Project MJ

[Blue XJ]

Havene't figured out a name for it. But here is a teaser pic. It's going to be a loooonnngggg slow build that won't get started until after Christmas, since I work in Canada M-F and don't get much free time in the two days a week I am home.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y195/BlueXJ/Project%20MJ/IMG_0240.jpg


Inside is fairly solid, needs a little bit of metal replaced, but its mostly surface rust.
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y195/BlueXJ/Project%20MJ/IMG_0238.jpg



Finished specs:
88 MJ Long Bed, bobbed 16"
HP30 with 4.56's, alloys, warn hubs, ARB
29 Spline 8.25 with powertrax noslip and discks
Warn XD9000i sank into grill
RK 3 link with 6" coils
RE4.5" XJ leaves out back (maybem if its not too tall)
4.6l stroker
aw4
231 with sye


More or less all the parts will be coming out of the XJ to build the MJ

Estimated completion - April 27th, 2008 :eek:

[Blue XJ]

Well, Its been slow due to work. But I made some progress over the weekend. It'll be a another week or two until I can start working on it so far, but here are some pics to show the progress.

Cleaned up the floor to see what I was working with. Not too bad, but I have a couple patches to weld in.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y195/BlueXJ/Project%20MJ/IMG_0255.jpg


Lots of wiring mess on the XJ to keep track of.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y195/BlueXJ/Project%20MJ/IMG_0276.jpg

Got the dash and center console installed in the MJ and the seats are resting in there. The seat brackets are different, so I need to modify the brackets a bit to get them to work.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y195/BlueXJ/Project%20MJ/IMG_0291.jpg


Got home from Canada last night and there was a D&C Extreme cage sitting by my back door. Test fitted it and it looks like the b-pillar cross bar that the 5 points bolt to is gonna be a problem. It is gonna interfere with the back window on the MJ. I'll just cut the overhead bars a little shorter and pull everything forward about an inch for it to fit.

And also got my 25 flap discs, 20 cut off discs, and some paint removers from bulletindustries.com

Once I get some time, I'll be ready to plate the frame, weld on new control arm mounts and swap the front axle over.

[Mrclean]

Looks like crap :hehe:

Looks like you've mad some good progress :thumbsup:
How's the parts hunt going? Finding everything you need?

[redmud]

Cool project, Can't wait to see more.

[xj4life]

looking good buddy. cant wait to see it in person in a few weeks.

[MuddyPaws 3.0]

Still looks the same as when I was in your garage a month ago.:poke:
















:hehe:

[Blue XJ]

Looks like crap :hehe:

Looks like you've mad some good progress :thumbsup:
How's the parts hunt going? Finding everything you need?


Decent progress so far, for the little amount of time I have into it. Not really looking for parts too hard, but the ones I need are no where to be found either.

Oh well, it's getting there, the cage is here, so that week after Christmas I plan on getting the motor in it and running. :dance:

[Mrclean]

Decent progress so far, for the little amount of time I have into it. Not really looking for parts too hard, but the ones I need are no where to be found either.

Oh well, it's getting there, the cage is here, so that week after Christmas I plan on getting the motor in it and running. :dance:

I'll call shot gun for the first test drive :lol:
BTW: I might not be that far behind you on building an MJ. I sold 3 of my projects this week and needless to say, I have a little more room now :dance:

[Blue XJ]

So does that mean you are coming to get that hitch, or don't you need it at all anymore?

[Mrclean]

So does that mean you are coming to get that hitch, or don't you need it at all anymore?

At the moment, I don't need it. Go ahead and sell it. Looks like I am probably selling the jeep that it was going to go on.

[Blue XJ]

Got the engine and trans harness swapped over tonight. Got the headlamp harness all disconnected, but have to pop the grill or radiator out to get the whole thing out. Hopefully will get it done tomorrow.

[motrctyman]

I'll call shot gun for the first test drive :lol:
Damn, beat me to it. :flip:

[Blue XJ]

Had the day off of work today, so I finished my Christmas shopping then worked on the jeeps a little. Made a little progress today. Got the rest of the front end stuff on the XJ out and transferred everything over butthe header panel, gonna wait till the motor is in for that. Which should be next weekend. Got the rest of the wiring swapped over, reconnected and attached it all to the sheet metal.

The remainder of the XJ
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y195/BlueXJ/Project%20MJ/IMG_0332.jpg

The beginning of the MJ
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y195/BlueXJ/Project%20MJ/IMG_0335.jpg

[Shaker]

I'm just curious as to why you are ditching the xj?

[Blue XJ]

Its getting pretty rusty. The floor is separating from the wheel wells in the back. The roof has cracked free from the body sides in the back, the floors are patched up but all rusted out up front and my 3 link mounts to the rusty frame.

Plus I've always wanted an MJ, and this one was only $50.

[Shaker]

Its getting pretty rusty. The floor is separating from the wheel wells in the back. The roof has cracked free from the body sides in the back, the floors are patched up but all rusted out up front and my 3 link mounts to the rusty frame.

Plus I've always wanted an MJ, and this one was only $50.


:thumbsup:
Rust you gotta love michigan. My K-5 fell to the same demon.

[Blue XJ]

It was getting worse and worse, everything was repairable, but I figured its a good time to change. Plus I haven't had a project for a few years. The MJ is solid everywhere except over the wheel wells. Shouldn't be too hard to fix that though, the cab and frame look brand new almost.

[Blue XJ]

Made some more progress today. Got the motor/trans/tcase and brake lines swapped over. Had a little issue with the crossmember, apparently the XJ and MJ trans crossmember mount in a different position, so I'll need to make some new mounting points for it.

Should be able to get the wiring reconnected and the cooling system plumbed again in the next day or two and have the motor running.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y195/BlueXJ/Project%20MJ/IMG_0358.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y195/BlueXJ/Project%20MJ/IMG_0368.jpg

[ddeadserious]

Coming along nicely, this is going to be an awesome rig. Good work.

[Nate4d]

very neato

[Blue XJ]

Made some progress today, got all the engine wiring reconnected, got the cooling system replumbed, got the fans back in and was able to crank the motor. There isn't any fuel hooked up, but the motor would crank, so I think I should be all set.

This week I should be able to get the frame plated and the front suspension and axle installed. Should be able to get the gas tank hooked up too and get it running.

[Muddy Maki]

wow $50 good deal! looken good! i love MJ's

[sglide]

Coming along nicely, this is going to be an awesome rig. Good work.yes very nice

[Mrclean]

wow $50 good deal! looken good! i love MJ's

Wonder where you found that deal :flip: :hehe:

[Blue XJ]

Made a little more progress. Made some plates to reinforce the frame, got the interior finally finished, made adaptors to mount the seats, eliminated about 120 feet of wire from the inside and picked up a new door and tail gate.

Turns out I don't have the steel I need to make new LCA mounts in my scrap pile, and Pontiac Steel is closed for the Holiday week, so I didn't end up getting the front axle installed. Gonna try to get out at lunch and get the steel I need tomorrow.

Plate to reinforce the frame and mount the front suspension and transmission crossmember to
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y195/BlueXJ/Project%20MJ/IMG_0377.jpg

Got the interior installed and completed. Gonna have to pull it back out to herculine the floor and install the cage.
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y195/BlueXJ/Project%20MJ/IMG_0372.jpg

The "new" door and tail gate.
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y195/BlueXJ/Project%20MJ/IMG_0371.jpg

[xj4life]

the interior turn out real nice. grey/tan doesnt look bad :thumbsup:

[motrctyman]

I admire all that you have accomplished, but I still think you lost your mind. LOL!

[Monster4.0]

Looks good. I might be parting out my 90 MJ pm me if you need any parts.

[Blue XJ]

thanks for the compliments guys :thumbsup:


these bad boys showed up today, 6" Alcan SUA springs.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y195/BlueXJ/Project%20MJ/IMG_0385.jpg


Monster - The only thing I could use is a sliding back window, I have a fixed one and would prefer the slider. If you have an easy way to get it out, let me know.

[Blue XJ]

Been a while since I have had a chance to work on it, had some unexpected home stuff to take care of first. But now that stuff is done, so I made some good progress today.

Got the passenger control arm mount and frame reinforcement plate welded on, still need to finish burning it in, but I wanted to make sure everything worked first. Got the upper mount in and the track bar mount in, then swapped over the axle. :cube:


Made the control arm mounts to push the axle forward from where it used to be by about 2". Looks pretty good to me.
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y195/BlueXJ/Project%20MJ/IMG_0425.jpg

When you working by yourself and need to move the body about 4" to line up the trackbar its amazing what you come up with. :ha:
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y195/BlueXJ/Project%20MJ/IMG_0414.jpg

just a couple more pics

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y195/BlueXJ/Project%20MJ/IMG_0429.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y195/BlueXJ/Project%20MJ/IMG_0420.jpg

And a piece inside my floor jack cracked off, so I am currently without a way to raise up the jeep, so the stock cprings stay in it for another week. I measured the new ones to compare, the rear will sit about 6.5" higher than it currently does, so it shoul dhave a nice rake to it.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y195/BlueXJ/Project%20MJ/IMG_0415.jpg

and even picked up a tail gate in good shape.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y195/BlueXJ/Project%20MJ/IMG_0412.jpg

just have to mount the tank and plumb the fuel lines and all the big stuff is done. then its just a bunch of small stuff to take care of. :thumbsup:

[Blackjackbender]

just curious but why SUA instead of SOA? figured SOA would be cheaper a bit.

[Blue XJ]

just curious but why SUA instead of SOA? figured SOA would be cheaper a bit.


Because the rear springs that are on it are completely shot and they have a small AAL in them. If I went SOA with these, it would be too high, I couldn't carry anything in the bed, and with the torque from teh stroker, there would be a ton of axle wrap.

Since I needed new springs anyways, I found the SUA ones brand new for dirt cheap so I figured why not.

[Blackjackbender]

Because the rear springs that are on it are completely shot and they have a small AAL in them. If I went SOA with these, it would be too high, I couldn't carry anything in the bed, and with the torque from teh stroker, there would be a ton of axle wrap.

Since I needed new springs anyways, I found the SUA ones brand new for dirt cheap so I figured why not.

makes sense.


alcan springs should flex pretty good from what i have heard about them.

[nick_n_ii]

Looken Good, not sure if it was said or not, but you plaining to 'Bob" the rear?

[Blue XJ]

Next winters project is to bob and dove tail the bed, along with shortening the wheel base by about 10".

[Mrclean]

Looks good jeff :thumbsup:
If you still have a way to send pictures to the guy you bought it from, I'm sure he would love to see what it has become.

[Tonka]

Because the rear springs that are on it are completely shot and they have a small AAL in them. If I went SOA with these, it would be too high, I couldn't carry anything in the bed, and with the torque from teh stroker, there would be a ton of axle wrap.

Since I needed new springs anyways, I found the SUA ones brand new for dirt cheap so I figured why not.


I beg to differ. Mine soa with 1" lift shackles on 35's sits at nearly the same load height as a newer fullsize ram 4x4

The stock, thick bottom leaf works very well behind a stock 4.0L, and an anti-wrap bar can be made fairly cheap.

mine flexes like mad for running stock arms/ brackets. a tire will be well over 3' in the air before another tire will lift.

[Blue XJ]

I beg to differ. Mine soa with 1" lift shackles on 35's sits at nearly the same load height as a newer fullsize ram 4x4

The stock, thick bottom leaf works very well behind a stock 4.0L, and an anti-wrap bar can be made fairly cheap.

mine flexes like mad for running stock arms/ brackets. a tire will be well over 3' in the air before another tire will lift.

Those aren't stock springs though, they already have a 3" AAL in them, so 3" + SOA will be more than the 6" springs I have in the front. The current leafs are shot, they sag 2" when I stand on the rear bumper and you know how skinny my a** is :ha: I want to be able to haul stuff in the bed with it too, I have some home remodeling to do when the jeeps done, so there will be a lot of stuff getting put in the bed. Plus its a 4.6l, so it has an extra 100 ft/lbs of torque over the 4.0, so there would be a little more wrap than a normal motor.

If these were stock springs and they were in good shape, I fully agree and would have went SOA instead and saved the money.

[MuddyPaws 3.0]

Looking great. It's about time you get some work done. Hey, how does the box on a MJ mount? I have never had a chance to look at one and being unibody, it confuses me.

<edit> WTF? no snow?

[Blue XJ]

Looking great. It's about time you get some work done. Hey, how does the box on a MJ mount? I have never had a chance to look at one and being unibody, it confuses me.

<edit> WTF? no snow?



There are studs sticking out the bottom of the bed, then there are 'mounts' on the frame that the studs go into and you run a nut onto them.

I can take a couple pics for you the next time the bed is off if you want.


Yeah, there is snow, it snowed like 1/2" the other day, and was all melted by noon. Shoulda seen traffic, it took me almost 80 minutes to go 12 miles to work in the morning.

[MuddyPaws 3.0]

hahaha


I was wondering if the bed came off on those. So there is actually a frame of some sort back there?

[Roadhouse]

hahaha


I was wondering if the bed came off on those. So there is actually a frame of some sort back there?

Ya they are weird...unibody in the front but real frame in the back under the bed.

[Mrclean]

So what's going on with this pile of crap? :poke::hehe:

[xj4life]

So what's going on with this pile of crap? :poke::hehe:

currently nothing........cause he's floating on a boat in the Caribbean

Bastard :tongue:

[whitey]

looking good it's come a long way

[Blue XJ]

currently nothing........cause he's floating on a boat in the Caribbean

Bastard :tongue:


:cube:


Got home a couple hours ago, gonna relax this weekend and extend my vacation, maybe next weekend I'll work on it.

[Mrclean]

Alright, enough already. Let's see some pictures of that cage installed :eq: :hehe:

[Blue XJ]

Haven't been home yet, I'm about 250 miles away in Canada watching the snow fall. Got about 8 inches in the last 4 hours or so and its not stopping anytime soon. Should be a fun drive to work in the morning.

[Mrclean]

Haven't been home yet, I'm about 250 miles away in Canada watching the snow fall. Got about 8 inches in the last 4 hours or so and its not stopping anytime soon. Should be a fun drive to work in the morning.

Home yet? :hehe:
I need pics of the cage and how to install it. :eq::ha:

If you could get some pics when you are at that point, I would greatly appreciate it Jeff. I'm working with a couple people on my MJ build so I can see what my final design is.

[Blue XJ]

Well, its been over a month since I have been out in the garage. But I got a little done today, got the rear axle and springs taken out of the XJ. Had to hack up the frame to get the seized bolts out. Got the new springs in the MJ along with the XJ axle. And I got the drivers door aligned properly and installed. Also made it so its easy to remove, just have to lift it up while its open.

Hopefully next weekend I can get the gas tank in and plumb the lines, and should be ready to fire it up.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y195/BlueXJ/Project%20MJ/IMG_0768.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y195/BlueXJ/Project%20MJ/IMG_0769.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y195/BlueXJ/Project%20MJ/IMG_0776.jpg

[xj4life]

Hopefully next weekend I can get the gas tank in and plumb the lines, and should be ready to fire it up.


that'll be nice if you can get that done next weekend. at least then that'd be a big thing to check off the list.

[Blue XJ]

I doubt it will happen though, I am installing a floor in my parents kitchen Saturday. So I'm sure I'll be wiped by Sunday.

[xj4life]

i wanna see pics of the new tires next to it :woot:

[jeeperbrian]

that looks good, i wish i could find a solid mj to build

[Mrclean]

i wanna see pics of the new tires next to it :woot:

If this means that you are getting rid of the current wheels in the picture, pm me :thumbsup:

[Blue XJ]

If this means that you are getting rid of the current wheels in the picture, pm me :thumbsup:

It means I'll be getting rid of the current tires in the pic. Changing them for the same ones, only a few inches bigger. 35's.

If I can get the old XJ out of the way some how, I'll mount the new tires on my rims and put them on the jeep this weekend.

[Mrclean]

:sadpanda:

[Blue XJ]

Well, hooked up the gas tank today and it fired right up. Gonna try to get everything tightened up and ready to go next weekend and see if I can take it for its first drive.

[Blue XJ]

Well, I'm really starting to hate this travelling for work thing. Last thing I want to do after a 60 hour week living in a hotel is to come home and work on anything. I have gotten a little done though. Got the gas tank installed, all new lines ran, brake lines bent up and installed, brakes are bled, pedal feels 10 times better than it did in the XJ. Bought another set of tires too, didn't like the way the BFG's looked, they had a couple small cracks in them. Turns out these are Killr B's old ires.

All thats left is to finish welding up the frame stiffners and the weld on the rear axle perches.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y195/BlueXJ/Project%20MJ/IMG_0826.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y195/BlueXJ/Project%20MJ/IMG_0830.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y195/BlueXJ/Project%20MJ/IMG_0828.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y195/BlueXJ/Project%20MJ/IMG_0831.jpg


The bad part is, I will now be working in Canada 6 days a week for the next month or two, so I really won't be able to get anything done on it.

[nick_n_ii]

That thing is looken great...

[Beefy]

What color is it gonna be :hehe:

Looks good tho :thumbsup:

[Blue XJ]

Its gonna be emerald green when (if) it warms up enough to paint it.

[KennyOffroad]

Nice Build !

[Blue XJ]

thanks.

unfortunately it hasn't changed any. Haven't even touched it for 2 or 3 months now. I've been travelling too much for work and am never home more than a day at a time.

[Mrclean]

tis' the busy time of year.
Looks like it's come out very nice so far jeff.
As far as me doing a M.J., it's not going to happen now. I got a ZJ instead.
If you are still interested in some of those 97+ XJ pieces, get ahold of me

[Blue XJ]

hmmm, very tempting, i'll let ya know.

[feva4u]

Nice build:thumb:

[Blue XJ]

Well, I quit my job and the girlfriend is gone all weekend, so I'm gonna try and bust some butt and get most of it done. Dropping off my driveshaft tomorrow to get lengthened to 48".


Gonna try to double check all the nuts and bolts, figure out how to mount the bed, make the spare tire mount, run the brake light wiring and thats really about all thats left. :thumb: