1992 MJ LWB Build

Mostly just to keep track of my build. Suggestions are welcome though. Purchased this 1992 farm truck just outside some small town in Oklahoma. Pretty sure the guy I bought it from was the original own. He was asking 2500$ for it so showed up with cash to look at it. 145k miles, flat tire, dirty interior and a small RMS leak. Got in, turned the key and she fired right up. Limped it down to the gas station and filled up the flat tire (was pretty shredded completely surprised it made it back to my house) and test drove it. Shifted good, reverse was a little iffy and all the gauges seemed to work except the speedo. Took it back to the owner and handed him over the cash. He handed me back 500$ and told me he was retired from my career field in the Air Force. Not a bad deal at all. Got it back home with a buddy following me incase the tire blew out or the motor exploded and parked it. Used the 500$ to order some new Kenda Kevlar 31x10.5r15. Lets see if I remember how to post pics up been awhile. If it doesn’t I’ll fix them when I’m on a better computer.

From factory 1992 Jeep Comanche Base 4.0 HO AX15 NP231 LWB
Dana 30/35 with 3.07 gearing[/URL[/COLOR]][/URL[/COLOR]]

So far what I’ve done
NP242 rebuilt and swapped in (because I like full time 4wd
WJ leather seats with tilt forward
2001 XJ center console (CUP HOLDERS!!!)
HP Dana 30 from a 98 XJ for bigger U joints and 3.55 gearing
8.25 29 spline rear end (getting upgraded to a 8.8 w/ 410 LSD soon)
Small 2 inch puck lift in the front (getting changed soon also)
New custom made MT military wrapped custom arch springs from General Springs (they hurt but ill get to that)
Deleted the load sensing brake valve
Working fuel sending unit
Drive shafts rebuilt and shortened
96 XJ brake booster/MC
Stuff I have waiting to be installed: WJ Steering Pump – S10 4x4 Steering Gear – ZJ tie rod upgrade – RE adjustable track bar – MOOG ball joints – WJ lower control arms – YJ brake lines – Completely rebuilt the axle brakes/bearings/seals
Factory LWB roll bar (100$ well spent)
Turbine Wheels
Chevrolet Grease able Drop Shackle
New gas tank
2001 XJ Manual Doors
New AC compressor since I blew the last one up and a few other things I’m sure I’m forgetting.

Going to try and keep this in the timeline they were done but meeh
Tires

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Front Lifted a bit – Planning on getting new springs and getting rid of the pucks all together
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Next I did the WJ seats and ditched the bench. Was in good condition but I felt like I was sitting on the floor. Keep in my in a whopping 5’6 (FEAR ME) so its not a problem for me head clearance wise. Interior is being painted so its not all welded together yet until I can make final adjustments. Used a driver side MJ seat bracket and the passenger side is a mix between the MJ bench bracket and an XJ one.
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Next I picked up an NP242 from a 96 XJ. The spline count for the shafts are the same but the input length wasn’t. After some research I found out that the medium input fits both long and short so no issues for me. Rebuilt the 242 with a new chain/seals/bearings and works like a charm. Just got in my Azzy’s shift linkage and waiting to install. Picked up the correct shift gate and floor indicator which was an easy install. The speedo gear took some creativity mixing and matching but worked out great. Don’t have a 4wd indicator for it now but doesn’t really bother me.
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Almost forgot the XM radio got installed. Radio stations around here aren’t much and I had it laying around from an old project.
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At this point I picked up some small things here and there. Completed the rear load sensing valve delete (write up over at comancheclub), grabbed some new axles, had them sandblasted, realized what a horrible idea that was, installed a jerry can holder since my fuel gauge wasn’t working correctly, installed a working fuel gauge, tool box, found a killer deal on a factor roll bar, took out the tool box, installed factory bar, found a poly box that fit between and then started working on my rear axle. Got new MT springs from General Springs and the fun began/ended pretty quickly.
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Almost forgot we bought a new house and moved off base. Once again…. 5’6 laugh it up
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Ok so got me a set of these springs. Beefy and heavy. Was under the truck installing (spring under axle) them with 4 jackstands and one holding up the frame decided to split in half. I was under the leaf spring which wasn’t attached to the axle but more than attached to the truck. Whole thing came down on me. Only thing that saved my life was having the tires still on the vehicle.



Ended up with a completely shattered collar bone on one side including two fractures on the end, cracked collar bone on the other, 3 broken ribs, 2 fractured ones, torn rotator cuff, facture arm and a new fear for being under vehicles. Two plates, 9 screws and 4 months later I’m back on my feet. Buddy and I managed to get back into the garage and got the Comanche back up on a functional jackstand that wasn’t borrowed for someone else. Another month went by before I even went into the garage just to clean up tools and what not. About a month ago I decided to start giving it another crack. Managed to get under the jeep again after awhile. Noticed my gas tank had been leaking. Drained and dropped it since I had a new one ready to be put in. That’s pretty much where I’m at now. Had a custom trailer hitch made/painted and ready to install. Ordered some drop shackles for the rear just to get that extra inch in the back for when the springs start to sag (sitting at about 3 inches). Gas tank is painted and waiting for the weekend. Found out sand got into my front pinion bearings so I figured while I was getting all that done might as well regear. Found a cheap 8.8 4:10 LSD w/ disk brakes to install (sticking with spring under) and picked up some OME shocks to ditch the JK rubicons. Tons of other parts I’ve built up since my injury just waiting for warm weather and about a week of leave.

Not sure why the pics didn't show up. Used the IMG code from photobucket.

Don't even know what to say here............damn.........

Glad you're ok man. That's what is really important.

Appreciate it. I'm just about back to full speed. Hoping it warms up this weekend so I can put on these new shackles and try to get the axle reattached. Got a few more jacks and tires under the Comanche than usually now hahahaha

Got some work done today. Hitch is installed and realized I need a new light/trailer harness.



Definitely remove the bumper if you ever install one of these. Probably be easier with two people but didn't have a problem with a half broken arm. Throwing these in tomorrow.

Good progress! Glad you weren't badly hurt!

Where did you get your leaf springs at? Price?

Really like the base MJ choice and where you're going with it. Bummer about the truck falling on you. I've had a couple close calls myself. Looking forward to seeing it all together.

I would be apprehensive about running those shackles. I've had a few pairs fold on me.


Build looks great man. Keep it up.


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GordoSmasho said:

I would be apprehensive about running those shackles. I've had a few pairs fold on me.

Build looks great man. Keep it up.


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Click to expand...

Yeah, those one size fits all are not something I would trust. Especially in a vehicle I might put a load in.

GordoSmasho said:

I would be apprehensive about running those shackles. I've had a few pairs fold on me.

Build looks great man. Keep it up.


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Click to expand...

Yup I think I've decided to go with Iron Man 4x4 adjustable shackles. Things are pretty beefy and I can tune them in as needed. For right now it'll have to do since she's going into the shop soon.

Ok its a been a little while and haven't got much done but made some progress here and there. She's going down to the shop to get a fresh rebuild on the motor since a couple of the cylinders are having compression issues. Was looking into a stroker but decided against it. Looking for longevity more than anything else. After that a rebuilt AX15 is in the near future. The NP242 is damn near brand new since I replaced everything in it before I installed.

So shackles were installed but going to be replacing them soon for something with a little more thickness. Core4x4 and IronMan4x4 both have adjustables but I'm getting LCA's from core so might just do it all at once. Also got the new gas tank installed, 2001 XJ doors, ZJ weather stripping and the axles bolted up.


New U bolts had to be cut down a bit and the plate had to be drilled to half an inch or so.

Complete terror but **** had to get done.


Got new shocks for the front and back from a guy over at ComancheClub. Little short but when the 8.8 gets installed the shocks are going to be relocated giving it PLENTY of room.


Here she is on her own weight! First time in almost 6 months shes been on the ground.


Finally got the gas tank installed. Trying to figure out how to get my skid back on since a couple of the frame side studs broke off. Might have to experiment with a tap and die set for the first time...

Then this stupid drive shaft. I've had to resize this thing more times than I care to say but it bolted right up. Removed the front since the gearing is different for now. Hopefully I wont have to get it resized again when I put in the 8.8. Lucked out the DS company here held on to it for almost 4 months while I was down. Definitely going to keep getting my business.



These doors were probably one of the biggest pains but found an easy way to do it. Little stool was a perfect height to keep the door on my legs while I adjusted. Wife helped me get in a couple bolts and I tightened them once they were in place. The striker was easier than I thought. Had to drill out the plate a little for a larger bolt and elongate it so I could push it closer to the body. Once it was lined up there were no issues and soooo much quieter.




So finally gave up and decided to bite the bullet. Motor needs a rebuild and after all the crap this truck put me through I wasn't going to get rid of it. Ended up selling my wagoneer to fund the new motor. Sad day...


On the bright side, after spending 200 bucks on a yellow top, she moved out of the garage on her own power! Forgot to put more dif fluid in the rear but only moved her a few feet before remembering. Almost 6 months to the day since she entered the garage. Had to turn the motor over by hand, drop some MMO down the spark plugs and say a couple prayers but she fired right up. Smoked out the garage (was 0100 or so in the morning don't think the neighbors were too happy) and set of the smoke alarm but meeh.



Now we're here. New wheels put on and driving to work every day when the wife takes the little demons.



Not much else is going to happen until I get her back from the machine shop. Paying way to much but not able to drop the motor with my injuries so that's going to cost me. Worth it to me having a fresh start on the motor not having to worry about what the previous owners did or didn't do though.

Got interior stuff done yesterday. Head board is recovered and made a back board out of plywood, jute padding and leftover material.

Love the OCP pattern...