crazyjim's Comanche Prerunner / Chase Truck build

[crazyjim]

Well, I'm finally getting around to posting this. This is going to be keeping me busy for a while, a nice simple build with nothing too exotic. I'd like to get the MJ in the same state that the XJ was in before I decided to go all crazy on it. The XJ is going to be down for quite sometime, as most of my time and money is being poured into getting my business off the ground. Add to that a GF who goes to school full time and I've got a full schedule. In comes the MJ. This is already a love hate relationship. I picked this up from Mike (Grimm) a while back to use as a DD / hauler for my bike etc. Obviously me being me can't leave anything too stock, so I immediately started working on getting it lifted.

This is how she looked when I got her... pretty little thing:

That was obviously way too stock, so I started ordering parts. I picked up some springs, LCA's, drop brackets and a flip kit among a few other misc. odds and ends. Jeff (Squirrel80) was kind enough to help me out with getting her setup. I moved my shock mounts, welded on miniskids and did a spring flip to get the height I was after for now. Eventually she'll be going back spring under for travel reasons.

Once I got her home I threw the wheels/tires from the XJ on her and went to the first race with her. She did well, though not as well as the XJ did... all in due time though.

This was about the last time she looked this nice. Slowly but surely I started to cut into her. Installing a 97+ header panel / doors / and ajax fenders. This is when she started to become known as the "Harlequin Comanche" haha.

 

[crazyjim]

I painted the door jambs white, this is when I still thought I was going to paint it white. I've since changed my mind and will need to repaint them. I also bought a new set of kicks for her, American Racing AR23's with 33x10.50 BFG A/T's

With Andy's help we got the new door strikers installed, and the old holes welded up nicely.

Went to socalfest and played at truckhaven, she did fantastic.

After that, the fenders got painted, and this is how she sits for now.

The plans for the MJ are to be on par with the XJ pre-tear down. Also be a reliable chase support vehicle. I'll be building a chase rack / simple exo cage, and painting it a flat desert tan. I'll post more updates as it comes. Next up on the agenda is 4wd conversion.

 

[GrimmJeeper]

im still not liking the exo idea but you've done well with it Jim

here's the pics I took the day I brought it home, and after the first washing. if you want to stock some more before pics

http://s172.photobucket.com/albums/w37/grimmpics/MJ pics/

 

[Boostwerks.com]

Sooks sick Jim! Boost would be an awesome addition as well

What business plans you stirring up?

 

[crazyjim]

im still not liking the exo idea but you've done well with it Jim

here's the pics I took the day I brought it home, and after the first washing. if you want to stock some more before pics

http://s172.photobucket.com/albums/w37/grimmpics/MJ pics/

Thanks for the pics. And I know you're not a fan of the idea, but wait til it's finished, I have a feeling you'll like it better than you think.

Sooks sick Jim! Boost would be an awesome addition as well

What business plans you stirring up?

Haha, Boost would indeed be awesome, however I'm not sure how soon if ever it'll happen. How'd yours turn out? I just got the cooling issues ironed out with this thing haha.

As for business, I've been doing auto recovery for about a year and a half, it's time to become a private contractor and make more money. Leasing a truck now, and trying to build money to buy one outright soon.

 

[DirtBound]

i wouldnt think the factory LCA's would be able to take the abuse of a shock mount??? does adding the mini skids strengthen them a bunch or what?

 

[crazyjim]

i wouldnt think the factory LCA's would be able to take the abuse of a shock mount??? does adding the mini skids strengthen them a bunch or what?

Yes, you HAVE to add mini skids to them or they'll twist off. The mini skids basically box it in, and add another surface welded to the housing.

 

[89eliminator]

i approve of this thread

 

[DirtBound]

Yes, you HAVE to add mini skids to them or they'll twist off. The mini skids basically box it in, and add another surface welded to the housing.

ok thats all i wanted to know, i think ill be going this route pretty soon, along with gusseting and trussing my 2wd beam. its been sitting for way to long, time to start making som progress on it!

 

[GrimmJeeper]

Thanks for the pics. And I know you're not a fan of the idea, but wait til it's finished, I have a feeling you'll like it better than you think.

And I think you don't give a damn what I think, so build it up man! You need to pick up a tube bender so we can play around and try some things.

 

[tcm glx]

Looking forward to the build Jim!

 

[h-townxj]

Dang it Jim!! Why you always making me feel like I'm a slacker. Here I am thinking your slacking but turns out you've been working on the mj. I'm just kidding looks awsome man. Keep it up so the xj can come back to life too.

 

[Brendan_91XJ]

What no pic's of me helping you install the motor mounts ,

BTW: did you get those fixed?

 

[xjjeeper19]

You need to pick up a tube bender so we can play around and try some things.

I'll loan you one.....

 

[tbburg]

Dang it Jim!! Why you always making me feel like I'm a slacker,...

He makes us slackers feel like slackers because it's harder to hide when he's around.

 

[h-townxj]

Ya I know oh well we will all catch up adventually I still want to get mine done by newyears so we can put togeather some kind of run while the weather isn't like 5billion degrees

 

[ratboy93]

im in well im tearing my xj down right now so if mine is done by then if not i may need a ride lol

 

[Exxon Valdez Jeep]

Since its 2wd, and sprungover in the back, how is the drive shaft angle? I ask because I am about to be in the same boat right now. I was hoping to find a low milage 4x4 AX15 to swap into my 2WD before I lifted it but I am getting tired of waiting around for one...

 

[GrimmJeeper]

Jim's MJ is spring over at the moment.

 

[DansGreyMj]

Since its 2wd, and sprungover in the back, how is the drive shaft angle? I ask because I am about to be in the same boat right now. I was hoping to find a low milage 4x4 AX15 to swap into my 2WD before I lifted it but I am getting tired of waiting around for one...

Just set the pinion angle correctly and there will be nothing to worry about.