your favorite MJ mods: brute strength edition

[Pete M]

doesn't necessarily need to be a mod on your particular truck.   

 

I still love my rocker guards.  even though I no longer have rockers to, you know, guard.  they are popped through and welded to plates on both sides. 

 

 

[89 MJ]

Ford 8.8 rear end out of an Explorer Sport Trac and a weld yourself front bumper. 

[omega_rugal]

the dana 44 should have been the default differential for the MJ, why Jeep decided to use the dana 35 in a truck that is likely to be abused? is idiotic

 

now, i wish i had the time and resources to beef up my rear suspension...

[mnkyboy]

I'm gonna go with my MJs dual transfer case set up, as long as it can get traction the truck will drag pretty much whatever you hook to it, my XJ in low range feels incredibly weak by comparison.

[ValpoManche]

On 10/4/2019 at 5:56 AM, 89 MJ said:

Ford 8.8 rear end out of an Explorer Sport Trac and a weld yourself front bumper. 

You have any vibration issues with the 8.8 in the rear? 

[89 MJ]

7 hours ago, ValpoManche said:

You have any vibration issues with the 8.8 in the rear? 

I do not. It does 75 mph great. 

 

[Pete M]

10 hours ago, ValpoManche said:

You have any vibration issues with the 8.8 in the rear? 

 

that's more or less a myth that arose because the pinion is slightly off center.  I've not heard of anyone ever having any issues.  

[dasbulliwagen]

My truck isnt very beefy at all, but the beefiest parts on it are the Core4x4 Control arms and track bar! Ill have an 8.8 someday.

 

[ValpoManche]

11 hours ago, Pete M said:

 

that's more or less a myth that arose because the pinion is slightly off center.  I've not heard of anyone ever having any issues.  

Thank you for the insight. Been debating on an 8.25 or 8.8.  I’ve done the disc swap on my 8.25 on my XJ.  The attractive part with the 8.8 is the brakes are already there, just have to relocate the perches.  I don’t weld so that’s my only hesitation on the 8.8. BTW - nice MJ. Is that an electric blue?

[Pete M]

perch welding is probably the most basic welding there is.  heck, any auto repair or muffler shop will have a welder.    getting the perch angle right is key.

[thecodemonk]

Perch angle is definitely the key...get the straight edge and level out!  It's not too hard...even I managed to tack them in place and then dragged the thing down to a buddy who is good at welding to do the finish work.  

 

I actually found tacking the shock mounts in place harder than the perches.  

[89 MJ]

8 hours ago, ValpoManche said:

BTW - nice MJ. Is that an electric blue?

Thanks. It’s Brilliant Blue Metallic. Chrysler used it from 94-97. 

[CapitalCityPioneer]

On 10/3/2019 at 11:15 PM, Pete M said:

doesn't necessarily need to be a mod on your particular truck.   

 

I still love my rocker guards.  even though I no longer have rockers to, you know, guard.  they are popped through and welded to plates on both sides. 

 

 

These are awesome. You drilled through the frame, passed the tube through, then welded plates on both sides? Is it a solid rod or a tube? And are the outside guards just square tubing?

[Pete M]

the round parts are DOM tube (2"?) and the square rails are 1/4" wall 2x2 square tube.  the round tube made it easier to attach to the plates (since I can drill round holes pretty easily) while the square tube made it easier to attach to the supports (since I don't have a notcher and used a grinder to make straight cuts in the ends of the tubes).  I did all the fab work except the welding which was done by the same guy that made my rollbar.  This made it a bit weird as I had to cut all the holes, then drive an hour to his shop, then drive back home to clean and paint the steel. 

[CapitalCityPioneer]

32 minutes ago, Pete M said:

the round parts are DOM tube (2"?) and the square rails are 1/4" wall 2x2 square tube.  the round tube made it easier to attach to the plates (since I can drill round holes pretty easily) while the square tube made it easier to attach to the supports (since I don't have a notcher and used a grinder to make straight cuts in the ends of the tubes).  I did all the fab work except the welding which was done by the same guy that made my rollbar.  This made it a bit weird as I had to cut all the holes, then drive an hour to his shop, then drive back home to clean and paint the steel. 

That's awesome, thanks. I was tempted to make something like that to create a step going down to match the flares, thought it would look nice and actually be super useful in many cases.

[Pete M]

Being essentially a ladder system tied into the frame, I intend to continue building off of it for steel flares and such.  maybe tie it into the rollbar and the trans crossmember too.  maybe even tie them together with a driveshaft loop.  the possibilities are endless when you're too poor to do any of it.    dreaming and planning are free!  

[CapitalCityPioneer]

Very true! I got a welder, grinder, and all sorts of tools. Just gotta find metal I can buy for relatively nice pricing bit by bit . Endless construction sites around here in one of the fastest growing cities in the country... Hehe.