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

[MF Steve!]

While you're learning how to use the forum, how about learning how to use the DELETE POST button after you F up and put dumb crap in someones build thread! Welcome to the board

[MF Steve!]

It's alive. Finished the wiring, took care of the gremlins, temporarily hooked up the fuel/evap lines, and gave the key a turn. It fired up after cranking 10 or so times and bleeding the air out of the fuel rail. Just wanted to hear it, and then shut it right back down after about 2 seconds of running.

Then I swapped out the old front end crossmember for the one I cut off the '99XJ donor. Had no choice, as the radiator would not fit in the old one. I <3 PLASMA. No drilling out spot welds, etc. Just gouge it away w/ the greatness that is Thermal Dynamics.

I also have no transmission crossmember at the moment, as it will not bolt up, since the '86 MJ's never had a 4.0L, or an AW-4. Time for some more custom!

I'll post pix up in a few.

[96greenxjjeep]

cant wait to see it

[MF Steve!]

Teh pics:

I'll start w/ the trans. crossmember. I'm not complaining about this, as the stock one isn't worth a shit anyways, so I'd be doing this regardless. Either 1.75" DOM, or 2" x 4" box for the new one. Not sure yet, but leaning towards the 2" x 4" because it will be easier to incorporate the front link mounts into the design. You can see the trans. mount is about 3" out of alignment w/ the bolt plates on the uni-rail:



'99 front crossmember:









Finally, the engine bay is completely stuffed w/ all the goods. Now on to more important things...LONGARMS AND SOA REAR.

[96greenxjjeep]

cant wait till its dunn

[92YJCBG]

when you think it will be done or at least wheelble? few more months?

[MF Steve!]

when you think it will be done or at least wheelble? few more months?

It's not that far out now. Suspension should not take long at all. I will definitely have some serious thought involved in the trans. crossmember, and how I want to incorporate the long arms into it. I also want the skid to work out with it also, and be as close to flat with the rails as possible.

Just going to drop the HP30 in the front and the 8.25 out back for now. Just to get it rolling, since we're moving the shop in a little over a month.

After the new shop is set up, I'm thinking HP44 front, and either a 60 or 9" out back. Most likely 60, because I'd like to use H2 wheels and some fat flares to keep it street legal. I may ditch that idea, and stick w/ the wimpy axles. I've been throwing around the idea of a 1-ton TJ a lot lately after doing all the toob work on DMG's Punisher YJ/CJ.

[92YJCBG]

It's not that far out now. Suspension should not take long at all. I will definitely have some serious thought involved in the trans. crossmember, and how I want to incorporate the long arms into it. I also want the skid to work out with it also, and be as close to flat with the rails as possible.

Just going to drop the HP30 in the front and the 8.25 out back for now. Just to get it rolling, since we're moving the shop in a little over a month.

After the new shop is set up, I'm thinking HP44 front, and either a 60 or 9" out back. Most likely 60, because I'd like to use H2 wheels and some fat flares to keep it street legal. I may ditch that idea, and stick w/ the wimpy axles. I've been throwing around the idea of a 1-ton TJ a lot lately after doing all the toob work on DMG's Punisher YJ/CJ.

why not go with the 60 and hummer wheels youd prob. regret it.

1 ton yj would be sick.

[notmYJ]

I'm diggin the yellow paint. I havnt read the whole thread but it reminds me of a miniature Cat motor....

[92YJCBG]

I'm diggin the yellow paint. I havnt read the whole thread but it reminds me of a miniature Cat motor....

yeah that does look sharp i agree

[MF Steve!]

why not go with the 60 and hummer wheels youd prob. regret it.

1 ton yj would be sick.

TJ. I want a TJ tub. The MJ would be 3/4 ton with a HP44 front and a 60 rear. I wouldn't mind having two rigs on full widths, buuuut there aren't that many wide open trails around. Keeping it on the street is probably a good idea for now, and I'm just not sure if I want to hang all that weight under an MJ.

I'm diggin the yellow paint. I havnt read the whole thread but it reminds me of a miniature Cat motor....

Thanks. It is in fact CAT yellow in a spray can.

[XJchris98]

Looks good steve!


If your only planning on running 35"s the dirty 30 and 29spline 8.25 should be more than strong enough. If you decide to lock the rear, at most, just upgrade the shafts. Its just about as strong as a 44...the only downside is that theres a limited aftermarket.

[92YJCBG]

TJ. I want a TJ tub. The MJ would be 3/4 ton with a HP44 front and a 60 rear. I wouldn't mind having two rigs on full widths, buuuut there aren't that many wide open trails around. Keeping it on the street is probably a good idea for now, and I'm just not sure if I want to hang all that weight under an MJ.



Thanks. It is in fact CAT yellow in a spray can.

sorry typo there.

[mxg342]

Looks good steve!


If your only planning on running 35"s the dirty 30 and 29spline 8.25 should be more than strong enough. If you decide to lock the rear, at most, just upgrade the shafts. Its just about as strong as a 44...the only downside is that theres a limited aftermarket.

Steve,

If in fact you are planning on running 35's I'd stay away from the 60. It will catch everything on the trail at that height. The 8.25 or a 44 would be plenty strong for 35's and still maintain decent ground clearance.

[MF Steve!]

Steve,

If in fact you are planning on running 35's I'd stay away from the 60. It will catch everything on the trail at that height. The 8.25 or a 44 would be plenty strong for 35's and still maintain decent ground clearance.

I completely agree. Definitely one of the other reasons I'm kinda shying away from 3/4 tons.

[jeepxj3]

looking good Steve!!!!! Just get it on the trails, axles can come next winter.

[jeepxj3]

its been almost a month, any progress on this?

[OverkillZJ]

Don't remind Steve he has his own project, or Dave and I will lose the help we're getting on ours

[DMG]

its been almost a month, any progress on this?

It runs, all the dash stuff is working.

I think Steve is deciding on suspension/crossmember designs, currently.

[MF Steve!]

its been almost a month, any progress on this?

Flipped the distributor 180* and it fired right up. Runs very good. No leaks, etc. I've been too damn busy with work and other stuff. I hate to say it, but I lost interest for a little while with all the toob bending and fab. work on DMG's rigs. I don't mind though. It all comes down to money, which I don't have a lot of right now.

Don't remind Steve he has his own project, or Dave and I will lose the help we're getting on ours

I have nooooo problem helpin you out w/ the trailer, etc. Sometimes you need a break. Not from the sport, but from your own projects. Some think I've accomplished little, but truthfully, I don't think those who do could have done the things I have in the amount of time I've put forth (next to none.)

[jeepxj3]

dont get me wrong, you accomplished more than some would have accomplished in years...

[MF Steve!]

dont get me wrong, you accomplished more than some would have accomplished in years...

Don't take that personally. It was not directed towards you, or most other people. ...Let it go.

[jeepxj3]

Oh im not. I would just hope to see it finished

[r6cyclegal]

When is any project truely finished??? You may see it out on the trail but it will never be "finished."

[MF Steve!]

Well, I'm getting back into it. Parts are starting to show up, beginning today with the tube adapters for my lower control arms. I was very displeased with those of Ballistic Fab. so I had Jason (Sledneck/13below0) send me a pair out. They're top notch quality, and he was very prompt on the shipping. Well worth the $50. Thanks Jason.

The Johnny Joints, and bushed end tubes, along with the tube adapters and heims for the upper control arms should be in by the end of the week. Hopefully I can get some stuff done, maybe even have an axle hanging from the front end!