bigalpha Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 1988 MJ Pioneer. 167,xxx miles, 2WD, I6, AW4, D30/35, $900. Alright, so she's a little ugly. The clear coat has faded/is fading. The bed is all scratched up (it will be getting Rhino Lined). There is no tailgate (I'm looking for one). The rear bumper is bent up. Minimal rust on the body -- mainly in spots where the paint has been scratched off. No discernible rust on the frame/underbody. Temp gauge doesn't read proper temperature. I think it's low on antifreeze. There is none in the overflow bottle (closed system). Heat blows HOT, though. AC does not work ... maybe the system needs a recharge. How do you know if it needs a recharge, or if the compressor is shot? Idles high in 'Park'. Crazy oil leak(s) -- the whole underbody is coated in oil; of course it drips on the exhaust too, so it smokes. Shifts nicely, and the engine is powerful. Possible missing vacuum hoses. I also don't think the front turn signals work, but the rear do. When the headlights are turned on, the clock goes away but the right signal indicator in the dash stays lit. Grounds and battery terminals need to be cleaned. The speakers in it are so massively sucky. Sliding rear window with no handle. No headliner/dome light. Courtesy lights in the 'B' pillar don't light up. Is wired for trailer lights and has 2" ball. What's the towing capacity of an MJ? I think that's it for now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darren Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 Whats the gameplan? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiNi Beast Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 Congrats! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
awhpoo Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 looks like its in decent shape what are your plans for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigalpha Posted May 14, 2009 Author Share Posted May 14, 2009 Whats the gameplan? looks like its in decent shape what are your plans for it. The goal is for this to be a very solid DD. I'd like to turn this thing into nice shape. New paint and such. Make it a nice Mall Crawler! I think my first plan of action is to get it detailed, inside and out. Then, get the major stuff fixed, and slowly work on the minor (unimportant) things as well. My first four goals are: Fix the A/C, Figure out why the front turns don't work, Try to find and stop the oil leak, Figure out why the temp gauge is reading so low. After those three: Rear bumper+tailgate, Speakers, Cosmetic touch-ups. Long term: New paint, New tires, New seats. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 Questions should go in the Tech forum so more people will see them. The projects forums is mostly for updates from you as the project progresses. :thumbsup: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigalpha Posted May 14, 2009 Author Share Posted May 14, 2009 Questions should go in the Tech forum so more people will see them. The projects forums is mostly for updates from you as the project progresses. :thumbsup: Right on, I'll start a never-ending thread of questions. :eek: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drahcir495 Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 Questions should go in the Tech forum so more people will see them. The projects forums is mostly for updates from you as the project progresses. :thumbsup: Right on, I'll start a never-ending thread of questions. :eek: Welcome to the club! Nice looking MJ :thumbsup: . Post away with the questions! That is what the ComancheClub and the Tech section is here for :cheers: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigalpha Posted May 14, 2009 Author Share Posted May 14, 2009 Questions should go in the Tech forum so more people will see them. The projects forums is mostly for updates from you as the project progresses. :thumbsup: Right on, I'll start a never-ending thread of questions. :eek: Welcome to the club! Nice looking MJ :thumbsup: . Post away with the questions! That is what the ComancheClub and the Tech section is here for :cheers: Thanks; I've already started with the questions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DansGreyMj Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 If you ever need any help let me know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reson46 Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 1988 MJ Pioneer. 167,xxx miles, 2WD, I6, AW4, D30/35, $900. 2WD and D30? Did somebody swap in a front axle in anticipation of making it 4WD? :hmm: Willy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigalpha Posted May 14, 2009 Author Share Posted May 14, 2009 If you ever need any help let me know. Cool, thanks. I'll probably be needing it. RENIX is like living on Mars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigalpha Posted May 14, 2009 Author Share Posted May 14, 2009 1988 MJ Pioneer. 167,xxx miles, 2WD, I6, AW4, D30/35, $900. 2WD and D30? Did somebody swap in a front axle in anticipation of making it 4WD? :hmm: Willy Heh, not anytime soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigalpha Posted May 17, 2009 Author Share Posted May 17, 2009 No new pics but I did get the AC working again. The PO unplugged some of the wires running from the compressor to wherever they go. I plugged them back in and we're in business. I'm thinking of getting the system recharged anyways. Does refrigerant go bad? I also used the last half can of degreaser on the truck. Boy, this thing is NASTY. I found the source of one of the major oil leaks too; the crimp between the soft and hard hoses for the trans fluid return from the trans to the rad. I'll be replacing that with hose clamps like I did on my XJ. I'll be plugging up some of those vacuum hoses, too, and replacing the broken ones. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DansGreyMj Posted May 17, 2009 Share Posted May 17, 2009 Get the a/c system checked for leaks before you get it recharged. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigalpha Posted May 17, 2009 Author Share Posted May 17, 2009 Any place in C'ville you recommend? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DansGreyMj Posted May 18, 2009 Share Posted May 18, 2009 Not really, but there is a mechanic on dover road that i heard is pretty reasonable. I forgot what the name was though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigalpha Posted May 27, 2009 Author Share Posted May 27, 2009 Update: I finally fixed the leaking trans line, so now trans fluid doesn't spray everywhere. I'll need to attempt the rear main at some point along with the oil filter adapter o-rings. The A/C works now, though the drain tube is all blocked up and it drains into the cab. I couldn't find the drain hose, so I'll hafta look for it again. My XJ does this too. I unblocked the CCV grommet, so no more oil mist coming out of the intake tube for the valve cover. I also ordered a new one. I got the interior detailed, so now it doesn't smell anymore. New door speakers. Got new rims. Just like THESE. However, it wasn't as easy as getting them mounted. The two rear tires are 215/75 and the two front were 215/60. Went to Sam's and got (2) 215/70 to replace the /60's. Turns out that the /75's are over 10 years old, so they wouldn't remount the tires on the new rims. So, I have the /70's mounted on the new rims on the front, and I hafta go get some tires for the rear and get them mounted. I also had an idea for in-cab lighting. The two b-pillar lights don't work so there's no light on the inside. My MJ also doesn't have the headliner. This leaves a pretty sizable gap between the top of the cab and the lip that the head liner mounts to. I was thinking of getting some low-key LED strips and running them all around the top of the cab (hidden in the lip) and they'd come on when the door opens. Low power consumption, but different. Ideas, thoughts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigalpha Posted May 30, 2009 Author Share Posted May 30, 2009 Just installed my tailgate thanks to DansgreyMJ. Edit: pics My old tailgate is for sale as well (it's the one sitting propped up against the truck): Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigalpha Posted June 3, 2009 Author Share Posted June 3, 2009 Since there is no headliner, I was thinking of painting it with some chalkboard paint. Think it'd hold up to the sun beating down on it all the time? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DansGreyMj Posted June 3, 2009 Share Posted June 3, 2009 I think the mj at D&D may still have a headliner in it, but it'll probably cost you an arm and a leg. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigalpha Posted June 3, 2009 Author Share Posted June 3, 2009 I didn't even know they had an MJ. Last time I went, they only had 2 XJs. But you're right, I'd have to give them my left testicle for it. I like my testicles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigalpha Posted June 25, 2009 Author Share Posted June 25, 2009 The radiator recently went south on me on my way home from work. Not exactly sure what happened, but have a leak that lets out coolant AND trans fluid. I'm thinking it's possible there's an internal leak, too, and the red in the coolant came from the trans fluid. The poop thing is, I JUST replaced all the hoses and t-stat. I'm going tomorrow to pick up a known working (used) radiator and get it installed and get the MJ running again since it's my DD. I also need to do the rear main at some point in life, it leaks something wicked. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freakjeep93 Posted June 29, 2009 Share Posted June 29, 2009 looks like a good project all of the oil leaks make for good rust protection! :mad: :cheers: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigalpha Posted July 28, 2009 Author Share Posted July 28, 2009 Yeah, I haven't found very much rust at all, just a few minor spots on the body. The brake MC was bad, so swapped it out with a booster and MC from a 99. The push rod is hella long, so the pedal is freaking high. I will get the rod swapped out later. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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