***MF Steve's Project Wife Beater Commanche***

[MF Steve!]

Pulled the new dash, column, and console from the XJ today. Did I take pictures? Nooooo. Eating mac & cheese, a muscle relaxer and beer, and then going back at it with my terrible back pains.

All I wanted for Crimmus was disc replacement surgery, and that asshole Santa didn't hook me up.

[OverkillZJ]

Damnit, Santa, you lazy bastard.

[MF Steve!]

Yes, santa was lazy. I would have liked a set of quick disconnect tools for hard lines also. I managed to cut 3 of my fingers, THROUGH GLOVES, tonight getting the AC lines separated at the connectors using a piece of plastic wrapped around the line to depress them.

Anyways, the whole wiring harness, all lines, and anything else that needs to be disconnected has been taken care of. All I have to do now is disconnect the shift linkage from the transmission and transfer case, and I'm ready to drop the driveline and pull it out.

[jeepxj3]

Steve, you could have come over my place for Xmas, we had plenty of food, then played poker and my little sister schooled us once again....

[MF Steve!]

Steve, you could have come over my place for Xmas, we had plenty of food, then played poker and my little sister schooled us once again....

I was exactly where I wanted to be. I wasn't complaining at all. I was in the shop from 10 a.m. til 2 p.m. then went home for some family things, and headed back to the shop at 4:30 p.m. and got a ton done by the time I left at 9:30 p.m.

I'll hopefully get the driveline yanked tomorrow, and start measuring for the necessary steering column bracket modification. Lots of drilling out XJ spot welds, and re-attaching to the MJ.

I also have to take some time and go get a bunch of metal I ordered. One 24' stick of 2" x 2" x 1/4" wall for control arms, etc. and one 24' stick of 2" x 4" for a set of sliders I'm building someone, and the rest is for my front 4 link crossmember, etc.

[jeepxj3]

oh ok, I was just worried you didnt have a place to go.

[DMG]

You guys should see this thing. Steve is attacking this project.

[OverkillZJ]

I'll need to stop by and check it out again, been keeping busy over here just getting ready for my next build, need to get this sammy outa here first and get all my other junk runnin and build new workbenches in the garage!

[DMG]

I'll need to stop by and check it out again, been keeping busy over here just getting ready for my next build, need to get this sammy outa here first and get all my other junk runnin and build new workbenches in the garage!

Definitely stop by. We are doing some cool shit lately.

[MF Steve!]

Attacking it I am! Pulled the complete driveline in one piece today. Even the rear driveshaft was still on the t-case. I even took some real pictures!

What is left inside the XJ, the heater box, which I had to wait to remove until the engine was pulled to get to the fasteners:



Empty XJ engine bay, now it's time to transfer over all of the wiring, vacuum, cooling, AC, steering, and brake parts:



Incase you haven't seen a whole driveline assembled and out of a vehicle:



Disconnected the t-case wiring, and pulled it from the AW-4 transmission, and then pulled the transmission off the engine, and unbolted the torque converter, and flywheel, with the help of Dave:



Gave the 4.0L a bit of a bath with two cans of foamy engine cleaner:



Tomorrow I'll try and find an oil pan gasket, a valve cover gasket, and a few other various small parts needed to get everything prepped and sealed up. After that, I need to find someone with a hot pressure washer to get all the remaining funk off the engine before I drop it back in. I know it seems a bit excessive, but if there was ever a time to clean it off...it'd be now while it is accessible.

[Bill]

Just a thought - Hit up DP to see if he has the pressure washer you need...

[MF Steve!]

He's outta that business.

[Bill]

I thought he still had one of the pressure washers left.

[MF Steve!]

I need steam. [/off_topic]

[XJchris98]

Steve, not sure if you we're planning on replacing the exhaust manifold...but id suggest doing that nowwwww if need be when the motors out and everythings easy to get too. Maybe a new water pump while your at it...if it hasnt already been replaced.


APN makes a really decent header for right around 130$ shipped.

[jeepxj3]

Chris I think he's just going to try rewelding it for now, replacing things as he goes, would only suck up more funds and slow down the progress of the build. Water pump is a no brainer though...

I think he has more problems with the intake... (no thanks to the fork trucks brakes...)

Oh well good thing I have friends that can weld Aluminum!

[MF Steve!]

Yes, I now have a hole in my intake manifold. Shit happens.

I'll most likely do the water pump while I'm at it, and throw a 180* stat in there also.

As far as the exhaust manifold goes, it has about a 1" crack at the base where the two pipes come into the collector. It's completely visible, and I have no problem with welding it shut.

[Krod]

and throw a 180* stat in there also.

I know you know better than that, unless you're planning some stroker action too

[MF Steve!]

I know you know better than that, unless you're planning some stroker action too

At least someone caught the joke!

[gonecheenin]

Coming along great Steve, that MJ is gonna be sweet

At least someone caught the joke!

I don't get it?

Thats all I've ever ran in all my 4.0's (or any other engine for that matter)

They run WAY better cooler, thats a fact I've experienced personally many times

[Lunchbox]

if you need help steve let me know. I'll help out when i have time off. probably weekend mornings.

[MF Steve!]

The 4.0L now looks like it belongs in a bulldozer. I'll get some pix tomorrow.

[gonecheenin]

Just swapped a repair manifold onto Seismik's 94' ZJ so I have another cracked 4.0 manifold you can have if you want a spare to weld up (cracks ain't real bad from the looks of things)
I'm just gonna toss it otherwise

Still gotta meet up with you to get those D44 shafts anyway, so if you want it I'll save it for you.

[Bill]

The 4.0L now looks like it belongs in a bulldozer. I'll get some pix tomorrow.

Okay, where are the pics... I am waiting to see this beast!

[TimMichaels]

I think I actually have an extra 4.0 manifold that's not cracked if you want it.