Old Red: The Story of a California MJ

[NickyV]

I've said it a few times now, so it's time to put up or shut up. I'm taking the plunge and starting a build thread for Old Red!

 

The Basics

Year: 1987 (The vapor barrier inside door was stamped with "Oct. 1986")

Trim: Base (When I bought my MJ, it didn't even have a cigar lighter!)

Color: Colorado Red (Original paint job... but someone may have done some touch ups along the way)

Engine: 2.5L

Trans: AW4 / 2WD

Suspension: All stock... for now.

Tires: 235/75R/15

Misc: Camper Shell (White)

 

 

How It Started

We bought the truck in August 2019. It had 113,000 miles on it and seemed to be pretty much "Base" stock. No power anything. I'm wondering if it even came with a radio. It has all the audio wiring, but there were no door speakers and whoever cut the holes for the 6x9s in the pillars did a sloppy job.

 

 

How It's Going

These days, it's a lot more driveable. I managed to mostly cure a case of death wobble with the help of a mechanic and new tires. We did a lot of front end work to address the DW.

 

It now has power steering (not sure where all the parts came from... the mechanic did that).

 

I've replaced all components of the clutch (also mechanic work) -- master cylinder, slave cylinder, clutch plates.

 

I've done a lot of interior and electrical work: Full sound system with tweeters, doors, new 6x9s, and a sub.

 

And I've driven it all around California: Over the sierras (through Yosemite), up to the Oregon border, all the way down to Death Valley and Anza Borrego State Park (inland San Diego County).

 

What's Next

There is still so much to do! Suspension, air conditioning, camper shell upgrades... I'll be posting some of my previous projects in the thread below.