The Golden Eagle MJ

[jbain]

After selling "Chief" a couple years ago I've been looking for a new MJ.  I've been pretty picky but I finally found the perfect donor.  This little machine is as stripped as they get, heck it doesn't even have power steering.  The plan is a complete 98 conversion, 37's, 44hp front and 8.8 rear, homemade 3 link front suspension, RCV's ect, ect, ect.  My plan is to make a street-able Expedition rig to drive out to run the Rubicon Trail next July.  This is what it looked like when I pulled in to pick it up.  Can't wait to get started.

[neohic]

Welcome back!

[jbain]

Thanks brother

[Skorpyo]

Sweet, I could swear I saw that MJ on craiglist recently. Welcome back!

[HOrnbrod]

'Bout time you came back Chief.    Looks like you found a good solid platform for your build. 

[jbain]

Thanks guys, this little rig has the cleanest unibody I've ever seen and with the exception of the driver's floor pan it's completely rust free.  It runs great and within a few minutes of rolling it off the trailer I put it to work helping me clean the garage.

[jbain]

Time to get busy, it's never gonna look like this again.

[jbain]

Well, that escalated quickly.

[jbain]

However, look what was hiding under the mat.  Gonna have to get busy.

[jbain]

Got the 97 Country donor home, bad Unibody but was very well taken care of..

[90BlackMJ]

I'm goin through the same ordeal with my 90. Floors all rotted out. Lots of time with the spot weld cutter. I had to replace the inner and outer rockers as well. 

[jbain]

Right on, I'm almost done. It was much easier with the dash out of the way.  I bought this stuff to treat the pits that I couldn't get to.

[jbain]

I've always loved the J10 Golden Eagles and since Jeep didnt make a MJ with this package I figured I better.  So this is my is my inspiration.  The J10 birds are too big for our hoods but they now make one for the JKs that fit nicely.

[jbain]

Took advantage of the great weather today to pressure wash and scrub the donor interior.  I still have some spots to deal with later but I'm real happy with how well the fabric cleaned up.

[jbain]

Brown Santa brought me a Clayton crossmember today.  I love the feel of raw steel in my hands.

[jbain]

My JCR Sliders showed up today.  They are supposed to be MJ specific but they are definitely going to need some work to fit right.  But I will say at 57 pounds per side they are beefy.

[jbain]

Finished cutting out all the rot this afternoon and got the floors all ground down and wire brushed.  Now for some rust conversation to make sure it doesn't return. 

[jbain]

I pulled the donor rig in this evening with hopes of starting the disassembly tomorrow.

[neohic]

3 hours ago, jbain said:

My JCR Sliders showed up today.  They are supposed to be MJ specific but they are definitely going to need some work to fit right.  But I will say at 57 pounds per side they are beefy.

 

What is it that doesn’t fit right? Just curious. 

[jbain]

Pinch weld isnt even close anywhere.  The front is about 2 inches further out than the rear.  

[jbain]

Neutralized the acid this mornings and wiped everything down with solvent.  Laid down a couple thin coats of etching primer, big difference in before and after.

[jbain]

I wasn't able to find an MJ floorpan so I picked up an XJ one and "worked" it a little.

[Vakarian]

Looking good! Definitely going to remember this when I get to doing my floor pans. How much working did you have to do for making the XJ floors work? Also, I have been wondering what axle you are planning to use for the front hp 44?

[jbain]

Not much n the pan, it was pretty close.  I'm using a 79 F250 HP Dana 44 narrowed to waggy width with a Detroit and RCVs.  Out back I'll be using an 8.8 and a Spartan Locker.

[jbain]

Time to call it a day, it's always a good feeling when the cutting and grinding is done (well at least on the body).  Now just a few hours of welding a couple tubes of sealer and it will be time to move on to the H.O. swap.