1990 Mexico Build

[my96z]

Update 07-12-13: I have abandoned this project due to the amount of work needed to fix the cowl panel and floors. I am in the process of moving from Cancun to Indiana. I purchased a 1990 eliminator 4x4 in Indiana and the suspension parts, cooling system and some misc. parts I am taking with to put on my eliminator in Indiana.

 

 

 

 

 

Ok it is time to start showing the world my build. My MJ started its life out as a 1990 sport truck 2x4 4.0L Automatic. Here is the list of what is being done and what is hopefully going to be done. I have been slowly working on this truck for just over a year now so there is a ton of updates and information.

 

Powertrain

1995 Chevrolet Blazer 4.3 Vortec (Intake modified with the marine version MPFI)

4L60E from the same blazer

Transfer case is a mix from a blazer front cover (was electronic shift) now manual shift with jeep internals and jeep np231 rear cover

SYE conversion.

Front axle HP Dana 30

Rear soon to be 8.8

 

Suspension

Rough Country 6.5" SOA conversion

Hope do to the long arm conversion in the future

Will have 33x12.5r15 Thornbird tires

 

I am actively looking for a 97+ XJ to do the conversion on the interior and front end.

 

On to the pictures

 

 

 

[my96z]

On to the engine conversion

 

If you look really good at the first picture you will see this engine has a carburator on it. I would imagine that something happened to the renix system and the on of the PO put a carb on it insead of fixing it right.

 

The typical removing the old (everyone has seen this before)

 

 

Time to clean

 

 

New power plant

 

 

 

 

Passenger side motor mount

 

Drivers side motor mount

[my96z]

On to more detail work.

 

Cooling system

 

 

 

 

 

I don´t have any pictures of suspension installation but here is a shot after the installation and 32" tires.

 

 

I keep reading about lifting up the carpet and I kinda wish I didn´t

 

 

 

While I was on my quest trying to find the leak I took the dash out and here is what I found under it.

 

 

[Mountain Dude]

Cool build, I have similar plans for my 86. Donor vehicle is 1994 S-10 Blazer. What is the purpose of the marine version of the throttle body? Better than the stock one or just the way you got it?

[my96z]

The marine intake has the mpfi system which is more reliable and has a better performance potential than the spider type injectors that it had. I rebuilt the engine and specifically looked for that intake. I hope to have my jeep on the road within the next few months.

[JeepcoMJ]

kudos on undertaking the swap...but a 4.3 vortec? a 350 would have been nice, a 4.3 not so much...and it's the same amount of work.

 

 

or you could be awesome and dump a v6 that's actually decent in it...like a buick 3800.

[Mark Serva]

Thanks for all the pics. They are so much better than too few words. I have an 86 Comanche with the lackluster 2.8 and a Chrysler Auto. Also, I have a Olds V6 Diesel, mated 700r4 and transfer case that was originally destined for an S-10. Anyway, I wish to put it all in my Comanche with the minimum of fabrication. Mostly concerned about the exhaust manifolds clearing the frame. Also, as it's 2wd I don't need to hook up the Transfer case. Would rather use the parts I have than go back out seeking similar. Any suggestions other than "don't do it" would be really appreciated. P.S. I like diesels and running all the alternative fuel I can. 

[Mark Serva]

About how long did it take you to remove that dash? Of course, I like the room so much I hate putting them back in. Especially as  the wiring on my old jeep is so simple I really only need the speedo (speecing cameras as aweful here), fuel guage and my auxiliary guages. Looks like the steering column support would easily mount everything I need. Thanks!

[my96z]

The dash only takes a few hours or less to pull. I have pulled dashes out of jeeps before so it wasn't too bad. I like the idea of a diesel in a comanche. I won't say anything about trying. I put a 4bt in my Tj and I love it. You need to measure the width of the engine and the manifolds to see if they will fit. From there it is a matter of trial end error to get it in.

[Mark Serva]

Thanks for not flaming me on the idea. Since the Jeep already has Chevy power it doesn't seem blasphemous. Am figuring, since the engine compartment can accommodate length better than width, that I might move everything forward and put pusher fans on the the front of the radiator. Also, since I,m okay with scooping the hood if need be, I could mount the engine a couple of inches higher for header clearance. Frankly, even tho only 2wd my biggest worry is the oil pan. Not allot of stock shapes available.

 

Also, the diesels stock exhaust is an odd, wrap over the trans odd thing. Doubt there is much I could do worse than that as diesels tend to be pretty forgiving on the exhaust side design wise. I had other diesels and intake/exhaust modifications for normally aspirated engines have had no measurable effect. Suspect turbos need allot more design.

 

Thanks again, Mark

[Mark Serva]

P.S. Sorry to read that you've had to abandon the project. So close yet so far. Wish I had the dinero to come down there and pick that up from you. Anyway, welcome back to the good ole' USofA.

[kolton]

I was reading through you thread and I can't wait to see when it's done! I have some input from personal experience that may be of some help depending on what kind of wheeling you plan on doing though.

 

I found the Thornbirds to be a really great tire, top of the line pusher. We wheel in a lot of red clay down here, so a good siping tire is a must. I ran them on my old BroncoII and a friend of mine ran them on his cherokee. But what we found out is that if your wheeling in the rocks or a dry dirt they don't grab wry well and they slip a lot. We figured it to be that way due to the weight of our vehicles, they were decent when we ran them at around 5psi, but you'll pull them off the bead very easily due to the thick sidewall.

 

The way we fixed this is by running a TSL Truxus MT up front and the Thornbirds in the rear. The Truxus have us the grip and the sidewall flex we were looking for in the rocks and still held up very well in the mud. And the Thornbirds were still there to push us through the terrain when it was less than ideal.

 

Hope that helps before you go spend that kind of money on tires. Same concept as when the rock racers run swampers in the front and boggers in the rear. Except the tires I mentioned are better suited for lighter vehicles. Have fun! And welcome I the good ol US of A!