New MJ

[bobenbeth]

Well I just picked this up today. i don't see many MJ's on the trail at all. So I thought this would be a fun project. For the most part it is solid. there are a few small cancer spots on the body that I'll getting fixed. I still have a lot of old parts from my XJ. So I have a 4.5" lift for it. It has high miles and there's a lot of oil under the hood. The owner said it was a valve cover gasket but I'll sweep over the entire thing. I can already tell it needs a front u joint. I'll be back on the trail with everyone very soon(got to get the carpet out of it). Anyone have a cheap set of 33" mud tires for sale.

I am the 2nd owner now. I even have the original window sticker. This thing was over $15K in 1988

Oh year this is a spring under, so I can gain a few inches by swapping that to over...

[ssj123]

clean bob! cant wait to see it in person! ive always liked the mjs.

[HamiltonLJ]

Nice! That will be a fun project!!

[88yj]

Sweet Bob! We were just saying how u really dont see those out on the trail too often and how cool they are! I wont be the only '88 out there! Check the frame where the steering box mounts... dont know if they are the same as yj's or not...

[waterman]

Nice rig bob!!! you can gain about 5" by going SOA!!! look forward to seeing it onthe trail!!!

[bobenbeth]

I have been reading a lot about the SOA. This seems like the easiest lift ever. All the forums say I will need about 6" XJ springs up front to level it after SOA. Then there are companies out there that sell the SOA mounts that will net an additional 1.5" with out issues(then use 7.5" springs up front). I'm thinking 35's?

Before I start the lift i have to track down an oil leak. I power washed it today and it seems like its coming from the lower rear of the engine(maybe pan gasket). Compression test was about 120-130PSI.
The 4wd seems hard to engage and dis-engage???

[bobenbeth]

Ok I picked up some parts today. I have rustys upper, lower control arms and 6.5 coils for up front. I am probably going to pull the bed off to work on the rear. I need to check the rail for any rust/damage. iIdont see an from under the truck but it will be a lot easier to work on the rear with the bed off.

I am going to do a homemade SOA lift. I post pictures when I start. I still have a set off 1.75 / 2" shackles from my old XJ. I just need to get shocks, brake lines and a pitman drop arm before I start. I dont know what to expect with the driveshaft once its lifted. I'll figure that out when I get to that point.

[waterman]

Bob with the drive shafts i would just wait till the lift is done and order up some new shafts,,,,,personally i run tom woods shafts and wouldn't run anything else,,,,good luck with the build up!!