xjsteve99 Posted April 12, 2016 Share Posted April 12, 2016 So I've been into jeeps in general since I was little. My mother had a 1990 XJ country while I was growing up and I begged my parents to keep if for me so it could be my first car. Sadly, they didn't but I my first jeep was a 94 YJ with a 2.5 and an AX5. I loved that jeep but I liked XJ and MJs better. Ever since my first XJ, I've always wanted an MJ. For years whenever I came across a Comanche for sale it was either ragged out and too far gone to repair, or the asking price was way out of my desired price range. Well, this past weekend opportunity finally stuck and I picked up an 86 with a 2.5 and an AX4 for $500. Must have been meant to be or something because the guy had it posted on craigslist for well over a week with little interest from what he told me. This is my first Renix I have minimal experience with them and as of right now I plan to keep it a Renix and leave the drive train alone aside from possibly putting an AX5 in it somewhere down the line. I've spend the past few days since I bought it from the guy buying new parts to "freshen" up the drivetrain. I'll do my best to post progression photos and updates on the whole thing but I've failed miserably at keeping current with build threads I've started on Cherokee forum in the past. For right now, if anyone wants to take the time to read this, please feel free to offer any advice or pointers you might have for me. The biggest issue it has is that the clutch pedal is solid, any ideas? I've already ordered a new clutch master cylinder. Aside from that, the last inspection sticker it's had was from 1994 so either it was a farm truck, or a barn find by the previous owner because he didn't offer me much information about it other then that he bought it to fix it up but lost interest. It appears to be untouched and the cab is in incredibly good condition which is honestly the reason I bought it and why I'm inclined to think it's probably just been sitting for all those years. Going to rebuild the TBI, drop the pan, and bore scope the cylinders. Barring any major issues I don't plan to rebuild the engine just give it new gaskets and seals. same goes for the trans and transfer case. I'm taking the "if it ain't broke..." approach. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benjy_26 Posted April 12, 2016 Share Posted April 12, 2016 Cool find! If it's been sitting, I'd replace the clutch master and slave as well as the clutch set, change all fluids, then do tips 1-5 on Cruiser's list. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Megadan Posted April 12, 2016 Share Posted April 12, 2016 ^Everything he said.Welcome, and sounds like you found a good solid project. I'm a picture lady of the night, so feel free to show us what you got! :brows: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xjsteve99 Posted April 14, 2016 Author Share Posted April 14, 2016 Thanks guys, I'll make sure to post pictures sooner or later. I have already ordered a new clutch, slave and master as well as a pile of parts for the engine and it's not even at my house, I'll be picking it up this weekend. Pictures to come, don't worry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xjsteve99 Posted April 14, 2016 Author Share Posted April 14, 2016 Anyone have any pointers as to how I can ad photos? I've tried the URL links to my facebook photos but it's not letting me do that. Any help would be appreciated because lets face it, no one likes reading a thread (especially a build thread) that doesn't have any pictures to look at. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xjsteve99 Posted April 14, 2016 Author Share Posted April 14, 2016 Cool find! If it's been sitting, I'd replace the clutch master and slave as well as the clutch set, change all fluids, then do tips 1-5 on Cruiser's list. What is this list you're talking about? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gogmorgo Posted April 14, 2016 Share Posted April 14, 2016 Sometimes Facebook can be funky. The "get link" function doesn't always seem to work out on here. I've found that just right-clicking and choosing "copy image address" is more reliable. Also you need to have the photo and any album it's in completely public or else it won't work no matter what you do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benjy_26 Posted April 15, 2016 Share Posted April 15, 2016 Cool find! If it's been sitting, I'd replace the clutch master and slave as well as the clutch set, change all fluids, then do tips 1-5 on Cruiser's list. What is this list you're talking about? http://cruiser54.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xjsteve99 Posted April 21, 2016 Author Share Posted April 21, 2016 Cool find! If it's been sitting, I'd replace the clutch master and slave as well as the clutch set, change all fluids, then do tips 1-5 on Cruiser's list.What is this list you're talking about? http://cruiser54.com You mentioned "then do tips 1-5 on Cruiser's list" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xjsteve99 Posted April 21, 2016 Author Share Posted April 21, 2016 I'm having issues linking photos to this build thread so I apologize for that. I'm in the disassembly phase currently, and I've discovered substantial rust on the vacuum tubes that come off the TBI and go everywhere it seems. It there an existing thread to address correcting this matter? I've found a part number for a replacement part that seems to have been long discontinued. If anyone knows what I'm talking about I'd greatly appreciate some help right now I've got a few plans to correct the problem I'd honestly just like to see what other people have done to resolve the issue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xjsteve99 Posted April 28, 2016 Author Share Posted April 28, 2016 Still tearing down and ordering tons of new parts. Found a mouse nest in the bell housing behind the clutch fork when i pulled the trans the other night, that was fun. Pulled the flywheel, need to get that off to the machine shop to have it checked and re-faced. In the meantime I'm going to drop the oil pan and check the bottom end out while I'm waiting to get the flywheel back. Trans and t-case fluids were clean when i drained them so I'm going to leave them alone. Barring any major surprises in the bottom end i'm just going to rebuild the oil pump and replace the rear main and front seals and button it back up. I might need to order a new oil pan because the one thats on it now has a fair amount of rust on it and i'm afraid I'm going to find a wear spot when i clean it up to paint it however we will cross that bridge when we get there. As of now my plan is to have it back together and running by the end of April and that seems fairly realistic given the progress I've been making with the tear down and locating parts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xjsteve99 Posted April 28, 2016 Author Share Posted April 28, 2016 Dropped the flywheel off at the machine shop this morning planning to check out the bottom end on the motor while its out getting cut. Hopefully I don't find any major surprises that would require pulling the motor. Downloaded photobucket so hopefully pictures to come soon so that this build thread isn't simply just an endless rant with nothing to look at. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xjsteve99 Posted July 6, 2017 Author Share Posted July 6, 2017 Been a good long while since I've even been on the forum had some life stuff happen and had to put things on hold. Back at the Comanche project my direction completely changed since I originally tore the 86 apart. No longer "restoring" it, going the complete opposite direction. I picked up a 97 2.5 xj for parts so it's getting a full 97+ 2.5 swap in the cab as well as the efi 2.5 under the hood. Behind the 2.5 it's getting an AX15 a northwest fab ecobox, and a Dana 300. More updates in a bit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88whitemanche Posted July 7, 2017 Share Posted July 7, 2017 Eager to see the swap...may consider this once mine gives up Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xjsteve99 Posted July 11, 2017 Author Share Posted July 11, 2017 Suspension wise I decided on metalcloak 3.5 progressive coils up front, and hellscreek 4.5 inch leaf packs in the rear. Keeping it short arm at the moment but I'm looking to do a long arm on it at some point however the current goal is get it together and running. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cody4359 Posted July 11, 2017 Share Posted July 11, 2017 Whe do you think you'll get so time running with the new coils? I've always been intrigued by progressive coils, tho these dual rate may not be that? I just watched the video on them and it seems the upper coils are compressed at ride height and basically used to keep tension in the bucket while flexed? Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xjsteve99 Posted July 15, 2017 Author Share Posted July 15, 2017 I've got alot of work till it's running but once I get it road worthy I'll definitely review how they ride. I've run rough country coils, superlift coils, and I've currently also got a 99 xj on Rubicon express 3.5 coils so I'll have a good comparison. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xjsteve99 Posted July 15, 2017 Author Share Posted July 15, 2017 Got the e-brake lever mounted last night (had to drill and tap because the old bolts broke off when I disassembled the donor xj. I cut the trans tunnel out of the donor xj to save the headache of figure out how to mount the center console and everything that mounts under it. Also bought the dirtbound off-road center console bracket to put in it as well, hopefully tonight I can get tabs mounted on below the windshield to mount the 97+ xj dash. Hoping to get the drivetrain mounted so I can measure for a rear driveshaft, planning to order a driveshaft from Tatton's anyone have any experience with them? I've read mostly positive things about their products and for the price you can't beat them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xjsteve99 Posted July 15, 2017 Author Share Posted July 15, 2017 Side note for those who haven't seen these yet. https://www.jcroffroad.com/product/SH-SS-DSM-JLY.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xjsteve99 Posted July 15, 2017 Author Share Posted July 15, 2017 My other short term project is getting the jb custom fab triple shifter mounted in relatively the same location as the factory shifter. I'm afraid I'm going to run into an issue with there not being enough room both for the transmission shifter to clear the t-case shifters, and for the transfer case shifters not to interfere with my leg room. It's an interesting problem hopefully I can make it all work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88whitemanche Posted July 16, 2017 Share Posted July 16, 2017 Side note for those who haven't seen these yet. https://www.jcroffroad.com/product/SH-SS-DSM-JLY.html Ordered one of these yesterday lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xjsteve99 Posted July 24, 2017 Author Share Posted July 24, 2017 A buddy of mine told me about them, I ordered 2. It was worth the massive eye roll and silent treatment from my wife when I told her. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xjsteve99 Posted July 24, 2017 Author Share Posted July 24, 2017 Got the engine, trans, doubler and t-case in last Monday. Ordered my rear driveshaft from Tatton's along with a double cardan yolk for it. Also ordered another double cardan yolk from Morris 4x4 for the front drive shaft as well. Doing some research on how to make the vss work in place of the mechanical Speedo. From what I've read I should be able to just pull the mechanical Speedo gear out and put the vss housing and Speedo gear directly in place of it so we'll see. Have to make a trans cross member because the advance adapter kit to put the ax15 behind the 2.5 pushes everything back roughly half an inch. I'm going to flat belly it so I'm in the process of figuring out how I'm going to make a flat cross member for it along with a custom trans mount. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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