89 MJ - Refreshing a Beater

[scguy]

The passenger seat is decent. With a little welding, the driver's will be fine. I'm hoping to get a set of 2dr seat covers in grey to put on them.

[88Pghcomanche]

I'm trying to decide on a lift. I want to run somewhere around 3-5". I'm torn between piecing a lift together or just getting the Zone 4.5"kit and a track bar. I plan on swapping the D35 out sometime down the road, so the add a leaf only needs to last till then when I go SOA.

 

Lift is here. I went with the Zone 4.5" kit. Hopefully I can begin on it tonight.

 

Just checked out the Zone kit.  The add a leafs can ride pretty rough in my experience but looks like you already have a plan for remedying that. If you change your mind and stay SUA the Hell Creek MT leafs are nice. When combined with the zone shackles I'm guessing it would be in the 4-5" range

 

The passenger seat is decent. With a little welding, the driver's will be fine. I'm hoping to get a set of 2dr seat covers in grey to put on them.

 

Great. I think those seats will look awesome restored/refreshed regardless if you swap to the 97+ dash or keep it original.

[scguy]

I'm staying original dash, and most likely original front clip. I am swapping over the grey interior / console / 4WD from my donor XJ.

 

I do like the look of the 87 grille though.

[scguy]

Front axle robbed.

 

And transplanted.

 

 

Now if I can get these control arms bolted up.

[4.0forlife]

nice build man. I'm jealous of the clean body.

[scguy]

Front's done. Got that squat like all the Chevys around here.

 

[DirtyComanche]

Nice progress.

[scguy]

My transfer case linkage is shot, so I ordered the Boostwerks setup. If I'm going through all the hassle of swapping harnesses. I figured I'd put those electric locks to use and install a keyless entry / remote start system. I'm normally gun shy of them, but 99% of the problems I've seen with them can be traced back to shoddy installation.

 

I'll probably pick up an IRO track bar and steering box spacer soon.

[HOrnbrod]

Front's done. Got that squat like all the Chevys around here.

 

 

Cut out the wheel well and put a big old slick in the back and you'll have an MJ LWB gasser.  :yes:

[scguy]

Cut out the wheel well and put a big old slick in the back and you'll have an MJ LWB gasser.  :yes:

I think I have one already since it didn't quite fit my bike. Ha

 

[HOrnbrod]

I like!  That would be one cool unique MJ.  Gotta lose that topper though.   :cheers:

[scguy]

I like!  That would be one cool unique MJ.  Gotta lose that topper though.   :cheers:

Definitely. Right now, it's free covered storage though. It's coming off as soon as I can swap the interior of the XJ over.

[scguy]

I really don't like doing front end work, so I'm going in to do everything right. On the way are all new steering components, all MOOG. Also swapping over to a ZJ V8 tie rod setup.

[scguy]

Picked up a WJ booster and master cylinder for $30. Also picked up some windshield trim and chrome header panel trim.

[89MJComanche]

My opinion on lift is to go 3" with front coils and Kevin's off-road track bar and a set of general spring metric ton extra arch rear springs.

4 shocks of your choice and a HD steering Stabilizer.

[scguy]

 

Rears sitting up now. Still a lot of weight in the bed and none up front, so hopefully it'll level out. Just have to order a track bar and a few other goodies.

[DirtyComanche]

That looks like it should be about level, given what's missing. :thumbsup:

[scguy]

Now to decide on tires/ wheels. I'm liking the 32x11.50R15s. I wouldn't mind 16s, but the two popular sizes, 265/75 and 285/75 aren't exactly what I'm looking for. I'm keeping an eye out for takeoffs.

[DirtyComanche]

JK takeoffs are cheap/available if you're willing to go to 17s.

[scguy]

Not much progress, just waiting on some parts I ordered from IRO Offroad. Double shear track bar and steering box spacer.

[scguy]

Wow, it's been forever. Things have been crazy, I bought a repo house that needed a decent amount of work, but now I have an air conditioned shop to shove my projects in.

 

 

In the meantime, the Comanche has been totally ignored. I hate it, but working plumbing trumps MJ.

 

I did do some thorough cleaning of the engine bay and reinstalled the gearbox and new IRO spacer.

 

Unfortunately, I've got another project ahead of this one for the time being, fixing a friend's F100 with blown head gaskets.

 

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[DirtyComanche]

At least you've got shop space now.  A/C sure is nice in lots of parts of the world too...

[scguy]

Well, it's only been forever, but finally got the 4.0 powerstick in. Decided to try to slip in the engine, transmission and transfer case as a unit. At 6'3" long, I thought it'd be a lot harder than it ended up being. 

 

 

[scguy]

Merry Christmas!

I'm finally getting around to working on the Comanche. I dropped it here behind the shop a little over two years ago, and here it sits. It's been a long road of house repairs and projects, getting married, and having a son. Time to circle back to my dream truck

In 2006, I bought my first Jeep, a 89 XJ Wagoneer. Being in high school and only working part-time, my plans and dreams for it never came to be reality, but now I'm a little better suited to fix up my dream truck.

I'd like to build it in a 2000s era style, along the lines of my plans for the Waggy. I love the 80's-ness of the truck and I don't want to stray too far from that.

What does that mean?

Original front end, no 97+ clip or interior
No LED lights, especially not headlights. Stick to halogen auxiliary lighting.
15 inch wheels, likely bullet holes
32x11.50R15 tires (unless I have to go up to a 33 for more tire options)
Finish the 4.0 HO swap, entire harness and all. Interior color change to grey. Power window/locks
Full console swap. Probably going to stay with the foot E brake for now.
Interior sound deadening.
Roll bar or headache rack for lights.

Basically replicate a fully loaded 92 HO MJ plus a few niceties.

And eventually, paint. I've been leaning towards root beer brown, but I'm liking the factory blue still.

So, in short, nothing has been done. But, maybe shortly, something will be.







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[Drahcir495]

I like the blue too. Sounds like a lot of major changes in your life - all good . Your plan you have laid out for the Jeep is going to make this a great build-up to follow.