My 87 sportruck

[Strokermjcomanche]

I guess it's about time for a build thread : 

 

This 87 MJ popped up on Facebook marketplace . I thought that the building in the picture looked familiar (and it was ) I had spoke with the owner months prior and he wanted $1500 for it . This time I got it for $600 , this guy has two more MJs ( in rough shape) and tried to make me buy two of them . This is what it looked like the day I bought it . 

[Strokermjcomanche]

The truck is rust free minus the floors it's a 2.5 4 speed 2wd and it has the original rear bumper / black interior . The truck is pretty straight except for a dent above the rear window . 

[Strokermjcomanche]

The P.O. said that the truck was running like crap and he took the fuel sending unit / tank down and found rust in both of them . He sourced a new tank and an XJ sender ( can be seen in the bed of the truck ) and left it that way for 5 years . 

 

 

 

I started off with a new fuel pump , used MJ sender , plugs , wires , cap , rotor , serpentine belt and fuel filter , I also had to replace the alternator due to a bad bearing . After replacing everything it fired up and ran beautifully, it's super quiet ( looks like someone recently had an exhaust system put on ) . 

 

Next on on the list was switching to gauges instead of the idiot lights.Bought all the necessary parts and everything is working as it should ,I'm getting 40-60 lbs oil pressure and engine is running around 200 degrees.

 

The truck came without power steering and it just so happened that I saved all the parts from my 89 2.5 MJ that was converted to a 4.0 . Here's a before and after pic ... 

[Strokermjcomanche]

The brakes were non existent . Had to replace the wheel cylinders, shoes , hardware , hoses, calipers , rotors , turned the drums , also replaced all 4 shocks and the steering stabilizer 

 

Probably going to to end up using these canyon wheels and 31s 

[Strokermjcomanche]

Life has gotten in the way and it's time to get this done because I need the room .

 

Acquired some floor panels for patches along with new front pans . 

 

[Strokermjcomanche]

Got the patches roughed in .Need to weld them in ,Por15 ,seam seal and paint to match . Then it's time for the interior. 

[Strokermjcomanche]

Ran out of mig  wire but one side is welded up and painted with first coat of rust sealer . 

[neohic]

Looking really good, Adam. 

[Strokermjcomanche]

Thank you Ben

[JMO413]

Looking good. That patch fit perfect!

[Minuit]

Damn, good work.

[macbon]

That's a cool project! Looking forward to seeing more pics.

[Strokermjcomanche]

Other side welded , seam sealed and rust sealer /preventative paint applied.i'll try to get it's painted tomorrow. Then sound deadening.

[Strokermjcomanche]

Underneath seam sealed ,epoxy primed ,and then chip guarded . It'll be painted body color too . 

[Strokermjcomanche]

Found the source of the water leak, time for a new back glass ( The correct one) . Surprisingly there's no rust there, I don't think they used urethane for the window. 

[Strokermjcomanche]

 So when they installed  the window they used beutyl tape and held the window in with screws(it was a mess ) , probably the reason it was leaking and rotted out the floors .   So after pulling the window I cleaned all the old crap out and got lucky as there was no rust . 

 

I used a rear window from my very first Comanche, the seal was ruined on this truck from the aftermarket slider so I had to use a spare seal I had . 

 

Its supposed to rain the next next few days , so if I have no leaks I will be able to install the interior. 

[Strokermjcomanche]

So for some updates on this project ....

 

The dash was cracked /dried up pretty bad , sourced another black dash and finally installed it along with the interior. I ended up installing my NOS black bench cover that I had too . 

 

I had had to put a different cluster in because I needed one that used the plastic clip for the cable . It's the nicest condition cluster I've seen, no corrosion on the printed board at all . 

 

While the truck isnt perfect its at a point for someone else to take it over and make it their own. The major items the truck needed have been addressed, but I never planned on keeping this truck as I currently have 3 others (each with their own purpose) . I don't want to over personalize it , but will help the buyer make it his own if I can . 

[Strokermjcomanche]

That about sums up this build for me , truck was sold Friday November 6th . Another CC member bought it , not sure if he's going to do a build thread or not .