91' Eliminator Daily Build

[Salvagedcircuit]

Those rims look extra spice man. Nice selection! I like stock height, but I'm definitely warming to that stance.

[EagleKeeper]

Is the Stepped crossmember a requirement for the conversion or just an improvement ? I'm converting a 92 from 2wd . Stealing a lot of parts off my 91 Metric Ton [Frame Rot] with the AX15.

[CaptainPatchy]

On 5/20/2023 at 8:00 PM, Salvagedcircuit said:

Those rims look extra spice man. Nice selection! I like stock height, but I'm definitely warming to that stance.

 

Thank you, I really enjoy how it's turning out.  Definitely different than most, but still cool.

22 hours ago, EagleKeeper said:

Is the Stepped crossmember a requirement for the conversion or just an improvement ? I'm converting a 92 from 2wd . Stealing a lot of parts off my 91 Metric Ton [Frame Rot] with the AX15.

I wasn't able to find an answer to that question, seems like some guys are able to use the auto crossmember with a manual and others complain of terrible vibrations.  I had planned to use spacers to drop the whole piece down 3/4" and use the auto crossmember, but was able to source a manual crossmember for a reasonable price so just went that way instead.  They're identical as far as mounting holes and whatnot, other than the drop section in the middle.  

[EagleKeeper]

Hmm. My doner truck is a few miles north. I'm going up there next week. I'll let you know. The stepped looks very unfamiliar .

[CaptainPatchy]

Been away for a bit, I didn't actually take any photos but I swapped the non-functional factory stereo for a reasonably priced bluetooth unit from crutchfield. I also put in some alpine front door speakers I had from another vehicle and put in some rear 6.5" using brackets from boxyjeep.com. Finally gave me audio in the truck, although it is severely lacking in bass at the moment. Boxyjeep also makes wall brackets for mounting tailgates as decoration, and I had picked this bent and mangled one up off a guy from the facebook group. Did my best to straighten it out and clean it up some and...

 

Not too bad for the price I paid, and it looks cool so why not? 

 

I'd been busy with starting a new job, and I'd finished the big project(manual swap) so comanche projects had kind of gone on the back burner for a bit. We got a brutal round of cold and well over a foot of snow so going out was miserable, so I kicked up the heater a bit and started looking at the truck again. I'd been a part of the original Oracle LED tailight group-buy, but was looking to replace the entire rear wiring harness to avoid splicing mine.

The 91-92 years have a different plug than all the other years (of course) and they're exceedingly hard to find as you can't even buy new connectors anywhere I could find

I thought about converting the body side harness to something more available, and then decided I'd had enough. I can always splice them back together, so...

 

first thing, these are BRIGHT. I knew going from faded 1980's tech would be an improvement, but I guess I didn't really think it'd be that much! Obviously don't have a chance to get it outside at the moment, but everything seems to function as factory, I was worried about the low impedance of the led's playing havoc with the flasher.

 

My next project I've got earmarked is I'd like to fix the bad fuel level sender. The previous owner said the float had a hole in it and I know the gauge doesn't read right, as I can run it to empty and only get 8-9 gallons in it. MTS now sells the 91-92 complete sending unit, but I'd like to upgrade the pump while I've got the whole assembly out. Anyone have an recommendation for a factory+ rated fuel pump from a reputable manufacturer?  Something like Walbro, Holley, or the like? 

[Pete M]

not sure I've ever heard someone managing to swap in a high end brand name pump into the assembly.   

[CaptainPatchy]

Long term update: 

-Have an MTS fuel pump assembly with a Bosch Fuel pump ready to swap in

-enjoying driving the truck and seeing the attention it gets everywhere it goes

-everything seems to be working well

 

So last fall I was able to score a late model, 29 spline 8.25 from a guy locally that was parting out a manual Cherokee. I'd gone back and forth on swapping in a 3.07 axle as with the smaller tires, 3.55's and the AX15 first gear was all but useless. The donor had seen better days, but everything here has got that "patina"

First step was to get the old perches cut off, as I'm staying SUA. With some careful grinder work, I was able to salvage the factory perches. I also pulled the drums and backing plates to prepare for a disc brake swap as well.

Next I took the axle over to my Dad's place, as he's got 220V and a fancy new miller in his garage/shop. First we cleaned up the small gouges I'd made cutting the old perches out to give us a clean canvas. I also took this time to really get acquainted with a grinder and wire wheel, cleaning up the housing and tubes. 

After getting those ground flush, it was time to locate the perches. I'd taken measurements from my old D35, so I knew how far apart the perches should be (42") for the stock Comanche locations. Measured the overall width of the axle, found center and then subtracted the width of the perches Center to Center to get them setup on the axle. I'd also wanted to shift the axle rearward 3/4" to center the wheel and tire in the wheelwell and to also help give me some more clearance for the larger pinion snout of the 8.25" axle. Hopefully I won't have to get a new driveshaft, but it's gonna be close. Drilled a new 9/16" hole 3/4" rearward from center, and then rosette welded the center and rear holes shut for more strength.

Used a pair of angle finders to set the perches and pinion to match the dana 35 that was in there. Not sure if that's the correct way to setup a new axle, but I didn't have any driveline vibration before, so I should have any now if I matched everything up correctly, or that was my thinking at least" Worked out to be with the perched set at 0 degrees, the pinion was point up towards the transmission around 10 degrees. It's backwards in that photo since we'd turned it upside down to weld it them on. Once that was done, it was a simple process of welding my swaybar mounts to the axle matching the previous setup as well and everything should be getting close!

Once I've got a coat or two of paint on it, I'm going to start ordering parts for the disc swap. I've already made a a trip to the junkyard to get the backing plates off a Liberty, but I don't see the use in putting gnarly, rusted out junk in for everything else so I'm just going to buy mostly new. 

 

I also want to ditch the load sensing valve and go to a Wilwood adjustable for the whole braking system ran through nicop lines, but I'm still exploring those options. 

[neohic]

Sweet! I love seeing updates on this truck 

[pizzaman09]

On 5/12/2023 at 9:50 PM, CaptainPatchy said:

Double update for tonight, got my new wheels/tires back from being mounted and balanced.  My old tires were still the 17x9s that had 26mm of offset from an 03-04 mustang cobra.  I needed to run 1.25" spacer on the rear to get the rears somewhat flush with the fenders as many have done, but I wanted to get away from the spacers if possible like I said.  Enter the new setup:

 

Those are 17x10.5" with 20mm offset matching cobra style rear wheels, with a nice fat lip.  Finished them off with 315 wide Nitto NT555 G2 tires.  Got it outside under its own manual power to take some quick photos.

I couldnt be happier with it!  Needs to come out about .5" either side to really be even with the fenders but she's sitting pretty now.  Took it for a spin around the neighborhood quick, came back and rechecked the fluids and lug nuts and then took it for a quick spin out on the open road.  First impressions are that 1st gear is all but useless!  Acceleration is lightning fast even with 3.55s, would probably be a better cruiser with 3.05s but it's definitely quick enough for now.  Speedo is STILL off, must have screwed up my math on that one, will have to explore further.  Used a GPS speedo on my phone and it definitely gets out of its own way right quick.  Had to hurry home to beat some storms but we made it!  

 

4th and 5th gear whine pretty bad, especially under constant light throttle, probably needs more mileage to break in proper bit everything else is running perfect 

 

Your Eliminator looks absolutely amazing.  I love the stance, the graphics , the wheels, all of it is perfect.  If I didn't use my black Eliminator as the 4x4 that it is, I would lower it and make it look just like yours.