KFingerlos Posted December 28, 2020 Share Posted December 28, 2020 Figured I’d start a thread on this build. Coming up on the point where I’ll start making changes. First, the patient, this is a 1991 SWB, 2wd, 2.5L that is as base as you can get. Even had the “radio delete” option. Purchased non-running with a best guess that it’d been off the road for a decade. Previous owner had acquired a sport bar, but hadn’t mounted it (project for later) the story so far. After draining 5 gallons of varnish from the fuel tank, an acid wash, and new filter pump and sender I was able to jump start it. After a set of new injectors it ran on 4 cylinders. after a new set of rockers, push-rods, and lifters I still have a tick-tick-tick in the top end. Going to ‘fix’ that by installing a stereo. With that I’ve been slowly acquiring bits from the u-pull to to replace broken and damaged interior bits and to eventually support conversion to 4wd. I expect eventually to repaint the truck, keeping the Colorado Red color. 4wd conversion, and a SOA lift. End result to be a daily driver, parts runner, and mild to moderate wheeler. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KFingerlos Posted December 28, 2020 Author Share Posted December 28, 2020 Today’s project... starting to prep to install XJ bucket seats. Many thanks to those who’ve gone before. Pulling the 4 bolts from the seat cushion, then the 4 to release the sliders from the frame. Then drill out the 6 rivets holding the XJ brackets to the sliders. And repeat. Leaves me with two sets of sliders. Need to clean the seats and paint the MJ brackets (new reproduction). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ωhm Posted December 28, 2020 Share Posted December 28, 2020 9 minutes ago, KFingerlos said: I still have a tick-tick-tick in the top end. Going to ‘fix’ that by installing a stereo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMO413 Posted December 28, 2020 Share Posted December 28, 2020 Welcome to the club. Looks like you have a nice start there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KFingerlos Posted December 29, 2020 Author Share Posted December 29, 2020 Mrs. has been cleaning seats, and some matching door cards. Really looking forward to having a place for a center console and some cup holders. No power steering and a manual transmission means I really need a place to put my Pepsi. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted December 30, 2020 Share Posted December 30, 2020 those look new! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KFingerlos Posted December 31, 2020 Author Share Posted December 31, 2020 While the cleaning goes on (and I’m off between the holidays) starting to prep a new rear axle. Ford 8.8 to replace the D35 when I do the 4x4 conversion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KFingerlos Posted December 31, 2020 Author Share Posted December 31, 2020 While I’m painting, might as well prep the sport bar brackets too. Should be able to put the axle back together this weekend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KFingerlos Posted January 2, 2021 Author Share Posted January 2, 2021 And now that the paint is dry, back to working on bucket seats. Seems somewhere in history the factory rubber floor was replaced with carpet (thank you!), but I’m guessing from an XJ as it doesn’t quite fit properly behind the seat. Bonus however that it already has holes for the center console brackets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KFingerlos Posted January 2, 2021 Author Share Posted January 2, 2021 Anyone need a blue bench seat? Does appear to have a cut in the fabric (pictures below), but it certainly looks like it could/would be repairable. Also have the center seat belt that I won’t be using. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KFingerlos Posted January 2, 2021 Author Share Posted January 2, 2021 And now its done. XJ buckets, console, and a little more upscale door cards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tugboat95 Posted January 3, 2021 Share Posted January 3, 2021 Looking good89 ComancheEliminator2wd4.0L5 speed PukeGoatFactory Original Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted January 5, 2021 Share Posted January 5, 2021 love it! bucket seatbelts have a plastic sheath that holds them up Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KFingerlos Posted February 15, 2021 Author Share Posted February 15, 2021 Little exterior work today. Set of bushwhacker flares to help cover the new tires after the 4x4 conversion happens. Before I get chewed on about the cut-out flares... the front fenders aren’t original and they’re hail damaged. Bed is hail damaged, smashed at both rear corners, and as big ‘ding’ in front of the rear tire. It’s very much a 50’ truck. I did make sure not to cut anything that would prevent me from putting the stock flares on the bed or a another set of fenders if I change my mind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derf Posted February 15, 2021 Share Posted February 15, 2021 I want to see it with the stock tires. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdog Posted February 15, 2021 Share Posted February 15, 2021 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KFingerlos Posted February 16, 2021 Author Share Posted February 16, 2021 ok Derf... just for you, stock tires and cut out flares.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KFingerlos Posted February 16, 2021 Author Share Posted February 16, 2021 And with the planned 285/75-16 (33”). And proof that you can mount 33’s with no lift if you do a little trimming. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted February 16, 2021 Share Posted February 16, 2021 she looks good with that low COG as I've been finding out first hand with my Liberty, "mounted" is different than "driving", which is different than "wheeling". but I just keep trimming and smashing things until the tires fit Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeatCJ Posted February 16, 2021 Share Posted February 16, 2021 I "mounted" 33x10.50-15 BFG Mud Terrains on mine. It would move without rubbing, but even the potholes in my driveway made it unhappy! That said, it wouldn't have taken much trimming to make them work. Other than the control arm issue... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derf Posted February 27, 2021 Share Posted February 27, 2021 The 33s fir better when you put an SOS 8.8 under the rear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KFingerlos Posted March 9, 2021 Author Share Posted March 9, 2021 Made a little headway last weekend, front axle (XJ HP D30) is in with rhe Rusty’s 4” kit, track bar, steering brace, track bar brace. All new steering linkage and the power steering box. That stuff was all bolt in and just time consuming getting bolts to line up. then we started trying to hook up brakes. The 95 XJ bootster upgrade went ok, but the master cylinder and ZJ proportioning valve took a lot longer than expected. Somehow none of the “this is a bolt in” write ups mention the new MC having the ports on the opposite side; or their needing to be metric/bubble flare fittings vs SAE inverted double flares. Also no mention of the booster interference with the washer res. Not a lot to see in pictures, just a lot of running around looking for parts. hopefully get it back running next weekend. Just need to finish the power steering conversion and bleed the brakes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KFingerlos Posted March 13, 2021 Author Share Posted March 13, 2021 Did a bit more today. Had to re-flare the brake lines from the master cylinder to the ZJ Prop valve. Hadn’t realized that the 95+ MC requires “bubble flares” at the MC rather than the SAE standard “Inverted double flare”. Re-done, brakes bled. Which completes the MC and DD booster upgrade. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KFingerlos Posted March 14, 2021 Author Share Posted March 14, 2021 Finished up the power steering conversion today. All factory parts, power steering pump, steering box, pitman arm. Did have an unpleasant surprise... the high pressure line apparently has a bleed screw port which faces directly at the accessory belt. Beyond that it was all bolt in, just replaces the idler on the drivers side. Brakes are bled, steering is bled. All new linkage going down to the rebuilt D30 front axle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KFingerlos Posted March 14, 2021 Author Share Posted March 14, 2021 Rusty’s offroad springs, track bar, steering box brace, track bar brace and a set of Rubicon Express control arms (take offs from another project). Set of Billstien shocks and it’s standing on its own 4 feet again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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