July 2026 - The Clean Machine in Progress

[89 MJ]

July 2026 - @The86manche's Project Clean Machine

 

Build Thread-

Which i need to update the name officially to Candace the restomod. 

 

Year/Model - 

1986 X trim MJ

 

Drivetrain- 

Originally 2.8 v6, auto 3 speed, 207 transfer case.

Engine was replaced with a crate 3.4 and will be building it up and supercharging it.

904 is being swapped out with a 700r4 transmission that will be getting a mild shift kit.

Not sure if I'm going to keep or swap the front axle for a non cad option, and the rear axle is going MJ D44 with track lock. 

 

Cooling- 

Stock, copper rad. Will be going full aluminum radiator for better cooling.

 

Electrical/Ignition- 

Stock electrical and ignition. Plan to trim down the wiring and potentially go stand alone ignition module.

 

Suspension/Steering- 

Plans for 3 inch lift, with HD springs in the rear. And beefier tie rods.

 

Interior-  

Interior will be staying Stock, its factory black with black and white striped bench. Will be adding a few optional accessories. Chrome inserts for the arm rests, under dash courtesy lights, modern speakers, carpet flooring instead of the stock vinyl. And a center mini console so I can have cup holders.

 

Brakes- 

Front will stay Stock, no need to change what works. Rear I'm not sure if ill keep the drums or do a disk conversion.

 

Lighting- 

Need to look into Lighting options for the headlights. Holly makes some nice retro bright kits but ill be putting a baggy header on so not sure if they make a headlight kit like that. Truck had factory fog lights, will be staying with those. Marchal lights for the sport bar and bumper. 

 

Exterior- 

Will be the same color as when I bought it, red with a black stripe going across the bottom.

Wagoneer header panel ( I have 2, one for parts/wall art, one for restoration) factory rear bumper I'm going to attempt to have chromed (originally chrome, the replacement is black) rhino lined bed, and going to replace the old factory 3 pane slider with a cl Laurence 3 pane slider i found. Chrome door handles and other accents like rain guards and the windshield trim will be polished and put back.

Hood will have to be modified and braced for the supercharger.

I have a sport bar for the truck and the super rare sport bar lights

 

Wheel & Tires- 

Originally steel with chrome rings, will be replaced with turbines! Between the spokes will be sprayed black. Tires will be potentially a Toyo open country at3 or similar. 

 

Misc- 

Super charger will be a fageol super charger designed specifically for the 60 degree v6. The company still exists and is out in Cali. Will be redoing the block, new everything, from bearings to rockers, along with a mild cam.

All-in-all she will be a restomod. Lots of factory upgrades, with some unique changes in between

 

Best MJ story- 

Best story I have is of my truck, the day I went to pick her up.

I had been perusing marketplace for a Comanche for a while, not quite finding what I was looking for. Something that needed some work but I could drive home. I am in Massachusetts, went up north to new Hampshire to look at one that was.. rough. And needed a clutch. Can't remember what he was asking. It was an 88 or 89 4.0 5 speed short bed, can't remember if 2x or 4x. So I took photos and told the guy id have to think on it. Posted up the photos to the MJ Facebook group asking if I should buy it, a lot of nos and a few yeses. And one particular comment from a woman who said "why not buy my truck instead?" So for a few weeks we got to chatting on messenger, of her telling me all about this truck that her parents had bought brand new in 86 and how it was her childhood, and eventually her first vehicle, and then her children's first vehicle and then it got parked up. And sat as an extra truck that wasn't getting used. So we made plans, and I convinced my best friend to come along aaalll the way to Pensylvania, in the Poconos to get this truck, over 5 hours one way. And we didn't realize we planned this on.. mother's day. So what went from a weekend trip, staying the night at some family member who lives out there as well to a single day trip! Just to get back for mothers day haha

And we did it! All I had seen were photos of the truck and word that it ran, took one of my spare cars some tools and fluids and my best friend and I drove out!

Upon arrival we were greeted by the WHOLE family, wanting to say goodbye to the truck and see who the new owner was. The whole family was super nice and welcoming. The original owner, the grandfather of the family was an air force vet, with a specialty in fiberglass. Spent his time restoring 70s vettes. And the MJ. Some of his approaches were.. unique for the MJ, but not bad. Anyway, we spent some time with the og owners daughter who shuttled us around to help us get the title motorized and a temp plate printed. Its a pain in pa FYI lol after a few hours of struggling success was had, title transferred and a temp plate made so I could drive her home! Loaded up my tools and fluids, said out many thanks and goodbyes, the og owner shook my hand and said "I can't believe you are driving this thing home.." but that's what makes for great stories, right? Hopped in the truck, fueled up both vehicles and hit the road. A little over 5 hours later we were home and tired hitting the driveway at 2am.. but super happy the truck made that drive without a single hiccup.

I still talk to the woman that sold me the truck, we are friends on Facebook and she loves to see updates when I post them.

 

CC is Awesome! Why? 

The friendliness and knowledge here is near limitless. If you have a question, someone always has an answer! That and we are the first to hear about options that got overlooked in these old jeeps. Like the black spoke Steering wheel! And yes, I have one 😉

 

 

Congratulations on MJOTM, it is always fun to see updates on this thread!