AirborneDeth Posted November 6, 2013 Share Posted November 6, 2013 I will post Jeep porn tomorrow, since it is dark outside. You will see what I will be dealing with. I just picked up my first MJ today for $800. It runs and drives. It is a White SB 1990 5 speed 4x2 4 cyl. I have wanted one for a long while now. The body is pretty straight, with just some minor dings in the bed and surface rust on different parts of the truck itself. Bear in mind, this truck has had some pretty good PO's. The parking lights stay on all of the time, The headlights and tail lights flicker on and off at random times, but mostly staying off. don't even get me started on the wiring. Its a freaking nightmare of splices and rerun wires. I hate electrical gremlins. My next weeks plans are to change all fluids and get the lights working correctly. I have a 2013 manual trans FR-S for daily driving duties as of now. The MJ will become my DD when it is 100% road worthy. It will see mild offroading, even if I convert to 4x4. Long term plans are as follows, using RyanMurph as a guideline, but not going nearly as in depth and to the detail he did: Newer Front clip Newer dash 4.0 conv Auto trans mild lift 31" AT's Right now, I kind of dig the bench seat, so I may keep it still. I MAY convert to 4x4. This truck will be used for DD duties and to go hunting. I will go to Uwharrie for LIGHT wheeling,but mostly for camping. I will be asking A LOT of questions, so please be patient with me. Up the Irons. Jason ***EDIT*** The floor boards are shot, like I figured they would be. I am no electrical guru, so the rats nest of wiring will be thrown out eventually. It looks like I will be driving it as is until after the first of the year, that is after I figure out the headlight/tail light situation. The bench seat will go when I upgrade the console, wiring, and interior. List today(11-6-13) in order of need: Lights fixed Horn fixed Floor Boards patched Line the cab Head liner/behind the seat liner (Using an existing XJ headliner with soundbar) Line the bed Upgrade the engine/tranny Upgrade the interior, including the dash/wiring, HVAC, and center console Bucket seats Upgrade doors (Hopefully keeping manual windows) Upgrade axles 3-4.5" lift New rims/tires Paint Undercoat Possible 4x4 conversion (If I find a donor XJ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onlyinajeep726 Posted November 6, 2013 Share Posted November 6, 2013 Welcome to the forum! I live in NC too. Used to live in the university area of Charlotte while I was going to school there. Can't wait to see some pictures of this thing. Perhaps when you get it built like you want it, we can meet up at URE. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AirborneDeth Posted November 6, 2013 Author Share Posted November 6, 2013 I promised, so here are pics. As of right now, I plan on repainting it white eventually. I will also be either Raptor or Monstalining the bed. Image Not Found i GIVE UP! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AeroNautical Posted November 6, 2013 Share Posted November 6, 2013 Right on, welcome to the addiction. Keep an eye out for a Camo MJ around there! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AirborneDeth Posted November 6, 2013 Author Share Posted November 6, 2013 For some reason, my links are coming across as broken. I just uploaded the pics this morning, so the links are fresh. I am AirborneDeth on Photobucket. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onlyinajeep726 Posted November 6, 2013 Share Posted November 6, 2013 If this is you on Photobucket, then all I see is 3 pics of a dirtbike. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AirborneDeth Posted November 6, 2013 Author Share Posted November 6, 2013 You should be able to see the pics now. they were set to private. I still can't get the links to work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onlyinajeep726 Posted November 6, 2013 Share Posted November 6, 2013 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AirborneDeth Posted November 6, 2013 Author Share Posted November 6, 2013 Thank you! I still don't know what I did wrong. Do I have to have a minimum amount of posts and time like other forums? I will update my original post with what all I plan on doing, along with the date started or completed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onlyinajeep726 Posted November 6, 2013 Share Posted November 6, 2013 I don't believe there is a minimum post count on this forum for picture posting. There's a thread floating around on here somewhere to show how to post pictures and other media. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AeroNautical Posted November 6, 2013 Share Posted November 6, 2013 This might help too: Looks like a fun project (except for the electrical), look forward to the progress posts! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AirborneDeth Posted November 6, 2013 Author Share Posted November 6, 2013 I spent all day on the freaking headlights. They come on fine, but after a few seconds start flickering, regardless if the engine is running or not. I checked all grounds I could find. If you see the rats nest of wires, you will understand my dilemma. I heard the headlight switch clicking and bought a new one assuming that was it. That didnt fix it either. The wires are getting pretty warm too. I need help! LOL I have googled and searched to no avail. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AirborneDeth Posted November 6, 2013 Author Share Posted November 6, 2013 And thanks for the link for pics. I am doing it correctly, but they will not show up. I will figure it out eventually. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onlyinajeep726 Posted November 7, 2013 Share Posted November 7, 2013 Clicking can be heard when the headlights are turned on? Sounds like a bad headlight delay timer. Pull the fuse labelled "HD LP DLY" and see if that makes a difference. I wish you lived closer, I'd be willing to help you figure it out. Electrical isn't too terrible, to me at least. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AirborneDeth Posted November 8, 2013 Author Share Posted November 8, 2013 That made no difference. I pulled the fuse last night while I was working on it. I spent today adding ink to my right sleeve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbain Posted November 8, 2013 Share Posted November 8, 2013 Did you find the ground on the drivers side inner fender.... it's just over the front tire.... if I remember right it's hid by something .... maybe the air box or something.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rymanrph Posted November 8, 2013 Share Posted November 8, 2013 Welcome from a fellow NC member. If you do decide to tackle the '97 conversion I'm pretty close by (Albemarle and Charlotte) if you have any questions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AirborneDeth Posted November 9, 2013 Author Share Posted November 9, 2013 I've looked under everything. I don't see a ground on the drivers side anywhere. That may be the problem. Lol RyanMurph, you have an extremely nice MJ. I will be converting this over as soon as I build the funds up to purchase a suitable XJ donor. My lights are still flickering. As I stated, the harness that plugs into the back of the headlight switch, the wires are getting warm. I see a spade connector on the switch itself with nothing connected to it. Is this to ground the switch or is it not used? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rymanrph Posted November 10, 2013 Share Posted November 10, 2013 Keep an eye out on craiglist for XJ donors. The newer '97+ ones seem to be pretty expensive at times, but I was able to get my 2wd donor for $1k. I made all that money back selling stuff I didn't need. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AirborneDeth Posted November 12, 2013 Author Share Posted November 12, 2013 I have a quick question on lifts. I have searched, but I don't see anyone offering a kit with full leaves. I have contacted Hell Creek and asked if they offer them, but I haven't heard anything back as of yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onlyinajeep726 Posted November 12, 2013 Share Posted November 12, 2013 I'd recommend a SOA conversion in the rear (nets about 4.5" lift) and then be sourcing XJ lift components for the front to match. It's one of the cheaper ways of doing it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AirborneDeth Posted November 12, 2013 Author Share Posted November 12, 2013 Thanks for the info. I would like to keep it spring under if possible, but may go that route if I don't convert to 4wd. I am at my wits end about the lighting situation. I am not kidding when I say EVERY wire on this truck has been spliced. Hell, some of the splices even have splices. The reverse lights stay on all of the time as long as the tranny is in reverse. I buttoned everything back up and pulled it out of my garage and let it run for about 15 minutes. It runs fine, but as soon as I turn the lights on, the engine slows down at least by half. I am used to a little draw, but what its doing is not right. I know I won't be driving the truck that much until some other issues are addressed, mainly tires. I guess I will just drive it during daylight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AirborneDeth Posted November 14, 2013 Author Share Posted November 14, 2013 I started removing the decal residue today. I just got the drivers side done though. I had to take it down to bare metal in a lot of places. I sprayed the bare metal with some paint to prevent rust for now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rymanrph Posted November 15, 2013 Share Posted November 15, 2013 The best way to fix wiring issues is to just get rid of them. The '97 conversion will solve all of your problems lol. Have you tried an eraser wheel for the decals? It works really well and doesn't burn through your paint. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AirborneDeth Posted November 16, 2013 Author Share Posted November 16, 2013 The best way to fix wiring issues is to just get rid of them. The '97 conversion will solve all of your problems lol. Have you tried an eraser wheel for the decals? It works really well and doesn't burn through your paint. I totally agree with your first sentence, and will just be using the truck to haul when its daylight until the tear down starts. I am not worried about the paint. It will get sprayed once all of the body work is done and the engine is out. As of right now, I am going to keep it white. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now