• NAXJA is having its 18th annual March Membership Drive!!!
    Everyone who joins or renews during March will be entered into a drawing!
    More Information - Join/Renew
  • Welcome to the new NAXJA Forum! If your password does not work, please use "Forgot your password?" link on the log-in page. Please feel free to reach out to [email protected] if we can provide any assistance.

Johnnie Walker's MJ project

Johnnie Walker

Piece of Fish!
NAXJA Member
Location
WA state
I just picked up an 87 MJ. Started life as a 2.5L/5spd 2wd.
PO pulled to engine/trans for a swap. In the end decided that this particular project wasn't as important.
This is good news for me, as I have wanted an MJ for the longest time. This will be a slow build as funds are currently limited. Saving for the 30th Moab trip.

Still deciding how exactly I want to build it. It will definitely, eventually, get some sort of LSx motor and some mid/long arms. Anyways, enough rambling for meow. Here are some pics of how she sits currently.

<img src="https://www.dropbox.com/s/4hf0o1vp9tkug16/2013-07-22%2016.12.21.jpg" width="640" height="480" />
<img src="https://www.dropbox.com/s/xljkp8m6pjgbv7z/2013-07-22%2016.12.30.jpg" width="640" height="480" />
<img src="https://www.dropbox.com/s/36odb3a8eu1s5tf/2013-07-22%2016.12.44.jpg" width="640" height="480" />
<img src="https://www.dropbox.com/s/ma2wvb8ldta2usm/2013-07-22%2016.12.54.jpg" width="640" height="480" />
<img src="https://www.dropbox.com/s/ko71ghyg71pxftl/2013-07-22%2016.13.02.jpg" width="640" height="480" />
<img src="https://www.dropbox.com/s/ncfqnwikhus4i5o/2013-07-22%2016.13.08.jpg" width="640" height="480" />
 
Last edited:
No grille.. ..candidate for 97+ conversion or are you going to stick with the older look? The original grille doesn't mesh as well with those baja fenders, imo..
 
GREAT starting point. I bet you got a smokin deal on it too. Ill be watching the build.
 
No grille.. ..candidate for 97+ conversion or are you going to stick with the older look? The original grille doesn't mesh as well with those baja fenders, imo..
Well, I have the original header panel, but the inserts are missing and it has some weird metal custom horizontal grille insert. I have the 97up conversion on my Renix XJ with the fenders. I like the 97up more, but I wouldn't be opposed to a waggy header/grille if I can get one for cheap. If I go 97up, not sure if I want to put these fenders on my XJ. haha.

GREAT starting point. I bet you got a smokin deal on it too. Ill be watching the build.

nice. i love the MJs

Thanks, yes. I like MJ's a lot. Wanted one since I was younger.
The axle in the rear is the PO's Ford 9" that he wants back. Which is fine as it is setup spring over right meow. Not sure if I really want to be that high. Even if I go with 33+ tires, with the flared fenders I will have plenty of room. I have an identical set of the 33" Bridgestone AT's that are on there now in the 31" flavor that I will most likely run for the time being.
Ultimately, as with my XJ I want a GM LSx engine in it. But, I've seen a few possible donor XJ/MJ's recently that I may just swap the stock-ish drivetrain in for meow.
Since I'm saving up for the 30th in Moab, funds are a little limited for the MJ until afterwards. But if anyone has drivetrain/other misc parts they want to donate/sell for cheap let me know.
 
Crash, on 02 Jan 2014 - 16:38, said:
So, update, I finally found a donor. 1988 XJ. I6, aw4, 231 tcase. Stock axles, vac disco d30 and turdy5. Also, picking up a Synergy suspension, tb bracket and brace in trade. I really want manual trans, but if I cannot find one before I swap power train I will leave the aw4. The plan is to pull the engine/trans and replace most of the gaskets, most likely including the head gasket.
Donor and project.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/2ccpq8jg37n6jph/2013-12-31 15.22.51.jpg

https://www.dropbox.com/s/fnfcgf8cupbd4lj/2013-12-31 15.27.06.jpg
 
Dude I've been waiting for you to finally get a donor! awesome!


Pull the head and inspect.
Pull the tranny pan and inspect.

Dude you just need to get this thing up and running. You can always swap a ax15 down the road if it is truly needed, so use the aw4 for now and just it up and running so it can be used!
 
What is all involved with this swap going from a 2.5tbi to a 4.0 renix? I have an 88 2.5 aw4 4x4 with factory 4.56. Would like more info on this swap but was never able to find much on it.
 
You need EVERYTHING
Aside from that, is a simple piece for piece affair
Patience, some zip lock bags, tape, a sharpie, a notebook and lots of patience, and a naxja membership will get you through.

I used my rolled 96 4dr as a donor for.my.current 87 2dr body, and got.it.blessed by CA. If you get stuck, send me a pm
 
2s0nvw8.jpg


As she sits currently, with 31x10.5's . Still a ways off from being a driver, but since it is on 4 wheels now it gives me motivation.
The u-bolts that I had were uber long so I had to use blocks. When I get correct bolts and leaf plates it will sit higher in the back. Still no powertrain in it.
 
Update, months later..
So, this truck still sits as is. But, I picked up another running/driving MJ 4.0L/2WD/5 speed from a friend of mine. Fortunately, he has done a good amount of the work I would have wanted to do. This includes 97+ XJ front header/fenders and doors/mirrors. It will stay 2WD for meow, but I would like to add a 97+ center console. However, I will be getting rid of the utility bed and swapping the regular bed from my prior project.
I had a D35 (sigh), but the PO to my friend put 4.56 gears in it. Yes I know, ticking time bomb, but I have a C8.25 with 4.56's that I thought about setting up for an SUA MJ for when it goes Boom! Unfortunately it has some lame Ford wheels on it, but the tires are practically new off-brand AT's that I may just switch wheels and run for a while. Otherwise, I can swap my 31's from my other project MJ.
Debating on what to do with my other MJ and the donor XJ. Might see if I can sell as a bundle.
dootgh.jpg
https://www.dropbox.com/s/qddow7wnvv6lorv/2015-02-06 16.30.21.jpg?dl=0

2diftbk.jpg
https://www.dropbox.com/s/w049zeplvdh4pjd/2015-02-06 16.30.13.jpg?dl=0

11bn1x2.jpg
https://www.dropbox.com/s/8ytu1w9n6ze7jgn/2015-02-06 16.29.58.jpg?dl=0
 
Nick sold you his MJ? Did he get the job up north he was waiting on?
 
glad to see you have another MJ ! thats awesome!
 
Update, registration is almost complete. Just have to get emissions test, and "safety" inspection at the damnv. Was reg'd long enough ago for it to be out of the system. Those tests will be done on Wednesday. Then I will get my plates and be able to drive this thing.
 
Went to get my MJ emissions tested on Wed. My friend that I purchased the truck from had a guy that he goes to. Well, he's a d!ck and wouldn't test it due to the newly installed, oe replacement exhaust manifold not having a CARB "EO #".. WTF? Anyways, went to my guy and the manifold is acceptable. But, my MJ was running like crap at this point so was not able to get it tested. Found out that the #4 injector was sticking, actually sounds almost like a vac. leak. I had swapped that out with a "spare" from my donor XJ. It ran a little better, but still needed to be better.


Between yesterday and today, I did a much needed oil change (Carquest Premium oil and air filters, CQ645 15w-40 Diesel oil),and tune up on her. I used ACD plugs (PN 41-629), CQ 35-6311 plug wires (made by Prestolite, who does a majority of OEM wires and other parts), new dist. cap and rotor (cap had build up on the connectors up top, and the rotor end piece was almost burned up), and I swapped in my older Ford orange top 19lb/hr injectors.
It runs at least 200% better; idles smoother, no hesitation at all while on the throttle.
I was going to order up some Taylor wires for my heep. But my cost on the wires was only 15$, and are a good quality replacement.


Also had replaced the VC gasket, with the nice rubber FelPro gasket. Much easier than the stupid cork gaskets.
 
Back
Top