LowNslow's Build

[LoWnSlow88MJ]

After tossing the idea of a complete rebuild of a mj around in my head for the last six months I finally decided to go ahead with one. Ive built more xj's than I care to count and after my last build got its life ended by a guy involved in a high speed chase I wanted to do something different. I'm jumping on the 97+ band wagon and will be taking the drivetrain/interior/complete harness and front sheet metal from my wrecked 97 xj as well as the RK 3-link and possibly the nv241OR case and transplanting it into my 88 mj. I like my xj's as low as possible and the mj is no different,I'm shooting for around 4.5" of lift to fit the tires. Anyways on to the build sheet.

-1988 MJ pioneer longbed with the 97's organs and face (4.0/AW4)

-Plate Unibody bumper to bumper with 3/16 plate

-Lots and Lots of DOM/Nice tight fitting interior cage

-Build something to hold the warn 9.0rc

-RK 3-link Front/4-link Rear

-37x12.5x17 Goodyear MTR Kevlars on allied locks

-D60 Rear/Bored Spindles/5:13's/ARB/Yukon Chromo's/Disks

-78 Ford HP D44/TnT Truss/5:13's/ARB/REID knuckles/PP High Steer arms/RCV Shafts (I want a d60...)

-Either the stock rubi t-case or a flipped D-300/Box 4 Rox

-Bilstein 5150's all around

-PSC Hydro assist/Highsteer/DOM Drag link and tie rod with Ruffstuff rod ends

-Bobb the bed more than Tory Spellings nose

-Rattle can the whole damn thing desert tan

 

Thats the plan. Parts are starting to stack up but with my wedding in four months and starting up a new process plant at work my time to throw everything together is scarce. I have a mental deadline of September but working 14 hour days and doing the wedding planning Ill be lucky to knock it out by November. The ultimate goal for this thing is to drive 75mph to the trail,run it hard,drive 75mph back home and run to the grocery store while staying quiet and comfy.I am finding myself running the harder stuff here in colorado so overbuilding for 37's is the name of the game so far......So I'm certain sooner or later a HP D60 will find its way under the jeep. It will also be relieving my beater 98 xj of daily driver duties for the most part......anyways on to the small progress ive made in the last couple days.

[LoWnSlow88MJ]

In all its glory.... :roll:

Ill be re-working alot of sheet metal on the inner fender to keep it low without too much rubbing

Ballistic-Joints/Coil Nuckets for the rear 4-link

My Mess of a once nice 97 that is donating its soul to the mj

[Rymanrph]

Good luck with the swap. There are plenty of people on this forum that can help with any questions you have.

[LoWnSlow88MJ]

I didnt get a whole lot done today other than paint the front sheet metal/test fit it and got the gas tank out and mesured for my fuel cell. Tommorrow the boat anchor 4.0/BA-10/NP231 will be removed as well as the interior so ill be down to a bare shell...and then its time for some 3/16

" plate. I thought I would throw some pics of the old 97 up just for fun.

 

I'm really digging the desert tan on this thing but can't decide if i like my black test patch on the hood

(crappy night pic)

Some pics of the old 97

[mj Mike]

I like were you are going with this!

Keep it up

[LoWnSlow88MJ]

Thanks! Today was a great day for the MJ,The entire drivetrain is out and the unibody is stripped and ready for some steel. I'm also changing up the build plan slightly after getting a call from a good buddy of mine.....ill post pics of what I'm talking about as soon as his truck gets here

I know its a tech/picture request of sorts but does anybody have some decent pictures during their 97+ dash swap that would share? I would like too see actual mounting locations before I tear my dash out.....I have an idea floating around in my head and would like to see if its plausible. I hope to get the bed off tomarrow night and start mocking up the rear links so after my brackets and plate are burned on for good I can take it to my buddies shop and have the undercoating shot.

[87Warrior]

I know its a tech/picture request of sorts but does anybody have some decent pictures during their 97+ dash swap that would share? I would like too see actual mounting locations before I tear my dash out.....

I have a few pics on this page of my build:

viewtopic.php?f=7&t=15166&start=45

(you can click on the thumbnails for a larger pic)

 

I will be following you build! Sounds like it will be a sweeeeet truck :yes:

[LoWnSlow88MJ]

Thanks 87,Those really helped me out! As to what my buddy dropped off a few nights ago.....Looks like I won't have to run the d44. I picked up a Ford HP D60 for a song that was going into my buddies rig but he decided a custom diamond axle was a better choice for his jk. Its out of a 78 f350 and has the 5:13's I need but an OX locker :no: So that is the first thing to go. Ill be using another tnt truss and another set of REID knuckles with high steer arms. Hopefully i can return some un-used parts and get the d60 pieces I need and sell the rest....If everything goes right I should only be 200 or so more bucks into the 60 than I was with the 44. This will also give me the confidence to run 4d's if/when it warrants the need for such a big tire,I also won't be worrying about my front axle all the time. Thats all I really got for updates,I'm catching a few days off next week strictly to get work done on this thing. Also does anybody know where to get a new set of lights that mount to interior the b-pillar panel? I also need to re-paint some interior pieces to match the 97's agate color...any advice on paint?

[Rymanrph]

Also does anybody know where to get a new set of lights that mount to interior the b-pillar panel?

 

From here: http://www.euramtec.com/parts/c/c01/7180.html

 

I think I got a discount when I told him I was from the Comanche Club.

[acfortier]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Jeep-Com ... ccessories

 

If you say you are from ComancheClub you basically get one free.