lexluthier72 Posted September 6, 2011 Share Posted September 6, 2011 Hey Folks, So, I'm new to MJ's, and new to the forum. I recently picked up this 1990 MJ 2wd 4 speed manual. As you can imagine, it is extremely difficult to find a rust free late model vehicle of ANY type here in MN. I drove an hour outside of Mpls to see this truck. Previous owner was 17 and getting ready to head off to college. He did all the mechanicals himself: New clutch New rear main seal New valve cover and gasket New VC "breather" (don't know the tech term) and hose New exhaust front to back New tires!!! The 4 cyl. has 140,000 miles on it and runs like a top! My main objective over the coming winter is strictly to keep the current rust in check, and try to minimize the spreading till next spring, when at tax time I hope to have it repainted. I found a friend who is going to help weld in new drivers side floor pan, new rocker panels, and new cab corners before winter sets in, then hopefully next year I can get the box repairs done. I started by spending a couple days with the die grinder, an orbital sander, and a hand scraper, grinding and sanding as much of the blistered paint away, and rust bubbles that I could get off of it, then giving it 3 coats of rust inhibitor, then primer and then pre-mixed "colorado red" The premixed color is not quite right, but close enough from 5 feet away, and will keep the neighbors happy not seeing so much rust. Aside from the usual rust areas, the truck is pretty solid. I plan to make this the Daily Driver. I'll warn everyone, this mild resto will be VERY SLOW. I hear you folks like photos....here is a few. My buddy the die grinder: Drivers side: Passenger side: Tailgate: IF anyone has any tips on how to handle the tailgate rust (bottom edge is rusting from the inside out) I cleaned and treated both sides of the rotted area, but ther are already holes that are pretty bad on the bottom edge. Meanwhile waiting on repair panels to arrive. All for now. -E. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lexluthier72 Posted September 6, 2011 Author Share Posted September 6, 2011 As you can see, I did only spot repairs on the door bottoms, cab corners (whats left of them) The very top of the rocker panel (to hopefully stop the rust from speading), The front of the box corners, and the jeep logo on the tailgate as well as the bottom edge of the gate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neohic Posted September 6, 2011 Share Posted September 6, 2011 Oh, man... I was totally going to be all over that if I hadn't been moving! Good to see that the truck made it over here... you too! Where are you located at? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lexluthier72 Posted September 6, 2011 Author Share Posted September 6, 2011 Neohic....I'm in South Central Minneapolis. As it turns out, My sister is friends with a guy who does industrial welding, and he apparently owes her a favor. (getting the work done for free) -E. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lexluthier72 Posted September 6, 2011 Author Share Posted September 6, 2011 Neo...Maybe you can shed some light on my cab corner question in the "tech" section? Can it be done without removing the pickup box? -E. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neohic Posted September 6, 2011 Share Posted September 6, 2011 Yeah... I'll take a look at that. Another member to look out for is Naterenfo1. He's from your area when he's back home. Look him up! I've shown him a couple spots where to find good parts at... not all though (everyone needs their own honey-hole, right?). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lexluthier72 Posted September 6, 2011 Author Share Posted September 6, 2011 I could use a few of those clues. :brows: Not much here in the way of parts trucks that Ive found. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lexluthier72 Posted September 8, 2011 Author Share Posted September 8, 2011 So...Ive been chasing some noises for the last few days. Finally I crawl under the truck....Apparently the kid forgot to clip the fuel lines back up after pulling out the tranny to do the clutch. (although it looks like they could stay in place) The clip was up there, but closed with no fuel lines running through it....Instead, they were laying on the driveshaft!?! Needless to say, I now have 2 really nice shiny spots all the way around my driveshaft. I did catch it in time as to not wear through the fuel line (both metal and rubber there) Got them clipped back to their respective location, and voila....that particular noise is gone. No photo. Then on my way out from under the truck....I find the rear pinion seal leaking. Grr. Doh. That was not there when I bought the truck. (most likely covered in a layer of dirt) I'll post a photo when I get to dealing with the leak. Diff cover bolts are crusty as heck, so I'm letting it soak in some PB Blast. (need to crack it open to find out what gear set to order new pinion seal) Trying to keep a positive attitude. :banana: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lexluthier72 Posted September 9, 2011 Author Share Posted September 9, 2011 Ford Radio!?! hehe. The kid let me know it would blow the fuse, and not work occasionally. I pulled it out to find the usual rats nest of clipped wires. Heat shrink applied to the loose wires, and new wire nuts, and she works like a charm. Crappy radio, but at least Ive got tunes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hick92 Posted September 9, 2011 Share Posted September 9, 2011 i noticed that your rims on front are facing different from the back Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lexluthier72 Posted September 9, 2011 Author Share Posted September 9, 2011 yep. tires are on right....whoever the buffoon was that put the tires on the rims....doh. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lexluthier72 Posted September 10, 2011 Author Share Posted September 10, 2011 Tomorrow I'll be re-doing the Valve cover gasket. PO used some sort of PINK RTV?!? apparently it is not oil proof?!? (oil leaking from vc, down side of engine) Good thing the truck came with an extra rubber VCG. :jump: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
streetjeep2.5 Posted September 11, 2011 Share Posted September 11, 2011 Gonna be moving to Robbinsdale, MN at the end of this week with my wife and her 2010 Patriot, my 87 'manche and my dog and cat! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neohic Posted September 11, 2011 Share Posted September 11, 2011 Gonna be moving to Robbinsdale, MN at the end of this week with my wife and her 2010 Patriot, my 87 'manche and my dog and cat! YES! We're multiplying in MN! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lexluthier72 Posted September 11, 2011 Author Share Posted September 11, 2011 Yes! :nuts: So...guys...I just got done doing my valve cover gasket, and I swear Ive got a small leak on the drivers side between 2 of the bolts toward the back. I really do not want to re-do it, and I'm quite certain that means a new gasket (the one I had was brand new) The valve cover is plastic, but looks outstanding visually. Any help? -Erin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lexluthier72 Posted September 11, 2011 Author Share Posted September 11, 2011 A few pictures of todays fun: PINK RTV?!? and the original gasket, whatever this stuff was, it was a pain to remove. Valve cover re-installed, Ultra black RTV. Went great with the exception of I think I have a leak on the drivers side between 2 bolts!?! Grr. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lexluthier72 Posted September 15, 2011 Author Share Posted September 15, 2011 Ok, so, the plastic cover did not seal at all. (warped) I just finished my valve cover conversion from plastic to an aluminum cover from a 1994 wranger. here are some photos. I did a DIY in the tech section as well.... Removed plastic valve cover.... sizing the gasket (make sure its rubber) Tacked the gasket on with ultra black rtv in the corners (not pictured) Here is the metal cover installed. You can also see the breather hoses re-routed. Whew. Enough for this week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lexluthier72 Posted September 25, 2011 Author Share Posted September 25, 2011 Trip to the JY this morning yielded the under dash/floor lights, so I did that mod. Passenger side comes on when the door opens, drivers side comes on when you turn on the headlights. Pretty slick, makes it alot brighter in the dark. Also fixed the passenger side window crank handle. Thinking about the dash cluster upgrade, but did not know what year to swipe out of an XJ, and none of them were 4 cyl models :( No photos, but pretty basic stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lexluthier72 Posted September 25, 2011 Author Share Posted September 25, 2011 a happy accident, the emissions timer showed itself today, hanging by one screw. (looks like PO tried to remove it, or removed, and re-installed it. I removed and tossed. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zenobian_84 Posted September 26, 2011 Share Posted September 26, 2011 Got any pictures of the under the dash/floor lights? I don't think I've seen that mod done well, although I believe someone on the forum here did do it at some point. Just want to see where they would mount at. :cheers: Great looking truck btw man, the aluminum valve cover is a great upgrade from the flimsy plastic one. :thumbsup: Only reason I haven't done it is because I like the AMC logo on the edge of mine. :yes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lexluthier72 Posted September 26, 2011 Author Share Posted September 26, 2011 I'll see if I can snap a couple. The lights came from a stock cherokee. On a cherokee, if you look up under the dash, right at the bottom edge, there are mounting clips with light holders. The plug is there on the comanche, but nothing plugged into it, also the holes to mount the bracket are there as well. I think if you do a search for lighting you'll find a guy who did it. I wish both sides came on when the door was opened, rather than the drv side coming on with the headlights...I'll have to see if there is a way to change it. The reason I went with the aluminum cover is, I could not get the plastic one to stop leaking oil everywhere, and the cover I had originally was a junk aftermarket. Overall the truck looks pretty good, but there is a lot of rust to deal with. -E. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lexluthier72 Posted September 26, 2011 Author Share Posted September 26, 2011 Red Rocker 79....Here is a link to the install on the kick panel (floor) lights....shows them lit up also. Pretty hip. viewtopic.php?f=9&t=3490&hilit=kick+panel+lights Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
streetjeep2.5 Posted October 1, 2011 Share Posted October 1, 2011 My 87 is not wandering the streets of the Robbinsdale area, up and down 100 a lot. when the snow and salt starts, it is parked! It now had land of 10,000 lakes plates! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lexluthier72 Posted October 1, 2011 Author Share Posted October 1, 2011 Hey Doug! Nice to hear from you. I was beginning to think I was the only Comanche in the twin cities. I was almost out your way. There is a Napa Auto Warehouse store in St louis Park off 394& Louisianna Ave. (thats where I found my Valve cover gasket) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lexluthier72 Posted October 2, 2011 Author Share Posted October 2, 2011 Scored this at the JY this morning. $16. Out of a 6cyl XJ. It has the adjustable tach. Install soon hopefully. I still need the oil/temp senders. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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