"Project Sith" 2WD to 4WD MJ Build!

[Dark Side]

So . . . it has begun! :o

 

"Project Sith" the conversion of a Nissan-driving young Jedi to a Jeep-wheeling Dark Lord!

 

Or . . . the build-up of a 1992 2wd Jeep MJ Comanche into a locked'n'loaded 4wd trail rig on 35" rubber with the help of the fine folks at BearTrax Offroad Outfitters and KhaosKustoms in Stony Plain, Alberta.

Special big "thankyou" to Bear for getting me suckered into this :P, and to Steve for the shop.

 

The plan is to take a 1992 2wd MJ Comanche (rotten floor, no engine or transfer case, little body rust, crappy dashboard, rear D35) and, after the loss of lot of blood, sweat, tears and hard won beer tokens, to produce a fine trailworthy vehicle.

 

FROM THIS

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TO SOMTHING A BIT MORE LIKE THIS

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The broad to-do list includes new floor pans, low milage inline 6 cylinder motor, new transfer case, refurbished cab interior, 35" rubber on 15" steel rims, lockers front and back, winch bumper and winch, rear bumper, rock sliders and underbody armour, and a good coat of paint! Other options may include on-board air, snorkel, side protection etc, but we'll see how time and money align.

 

We'll be keeping you posted as the project progesses over the next few months, and if anyone in the Edmonton-Stony Plain area wants to lend a hand, I'm more than willing to pay you in beer and/or fish'n'chips! Lol!

 

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[Dark Side]

Saturday March 28th

 

Got the MJ out from the snow in the lot at KhaosKustoms and with Steve's help with the bobcat got the low milage engine out of the back and the truck up on the hoist in the shop.

 

Close inspection revealed rotten floor pans, but nothing too bad. The rest of the chicle was in great shape considering its age, with only a few minor rust blisters and a bit of corrosion on the rocker pannels. The crease in the hood and cracked grille will need to be seen to as well. Underneath she looked really good, very little rust indeed. Checking the rear axle confirmed it as a Dana 35 with drum brakes.

 

Spent the afternoon gutting the interior ready for cleaning up the floor before cutting out the rot and putting in new pannels. Thanks to Don from NA4WDA for his help!

 

 

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1) The MJ along side the donor XJ - source of driveline and electrics! 2) The beast!

 

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3) Engine bay minus motor! 4) Rear D35 withdrum brakes

 

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5) On the hoist - body in good shape. 6) Rear rubber "skid plate", lol!

[Dark Side]

Sunday March 29th

 

Back at KhaosKustoms on Sunday. Finished pulling apart the dashboard. Lots of dubious wiring for crappy aftermarket stereo, speakers and amp! Not sure yet if we'll transplant the dash from the donor XJ or build a nice diamond plate one. Got to the floor with the wire brush and grinder. Floor pans weren't as bad as first suspected, though we'll still need to cut out sections and replace. Also have to replace the metal that had been cut out to accommodate the previous owners intentions of a new transmission and V8.

 

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There's a crack, a crack, in every thing. That's how the light gets in! -Leonard Cohen

 

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[Geonovast]

The broad to-do list includes new floor pans, low milage inline 6 cylinder motor, new transfer case, refurbished cab interior, 35" rubber on 15" steel rims, lockers front and back, winch bumper and winch, rear bumper, rock sliders and underbody armour, and a good coat of paint! Other options may include on-board air, snorkel, side protection etc, but we'll see how time and money align.

 

:thumbsup:

[Dark Side]

Now that looks frickin' mean!

:clapping:

[500 MJ]

This is gonna be fun to watch :yes:

[Dark Side]

Well, floor pans on order, but will take two frickin weeks up from :USAflag:

So this weekend the plan is to gut the donor XJ - interior and driveline going in the MJ, hope to sell the motor and rims to help fund the project, lol!