JHS Posted March 11, 2015 Share Posted March 11, 2015 Hey, New(er) member Joe Spadano here. Going to try and keep a detailed write up on my MJ build. Its a 1988 2wd, 4.0. SWB The previous owner did a SOA 31 spline 8.8 swap, as well as a Rusty's long arm kit. The body was in good enough shape that I figured I could make something of it. Also, around the same time I bought it, a friend was selling their 1999 XJ 4.0/Ax15/231 HP D30 power everything blah blah. price was right at $500, all it had was a slight "knock" (a more noisy 4.0 in all honesty) I will be swapping the front clip, harnesses and the full interior from the 99' As well. After a full disassembly of the 4.0, and time with the mic's, everything check out well within standard service ranges, with no signs of failure or premature wear. Plans are to keep the 8.8, throw in the AX15, 231 and D30. While I have the front axle out I'm planning on... True-trac diff with 4.88 gears Chromo shafts Alloy USA ball joints Custom truss BTF HD LCAs and Coil mounts Ruff stuff OTK steering Custom Track bar Rear axle will be getting True-Trac with 4.88s U bolt eliminators Better travel / beefier shock mount setup I am planning on 35" tires, and running the dual true tracs, This will most likely help serve DD and give my XJ a break every now and then. Also after selling my 2500HD, and giving my El camino to my brother, the MJ seemed like a great little rig. I love wheeling, and I need a lil' sumthin sumthin to put crap in. Feel free to share any opinions and insight on my plans/build! I will be using the MJ to also expand the products my business builds including a HD rear bumper with optional swing away gas & spare mount, ROCKer panel / sliders and really anything else you guys can think of. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHS Posted March 11, 2015 Author Share Posted March 11, 2015 Today I started building the Prototype MJ ROCKers I build and sell full rocker panel replacements. I call them ROCKers (for hitting rocks) :shake: Currently I have sell sets for XJ guys and WJ guys. So naturally my MJ had rusty rocker panels. I like the ROCKers because they offer a better appearing look vs box tube, and in my opinion, weld in more completely and easier to the unibody structure. Not to mention if you have rusty rockers, and plan on adding sliders, why weld in replacement sheet metal panels, only to then bolt sliders on under them and sacrifice ground clearance. Kills 2 birds with one stone... here's my rot before, Also got a nice dent on the cab corner... Might as well hammer and dolly some while I'm in here. Inner ROCKer tacked in to verify fitment. For the MJ, the XJ profile was pretty close. Ive had to do some tweeking here and there, but in good shape at the end of day one. Tomorrow I will bend up the sliders and show more pictures of how the sliders will tie into the uni body to take the beating. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kansashogan Posted March 11, 2015 Share Posted March 11, 2015 I like it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Incommando Posted March 11, 2015 Share Posted March 11, 2015 Subscribed. Can't wait. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tommy Posted March 12, 2015 Share Posted March 12, 2015 Excited Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brickmiata Posted March 12, 2015 Share Posted March 12, 2015 Hope you plate the front frame rails so you can practice before I come bug you to do mine! :rotfl2: Looks like it should be a fun build. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHS Posted March 14, 2015 Author Share Posted March 14, 2015 Had a few jobs come in this week, so I had to stop and pay the bills. :rotf: Got to do allot of work today, Ill have the drivers side done tomorrow. Ive figured out all my changes and made all my edits to the prints, so these should be good to go next week. Here's a shot of the rear cap / support. Really like how this piece ties into the frame rails nice and solid. A few things, Do you guys like how they are rounded to try and match the cab corner? Or should they just be straight. Also, I will be adding a gusset / leg to the rear support. I had a crazy moment and thought about hole sawing the frame rails and passing the pipe threw and welding in a double shear fashion.... Then I calmed down and just figured Id add a support gusset. lol Love the ground clearance It still has even with full sliders! More to follow! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHS Posted March 14, 2015 Author Share Posted March 14, 2015 Brickmiata, sounds good to me! Sure, let me mess mine up then yours will come out perfect :yes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlackBeast Posted March 14, 2015 Share Posted March 14, 2015 I like the rounded, if it keeps the strength the same . It looks good . Good job! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A-man930 Posted March 14, 2015 Share Posted March 14, 2015 More (and larger) pics of those rocker/sliders! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Incommando Posted March 14, 2015 Share Posted March 14, 2015 Nice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHS Posted March 15, 2015 Author Share Posted March 15, 2015 Drivers side flew together today, I am really happy with how everything fits and works together. All my notes are updated as well as my drawings, so I should have them posted for sale on my website next week once the stock is in. I improved the cab corner "curve" to match much better, added a triangle support for the rear under bed slider, and increased the bend offset of the slider slightly to have it sit better on the outer ROCKer here's some big pics! If these don't work, I have been uploading them right to my website on a page dedicated for files/images. HERE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHS Posted March 15, 2015 Author Share Posted March 15, 2015 I will need some measurements (well one) from any LWB guys if you're interested! Next, I'm thinking about building a sort of rear-ish exo / truck rack to offer some protection/rigidity, some place to put wood and, more importantly to mount a Roof Top tent! http://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/Car-accessoreis-travelling-sleeping-tent-Longroad_60075828961.html Yes, its alibaba and mega China, but the specs seem good, and I did some hunting around about Long road. Seeing how I don't want to shell out $1000+ for a damn tent I may go this route. It would be sick to have on the upcoming trip to the North Maine Woods! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlackBeast Posted March 15, 2015 Share Posted March 15, 2015 Awesome job! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ggcnash Posted March 15, 2015 Share Posted March 15, 2015 Exo rack please please Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brickmiata Posted March 16, 2015 Share Posted March 16, 2015 You can certainly take measurements for LWB on mine. I'm not quite close enough to come down there during the week (just north of Worcester) but we could work something out some weekend. I really like the clean simple look of the ROCKers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A-man930 Posted April 8, 2015 Share Posted April 8, 2015 Any progress on the sliders??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHS Posted April 8, 2015 Author Share Posted April 8, 2015 Yes! I've already sold my initial batch, and have a bunch more made up now. Also, I was able to get some #s on a LWB to figure the difference in stock. So far so good! Also I just finished the prototype rear xj tire carrier bumper, the mj one will obviously be different, but I have a much better idea how I want to build it now. Lowered prices on my bumpers as well, they are finally selling pretty good now. Almost ready to drop the drivetrain in. I will post more pictures here then. There's some on my Facebook page for now. Thanks! -Joe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Megadan Posted April 10, 2015 Share Posted April 10, 2015 I'm nowhere near you, but I am willing to do some measures on my LWB if you tell me where to measure lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kickinmule Posted April 10, 2015 Share Posted April 10, 2015 What if the rockers on my truck are pristine and just want to add yours to them w/o Cuttin any body material? Maybe another outlet for Ya. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A-man930 Posted April 10, 2015 Share Posted April 10, 2015 What if the rockers on my truck are pristine and just want to add yours to them w/o Cuttin any body material? Maybe another outlet for Ya. Sounds like a real good way to make your factory rockers un-pristine very quickly! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHS Posted April 11, 2015 Author Share Posted April 11, 2015 Already had another MJ guy around here get me the measurements! Thank you though. As for a bolt on slider, what have guys been running? I assumed XJs would fit kinda close. But if there is a need I would look into. Its hard to compete with the other bolt on jeep parts market. -Joe Ill work on some more pics tonight. Been super busy, but thats a good thing,more $$$ for MJ parts :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shelbyluvv Posted April 11, 2015 Share Posted April 11, 2015 Short bed sliders are needed. Nates 4X4 makes long bed sliders and I love the look of them. I've been waiting patiently for him to make swb sliders. Still hasn't happened. There is a market for them. I surely won't be cutting the rockers out of either of my trucks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ggcnash Posted April 11, 2015 Share Posted April 11, 2015 I would be interested in SB bolt ons too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Incommando Posted April 11, 2015 Share Posted April 11, 2015 I just wanted to point out that there are already bolt-on swb & lwb rails out there so it is not a virgin market. Joe's product is unique. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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