dpace7XJ

Slow sunday, I guess it's about time to start a build thread for the MJ. Haven't done a whole lot to her at this point, but I just parted out my XJ and am ready to start up on a new, even better project!

Bought this 1987 Laredo for my wife when we first got married almost 3 years ago, she recently gave me full reign on the build (as long as i buy her another street legal Jeep).



I don't like the way it was built by the previous owner. Drop brackets on the control arms, short travel shocks, stacked shims for lift blocks in the rear !!!, etc. But on the plus side, its got a rear Dana 44 with a Posi, and 4.88 gears. Not enough for me I guess. I've done very little work to it, other than some 35's and some other random things..here she is today.

BTW, I HATE MUD, winter sucks.







I don't want to ruin a perfectly nice MJ, so i'm going to try not to hack it to pieces, but I really want to build it so I can compete with it every now and then.

Now here in the next couple weeks, i'm buying a kingpin Dana 60 front end, building a 3 link suspension, and hopefully some Ballistic Air Shocks front and rear. 14 Bolt rear end, 4 link, 5.13 gears, and some 30-40"" stickies. Hybrid cage, and lots of armor. My old renix has over 200,000 miles on her, so I figure its time for an upgrade. Possibly thinking 4bt Cummins if i feel like trying to find one. Tried the stroker on my XJ, loved it but I want it to be different!

Atmos

air shocks?? compete?!? come on bro you know you need 2.5 coilovers bare minimum


sub'd

dpace7XJ

Local comps only haha, wish i could afford coilovers!

On second thought, maybe I will hold out for some coilovers!

M5 253

Wow.....you nudging me to buy an mj...looking forward to the build!

dpace7XJ

If you can find one, do it! I bought this one for $1500 bucks from the original owner!! Then got $800 for the wheels and tires that were on it, so it was a good investment for me..its popular on the trails haha

bubbarules1958

Does your wife have a sister?

dpace7XJ

Yep, she is 18...... Complete opposites though haha

bubbarules1958

Burn. You're a lucky bastard. My lady drives a Honda. I refuse to work on it because its foreign. She wants a Jeep!!! Just on the cheap. Been browsing the list of Craig.

dpace7XJ

Haha, i agree, I'm lucky. My wife is awesome, she surprises the Hell outta people on the trails. She's got bigger nuts than most of my buddies..figuratively speaking of course!

Sorry about the Honda haha, My wife begged me to get rid of her neon when we got married, so i did! Gas mileage is overrated anyway

DSALMON-629

Looking good so far, I can't wait to see more!

dpace7XJ

Thanks! Tax return will start the action!

dpace7XJ

Sooo, my wife is trying to talk me into building 2 MJs (not that it will take any persuasion), a his & hers, everything the same, or similar. I like the idea, but having to build 2 will be a pretty penny, not to mention trying to find another MJ that isn't a total heap. Would be cool though! She has some good ideas from time to time haha

dpace7XJ

Anyone ever used or seen anyone use Ballistic Fabrication's Hybrid Air Shock/Coilovers?? I have spent tons of money with them and trust their stuff, but have never seen anyone use those Hybrids..they look like they would be simple and perfect for what I need...

cholthauss

I looked into them Fox also has the same setup too

dpace7XJ

I've been asking around, most people say to skip the crap and just do the coilovers and be done with it. So I think maybe I just do that..I heard that Fox and Bilstein are awesome, but anyone tried FOA? Haven't heard much about them