jbain Posted November 7, 2017 Share Posted November 7, 2017 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neohic Posted November 7, 2017 Share Posted November 7, 2017 Welcome back! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbain Posted November 8, 2017 Author Share Posted November 8, 2017 Thanks brother Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skorpyo Posted November 8, 2017 Share Posted November 8, 2017 Sweet, I could swear I saw that MJ on craiglist recently. Welcome back! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOrnbrod Posted November 8, 2017 Share Posted November 8, 2017 'Bout time you came back Chief. Looks like you found a good solid platform for your build. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbain Posted November 9, 2017 Author Share Posted November 9, 2017 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbain Posted November 14, 2017 Author Share Posted November 14, 2017 Time to get busy, it's never gonna look like this again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbain Posted November 20, 2017 Author Share Posted November 20, 2017 Well, that escalated quickly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbain Posted November 20, 2017 Author Share Posted November 20, 2017 However, look what was hiding under the mat. Gonna have to get busy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbain Posted November 26, 2017 Author Share Posted November 26, 2017 Got the 97 Country donor home, bad Unibody but was very well taken care of.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
90BlackMJ Posted November 26, 2017 Share Posted November 26, 2017 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbain Posted December 2, 2017 Author Share Posted December 2, 2017 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbain Posted December 2, 2017 Author Share Posted December 2, 2017 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbain Posted December 3, 2017 Author Share Posted December 3, 2017 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbain Posted December 4, 2017 Author Share Posted December 4, 2017 Brown Santa brought me a Clayton crossmember today. I love the feel of raw steel in my hands. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbain Posted December 9, 2017 Author Share Posted December 9, 2017 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbain Posted December 9, 2017 Author Share Posted December 9, 2017 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbain Posted December 9, 2017 Author Share Posted December 9, 2017 I pulled the donor rig in this evening with hopes of starting the disassembly tomorrow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neohic Posted December 10, 2017 Share Posted December 10, 2017 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbain Posted December 10, 2017 Author Share Posted December 10, 2017 Pinch weld isnt even close anywhere. The front is about 2 inches further out than the rear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbain Posted December 10, 2017 Author Share Posted December 10, 2017 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbain Posted December 10, 2017 Author Share Posted December 10, 2017 I wasn't able to find an MJ floorpan so I picked up an XJ one and "worked" it a little. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vakarian Posted December 10, 2017 Share Posted December 10, 2017 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? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbain Posted December 10, 2017 Author Share Posted December 10, 2017 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbain Posted December 10, 2017 Author Share Posted December 10, 2017 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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