MiNi Beast Posted April 9, 2020 Share Posted April 9, 2020 I often wish i would have gone pretty with my MJ after seeing several very nice MJ builds. Show quaility even. As much as I enjoy going anywhere and laughing when those riding with us on the trail cry about scratching their paint, I perhaps need another one for a shiny build and one for the woods. So I ask you with your current projects how did you decide to go the direction you did and would you change build if had opportunity? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted April 9, 2020 Share Posted April 9, 2020 I long ago learned that I didn't like owning perfect rides. they sure do put a smile on my face when I see them, but owning one is just too much... pressure. that's why my newest baby fits me perfectly. she's a low mileage, bone stock survivor, but has lots of flaws, I mean character. lots of character. maybe someday I'll get her painted up nice, but probably not. My wheeler MJ fits me too as it's a pile of rusty crap. I will forever try to maintain the original body lines, but I will not shed a tear if I run up against a tree, that's for sure but hey, maybe someday I'll have lots of extra cash laying around and will buy up a show MJ with a v8 swap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
89 MJ Posted April 9, 2020 Share Posted April 9, 2020 I made mine too pretty. Because of that, I kinda want to sell it to get another one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Original 87 Posted April 9, 2020 Share Posted April 9, 2020 I am with Pete on this one I have owned a lot cars and trucks over the years. The ones I enjoyed the most were the cheap beaters my favourite was a 63 Dodge Dart 2Dr 6cyl auto (the only option it had) got it for free put a few hundred bucks in it and drove it everywhere for 3 years till a friend needed a car and I sold it. Have looked for another for years but the ones I find are to nice. (Not enough character.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted April 9, 2020 Share Posted April 9, 2020 36 minutes ago, 89 MJ said: I made mine too pretty. Because of that, I kinda want to buy a second one. fixed it for ya Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derf Posted April 9, 2020 Share Posted April 9, 2020 When I bought mine, I bought a pair. Both in rough shape. The one with the really trashed bed is going to be built up. Not quite into a truggy but it's going to be built into a serious wheeling rig. I'm still tossing the idea around of even building a custom bed over just cutting up the beat up bed it has. The other one has some minor damage on one side but it's salvageable. I'm going to build that one into a milder truck set up to be a run-around truck or even daily driver to replace my 01XJ. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
89 MJ Posted April 9, 2020 Share Posted April 9, 2020 37 minutes ago, Pete M said: fixed it for ya Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
89 MJ Posted April 9, 2020 Share Posted April 9, 2020 4 hours ago, Pete M said: fixed it for ya 5 hours ago, 89 MJ said: I made mine too pretty. Because of that, I kinda want to sell it to get 6 more. Now I really fixed it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted April 9, 2020 Share Posted April 9, 2020 #theMJaddictionisreal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMO413 Posted April 9, 2020 Share Posted April 9, 2020 This is why I love my truck exactly like it is. It's not pretty on the outside but underneath almost everything had been redone. I don't stress driving it, so I do drive it every day. My plan is to get one or two more that can be more purpose built. A 2WD to be fast and bang shift. Another 4 WD to go full redneck and one tons. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dasbulliwagen Posted April 9, 2020 Share Posted April 9, 2020 Mine has changed some over the years. The biggest reasons have been availability of cheap parts that I wouldn't have bought otherwise. My first mod was a set of aluminum XJ wheels for $50, then a free set of 235 BFG's. At that time plan was a prerunner type build, 2wd, but then a complete 4x4 86 donor fell in my lap. So then it became a 4x4 swap, with 5 speed, and 4:10 axles. Then a cheap set of JK takeoffs, and then to getting lift parts one at a time over a few years, and then a set of aftermarket JK wheels with M/T's. This is all not to mention what I got during cash for clunkers. If I hadn't got the cheap or free stuff, I wouldn't be where I'm at with it now. I'm not averse to buying good full price stuff, but I can't do it on a regular basis, which is why it took a few years to get all the lift parts. That's part of the fun too, as long as youre patient. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ComancheKid45 Posted April 9, 2020 Share Posted April 9, 2020 This is why I have 3. 🤷♂️ A driver, an offroad toy and a garage queen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thecodemonk Posted April 9, 2020 Share Posted April 9, 2020 I decided my direction based on the things I learned and regretted in building my XJ. So I don't really have any regrets yet. I like an in-between mode right now...something daily drivable but still off-roadable (largely because I don't have a tow rig anymore, even though I have a trailer). I like mine to be pretty enough from 60 feet, but not so pretty that I'm hurt when it gets scratched. ...that said, even though I'm 100% satisfied with my truck, I would love to be able to justify a second one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiNi Beast Posted April 9, 2020 Author Share Posted April 9, 2020 looks good going down the road. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tugboat95 Posted April 10, 2020 Share Posted April 10, 2020 I stumbled onto mine. It's a survivor in good working order and ZERO rust, immaculate interior, only 108k miles when i bought it. It has never been modified in any way. It is too nice to convert to 4wd or Jack up etc. Decided to refresh it to look like new from factory. A few small plastic items set of eliminator rims and then a decal package and paint job with clear coat and I'll be done. It's that nice 89 Comanche Eliminator 2wd 4.0L 5 speed PukeGoat Factory Original Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mnkyboy Posted April 10, 2020 Share Posted April 10, 2020 I kinda wish I had put in the extra work to keep the supercharger under the hood or at least lower than it is, otherwise I'm pretty happy with my build. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buxmj Posted April 10, 2020 Share Posted April 10, 2020 I think I lucked into mine being what it is today, mainly because I didn't do anything stupid and wreck it or get hit then found the right person to paint it when it was ready to retire. Over the years I have been slowly upgrading the small stuff. I still use it as a truck but try not to abuse it, always has been 2wd and I don't have any desire or need to convert it. It has earned its retirement so my daughter will probably see if I or the mj last another 30 years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
89 MJ Posted April 10, 2020 Share Posted April 10, 2020 6 minutes ago, mnkyboy said: I kinda wish I had put in the extra work to keep the supercharger under the hood or at least lower than it is, otherwise I'm pretty happy with my build. I’m glad it doesn’t. That looks is awesome. I’m sure it reduces some visibility on the trail though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiNi Beast Posted April 10, 2020 Author Share Posted April 10, 2020 28 minutes ago, 89 MJ said: I’m glad it doesn’t. That looks is awesome. I’m sure it reduces some visibility on the trail though. It doesnt see the trail, its a curb bouncer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mnkyboy Posted April 10, 2020 Share Posted April 10, 2020 Visibility isn't too bad, even on trails. Worst thing is all the steam after the engine gets wet, wouldn't be so bad but I live in the PNW where it rains all the time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustEmptyEveryPocket Posted April 10, 2020 Share Posted April 10, 2020 18 hours ago, mnkyboy said: rains all the time. Time for a custom hood scoop? Face it towards the windshield and install a fan into to help pull air through the engine bay. Combined with some Rain-X you would never need to use windshield wipers again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mnkyboy Posted April 11, 2020 Share Posted April 11, 2020 2 hours ago, JustEmptyEveryPocket said: Time for a custom hood scoop? Face it towards the windshield and install a fan into to help pull air through the engine bay. Combined with some Rain-X you would never need to use windshield wipers again. I usually toss this on when I park it outside for long periods, I would probably get some crazy looks if I tried driving around with it like that though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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