88' Jeep MJ

[NC919.4x4_XJ]

well, after selling my 97' XJ DD/Trail rig i got the inside scoop on a
old 88 comanche...

The head tech up here at the raleigh 4 wheel parts offered me his MJ
that has been sitting for quite a while.
He had bought it from a junkyard i believe, and had gotten a donor 93' XJ
from one of the other co-workers at 4WP.

I don't have any pictures of the MJ stock, but i can say it was a
4cyl 5 speed 2wd. w/ 4.10s. From the remaining parts he has left of it,
it was gray interior, looked like bucket seats.

He started to do a conversion from the donor XJ, using the motor, auto trans and TC
and also swapped the wiring harness and interior(Dash, Cluster,door panels, windows, etc)
he always swapped the hood, front header panel and doors on to the comanche.
so now i have a extra set of doors (Half doors!! )
So $2,000 bucks later, i got myself a half project MJ..
With it needing some work people didn't think it was worth much but..
this is what i got with it.


-JK front bumper fabbed to fit the MJ (his own custom work)
-Custom rear bumper (D-rings, reverse lights, trailer lights also his custom work)
-Dana 30 w/ 4.56s disco converted
-Rugged ridge steering upgrade (Drag link, tie rod, steering stabilizer bracket)
-JKS quick disco
-Set of magnaflow pipes
-Hella headlight conversion kit for actual light bulbs!
-A set of JK OE Fogs
-A few Hella utility lamps
-Mickey Thompson bullet hole wheels (sandblasted and painted black)
-SmittyBilt 8k X2O winch
-Got a set of "Rollers" i couldve bought them but they are Super Swamper TSL i believe
but i am gunna get with a different set.
-Got a few driveshafts, not really sure what they are too (I am guessing an XJ)
One seems to be custom built and another is stock
-Bilsten shocks w/ external resivor
-a random fox racing shock lol
-SOA in the rear with a block
-4.5'' Pro-comp Front springs
-JKS adjustable trac-bar w/ Hiem joint
-K&N Cold air intake w/ intake hose
I'm sure i got a few more things, and just haven't remembered them... it was alot... if i find more i will continue to update this.

Future plans for it:

-6'' Rubicon express Long arm kit
-97+ Front end conversion (Header panel, fenders, doors, mirrors)
-97+ Seats & Center console (Possibly E-brake)
-Clean up the interior, possibly laying down new carpet
-Fresh Paint, no idea what color
-Tint, crank windows, speaker delete, possibly 97+ Door panels
-Removable door kit
-Half Doors
-33s or 35s (Going to try and keep stock fender flares)
-High lift mount
-Possibly a basket/cage over the bed
-Spare tire mount, or swing away tire carrier
-Cb and antenna

Getting the thing home was the most pain in the A** thing to do...
i was hoping to get it towed by triple A, that didn't work, had to run all over to get stuff situated.
Long story short, U-haul Trailer, buddies Tahoe, winching it on the trailer, pulling it off the trailer..
it was such fun!

The Manche will be stored at a buddies barn, as seen in the picture, for the time being i do not have room at the house and i leave for Army Basic training on November 20th... so she'll have a little work done to her and then i'll be gone (With money to spend).
Those are the plans so far, and i will continue to update until i leave!
Wish me luck!

 

[XJfreakHO]

You weren't kidding, ya move fast man. GL.

 

[cardudenc]

looks like a decent find

 

[Lee]

I am surprised Nick let it go, he had gotten alot done on it. You didn't get the D60 rear with it?

 

[NC919.4x4_XJ]

You weren't kidding, ya move fast man. GL.

yeah man, i told you i was interested in a MJ...
this thing is awesome.

 

[NC919.4x4_XJ]

looks like a decent find

yeah, i sure hope it is! i want to get it going first & see how it is!

 

[NC919.4x4_XJ]

I am surprised Nick let it go, he had gotten alot done on it. You didn't get the D60 rear with it?

yeah, he said he wasn't really trying to let it go.. but i kept talking about wanting one to him.
and he needed the garage to park his new car so he let me have it..

i really need help with the dash wiring and the wiring harness...
im having troubles plugging everything up.

and no sadly, he wanted another 500 for it.

 

[NC919.4x4_XJ]

Alright, so i got a quick little update for the build...
Went to LKQ today and pulled a nice good condition tan interior out of a 87 MJ thats sitting there..
it was tan in color, which matches the dash rather then the nasty original gray
i really wanted the bench seat but did not have the money.

i got that stuff installed and the original doors that had came with it (Cause the windows go up)
sorry for the bad pics, they were taking at dusk with my Iphone.
i'm also having trouble with installing this dash wiring harness, im not 100% sure where every connector goes and how to place them
if anyone has any advice or help. I'd gladly appreciate it!

 

[NC919.4x4_XJ]

Well, been busy the past few days hunting & helping a few buddies work on their rigs/4 wheelers,
finally got some time to mess around with the old manche.

Decided that the floor boards needed to be attended too, and that it would be a pretty simple "fixer upper"
and i also wanted to convert the fuel pump to the 93 xj pump so that it will work with the wire harness.

Got a few pics of the interior, pre-sanded, sanded & primered, and the the final coat of bed liner.
I use a sanding wheel to get all the surface rust away, vacuumed it all out, sanded again to try to get the deep rust away and a nice smooth surface to paint. after i got that stuff all done, i went ahead a primed it up and laid down two coats of 3M Rubberized Undercoating (Stuff works great, used it on my XJ)

Secondly, i was able to get the manche on the lift in my buddies barn to attend to the Fuel pump swap and to start disconnecting old brake lines.
Going to go ahead and try to find some brake lines that are in better condition and try to install the new trac-bar.

 

[NC919.4x4_XJ]

I have gotten most of the wiring in place, and plugged up.
After bolting in the 93-95 XJ Fusebox into the comanche i realized that the main harness was WAY too big to be plugged up in the engine bay due to the fender well...

Nothing i could really think of besides cutting a small box in the fender well to atleast get the main harness plugged into the back of the fuse box. So, i started cutting! Eventually i felt satisfied with the cut and the harness fit right in! It's all plugged up!

I moved on to bolting the dash board completely in place, after visiting LKQ and getting myself the correct bolts, screws, nuts, etc to get this dash into place. with a little help from my buddies, a few curse words later, it was in place!

I moved on to the fender/header panel removal..
Got those off, and now she's waiting on her new front end conversion!
Also did a little "Test fit" with the 97+ header panel so see maybe what she'll look like with the sweet Jeep JK bumper.
I just need to get a few things sold, to help with the cash funds, and hopefully she'll have her new panel/fenders & doors on!

 

[NC919.4x4_XJ]

Sadly, putting the jeep on hold for a while..

I'm shipping off to basic training tomorrow, so when i get back from all my training..
i'll get the manche right!

 

[viper red cj-7]

nice find and good luck in basic training.
thank you for your service!

 

[NC919.4x4_XJ]

nice find and good luck in basic training.
thank you for your service!

Thanks man! i can't wait to get home and finish up on the build! I am in AIT now, at ft. Leonard wood Missouri.
I am praying that they will station me in bragg, because i am airborne, so i can get some of this saved up money on this jeep!

 

[viper red cj-7]

good luck and stay safe!!!

 

[88mike]

Thanks man! i can't wait to get home and finish up on the build! I am in AIT now, at ft. Leonard wood Missouri.
I am praying that they will station me in bragg, because i am airborne, so i can get some of this saved up money on this jeep!

How do you like the weather the , kinda f'ed up huh . I went there for AIT.

 

[JWebbie2]

Ft. Lost in the woods lol

 

[NC919.4x4_XJ]

How do you like the weather the , kinda f'ed up huh . I went there for AIT.

it sucks, period... lol it is F* up for sure..
and yeah im here for AIT, then benning for airborne school in 2 weeks.

 

[NC919.4x4_XJ]

Well, its been a while since i've been on here to update my page..
I've been really busy, finally finished up all my training with the Army, got extremely
lucky and was stationed at Ft. Bragg, NC.. about 45 minutes from the house.
So i can still work on the MJ.

Well, when i came home on my holiday block leave i was able to scoop up some
fenders, and doors for my 97' conversion.

i was able to install them for a test fit while i was home, didn't get the doors on yet.
Still want to do a little more work with those.

Here are a few more of the MJ,

I've got the MJ & my new Pop-Up camper

Here she is paired up with my buddies 88 2 door XJ

When i got back from training, and settled in down at bragg
i was able to take some money from the savings & treat myself
with a new truck.

2000 Dodge Ram 2500 24v Cummins Turbo Diesel 4x4 5 speed
105k on the clock, here is the big girl with the little MJ

Here is another one of the truck, with the jetski hooked up from this past weekend.

As of right now, the MJ has been killing me..
Having alot of trouble with the XJ to MJ harness, nothing seems to be working
or going right with the truck. She's still got a little ways to go before i can get her on
the trail, or atleast up and running. I have a friend from 4WP coming to give me a hand in the near future
to see if she can get going..

As of this weekend, it's my 21st birthday...
it's time to celebrate on Carolina beach!

 

[NC919.4x4_XJ]

Haven't been on in a while, caught up with ARMY nonsense, working on this jeep,
other peoples vehicles, etc.

Comanche is alive, and running.
Greg from the Raleigh 4WP helped me out with the wiring harness and
got the motor to turn over with the turn of a key.
Once we had her turning over on her own, i had to settle a few things out with the jeep.
Replaced radiator, water pump and thermostat.
Installed a switch to control the E-fan
Bolted up steering completely, and trac-bar
Welded up new shock tabs for the rear axle for my bilsteins!
Had to drill hole in fire wall to run the shift linkage from the trans to the
shifter, also drilled out the 4 wheel drive shifter bracket to slap that in there.
Bolted down seats and the top part of the dash completely.
Had to run new fuel lines off the stock hard lines and new fuel pump regulator.
Tighten down serp-belt and all the pulleys.

Nothing to crazy, i had most of the stuff put together before i even had the wire harness done.


Heres a few photos i snapped while getting her done.

 

[NC919.4x4_XJ]

After i got most of the stuff out of the way where i could drive her around, we decided to take
a little club trip to URE. Come to find out that the TC was SHOT. Chain slipped up in 4WD. So i had to take her slow and easy running around in 2WD. Wasn't to bad of a trip. She did most in 2 wheel with ease.

I had 34 Super Swampers on her, removed those nasty 36s..

Last day on the mountain the alternator went out, drained the battery completely..
but just that trip showed me what i needed to fix and work on.

Heres some photos from the trip.

Bought myself a NP231 Rebuild kit, going to attempt to take this case apart
and see if i can't teach myself a thing or two..
Also have bumper brackets on order for the front bumper.
and lining up a paint job for Christmas from the family.

 

[NC919.4x4_XJ]

Well I've been lazy and she hasn't been painted yet!

I know, i've been slacking.. but now that the weather is warming up and season is back in action..

the comanche has gotten lots of love.



She's had two Uwharrie trips since the season has started, and I've found a few issues here and there.

I've saved up a few bucks to get them fixed up.



She's got her full 97' exterior swap done. Front Clip to the doors.

the 8.25 is now locked with a lock rite locker.

I've installed a mechcanical Temp gauge, and removed the thermostat.

She runs really cool in this NC spring/summer heat. Which is a relief to me.



I've also started a set of half doors with my buddy, he's made a set so he's using some of his

experenice to help me out a hair.



SHE NEEDS ARMOR. Lordy, i have beaten here up those past two trips.

I got a little throttle happy, and had some fun with this new locked rear end (dying for a front locker now!)

She's got a nice dent in the cab. and some thrash on the underbody.



I PROMISE. I'm looking into paint this week (June 4th 2014)

I took some leave and some time to hang out with the old jeepy.

I just can't figure out what color i wanna do.





Most of the upgrades are pretty simple and basic for us jeepers out there.

But I figured i'd go ahead and update this a little bit.



Here's some photos for y'all!

Installing new shock tabs on the axle, I was grinding off the old stock shock mounts..

and got myself. Had to have surgery and some stiches.. We're all good now.

 

[NC919.4x4_XJ]

Alright, I've got some paint done...

I went with the green like my old jeep. (Emerald Green)

This jeep defiantly had a few rattle can jobs before

I even started. I sanded down a few areas, wasn't to worried about making

it so pretty.. i just wanted one matching color.

a some what decent looking off road comanche.





it was 60 bucks in paint...

This isn't all of it. lol





My buddy helping me tape off the windows on the jeep.

While i started the sanding.









Primer





A little sneak peek.







She's getting there.





Never taping that off again....





Mixed up the yellow and the green.









I sectioned off some of the bed, to paint.

 

[NC919.4x4_XJ]

Well, now that paint has been finished up...

I really haven't done much to the manche..

Cut the front fenders, and going to be cutting the back.

She's gotten wheeled alot harder then she ever has after

finishing up all these small in's and out's.



She took a beating this past weekend, i never really wanted to beat up the truck

to begin with cause of how rare the shortbeds are... and especially since you can't do any sort of cab

swap.



but.....

I did, got a little happy with the skinny pedal. Maybe a little cocky, since the ole manche had to show up

the big bad brand new Wranglers haha.



Here are some great shots a few of my club members took of the jeep over the

past few weekends of wheeling

We had a few issues on the trail the past few times we went out.



First, Wheeling in the creek doing some hill climbs the cross member dropped out

on the driver side. I ended up having to baby it off the trail, and held the cross member up with

2 ratchet straps.

Lucky, i think the bolts had rattled loose

and backed out. I was able to use my spare transfer case drop off my old XJ

to put it back up.

I also welded my exhaust back on, I am assuming when the cross member dropped

it took the exhaust with it.



Also had to remove the rear bumper, it got pretty beat up on the this trip

when doing some crossings/hill climbs. She had to be recovered out of some nasty mud.

I plan on building a bumper for it, or possibly dove tailing the rear.

On her second trip out, the Idler pulley was some how able to back its self off too!

The pulley went bad, and the clutch fan came loose causing the pulley to wiggle/Move side to side.

I caught it just in time and did a quick trail repair (No photos of that!)





Speaking of the club that took those awesome photos,

If anyone is in NC, looking for a full time, up beat, wheeling club.

WICKED JEEPS is the club to join.



We have a full NC chapter, along with several other states (SC, MD, PA, a few more!)

And especially if you're in the Ft. Bragg area, We'd love to have some new members!

Anything jeep! 2wd, 4wd, race jeep, etc! We're open to any jeeper out there!

We've got quite a few JK's and JKU's out there, these guys ain't afraid to get down on the trails!



Give us a follow, or us add on Facebook!



here's a few shots of our last meet at Buffalo Wild Wings..

AKA "Wicked Wings Meet"

We had over 90 people come out and support,

and a whole lotta jeeps!



Here's just a few i took at the beginning of the meet!

Just walking through the parking lot!

Also, visit us at...



http://www.wickedjeeps.com/



If you're interested in the club!