My Latest....89 Mj

[chopper35nj]

Hi guys, new to the forum just thought I would post a few pix and introduce myself. This is my first Mj but my sixth jeep, there have been a 78 wagoneer, 88 Grand Wagoneer and 91 Grand Wagoneer as well as an 88 cherokee and an 06 TJ. I think you all get it......it's a jeep thing. Being new to the unibody pickup I also have a few questions for those of you with more experience with this model. I don't intend to make a lot of mods to this truck but definatly a few.

 

First thing that I have in mind is the gauge cluster from an XJ, I want a tach and am not crazy about idiot lights. So, here is my first string of questions. For the gauge swap do I need to replace any of the sending units? And is the wiring in place for the tach, if not, how do I wire that?

 

Second thing is about a hitch, during my search for this Comanche there was a guy on Craigs list that was selling one for $50, now that I have the truck he's already sold it. Can a hitch from an XJ be modified to fit?

 

Third, rear springs. My rear springs are sagging a bit. I have read quite a bit about an AAL weather home made or from the parts store, they all add lift. I don't want to lift my truck but rather maintain stock ride height so that I can maintain good stearing geometry and add TJ flares and trim the sheet metal to fit larger tires. JCWhitney offers a line of stock replacement rear springs, that when purchased through Ebay can be had for $98 a side including shipping. It would cost me as much to do an AAL and replace the bushings that are in sorry shape as it would cost to replace them entirely. Does anybody have any experience with these springs? And what is your opinion of them?

 

Thank you all for any help and advise you can offer, let me know what you think of my truck.

Chopper

 

P.S. Why am I having trouble posting Pix? What's the deal?

[vaquaro]

Some pics and specs ( yr. , drive train etc.)on your MJ will help members give you advice on your project :thumbsup:

[Rymanrph]

The XJ cluster can be swapped with the oil pressure and temperature sending units. Just make sure you get a cluster from the right year Cherokee; I believe there are some differences between years. Mine is a '90 and I got one from a '90 XJ and it worked fine. I was even able to open it up and match the mileage. The tach should work fine without any additional wiring.

 

The XJ hitch won't fit and it would probably be easier to just get a MJ specific hitch. There are some universal kits out there that will work, but just keep an eye out in the Classified section. Hitches come up rather frequently I'd say. That's where I got mine.

 

Most advice I've heard about the AAL is to just avoid them. I'd look into finding some stock springs from another MJ. Hell Creek suspension makes lift springs for our trucks, but they may make or be able to make you some stock spec springs. You can get a CC discount through them as well.

 

As far as posting pictures, there is an icon that looks like a Polaroid that when you hover over it says "image." Click on that and paste the picture url.

 

Hope that answers some of your questions.

[chopper35nj]

 

OK, Got the picture posting down, I think. I tryed to post exactly the same way when I made my first post, no luck. Oh well.

So.....here it is. It's an 87 long bed 4X4 with a 4.0 and an auto (AW4 I'm guessing) with just over 116,000 mi.

I think I got the guage cluster figured out, thanks.

I guess I'll have to keep an eye on Craigs List for the hitch. Or.... build one.

As far as the springs go, I would love to find a "good" set of stock springs but here in the east especially it's tough with the salt on the roads in the winter. What I was most interested in were the springs offered by JCWhitney, they are Crown springs and at $98 a side including shipping they bare looking into. I know you get what you pay for, but who isn't on a budget these days. Hell Creek makes a good product but way more expensive and they are lift springs. I don't need hard core just reliable. Although I would like my rig to have some "teeth" this is to be my daily driver and I love these now clasic trucks.

Thanks for the help and advice.

Chopper

[chopper35nj]

Oops, Sorry. It's an 89 Long bed.