have disassembled and reassembled this thing at least ten times now and can't find the problem. Any ideas?

Just wondering are you just going for the prerunner look or plan on racing it? If you do plan on running it where around here?

The Red Sox are the World Series Champs! :cheers: :banana: :beerhead: :jump: :clapping: That is all. :thumbsup:

This is a mock up pic but you get the picture. Image Not Found

It won't fit under the hood on the XJ or MJ. I have the KB setup on my Golen 4.6L stroker in my XJ. I had to have a custom set of motor mounts made to lower my motor 1.25", do an adapter plate for my intake manifold to lower it .5" and than have a custom pulley made to get the rest of the clearance with the hood. If you factor in the blower, I have around $6K in the project, not including the cost of the engine management. Took me 2 years and it's finally on as of about 3 weeks ago. Search Jeepforum, I have a lot of pics and info of my project. see my solution for it not fitting under the hood is alot more simple... angle grinder. somethin to the effect of peteMs hood-scoop/fan thingy. just a little poke up A turbo can also be mounted further down the exhaust like under the bed.

see my signature :D Sometimes I wish she would have said no.

Yep, those 32x9.5s are going to go on the YJ. I have a set of 34x10.5s that are going on the Mance.