Darren Posted December 11, 2011 Share Posted December 11, 2011 Guess what guys, I'm back! After searching for a few months for a 91 or 92, in about a 1000 mile radius I saw an 88 that I couldn't resist. Thanks to an app on my phone I'm able to quickly search multiple areas at the same time. I was doing this like 5 times a day to make sure I didn't miss out on anything. At about 5pm last Sunday I saw a real short ad for an 88 in Pe Ell Washington. I didn't want a renix because they're ghey, but once I saw the picture I ha to have it. Since I'd been checking several times a day the ad had only been up for a few minutes. I called right away, we agreed on a price of $1100 and he told me that it needed plug wires and had a dead battery. He didnt think it would make the 2 hour drive and that it should probably be towed, but it happens to have a tow-bar on it. I went up the next day with two buddies a battery and plug wires. We were also prepared to drag it home. We put in the wires and battery and got it running. I was feeling brave so I decided to drive it home. The brakes didn't really work and neither did the blinkers, but I made it home. This is what I ended up; an 88 Chief shortbox 4.0l ba-10 231 with a 30/35. It's identical to my last one. Body is pristine but the interior really needs to be cleaned. Interior is grey which is kind of a letdown since my last one had black. Mechanically it needs a major tuneup and a rear main seal. The build plan is to make this a really nice driver and work truck. Once I get this thing running like a champ, I'll focus on the interior, then later on I'll probably build axles for it give it a little lift and some 31s. Something similar to gojeep's XJ, a Jeep sleeper. I'm pretty excited to be driving an MJ again. The name for the truck comes from the Jason Ellis show. Panties will drop when this thing is done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeepcoMJ Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 welcome back! that is a fantastically nice chief. great find! now...you should ship me that shifter handle lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
knever3 Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 Cool, good to see you back. You had a lot of info and experience to share. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
500 MJ Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 Here we go! Not surprised to see you back Darren ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
camjeep3 Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 If it is anything like your old MJ I'm sure this will be a good build glad to see u back with an mj Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darren Posted December 13, 2011 Author Share Posted December 13, 2011 Thanks guys! It was nice out today so I decided to wash it. I also removed the 80s era CB equipment and tow-bar. Before: After: Since I'm going to be doing some work on it, I made an attempt and degreaseing/cleaning the engine bay. Before: After: It's amazing what great shape the body and paint are in, I've never seen a Renix that didn't have a peeling clearcoat before. Anyway, now that it's all cleaned up I need to order some parts for it, tear into it and get it driveable. It leaks too much oil to be a driver in my opinion. Pat if you want the shift-knob, PM your address and I'll ship it to you. The guy I bought it from told me he made it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeepcoMJ Posted December 13, 2011 Share Posted December 13, 2011 looking good! keep up the good work! (FYI, Renix is a disease that you can't properly medicate....you simply need an organ donor) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MancheKid86 Posted December 13, 2011 Share Posted December 13, 2011 took ya long enough :roll: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drahcir495 Posted December 13, 2011 Share Posted December 13, 2011 Purrdy :clapping: You should have named it Taintstick . . . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darren Posted December 16, 2011 Author Share Posted December 16, 2011 A buddy came over last night and helped me tear the front end out. Removing the whole thing gives me plenty of access to do the rear main. In removing the axle it was very apparent every part was put on in 88, and is incredibly worn. So I guess I'll be rebuilding the front end while it's out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glundblad Posted December 16, 2011 Share Posted December 16, 2011 I think that is an ugly truck. And what is with those decals. :ack: Great find. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darren Posted December 21, 2011 Author Share Posted December 21, 2011 New gaskets and rear main seal, cap and rotor, plugs, and oil and air filter. New brown dog motor mounts that I won at NAXJAs NWFest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cody4359 Posted December 21, 2011 Share Posted December 21, 2011 did you press the metal bushing out a little on the motor mount? mine didnt look like that and vibrates quite a bit in cab, even with the ultra flex Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terrawombat Posted December 21, 2011 Share Posted December 21, 2011 I thought all MJ Chief's came with black interior. WTF Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darren Posted December 22, 2011 Author Share Posted December 22, 2011 I didn't push the bushing out. Driver side and passenger side are different. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
offroader461 Posted December 23, 2011 Share Posted December 23, 2011 I thought all MJ Chief's came with black interior. WTF No they didnt...mine is a white chief with maroon interior Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1999MJ Posted December 23, 2011 Share Posted December 23, 2011 mine is white with blue interrior Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darren Posted December 27, 2011 Author Share Posted December 27, 2011 All the new parts are in. I had a little setback when I discovered the motor bracket on the passenger side was missing 2 of the 3 bolts. After further inspection I discovered they were broken off in the block. I had to buy a right-angle drill to get them out. Anyways all I have left to do is bleed the brakes and then I can go cruising for breezies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mnkyboy Posted December 27, 2011 Share Posted December 27, 2011 I had to fix the same thing on a guys XJ,I just notched the broken bolt with a cut off wheel and pulled it with a flat head screw driver Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darren Posted January 2, 2012 Author Share Posted January 2, 2012 Tore out the interior to clean it real good. Just thought you rust-belt boys might like to see what the floor should look like. I pressure washed the carpet, it's hanging up to dry for the night, I'll get everything back in tomorrow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TylerJY Posted January 2, 2012 Share Posted January 2, 2012 IDK Darren, not even my floorboards were that rust free. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeep Sarge Posted January 2, 2012 Share Posted January 2, 2012 Man that thing is Clean, nice find. I used to have its brother... Image Not Found Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darren Posted January 3, 2012 Author Share Posted January 3, 2012 Got the carpet put back in today. Before; After; Also installed new turn signal sockets and switch in the column so my turn signals work now! Eric helping me out; Decided to put the deck I pulled from Simple Green into this thing. The old Pioneer deck in this didn't work. Here's why; Got the Clarion deck installed and everything buttoned up but the bench is still out. If I'm off work at a decent hour tomorrow I'll clean it up put the bench back in. Now that I've got the turn signal thing taken care of this thing is ready for action. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TylerJY Posted January 3, 2012 Share Posted January 3, 2012 What's wrong with that wiring? :dunno: Good work Darren :thumbsup: Let's wheel some time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brubakes Posted January 3, 2012 Share Posted January 3, 2012 Tore out the interior to clean it real good. Just thought you rust-belt boys might like to see what the floor should look like. Whats all that weird paint doing there?! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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