Mbryson Daily’s driver project ‘91 MJ Comanche

[glockman]

They have been on my lj for 97k miles with no issues. I torque them every time the wheels come off.

 

[Bart]

I ran them on my comp XJ (FLo), and a couple of buggies and 1 of my TJs. No problems whatsoever.

 

[N-Smooth]

I was kicking around boxing that in and bracing the factory lowers brackets as well

I would. Those are always bending and breaking. Plus it’s cheap and easy.

 

[mbryson]

.... cheap and easy.

Did my wife tell you that about me?

 

[N-Smooth]

Did my wife tell you that about me?

And fast

 

[mbryson]

And fast

Ándale, andale

 

[Johnny Quest]

Who runs wheel spacers? I’ve NEVER ran them long term.

I've run them on a bunch of my rigs, both full time crawlers and daily drivers. Never once had an issue. Just re-torque them at every tire rotation, and you'll be fine.

 

[gijohn40]

I have two sets one is just a 4.5x5 spacer and the other set is for 4.5 to 5.5 so I can run my CJ rims... they do make the ball joints go faster specially with heavier tires

 

[mbryson]

Anyone an AX15 rebuilding expert? My wife is WAY over this rig. If I have to do more major projects (such as a transmission rebuild/swap) it’s going to be headed down the road.

There are a few decently priced rebuilt units on eBay ($700-800) but I’m not sure if anything on eBay. Not my favorite source

 

[XJEEPER]

Ive run 1.25" billet spacers on my last 2 XJ's and have over logged 175K miles combined, with zero issues. As for plating the inner and outer steering box area, this is a MUST DO for an XJ. I've experienced no uniframe cracking nor had any issues with steering box bolts coming loose in 10yrs/115k miles of use. JKS SBS kit is a good one and comes with all plating and sleeves to eliminate the cheesy aluminum box spacer. I went with the kit for both sides, plating inner and outer unirail on driver and pass side.

 

[Bart]

So you're saying an AW4 swap is out of the question?

 

[mbryson]

Got the transmission back this afternoon and just got done in the garage for the night. Bellhousing bolts are in (except the top two—they are always buggers and I think a different size than the other bellhousing bolts?) but had to bail for other things. That leaves cross member, starter, CPS, driveline, shifter linkage, muffler/exhaust and a few other odds/ends before I can test drive this thing. I’ll still need a front driveline.

 

[Hickey]

Get me a measurement on that front driveline. I might actually have one.

 

[kmboren]

Get me a measurement on that front driveline. I might actually have one.

I might have one also. The CV joint might need to be rebuilt.

 

[mbryson]

32.75” front driveline

 

[Hickey]

I'll throw a tape on mine when I get home in a few days.

 

[mbryson]

MASSIVE progress tonight. added some rear shock mounts and got one side of the rear hard brake lines secured. Need a weld on tab or two for the other side. I think I’ve got some heavy sheet metal kicking around to make a couple of those

 

[mbryson]

I'll throw a tape on mine when I get home in a few days.

I forgot the drivelines I use on my “Jeep” use a different axle side joint (duh, 14 bolt and a 1310 are probably not awesome friends?). I have a couple extra spares that could be refurbished/lengthened by Axis. I think if they lengthen and swap the end to a 1310 I’m probably good to go? Most importantly, they’ll need to balance that beast?


Update: transmission seems good now. Can hear a few other rattles and noise that need some attention. I’ll get a little while Friday after work to tackle a couple of those and might have some time on Saturday to fix a couple others.

After those are done, I just need to change oil, check fluids and get it emissions inspected and it’s be “legal”. Interior needs some LOVE. I have a set of JK buckets (black) and another set of unknown buckets out of a Toyota (they are brownish and say SR5 on them). Daughter thinks buckets and a custom console would be cool. I think having the seat recovered, some new carpet and headliner repair and this thing is done? 137k on this 4.0L. Could last a long time?

 

[Bart]

Woot, sounds like you're getting close.

 

[mbryson]

This really is pretty close to operational. I have the passenger side coil spring into the sway bar a little. Need to pull my tires and break out the measuring tape and see how “square “ the rig is setup. Make some adjustments and buy some sway bar disconnects.

The coolant is pretty skank. I’ll be changing that soon but other than the below, I think this could work out ok.

Emissions
Driveline
coolant
swaybar disconnects
o-rings at the oil filter
Suspension adjustment to square up the rig
Add spacers to rear axle (or get different wheels)

(Yellow KC Daylighters and dual antennas are possible/probable—and I’ll just dig up my old cassette case from somewhere in the basement to complete the look)