over2land Posted November 30, 2006 Posted November 30, 2006 So, I'm going in to work yesterday, driving down the freeway, talking on the phone with my girlfriend, and start smelling electrical burning. Then I lose power and decide to get off the freeway at the next off ramp. I had lost power going down the 5 a month or two ago, pulled off, and didn't see anything wrong. Felt like a vaccuum leak or something both then and now. Well, driving off the offramp, the truck shuts off totally. By the time I came to a stop, the hood had warped paint had a huge bubble in it, and I realized it was on fire. Just after I realized that, as if to confirm it, smoke starts pouring out from under the hood. I get out of the truck, run up to the Mimi's Cafe (on Mckinley and the 91), tell them my truck is on fire out front and ask for an extinguisher (apparently mine was in my YJ). Get the extinguisher and run back out. Tried to spray through the grill with no results, try to get it from underneath with minimal results. Then I try to pop the hood... and can't. So, I basically dump the whole extinguisher at it from under the hood. Seeing that that didn't help, I call 911 and tell them what's up, they say they'll send a fire truck right away. I then decide if I'm going to lose the truck, at least I can take the stuff out from inside it. I yank the dash panel apart, use a ratchet to get the stereo out of the dash, cut the wires with my knife... and in the process cut my finger on some exposed wire or metal or something... then clean everthing out from behind the seats, console and glove box. About that time I hear the sirens from the fire dept... here's some pictures that take it from there. Sorry bout the clarity of the pics, all I had was the cell phone. Final damage: my finger, most of the plastic under the hood, including wiring, sensors, wiper fluid resevoir, PS pump resevoir and others... I really dunno what all is hammered. I had cut myself bad enough to need stitches. Of course, I didn't have time for that... so when I'm healed up enough where the finger doesn't bleed if I look at it, I'll try and figure out what to do about the truck. And, no, insurance won't cover it, I've only got liability. Now I'm torn between fixing it, selling it as is, or getting another MJ/XJ and swapping my suspension and axles and stuff over. I had the up on NAXJA, and they pointed me here... after looking around a bit, I figured if nothing else, you all would like to see the horror story.
feerocknok Posted November 30, 2006 Posted November 30, 2006 First off, big time sorry to you. The MJ looks awesome. Hopefully you can repair it. Those rims look bitchin! It would be worth it to me to rebuild it. BTW, what phone? Pics are awesome (well, sad, but you know what I mean).
Oizarod115 Posted November 30, 2006 Posted November 30, 2006 it would be better with a body taht nice... to buy an XJ and steal all the parts you need from it. body looks IMPECABLE. what caused the fire? (weeelcome btw)
DirtyComanche Posted November 30, 2006 Posted November 30, 2006 Sorry to see it happen. Grab a hood from the junkyard, and a new harness and rewire the bish.
Oizarod115 Posted November 30, 2006 Posted November 30, 2006 BTW, what phone? Pics are awesome (well, sad, but you know what I mean). AGREED for cell phone pics those are amazing.
over2land Posted November 30, 2006 Author Posted November 30, 2006 Motorola A1200 is the phone. The truck has no rust at all... but there are some minor dents here and there... it is a truck, after all. Thanks for the weelcome too.
Oizarod115 Posted November 30, 2006 Posted November 30, 2006 welll, don't sell it... and if you do... sell it to one of us lol... i would HATE to see this thing stripped or something. its even cleaner than mine and mines been a GA truck all its life! btw whos rear springs are those? SUA that looks like a good 5.5-6"?
over2land Posted November 30, 2006 Author Posted November 30, 2006 Alcan custom rear springs. About 6 inches is right. I've got two sets... the set that is on there is more of a prerunning set. The other set is more if I wanted to use it as a truck. I got the heavier duty set first and it was just too stiff... but worked good for hauling big blocks around. Then the second set they sent me was just awesome. This thing is killer off road. It wasn't really meant to be a rockcrawler, and without the t-case and front driveshaft, it would do horribly. However, it works killer on fire roads, desert trails, and things like that. If I were to sell it, what do you guys think it'd be worth?
over2land Posted November 30, 2006 Author Posted November 30, 2006 Yeah, that's what I was afraid of. Probably better to pull the goodies off it, and go looking for something else to put em in. Just send the rest to the junkyard for other guys to pick at.
DirtyComanche Posted November 30, 2006 Posted November 30, 2006 Well, the reason it wouldn't be worth anything is it won't run. I'd rewire it. But, that's because I'd be putting a minimal wiring setup on it.
over2land Posted November 30, 2006 Author Posted November 30, 2006 Yeah, but the problem is, its got the following, still in good shape (undamaged by fire, around 10K miles) rear D44 with Detroit locker, 4.56 gears, new brakes 10K ago extended front and rear stainless braided brake lines front high pinion D30 with Detroit Trutrac, 4.56 gears two sets of rear Alcan springs, about 6 inches of lift. Rockcrawler.com 1 inch rear lift shackles Fabtech front 4 inch lift coil springs Fabtech adjustable coil spacers Fabtech 2.25 Dirt logic remote resevoir shocks Currie Enterprises HD tie rod/drag link setup JKS adjustable sway bar disconnects TnT Customs Y-link long arm front suspension So... while I don't doubt its not worth as much as it was on Monday when it was running and driving, it does have some good parts to it. And, the body is as rust free as can be.
DirtyComanche Posted November 30, 2006 Posted November 30, 2006 Dude, fix it... Well, take a look at how bad that is under the hood. If you're just going to be re-wiring and resensoring, and putting a new hood on, it's a weekend project. Although, the fuel lines and crap will probably be wrecked too.
over2land Posted November 30, 2006 Author Posted November 30, 2006 As well as the steering resevoir... Heck, I dunno what all else. I gotta go look at it... my finger is down to a dull throb now, I should be able to diagnose, or at least guess at it.
Rokhound Posted November 30, 2006 Posted November 30, 2006 man sorry to here about your luck but if you want to rebuilt it I would. Plus I am parting out an 87 sport truck I don't no where your at but I have a hood and all the wiring under the hood from the 4.0 and it was a 4x4 with 5 speed. I just don't want to see some one send a good lookin MJ to the junk yard thats all. Drop me an email if there is any parts you need
bdjr Posted November 30, 2006 Posted November 30, 2006 hey i bet girsmj can fix the hood with por-15 and masking tap :rotf: but the rest is a b!t(h. I'd take my time and rebuild that is to sweet a rig to dispose of. did they ever determine the cause?
JohnQ Posted November 30, 2006 Posted November 30, 2006 Nice looking truck even with the burnt hood. I would keep it and fix it but if you really want to part it out, I have dibs on the rear springs and axel! :D Where did you get the rear springs at?
88MJay Posted November 30, 2006 Posted November 30, 2006 Man, that really blows. I was really enjoying watching the buildup of that thing. I would suggest trying to salvage it. This would be a good time to swap in that different motor/trans/transfercase you've probably been dreaming about. By the way... if this is Pete... I really enjoy your writing! Let us know what you decide to do. later, j
jackel18 Posted November 30, 2006 Posted November 30, 2006 Is this the JP magazine MJ?? you seem to have the same lift and rear springs really give it away.
shelbyluvv Posted November 30, 2006 Posted November 30, 2006 Welcome to the board. Glad you found us. My offer still stands.
BrettM Posted November 30, 2006 Posted November 30, 2006 Where did you get the rear springs at? read up a few posts
JohnQ Posted November 30, 2006 Posted November 30, 2006 Where did you get the rear springs at? read up a few posts I read they were Alcan custom springs, but I was hoping for a phone number or email.
feerocknok Posted November 30, 2006 Posted November 30, 2006 Where did you get the rear springs at? read up a few posts I read they were Alcan custom springs, but I was hoping for a phone number or email. http://www.alcanspring.com/ Whatever you want, they can make.
DansGreyMj Posted November 30, 2006 Posted November 30, 2006 is that the mj that was built in JP magazine, that sux, btw i used to live in riverside and i know exactly where that is
pingpong Posted November 30, 2006 Posted November 30, 2006 I say rewire it, and cal it good. If not sell it to me cheap and I will build another rig :brows:
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