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'88 MJ Restification (lots of pictures):


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On 2/12/2023 at 9:45 PM, neohic said:

Bump for a solid build. I really miss updates in this truck. Hope all is well. :nutherround:

Hard to believe it's been nearly 14 years since I started this. I'm currently recovering from my latest physical setback (apparently being blue collar is bad for your knees). I'm still beating myself up driving the same old Wrangler I bought 10 or 12 years ago.

 

We had some nice weather last week and I pulled the cover off the MJ and mulled over it most of the morning. This morning I told my wife I'm not 100% sure what I'm going to do with it, then an hour later I pre-ordered a set of the Oracle tail lights. Maybe in the next decade it will be back on the road.

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  • 2 weeks later...

I'm going to slowly (still recuperating) start back into the truck. I spent today making a mental checklist of things to do and redo as well. My goal is to get it started again, sort the brakes out and eventually address the paint. No real time frame just when I have the time and mobility to work on it.

 

I removed the rear fender flares and started wet sanding them. I've got some nice unpaited front flares I picked up years ago. I plan to just paint them black. I'd like to have a matte and slightly textured finish. Any suggestions?

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I used rustolium "bedliner" for the flares in my KJ.  can't imagine a worse product for a bedliner (the surface is far too much like sandpaper for my tastes), but makes for a cool paint. :L: 

 

 

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1 minute ago, kabowabo said:

I painted the speakers I have on my covered porch with that same bed stuff. I'll try it on one of my old front flares.

 

make sure you scuff, clean, prime and paint.  don't skip any steps on anything you plan to use.

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Except for a few screws I've about got the interior back together. I used to toss every screw I removed in the junkyard in my bag and never threw any away. No clue where they all are now.

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Finished up the interior including replacing the left hand door panel. I had to remove the left side door lock cylinder to get new door keys cut. I simply replaced the ignition key cylinder with one I had the keys for. I installed the lock cylinder in the door this afternoon. Thought it would be fairly easy, but after 3 hours of sweating and swearing I finally figured out the locksmith had installed the actuator arm on the back of the lock backwards. Nice. For now the key situation is done unless I find a 'J' code cylinder.

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The interior is complete enough now to move on to the engine compartment and work on getting her running again.

 

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I'm going to move on for now and I'll address the missing head unit after most the mechanical stuff is done. I did change out the shifter knobs and hooked the pillar gauges back up.

 

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I did a double din head unit in my TJ and I really like the larger screen. I find this head unit. It's a Boss BE7ACP-SD, single din with a floating display that can tilt left-right and up-down. One of the YouTube reviews even had a pic of it installed in an XJ. I like the design but I don't know much about Boss.

 

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The majority of the head units have been JVC. I've never had a Boss.

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Contrary to popular internet belief (circa 2009) and mine, a Dakota light bar is not a direct bolt in.20230523_152435.jpg.a4cdd629c4b8a4bc361de7a1f6e16abb.jpg

 

Kind of disappointed I've hung onto this thing for 12 years. I want my Craigslist $50 back.

 

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At least it keeps the cover from sagging.

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Rough day at physical therapy but I got the hood back on the hinges. Motor is looking worse for wear.

 

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Also check out my 12 year old AutoZone battery. Oh yeah, it's dead.

 

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Amazing amount of dust and crud under here. Plus the missing pieces that have become the norm. What's missing here?

 

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I absolutely love seeing updates on this truck. The dust and dirt is all a part of having a vehicle sitting for a while and I can completely relate. Thanks for getting back on the wagon! :beerchug:

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22 hours ago, neohic said:

I absolutely love seeing updates on this truck. The dust and dirt is all a part of having a vehicle sitting for a while and I can completely relate. Thanks for getting back on the wagon! :beerchug:

 

I appreciate it.

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I spent today clean the engine bay. Still pretty decent underneath all the dust leaves and sawdust.

 

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Also replaced the missing fuel pump resistor and the map sensor.

 

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Getting closer to firing her up. Short list of what needs to be done:

 

1.  Battery

2. Oil and filter

3. Fuel Filter, luckily I drained the gas tank about 8 years ago.

4.

 

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I'm also going to sell off a few extra parts to partially fund some of my build. First is my original rear bumper I'm going to put it on marketplace in a few days, but if any local NC forum members are interested send me a message.

 

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It's not perfect, but it's complete. No major rust. The drivers side is tweaked but most likely repairable or you can run it as is.

 

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