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Comanche Dawn


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Got the windows in over the weekend along with the electric window regulators. Used kit JE-01K from Electric Life. Wouldn't recommend them. Regulators are ok but it took two attempts to get the kit. First one had one jeep regulator and one for a Chevy S10. Even the second on had two different designs. They are nice and fast. 

 

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Also installed a Ford Ranger Cargo and Brake light using an antenna mount from BulletProof Deisel. Not cheap but a very high quality piece. Also allows me to mount my CB antenna. It allows you to fit an F150 cargo 3rd Brake light. I used a smoked LED from Recon access Part No 264129BK

 

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Wiring harness is almost complete Got a set of cables for the winch from BestBoatWire.com. Great prices. high quality product. Used them for the winch on my LJ.

 

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PCM and Cruise Control Servo are installed. The green wire is an additional circuit for the temp gauge. I am using the GM 3 pin ECT which also provides a gauge output. Makes things easier. Just need to do the plug for the servo controller

 

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Also managed to install the fluid reservoir in the fender and run the hose and pump and low fluid wiring.

 

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Also converted the console from an auto to a 5 Speed and added a boot from Redline.

 

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Picked up a set of JK wheels for $140 for 5. Got my local powder coater to play with one. I think it looks pretty good. Satin graphite and satin black.

 

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Finally I got hold of a CR Laurence rear window. I really like it. Lower profile than stock. My OEM is missing the latch which I know are almost impossible to find. Fit looks decent.

 

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My son is visiting in a couple of weeks for a week, so we should be able to get engine, trans, transfer case, Dash, heater box finally installed. Going to try to get the jeep close to starting. Still lots to do. Just not enough hours in the day. Wanna try and be finished before the All Breeds Show in July........

 

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Just an amazing  build! On the rear window do you have a slight gap between the body and window frame? I have one of the CR ones and theres a slight maybe 1/4" gap. Thought it might have been a poor install but wasnt too sure. Works fine and worst case I'll lay down a bead of silicone to seal it up. 

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  • 3 weeks later...

Made a lot of progress this week. I had my son here which really helped.

Pulled motor and did the final drivetrain build.

 

Novak 375-3 bellhousing adapter. Allows the use of a Jeep AX15 bellhousing

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Trans and Transfer Case bolted up

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Novak engine mounts. I moved them back for the final install they have 3 positions. They work really well.

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Final accessory configuration

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Engine, Trans and Transfer case final install.

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Novak Engine mount

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Novak Trans mount

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Also managed to install a 54 x 60 Yakima cargo rack. Not cheap but very high quality and tons of flexibility for hanging on additional items such as gas cans, Spare tires, shovels etc.

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Harnesses all tested and ready to go in.

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Need to still hook up transfer case linkage, get driveshafts built. Bleed brakes, Get exhaust done, finish interior. Then it will be time to fire her up.!! We are getting there.......

 

 

 

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Making progress, slowly but surely.

Got the center console mounted using the Dirtbound bracket plus I had to fabricate a small bracket for the front attachment. Swapped in the 242 bezel, installed the shifter.

 

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Been working on the firewall plugs. Found some perfect rubber grommets from Steele Products. Also added a shark fin antenna. This antenna supports, WiFi, Sirius, FM/AM Radio and GPS all in one unit.

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Now working through the dah wiring making sure everything fits.

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Installed the Novak shifter bracket. Had to drill the holes as the MJ was 2WD. Waiting on a couple of 242 transfer case studs to finish the install.

 

Got the Driveshafts from Tom Woods. Quality product. Angles look good.

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Next up tidy up all the wiring. Snagged a Dakota Digital SGI-100BT which is a SGI-8E plus a tach controller all in one box. I needed something to calibrate the tach properly.

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Got the Novak engine cover. Not sure if I like it. That LS intake is good looking.

 

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AC lines then we will be getting really close to firing her up.

 

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30 minutes ago, Jeep Driver said:

The Novak cover is.........well..........a bit much

I agree. 

 

I love how how you are putting a bunch of nice, modern creature comforts in the old shell. It should make for a very nice rig. 

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  • 4 weeks later...

Got the Dirtbound Sliders mounted. They look really good. Low profile. Not terribly impressed with the fit. Kind of surprised. Their Rear bumper is perfect.

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One slider was welded the wrong way up with the roll joint showing. It was underneath on one side and on top on the other.

 

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Middle bracket stands 1/4" off the frame rail. Had to shim it with washers.

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  • 2 weeks later...

It works on all MJ's. The fit needs a little massaging. It is the CR Laurence EDV700S. The Decked system I used was DCD-MT6. It is meant for a Toyota Tacoma.The deck isn't quite wide enough but easy to drop a strip of Aluminum angle to complete it. I tried to get Decked to help me get it closer but they were useless, just told me they couldn't help for liability reasons. All I wanted was the deck width. (unlike Truckcoversusa who bent over backwards to help) It will drop into a Comanche pretty much unmodified, unless like me you had to manipulate it around the Tonneau cover box.

The build has gotten completely out of hand. Luckily the $$ spend is near the end or I will have to sell my house lol.

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Been steadily knocking down the punch list

Installed the Wilwood proportioning valve and rear axle line. ready for brake bleeding!! Need to paint where the old proportioning valve bracket was located

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Refurbished and installed the wheel winch. Can fit the 31" Tire under here which is cool.

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Park brake is installed. Jeep TJ Caliper to equalizer brake cables. A bit long hopefully they will work. Just waiting for custom brake cable from the brake lever to equalizer

 

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Installed the number plate lights and buttoned up all the rear end wiring. 

 

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Powdercoated and installed the Wheels with Toyo Open Country AT3 tires. Look so much better than the AT2's. Hope they are as quiet. JK wheels $140 for the set.

 

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Plumbed in the heater. Decided to keep the heater valve. It must help in the Summer keeping heat away from the heater box.

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AC is all connected. Waiting on one fitting. Getting the fittings onto the compressor was really tricky. So easy to cross thread aluminum. 

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Insulated the ac and heater lines. They are a bit close to the headers.

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Addco 516 Swaybar is in with JKS disconnect links. Had to use drop brackets to clear the steering box sector shaft support bearing that comes with the Boostwerks hidden winch kit

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Got the amp wired and the sub woofer and inverter mounted. Used a piece of plywood to create a more sturdy backerboard.

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Going to be testing the wiring next weekend. Looking to fire her up by the end of May - hopefully.

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  • 2 weeks later...

So I made some tailgate bumpers from a set of 83-93 S10 tailgate bumpers from LMC Truck Part No 29-1420. I then had to cut them down but they ended up pretty similar to the factory ones. Turned out pretty well. They have a metal backing to them just like the factory ones. Tapped an M6 thread in the rivet hole and used a button head bolt.

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Throttle and accelerator cables in for the final time. Made the Cruise Control cable as previously mentioned. Fits great.

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Door locks are in. What a pain. The 91-92 also has a different rod connecting the lock to the key cylinder. Got it figured out eventually. You will need rod part no 55074922 (3).

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One thing I didn't mention with the AC hookup is the use of reduced barrier hose. Thoroughly recommend it. Far easier to work with as it is much thinner but has the same properties as traditional hose

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I would also recommend this AC tool. On Amazon igeelee hydraulic hose crimper. It is very easy to use and $150. Can be used for AC (Barrier and reduced barrier) and PS hoses. So much easier.

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If anybody needs to get the sway bar link lower bolt out. This is the best way to do it. Use a small puller. Works like a charm.

 

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Still doing wiring. I keep getting distracted by small jobs like shortening the rock light wires, so I don't have a mountain of spare cable. Don't really know why I am even installing them. Had them on my other Comanche for a while. They looked cool.. That is about the only reason I can come up with.

 

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  • 3 weeks later...

Refurbished the wipers with a new motor and bushings and reinstalled them. Had to change the motor connector with a Deutsch connector as my harness and motor had different plugs.

 

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Also decided to upgrade the secondary door seals to the 97+ version. They are much more substantial and should help reduce the door pillar noise. Had to mount a 1/2 x 1/2 strip of aluminum on the A Pillar. Then mounted the seal. It is basically the same as the door seal.

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Front Clip is on. Just waiting on the "Jeep" sticker for the Front Clip from Spencer

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PRP seats in final installed position. Haven't fully locked in the dash in case I need to get to the harness.

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Engine fully buttoned up.

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Next job testing the wiring harness then exhaust. Once that is done she will be ready to fire up. Getting closer....

 

 

 

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