My 97 Comanche build

[shelbyluvv]

I bought a 89 MJ a few months back for the lofty sum of $400. The truck was a 2WD, AW4, 4.0 Eliminator. Here are some pics showing just how straight and rust free it is and how the interior looked.

[shelbyluvv]

Now the fun begins!

TEAR IT DOWN!

[shelbyluvv]

Well, so much for rust free. It is not bad but, it is rust none the less. The back slider leaked and allowed to floors to stay damp.







Now the doors were pulled.





Figured I should pull the engine and trans to get it ready for the new drivetrain.



Which will be a 4.0, AW4. 242 out of this,

[hanaxj87]

Sweet!!! Yeah thats rust we all could handle...

Why the 242??

Good Luck

Nick

[userbmx1315]

nice. ive wanted to do tha same build. you going with the 97+ front clip to? or the 2500 front clip?

[shelbyluvv]

I started slowly tearing into the 97 XJ a few weeks ago. I started by taking the overhead console out.

I modified the console by cutting 10 inches out of it. By cutting it down it will allow me to use it in the MJ.

It was a real PIA to get it all put back together. I used a lot of Gorilla glue, hot glue, JB Weld and plastic weld. But I think it turned out decent.





Once the final interior color is chosen I will have it covered in the same material as the head liner.




Now things have turned south for the XJ. I pulled everything out of it for the fitting of the dash in the MJ.



I got the dash installed in the MJ first. It was not too bad, just time consuming. I had to redrill the lower "A" piller holes and make some new brackets to attach the dash to the windsheild frame.





I also modified the center console out of the 97 to work with the MJ bech that I traded the buckets for. It is not done yet because I am still waiting to install to shifters and carpet.



I pulled the dash out of the MJ and started the cutting and grinding. All the old brackets off. I used a $5.00 Harbour Frieght spot weld cutter for the whole process. It worked really good too.

Now that all the old stuff is out of the way it is time to bolt the new brackets in.

Here are a few shots frome under the dash showing the new brackets.





The 2 bolts going through the cowl into the bracket.



And all the new bolts coming throught the driver side fender area.

[shelbyluvv]

Now the column is mounted and almost finished. I say almost because I still need to finish the hole the column goes through the firewall. You must move the hole up about an inch from the stock location.





Because MJs use a foot brake for the parking brake it opens up a whole nother can of worms. I did some cutting and grinding and finally got it to fit where I wanted it.



Now where to put the brake release handle? Cut and grind some more and there ya go. Right where it should be on the lower right side of the dash.



Cool, the brake is done! Now what about the hood release? More cutting and grinding again. I used the stock MJ lower kick panel and modified it so that the XJs hood pull would work with it. If you look closely above the hood release handle you can see where the factory MJ hood release handle cut out was. You can also see the new bolt for the lower dash mount.

[shelbyluvv]

Originally Posted by hanaxj87

Sweet!!! Yeah thats rust we all could handle...

Why the 242??

Good Luck

Nick

LOL, yeah the rust is just surface rust too!

I am using the 242 because the truck will be a driver and tow rig. It will only be used for minor trail rides.

Originally Posted by userbmx1315

nice. ive wanted to do tha same build. you going with the 97+ front clip to? or the 2500 front clip?

I am using the 97 front clip. I thought about the 2500 for a little bit though. I then came to the realization that if I should happen to wreck it, it would take forever to get it fixed the right way.

[Crabapple]

wow! Very Impressive! Looks great.

[Mr_Random]

I presume you are using the new 97 harness all over? What was wrong with the 97 so much that you were willing to scrap it for the MJ?

[GrimmJeeper]

GREAT work Bo!!!! man that looks awesome. cant wait to see it done!

[smccollamjr]

That's a lot of work!!! Looks good.

[shelbyluvv]

Originally Posted by Crabapple

wow! Very Impressive! Looks great.

Thank you.

Originally Posted by Mr_Random

I presume you are using the new 97 harness all over? What was wrong with the 97 so much that you were willing to scrap it for the MJ?

I am using everything I can from the XJ.

There was nothing wrong with it. It ran until yesterday when I pulled the steering cloumn out of it. I got the Jeep fairly cheap though. I hated doing it to such a nice Jeep but hey, it is only an XJ. They are a dime a dozen. Plus I wanted to see if I could pull off the 97+ conversion.

Originally Posted by GrimmJeeper

GREAT work Bo!!!! man that looks awesome. cant wait to see it done!

Your's is next!

Originally Posted by smccollamjr

That's a lot of work!!! Looks good.

It is, but the end result will be worth it. Just think. Once I get it built back up. I have to tear it all back down to get it painted! GOOD TIMES!

[stewie]

subscribing. i have hopes of someday doing a 4 door 97+ XMJ. i will definetly be looking to this thread for some pointers.

[xjtrailrider]

Originally Posted by stewie

subscribing. i have hopes of someday doing a 4 door 97+ XMJ.

There is one in Lynchburg VA(pre 96), I have been trying to find pics to post but it is very nicely done.

This MJ build has really got my attention, keep up the good work!