New '88 MJ

[High2by]

I dig it! Every man needs a truck.

3.07s... Yuck! Let me know if you want me to snatch a 4.10 Limited slip 8.8 from Pull-a-part.


4.10s, some good street tires, yea baby!

Hahaha. You said it. Although my screen name didn't have any meaning once the Ranger went byby, it will live again!!!!

I figure a slight lift and some 32's or 33's.

What would an 8.8 run? Do you know Tim?

 

[The Hard Struggler]

I think 150 for the whole axle complete.

 

[High2by]

It's got the same full-length center console as an XJ - in fact you can rip one out of an XJ, I believe. Might need a different rear mounting tripod bracket thing.

I'll dig around in my parts catalogs and see what I can come up with.

EDIT: no pics, but I'll try to remember to take some at lunch today or maybe this evening.

Sweet. I have an extra console laying around, I may put it in and see what it looks like.

Thanks!

 

[High2by]

I think 150 for the whole axle complete.

If it is, yes I want one!!

I figure to go spring over. That should get me 5" of lift, or there abouts anyway. Right? Again, I don't know alot about these little trucks.

 

[The Hard Struggler]

The exploder 8.8 is spring under, like the MJ. A spring over with the MJ springs should be at least 5".

Want me to check for a 2wd AX-15 as well?

 

[kastein]

I have a 2wd AX-4 or AX-5 you can have for free if you can get it transported down there. Only problem is that it's for a 2.slow engine not a 4.0. Also comes with no bellhousing...

EDIT: also, looks like I was wrong on the center console - there are different numbers for the XJ vs MJ ones. I'm betting it can be converted, the only difference is going to be the lower back portion where it connects to the trans tunnel and where the rear seat heater duct would be on an XJ one. The plastic panel with the e-brake handle slot for an XJ is different as well since there is no e-brake handle there on an MJ.

 

[High2by]

EDIT2: The seats appear to be the same as 2-door Cherokee seats from the same vintage (the ones with the lever at the top of the side that lets you tip them forward.) The brackets are... well here's a big list of part numbers.

Bracket itself - 5500 4297 (left), 5500 4296 (right)
Plastic trim covers - 5AD5 1JY6 ('90, left), 5AD5 0JY6 ('90, right), 5500 6483 ('87-89, left), 5500 6482 ('87-89, right)
The rest of the pieces appear to be nuts and bolts. I can get numbers for those too but don't feel like typing them up unless you need them.

If you want it to be numbers-matching perfect restoration level (doubtful) I would go with the 87-89 plastics, otherwise I'd go with the 90 plastics... unless only one or the other is available in which case obviously get whatever is available.

That is great info!!! Thanks Kastein!!! It's not gonna be numbers matching original. It would be nice but way too much money there. I'll be happy with getting it back in good shape. I think I can get a set of 2wd seats, I just need some brackets now.

The exploder 8.8 is spring under, like the MJ. A spring over with the MJ springs should be at least 5".

Want me to check for a 2wd AX-15 as well?

5" with a set of 33's, I think that will work. I sent a PM for an AX-15 for sale in your area Tim but if you don't care check on one for me anyway.

I have a 2wd AX-4 or AX-5 you can have for free if you can get it transported down there. Only problem is that it's for a 2.slow engine not a 4.0. Also comes with no bellhousing...

EDIT: also, looks like I was wrong on the center console - there are different numbers for the XJ vs MJ ones. I'm betting it can be converted, the only difference is going to be the lower back portion where it connects to the trans tunnel and where the rear seat heater duct would be on an XJ one. The plastic panel with the e-brake handle slot for an XJ is different as well since there is no e-brake handle there on an MJ.

I think I'd rather have an AX-15. Thanks for the offer though. From the looks of it, the tranny hump is definatley a different shape but I could make a rear mount as long as it looks halfway decent without a big gap between the console and the floor.

I didn't think about the ebrake slot.....hmmmmmm

 

[kastein]

cutting brakes? :dunno: If you threw a second e-brake lever in there, you could use that one for the left e-brake and the pedal for the right, or even mod the panel to fit two and use one for each. Or just ignore the slot, it's got that bristle stuff on the XJ to hide the slot a bit anyways.

As for the info - hope it helps, though I fear it won't.

I really just want this darn transmission gone :roflmao: I got it free from a friend with a 2.5L I'm turning into an air compressor and have absolutely no need for it, I wasn't sure if I could use it or not when he asked if I wanted it too so I said yes. If I had just a little more time and money, I'd be keeping it connected to the engine and using it to drive the air raid siren I picked up just for the hell of it a couple years ago.

 

[High2by]

cutting brakes? :dunno: If you threw a second e-brake lever in there, you could use that one for the left e-brake and the pedal for the right, or even mod the panel to fit two and use one for each. Or just ignore the slot, it's got that bristle stuff on the XJ to hide the slot a bit anyways.

As for the info - hope it helps, though I fear it won't.

I really just want this darn transmission gone :roflmao: I got it free from a friend with a 2.5L I'm turning into an air compressor and have absolutely no need for it, I wasn't sure if I could use it or not when he asked if I wanted it too so I said yes. If I had just a little more time and money, I'd be keeping it connected to the engine and using it to drive the air raid siren I picked up just for the hell of it a couple years ago.

You may be right about the bracket numbers. I may never find them but hey, I'm gonna look anyway. I think the slot won't be that big of a deal either.

Air raid siren......AWSOME!!!!! That would be something to mount it to a trailer with the engine and everything and just pull it through the middle of town with it going off.:laugh:

 

[kastein]

yeah, I got it for scrap price It weighs ~400 pounds. It's a Federal Signal type 5, draws 57 amps constant at 220 volts. It'll raise the dead even running off 120VAC.

 

[High2by]

Oh Snap!! That thing is a monster. What's the db level that thing will put out?

 

[kastein]

Lots. I'm not actually sure, but it's well above 100... at 100 feet.

On the subject of the MJ (haha sorry for the derail) - if you SOA the rear, what are you gonna do for the front? shortarms? longarms? I'd SUA it, otherwise it's gonna turn into yet another trail rig instead of the DD... :eyes:

 

[High2by]

I thought about that but I have a set of 4.5" coils and some spacers and a set of RE 5.5" lift short arms that I could put on it. I'm gonna keep it a 2wd for awhile so that will keep it off the trails. Plus I don't want to cut the body at all. It's pretty straight.

I had a 2wd 97 Ford Ranger with 9" of lift on it, hence my screen name, and I loved it. The MJ may be my next Ranger.:dunno:

 

[jeepgeek2002]

i thought your screen name was some pot smoker name.. now i get it..

 

[bigalpha]

I believe that going spring-over in the MJ nets somewhat higher than 5". I could have sworn it was 6-7".

Also, you can use certain seat brackets from the MJ and put in XJ buckets. You'll have to slightly mod the brackets but it's definitely doable. Don't forget to find 2dr buckets so the seats tilt forward!

www.comancheclub.com has some really good write-ups on putting in XJ buckets and XJ center console. Also has all the information on going spring over. I would definitely start at CC, you can't go wrong.

 

[gambit4000s]

You should end up in the 5-6" with a SOA, the 2WD/SWB/5spd springs are a little lower than the 4WD stuff.

I ended up at almost 8" with a reworked spring pack on mine, definately need to re-rework the pack

 

[bigalpha]

If you want the truck to sit level, you'll have to lift the front by 6-6.5".

 

[shortxjdoug]

i thought your screen name was some pot smoker name.. now i get it..

i used to own his old ranger i traded it on the chevy, it was a sweet truck i had big plans for it

 

[High2by]

i thought your screen name was some pot smoker name.. now i get it..

Hahaha. I never inhaled!!!!!

I believe that going spring-over in the MJ nets somewhat higher than 5". I could have sworn it was 6-7".

Also, you can use certain seat brackets from the MJ and put in XJ buckets. You'll have to slightly mod the brackets but it's definitely doable. Don't forget to find 2dr buckets so the seats tilt forward!

www.comancheclub.com has some really good write-ups on putting in XJ buckets and XJ center console. Also has all the information on going spring over. I would definitely start at CC, you can't go wrong.

I signed up last nite on CC. They have all kinds of info. Great site BA!!
I have a set of 2dr seats, I think, right Ed?

EDIT: I need a set of 2dr Cherokee seats.....Doug, you have one in the Waggy that I put in there, I forgot about it.

If you want the truck to sit level, you'll have to lift the front by 6-6.5".

I can use the XJ stock shackle to take some height out of it also. I'm hoping a 4.5" coil and a spacer will work. Since I'm NOT trimming the fenders it should be ok. I hope!!

 

[kastein]

I'd stay away from stock XJ shackles for it, they'll keep it from flexing/riding as well as it would otherwise. If you're replacing the axle anyways, you could inboard/outboard the springs and flip the shackle though.

EDIT: yeah, CC's great. I should read stuff over there more often.