jamorrowxj

So just 10 months after buying my first jeep, a stock 2000 xj, and building it up to what it is now (and more to come) I bought another jeep. A 1986 jeep Mj, 2.5L, 2wd, 5 speed, long bed for $1,300. It's from Virginia so it has very minimal rust and was kept very original by the farmer who owned it, except for a crappy paint job (used to be blue).

























This will be a project truck, I'm going to school for auto mechanics and I thought it would be perfect because I have a bonafide shop at my disposal (dynos, lifts, tranny dynos, even a whole corner of the shop designated to engine rebuilds) etc.

Build plans: I am planing on keeping it 2wd, it's to much of a gem to make it a 4x4 and go bang it up on the trails plus I already have an xj for that. I want to put something more powerful than the 2.5 in there, idk what yet but I would want to make up for the lack of 4x4 by making it rip. rehear the rear diff (idc about mpgs I just want fast, loud and rude) depending on the size of the engine I may need to swap in a bigger rear end. Convert it to leaf over axle and with the aid of shackles and blocks if necessary plus new coils, shocks, lca's etc get around 4-5" of lift. 33s on 15"x10.5s fab up a steel bumper.

Now here's where it gets nutty, I want to remove the bed and fab up a steel one with a wood floor, I also want to single stack it, along with repaining it (either black or gray)
I don't have a design set in my head yet but I drew this picture after I had a vision lol and I also searched the google for inspiration



















Well that's the plan and I'm sure more will come, the purpose will be just a cool custom rippen jeep project that will smoke the tires and win races and look mean and rude at the same time
Plus be one of a kind ( kinda like a modern, well 1986 rat rod)

Any input is welcome.

RunninKurt

I missed where you said motor swap.

billytoad631

deff going to be following this. cant wait to see it finished

McGuinness

Lemme get this straight its 2wd and you want to keep it 2wd but you want a stinger front bumper for it, 4.5" of lift and 33s?

DenimDean

I'm not seein the point of the lift, tires and bumpers if its not gonna be 4x4 or see any off roading. I mean it's your jeep do what you want but I think the money that would go into those things could be used elsewhere

lineman76

Looks interesting! Subbed!

jamorrowxj

The point is its gonna be a modern day rat rod. fast, loud and rude, and reflecting my personality of how I think it should be done. The rude part is it being lifted with 33s, stacked and with a flatbed.

jamorrowxj

I don't understand?

sthon

How is it going to be fast and loud with a 2.5L?

DenimDean

I just couldn't imagine driving anything that's not 4x4 especially if its lifted, but that's just me

jamorrowxj

Please read before you post. I said I was going to put something bigger in it but idk what yet. It may be a V8 it may be just a 4.0 strait 6.

jamorrowxj

Just imagine a fast, mean lookin, loud soundin, rat rod but jeep style.

Like this




Plus this

McGuinness

Well good luck for your lifted 2wd man!

lineman76

Always wanted a mj but couldnt find one for a decent price so ended up with a xj! Subbed I want to see where this is going to end up!

DenimDean

I know what your talkin about, if it was me I'd keep it stock hight if I was goin for speed. My old Comanche would be a perfect starting point for what your plan is, but it was 4x4... I miss the **** out of it!