DangerWillRbnsn Posted October 29, 2013 Author Share Posted October 29, 2013 As requested, here are a few pics of my MJ, and what I've been up to the last two days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DangerWillRbnsn Posted October 29, 2013 Author Share Posted October 29, 2013 And since I have to daily drive her for the time being, I redneck rigged this simple light setup do I can get back and forth to work while I'm figuring out the next few steps. These were free, else I would not have used them. I'm trying to figure out if I want to flat-side the end caps and add LED lights there, or if I want to weld the rear back in place and fill the tail light housings in THEN add LED tail lights. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DangerWillRbnsn Posted October 29, 2013 Author Share Posted October 29, 2013 Weird double post action goin on... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mvusse Posted October 29, 2013 Share Posted October 29, 2013 I would worry about fixing the rear springs before starting anything else. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DangerWillRbnsn Posted October 29, 2013 Author Share Posted October 29, 2013 I would worry about fixing the rear springs before starting anything else. Starting this project is what led to the discovery of the springs. You really think I'll leave them like this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DangerWillRbnsn Posted November 23, 2013 Author Share Posted November 23, 2013 Well, I've been tinkering some more. I don't intend this to be a build thread by any means, just figured I'd update the thread here for those who've asked, PM'd, and or posted here to help me out. I picked up a Dana44 from a Rodeo today. Cut the perches off, smoothed it out and I'm about ready to weld on the new perches and get ready to install. I'll be running an adaptor/spacer to take it back to 5 lug. I have no figured out a parking brake answer yet - but I'm considering a line lock. I have also got the rear of the bed tacked back in place. The body lines came out good, now I'll have to finish the welds, blend it in, and complete the new tail light setup. I plan on filling the old tail light holes and installing an oval LED tail light setup. If you'd like pics, let me know and I'll get to posting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onlyinajeep726 Posted November 24, 2013 Share Posted November 24, 2013 If you'd like pics, let me know and I'll get to posting. I'd like pics. :brows: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DangerWillRbnsn Posted November 24, 2013 Author Share Posted November 24, 2013 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DangerWillRbnsn Posted November 24, 2013 Author Share Posted November 24, 2013 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DangerWillRbnsn Posted November 24, 2013 Author Share Posted November 24, 2013 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DangerWillRbnsn Posted November 24, 2013 Author Share Posted November 24, 2013 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DangerWillRbnsn Posted November 24, 2013 Author Share Posted November 24, 2013 I'm working slowly at the Bob... I'll peck and tack welds as I have time, but the rear end I'd like to have in next weekend. The snow slows me down a bit. I'm trying to figure out what I'd like to do to finish the rear bumper and tailgate. I'm thinking of a swingout tailgate, because I want to keep the bumper high and tight. Also, the rear end is an early rodeo with 4.30's and a LSD. I'm trying to figure out what to do... regear it to 4.10 and a locker, so I can match the front d30 maybe? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DangerWillRbnsn Posted November 30, 2013 Author Share Posted November 30, 2013 I got the rear end in last night. Set pinion angle, removed a few leafs on each side, New bushings, New shackles, cut/welded the isuzu flange to my drive shaft. I have not set up an e brake yet, or properly bypassed the rear valve. For the tune being, I have just disconnected the front drive shaft. I also ordered a set of 4.56 precision gears for the rear... but those 4.30s make and amazing difference! It's coming along slowly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
92tanMJ Posted December 3, 2013 Share Posted December 3, 2013 You probably want to start a build thread.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DangerWillRbnsn Posted December 8, 2013 Author Share Posted December 8, 2013 You probably want to start a build thread.. Thanks for the heads up Zach... I'm posting all this from my phone since the laptop died. It's tough to move a big thread full of pics on a mobile phone. Maybe a mod can help me out and move it over? Anyway, in the meantime... I've been going very slow because it's dark and cold here. I got the factory tail light holes filled in. And got my new LED oval lights cut in and installed. Did some more trimming to fit the bumper I'll be making soon. And the dana 44 from a 94/95 rodeo is in now. Don't recall if I took any pics of that bit of work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DangerWillRbnsn Posted December 8, 2013 Author Share Posted December 8, 2013 Also got my rear gears in the mail. Precision 4.56's. I'll pick up a carrier, locker, and shim kit sometime this week after I do a bit more homework on what I want. I have not ordered front gears, as I'm unsure on wether our not I'll be keeping the front d30 or moving to a waggy d44 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mvusse Posted December 8, 2013 Share Posted December 8, 2013 Waggy 44 is low pinion. Your stock D30 is high pinion, so even though the 44 has larger gears, the strength increase is minimal. I found the u joints (even the Spicer cold forged solid cross 5-760X were the weak link in my D30. Problem is that D44 axles use those same u joints. So the Waggy 44 offers no strength increase to speak of while lowering your ground clearance from the larger pumpkin. The ONLY advantage would be matching the Rodeo 6 bolt pattern. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DangerWillRbnsn Posted December 8, 2013 Author Share Posted December 8, 2013 Waggy 44 is low pinion. Your stock D30 is high pinion, so even though the 44 has larger gears, the strength increase is minimal. I found the u joints (even the Spicer cold forged solid cross 5-760X were the weak link in my D30. Problem is that D44 axles use those same u joints. So the Waggy 44 offers no strength increase to speak of while lowering your ground clearance from the larger pumpkin. The ONLY advantage would be matching the Rodeo 6 bolt pattern. This is news to me. My stock 1987 cad d30 is a high pinion? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onlyinajeep726 Posted December 8, 2013 Share Posted December 8, 2013 This is news to me. My stock 1987 cad d30 is a high pinion? Yes, all Dana 30's in an XJ or MJ were high pinion before 2000. ZJ's and WJ's all have low pinions D30's. If you're not going to run ginormous tires, the D30 will hold up fine. The CAD HP D30's are a little stronger in the axle tubes due to the extra mass of cast iron around where the CAD is. I'd suggest Chromoly one piece shaft replacement in the CAD 30... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mvusse Posted December 8, 2013 Share Posted December 8, 2013 Even stock large u joints shafts (from 95 or newer XJ, or any TJ) are stronger than even the Alloy USA Chromoly u joint. Chromoly shafts in a D30 serve no purpose unless you're running CTM u joints. For the cost of a pair of those and alloy shafts you can install a Dana 60. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onlyinajeep726 Posted December 9, 2013 Share Posted December 9, 2013 Was not aware of that... Thanks for the clarification. Welp, that should help out the OP quite nicely as those parts can likely be found at the JY. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DangerWillRbnsn Posted December 21, 2013 Author Share Posted December 21, 2013 Haven't done much more work... but I did get a decent set of wheels, mounted my adaptors, and added 32x11.5x15 BFG A/T's. Looks better! Now onto sanding, body work, paint, and bumper building. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
earl*t Posted December 22, 2013 Share Posted December 22, 2013 I've been admiring your progress Will. :thumbsup: The wheels are quite distinctive. Details if you please? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DangerWillRbnsn Posted December 22, 2013 Author Share Posted December 22, 2013 I've been admiring your progress Will. :thumbsup: The wheels are quite distinctive. Details if you please? They were a craigslist score. American racing (unknown model). 15x7. 3.75" backspacing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zebvance Posted December 23, 2013 Share Posted December 23, 2013 I have the same on my mj I believe. Selling them with tires in a month or two. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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