jpnjim Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 Followup thread to this one: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=20669 I don't have any new pics (there's still road salt all over it, and it's squeezed behind a fence & sitting in 2 feet of snow), but what would you do with a completely original 31k mile 2wd MJ? Right now I'm leaning towards freshening it up, replace all the fluids/filters/plugs, clean it up, maybe buff the paint, and see exactly how nice it can be without any extraordinary measures. Register it & drive it, and see what direction I want to go in with it. This may be my chance to make amends for all the poor unsuspecting MJ's I've unmercifully hacked up (including a MINT-Perfect rust free red shortbed from Florida, and a 70k mile black longbed). I guess my options would be: 1) 'Restore' it to it's stock condition (a lightly-optioned 89 2wd Pioneer) 2) Add a couple 'needed' options (full gauge pack for starters) to make a nice driver. 3) Do all the typical improvements (newer booster & MC, MJ D44, etc) 4) Do the full monte (4x4 conversion, maybe a little lift, 31's, etc) Whatdaya think? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geonovast Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 Register it, fix every little bit of rust on it, clean it up reaaal nice, get some kind of hobbyist plate, and ONLY drive it in the summer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJ300 Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 I vote option 2 or 3. Turn it into a nice DD and let it see the open road a little bit since it's been "parked" for a good portion of its life. The brake booster, gauge upgrades, and bucket seats would be nice upgrades for a DD and it wouldn't take away from the originalness of the truck like a SOA truck sitting on 35's isn't even close to stock. Just my 2 cents. :cheers: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dunl Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 I forget...was it a "badged" Pioneer? I see nothing wrong with installing needed "stealth" ugrades like the booster that aren't obvious, and then original "Comanche" options. Nothing non-Comanche. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darren Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 I vote option 4. Make it a super badass DD. Upgrade anything that can be upgraded. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperWade2 Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 I'm thinking Truggy with Rockwell's, Full EXO, Bobb'ed bed, etc... :popcorn: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KYMJ Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 #4 Thats what I want to do, I'd love to do it a 31k'er Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dasbulliwagen Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 I vote 3, because you obviously have other 4x4's you can use when needed. But if you need the 4x4 then I would go 4, maybe without any lift...just stock. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freakjeep93 Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 id go #4 but only a very small life like 2" and keep it no higher then 31s for tiers. then do what genovast said. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lenard Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 my vote is restore. it looks like there is not a lot to do on the restoring side. i like the looks of a lifted truck with tires and all that other goodies, but this sounds like a nice ride, and i know there can't be that many more of ones like that in that condition with that low of miles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
socal1200r Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 I vote for option 2 or 3. Sounds like you've got other 4x4s for when that bug bites you, especially the MJ in your sig pic! Keep the "upgrades" simple, and any mods functional, and I'd stay away from lifting, 4wd conversion, bucket seat conversion, etc. Clean her up, do some functional upgrades, but keep her mostly stock. She'll do well as an unabused daily driver, and you can always count on at least one vehicle to be up and running. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freakjeep93 Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 :agree: those are good points . but do 1 thing for me DO NOT DRIVE IT IN WINTER!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pingpong Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 OK I hate to break this to all you other MJ owners :smart: We will never see a MJ on Barret Jackson. No matter how nice they are.. they are worth more to ppl who use them. Keep in mind if it is nice drive it, and keep it nice, if not... break out the plasma.. buy 200' of DOM and go to town on it :cheers: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CWLONGSHOT Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 I would do something between 2,3 and 4. But not go 4x4. If really that nice, keep it garaged in the winter and it will stay nice for a long time to come. You already have a 4x4, just freshen it up. Make useful, sensable mods. In an effort to make a really nice daily driver. I always wanted to build a V8 2WD MJ. This one sounds too nice for this. WHAT EVER YOU CHOOSE, KEEP US POSTED!!!! :drool: :drool: :drool: CW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 RESTORE! (See my signature.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpnjim Posted January 4, 2010 Author Share Posted January 4, 2010 There are plenty of pluses to a V8 swap, since this MJ boarders on being the ultimate 'grandpa pickup' right now (minimal option 2wd/regular cab/column shift auto), adding something to the 'coolness factor' wouldn't hurt. IMO, a 4.7L HO V8 would be the sweetest swap, and if I could pull that off, I could see myself being tempted to keep the theme going & build an 'Overland Comanche' out of this econo-box. But, at the moment I'm leaning towards keeping it original, and maybe doing a few minor upgrades. I know even if this was an unrestored-mint-perfect MJ (it's not) the ceiling on max value is still pretty low, but that doesn't mean it's not worth preserving. It's weird how, in the last few decades, old vehicles stopped being 'classics', I got my license in 1985, and seeing anything on the road from 1964 (21 years old, like this MJ) would have you stopping & turning your head. My first 'Muscle Car' was considered old, even though it had just rolled off the assembly line 13 years before I bought it (74 Javelin/AMX in 1987) The typical factory MJ might never make it to Barret Jackson, but hopefully there are still some unmodified ones around in 15-20 years for the next generation to enjoy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sinkrun Posted January 5, 2010 Share Posted January 5, 2010 Why give yourself a headache trying to decide what to do with it just give it to me I would be glad to help out! But seriously keep it looking stock 2wd with a stroker in it that would be a nice sleeper. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
socal1200r Posted January 5, 2010 Share Posted January 5, 2010 Although a V8 swap like you mentioned would be VERY cool, I think you're on to something with leaving it mostly stock. After I got my MJ, I was all for modding it with a lift kit, bucket seat interior, roll bar, light bar, side step rails, etc. But knowing this truck is older than my daughters, I'm starting to lean towards leaving it mostly as is, so my kids will know what a truck was like back before they were born. Nothing like the super plush trucks of today, with all the electronic gizmos, steering wheel controls, leather captain's chairs, GPS, etc. I've been told that back in So Cal, these things have a cult following, like old air-cooled VW buses. And since that's where my MJ will eventually end up, I think it'll be best to keep it as stock as possible. Modifying it is an easy thing to do, but keeping it mostly stock, and running as a daily driver, will be the challenge, lol! I'm with ya on keeping it mostly stock, using it as a daily driver, but putting it away in the winter. You've got a low mileage gem there, and hopefully one that will last another 20+ years... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted January 5, 2010 Share Posted January 5, 2010 if you own a 31k MJ and modify the crap outta it, you no longer have a 31k MJ. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BJA814 Posted January 5, 2010 Share Posted January 5, 2010 I'd say do with it as you would if you bought it new... For me, that would be a mild lift and 31's. Just a nice DD thats a little more capable than stock. The V8 swap would be great too. As a fellow New Englander, I can appreciate the 31k mile body regardless of drivetrain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Automan2164 Posted January 5, 2010 Share Posted January 5, 2010 if you own a 31k MJ and modify the crap outta it, you no longer have a 31k MJ. :agree: :agree: :agree: :agree: :agree: :agree: :agree: :agree: :agree: :agree: :agree: :agree: :agree: :agree: :agree: :agree: :agree: :agree: :agree: :agree: :agree: :agree: :agree: :agree: :agree: :agree: :agree: :agree: :agree: :agree: :agree: :agree: :agree: :agree: :agree: :agree: :agree: :agree: :agree: :agree: :agree: :agree: :agree: :agree: :agree: :agree: :agree: :agree: That be like buying a mona lisa, and thinking it looks better with a mustache... If you are going to mod it, get something with more miles, and more beat up. I say 30's, and a touch of performance mods... Rob L. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freakjeep93 Posted January 5, 2010 Share Posted January 5, 2010 I'm now thinking keep it a pavement pounder 2wd and do some mnor upgrades but do ones noone will notice unless they look reall hard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreenF350 Posted January 6, 2010 Share Posted January 6, 2010 1st, I was eyeing that truck on craigslist too. I'm really glad it ended up here, so make sure you post pics of whatever you do. Second, having a decent "driver" MJ would be my goal for the truck. Not that Id be driving it every day with that milage, but a basic freshen up with the intention of always having something reliable that still maintains the "cool" factor. Last year I sold a clean 2wd 89 Eliminator that had a perfect body ( supposedly from Cali) simply because I figured I had no need for a 2wd truck. Well now I feel like an idiot!! Rather than view it as another project, I should have enjoyed what it already was. The truck ran great, was fun to drive, and if I just registered it Id probably be happier today!! :wall: Anyways, thats my 2 cents Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeepinSoldier Posted January 7, 2010 Share Posted January 7, 2010 But, at the moment I'm leaning towards keeping it original, and maybe doing a few minor upgrades. I know even if this was an unrestored-mint-perfect MJ (it's not) the ceiling on max value is still pretty low, but that doesn't mean it's not worth preserving. It's weird how, in the last few decades, old vehicles stopped being 'classics', I got my license in 1985, and seeing anything on the road from 1964 (21 years old, like this MJ) would have you stopping & turning your head. My first 'Muscle Car' was considered old, even though it had just rolled off the assembly line 13 years before I bought it (74 Javelin/AMX in 1987) The typical factory MJ might never make it to Barret Jackson, but hopefully there are still some unmodified ones around in 15-20 years for the next generation to enjoy. WOW! That is a really nice MJ. I agree and would just keep it mostly original and not drive it in the winter. I have a built LJ for wheeling and my mj is my DD now. I'm fixing mine up with the stealth upgrades and mabe a mild lift and 31's. As for when old vehicles stopped being 'Classics', mabe its just your area? The stock MJ front end actually looks classic to me. I get stopped constantly and asked questions about the truck. People are always saying things like: How old is that? Is that really a Jeep? I diddnt know Jeep made trucks. A Jeep truck? That is really cool. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mfpdm Posted January 7, 2010 Share Posted January 7, 2010 Keep it stock and as someone else pointed out, upgrade the things that will improve it but not change the looks. Keep it out of the SALT. But, the other part of the brain is saying V8 sleeper. :evil: if you own a 31k MJ and modify the crap outta it, you no longer have a 31k MJ. Why not? Someone explain this to me. Mileage doesn't change the fact it's a 20 year old truck. What's the difference in this or driving a new wrangler off the lot and the next week it sitting on 4in of lift and bigger tires. I guess that it wouldn't be a new wrangler anymore like it would if it wasn't modded. :dunno: Unless you do something that can never be reversed, I don't think it would make a difference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now