MJam86 Posted August 18, 2014 Share Posted August 18, 2014 My 88 Comanche build thread. I bought this 88 Eliminator off a guy on here from Hayward, California. I believe it was purchased Nov. 15, 2013 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJam86 Posted August 18, 2014 Author Share Posted August 18, 2014 Brought it home and immediately set to work. The previous owner thought that the engine bearings were going bad so he put the MJ up for sale. turned out to be the water pump bolts were loose. I replaced the water pump, All the vacuum lines, cleaned throttle body, replaced 02, CTS, CPS, IAC, TPS, and refreshed grounds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJam86 Posted August 18, 2014 Author Share Posted August 18, 2014 I began cleaning up the body, front windshield needed replaced, paint needed redone so I started thinking what route I wanted to go with that, I also started cleaning the undercarriage. The undercarriage was horrible! There was so much oil and grease caked on I didn't realize I had a D44 in the rear at first glance. I had a small case of blow by but replacing vac lines helped it mostly. I eventually added an inline filter to help Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJam86 Posted August 18, 2014 Author Share Posted August 18, 2014 It had leaks everywhere, valve cover, oil pan, coolant, fuel rail, pretty much everything. I replaced all gaskets, the thermostat, and soaked everything in degreaser followed by heavy duty pressure washing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NHMJXJ Posted August 18, 2014 Share Posted August 18, 2014 That would be RubberDuck's old truck. He's a member here, but doesn't look like he's been on since May. I have the brackets for the buckets from that truck in my truck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJam86 Posted August 18, 2014 Author Share Posted August 18, 2014 Replaced all fuel orings, basically I did a major tune up on this thing including cleaning the NSS. Then I started collecting parts for my 4wd swap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJam86 Posted August 18, 2014 Author Share Posted August 18, 2014 That would be RubberDuck's old truck. He's a member here, but doesn't look like he's been on since May. I have the brackets for the buckets from that truck in my truck!You're correct it is RubberDuck's old truck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJam86 Posted August 18, 2014 Author Share Posted August 18, 2014 I did the major overhaul and repairs in a matter of about 1 week. I picked up a tranny/tcase , front/rear driveshaft, and some skids for a 1990 XJ for $200. I was only able to use front DS and then tranny/tcase. At this point I started researching what I wanted. I knew around 8" lift, 35 or 37s, long arms, lockers and all the other essentials I just didn't know what would be good for an MJ. I went from XJ, to WJ, to JK, and then to the MJ. I spent probably 4 months researching. I planned on doing trails like the Rubicon and Fordyce with this so I needed to plan things out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJam86 Posted August 18, 2014 Author Share Posted August 18, 2014 While doing my research i started working on the body. I also grabbed a new set of 35s. Sanding it down, fixing dents, basically making it pretty. Eventually I decided to Monstaline it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJam86 Posted August 18, 2014 Author Share Posted August 18, 2014 Looking back this thing was hideous. I'm really pleased with the route I went. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJam86 Posted August 18, 2014 Author Share Posted August 18, 2014 I decided to go with black and I believe lady in red color for liner. It may have been blood bath it's been about 2 or 3 months since I ordered so I forget. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJam86 Posted August 18, 2014 Author Share Posted August 18, 2014 Now for the 4wd swap and lifting it! I decided sprung over using TnT u-bolt eliminators , TnT y-link long arms, RE 7.5" coils, RE 14" travel monotube shocks, IRO OTK steering with 5/8" heims, IRO trac bar (I'll be doing over the axle soon I didn't think this completely through), I grabbed a H.P. 30 for now eventually I'll be upgrading to bigger/better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJam86 Posted August 18, 2014 Author Share Posted August 18, 2014 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJam86 Posted August 18, 2014 Author Share Posted August 18, 2014 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJam86 Posted August 18, 2014 Author Share Posted August 18, 2014 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJam86 Posted August 18, 2014 Author Share Posted August 18, 2014 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJam86 Posted August 18, 2014 Author Share Posted August 18, 2014 I had to drill knuckles and pitman arm for steering upgrades. Grind off the stock upper control arm mounts as they interfered with the new long arms. I also had to drill and tap a couple holes for the new cross member and skid system which is really beefy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJam86 Posted August 18, 2014 Author Share Posted August 18, 2014 I rocked it in 2wd for a bit, I ordered an advanced adapters SYE, Tom woods rear driveshaft, a D30 Lokka locker (great locker for $200 and I'm ditching the 30 eventually), and a few other miscellaneous parts like a 50" light bar. I locked the front, regeared to 4.88s, and locked the rear with a OX locker. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJam86 Posted August 18, 2014 Author Share Posted August 18, 2014 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJam86 Posted August 18, 2014 Author Share Posted August 18, 2014 Installed some Synergy hood louvers, beefed up my diff cover, flexed it out. Also my distributor bearing was toast so I replaced that as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJam86 Posted August 18, 2014 Author Share Posted August 18, 2014 Installed a Cobra CB radio, husky truck tool box, C-Rok inner and outer brace, swapped in a 99 Dakota steering box, I utilized some hi lift hood mounts I had to mount my hi lift onto my tool box, added a Viair air compressor for OBA. Tool box sits right above compressor which is mounted in the bed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJam86 Posted August 18, 2014 Author Share Posted August 18, 2014 Fabbed up some homemade rock sliders Here's the C-Rok Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJam86 Posted August 18, 2014 Author Share Posted August 18, 2014 Shakedown run at Slick Rock Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJam86 Posted August 18, 2014 Author Share Posted August 18, 2014 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88whitemanche Posted August 19, 2014 Share Posted August 19, 2014 Sick rig.... Just wanted to know where did you get those light brackets from? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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