89 MJ - Refreshing a Beater

[89 MJ]

5 minutes ago, scguy said:

So I got my Pro Comp lights from@derf mounted. Still have to wire them, but I'm digging the look. Glad I didn't go LED lightbar.

Classic. I love it. 

[derf]

Looks good.  Glad someone finally got some use out of those things.

[scguy]

Pulled a 8.8 from a 98 5.0 Mountaineer yesterday. 3.73s, LSD, disc brakes. Couldn't turn it down for free. I'll be slowly prepping it for the MJ with SOA perches, new shock mounts, etc. Going to regear to 4.56.

[scguy]

I also soldered in a new radio wiring connector so that I don't have to wiggle the radio around to make all the speakers work. The previous pigtail had spread pins that didn't fit correctly. 

[Pete M]

free is the best price  

[scguy]

The world's slowest 8.8 swap is still underway. Have the axle broken down completely, going back together with Revolution 4.56 gears and all new bearings/seals. 

 

 

[scguy]

Working on the 8.8 about one night per month. House projects and family time come first, but I'm getting closer. 

[Pete M]

clearly family comes first,   but I've found I have to make time for the other things.  the time doesn't happen accidentally.  I go with small (but frequent) amounts of time so it's only a small interruption to regular life.  it's so easy to get distracted.  gotta find a way to get the Jeep passion back.  

[scguy]

And gears are set finally, wheel bearings in. Now to clean up the brake hardware, paint, then get her under the truck. Can't wait to be rid of the 35 with bad bearings.

[scguy]

Had a discouraging bit of work last evening, my illumination fuse is intermittent blowing, I found oil and trans fluid leaks, opened up my cluster to clean the dust out and managed to shatter my tach needle by barely brushing along side it with a cloth. All after a bad day at work.

[WahooSteeler]

15 hours ago, scguy said:

Had a discouraging bit of work last evening, my illumination fuse is intermittent blowing, I found oil and trans fluid leaks, opened up my cluster to clean the dust out and managed to shatter my tach needle by barely brushing along side it with a cloth. All after a bad day at work.

 

Sorry to hear that, especially after a rough day at work. Getting these trucks fixed up and running consistent w/out issues is a lot of fun and a lot of cussing at the same time. I have to find a short somewhere on mine that is blowing the clock/radio fuse randomly. And still trying to eliminate the drip from the trans tail shaft, and........

 

Here's to a better day tomorrow 

[jdog]

Which style of cluster? I might have a parts one laying around

[scguy]

Just now, jdog said:

Which style of cluster? I might have a parts one laying around

Thanks,  @88mjsallyis helping me out with that.

[scguy]

Actually working on the axle again, axle shafts are in, painted the diff cover. New Brembo brake rotors and Powerstop pads. Will be rebuilding the calipers and painting them. 

 

Spent the evening last night finally wiring up the lights on the headache rack. They don't really put out a bunch of light, but they do look good, IMO. 

 

 

[scguy]

One year later, I have the upper lights wired and working. 

[MiNi Beast]

And let there be light! 

 

[Pete M]

  that's a lot of lumens!

[scguy]

I have this week off work, so, of course, I'm working. 

 

Monday, my wife and I went down to Charleston and hit up Blue and Gold Salvage yard for a ZJ proportioning valve and a few parts, then to @88mjsally to pick up a 2wd beam so I can convert my MJ back to RWD when I refurb and regear my D30. 

 

Dana 35 is out, going in with the 8.8. 4.56s should be a wakeup call. 

 

Definitely had to remove the add-a-leaf and lift shackles as you can see in the one pic. 

 

Had a friend weld up the perches, axle tubes (it's an 8.8 after all) and mounts for the brake hose retainers. Going to deal with the shock mounts later. 

 

I'm running 1.5" wheel spacers and the stance looks great. There's a bit of a rake, but it doesn't bother me. 

 

Found out my gas tank is leaking, so a new tank is in my future. 

 

 

 

 

[scguy]

Here's why my D35 was so noisy. Yikes. 

 

 

 

 

 

[MiNi Beast]

Ah you had time to play yet before it exploded completely. 

[scguy]

Got the axle painted, bolted up, calipers painted, baked, refreshed and installed. Driveshaft is in, ruined my rear u-joint, so another Spicer joint went in. 

 

Deleted the load sensing valve. I hit a road block when I went to install my new ZJ proportioning valve.  I thought the ZJ one was correct, but for future reference, ZJ for XJ, YJ for MJ. Looks like it will take a little more than a week to come from PA. That's fine, I don't have shocks ordered yet. 

 

Also replaced my Sierra's cluster illumination bulbs and took out my subwoofer to get the truck ready to sell. 

 

 

 

 

[scguy]

Moved under it's own power. Waiting on the prop valve. I like how it sits now. 

[MiNi Beast]

Yeah has a good stance and some sweet looking shoes. 

[WahooSteeler]

Already sweet rig getting even nicer! 

[scguy]

Thanks y'all.