Project “Tomahawk”

[ghetdjc320]

Picking up a 1990 MJ in the morning and just wanted to document the process of the next few years. It’s going to be a long time before I get around to working on it but looking forward to it eventually. 
 

Specs I know so far:

1990 Eliminator

Short Bed

4.0

4X4

AX15

Bucket seats

Full console

Slider rear window

Original Fog lights

No floor pan rust and only a couple of small rust spots on the passenger side rocker and rear fender. 
Original rear bumper! Lol, I won’t throw this one away

 

Once I grab the VIN I’ll get it registered. This will be a virtual build for quite a while. 

[89 MJ]

What’s the plan with this one?

[ghetdjc320]

5 minutes ago, 89 MJ said:

What’s the plan with this one?

Well, eventually, I’m thinking either a fully optioned out oem build similar to @Red Mistress or going with the Cummins 2.8 crate engine and 37’s. I’m kind of done building 4.0 based performance engines. 

[ghetdjc320]

Some pre purchase pics:

 

[ghetdjc320]

More pics

 

Pretty minimal surface rust

 

Typical rocker rust

 

the rear bumper that’s included

 

Full dash with 90k original miles

 

Still awaiting the VIN

[fiatslug87]

Will it be going to Guam or are you moving back here?

[ghetdjc320]

1 hour ago, fiatslug87 said:

Will it be going to Guam or are you moving back here?

Neither for now. It will be staying in Arkansas for the time being. When I go back to visit I’ll work on a game plan. 

[MiNi Beast]

Sweetness. 

 

Vote Cummins swap. 

[89 MJ]

I vote OEM exterior with the Cummins and on 32s

[ghetdjc320]

I really like the idea of the Cummins. I’d love to be able to get decent fuel economy out of a Jeep for once also. Since it’s 90K original miles though and a very well optioned truck, I am also considering an all original restoration. Maybe fashion after one of these three:

 

 

[ghetdjc320]

Going to be nice to be able to collect the parts over the next few years. 

[MiNi Beast]

Few years? 

[ghetdjc320]

14 minutes ago, MiNi Beast said:

Few years? 

Yep lol. I won’t be back stateside for a while. Plus it seems like nos or even good used part and especially accessories are getting to be slim pickings. 

[ghetdjc320]

So it turns out that it’s an eliminator. Interestingly I now have 2 eliminators lol.

[ghetdjc320]

I’m compiling my leftover NOS parts to set aside and making a list of new ones to get. Will be on the lookout for a SWB roll bar as well as a set of 10 hole wheels with the rivets. 
 

 

 

 

[ghetdjc320]

So from all the pics I’ve been gathering, the eliminator should have body colored flares, grill and headlight bezels correct? Along with 10hole wheels with the rivets? Just getting all the details sorted out for an oem restoration with a few updates like the 97+ xj windshield trim. 

[MiNi Beast]

You can't do that. 

[ghetdjc320]

8 hours ago, MiNi Beast said:

You can't do that. 

Going to stay oem on this one. Thinking of maybe something like one if these:

 

This is a 90’ eliminator and probably what mine looked like:

[MiNi Beast]

Hidden winch, tow hooks, roll bar, brush guard, oh my my.  otay. Ill 

[ghetdjc320]

Yeah I like that clean factory optioned look. I’d use the boostwerks hidden winch setup though with the steering pillow bushing. I can fab that roll bar up easy enough if I don’t find a good used one. I got some oem fog lights already and will keep a keen eye out for a brush guard. I have a set of tow hooks also with brackets.

[ghetdjc320]

So here is the plan: cumins 2.8 with the ax15. 3.55 gears for the diesel but bump up to some 31’s with maybe an OME lift and an add a leaf. I’m debating on the outside still. 

[Skylynx]

On 8/31/2021 at 11:02 PM, ghetdjc320 said:

I really like the idea of the Cummins. I’d love to be able to get decent fuel economy out of a Jeep for once also. Since it’s 90K original miles though and a very well optioned truck, I am also considering an all original restoration. Maybe fashion after one of these three:

 

 

Man, those rear window louvers look dope… did they ever produced them at all? I don’t think i’ve ever seen em

[ghetdjc320]

22 minutes ago, Skylynx said:

Man, those rear window louvers look dope… did they ever produced them at all? I don’t think i’ve ever seen em

They did. I haven’t seen too many of them come up for sale though. Those items are in the accessory guides for those years.

[Skylynx]

Man is love to get my hands on some of those, they look super dope.

[89 MJ]

I still think it would be awesome to do a mostly stock exterior with the 2.8. It would be the best of both worlds.