New here. Just picked up an 88 mj. 4.0 5sp 4x4 long bed. Rearend is grenaded. Needs a clutch slave I was told. I have a 98 xj for a donor rig. My thoughts are. Buy spring pads for SUA and use the xj axles. Dana 30 and 8 1/4. Use an add a leaf and shackle for rear that I already have. 3 inch coils for front. Purchase a new radiator for a later model and take all the open cooling system parts from 98. Needs some floor pan repair. No biggy. Trying to make a decent daily driver so the salt doesn't destroy my newer truck.
I guess the question is. Are there any major hole in my plan?

 

that's a nice mj. usually they're all rusted out around the rear wheel wells. that one looks pretty solid.
as for your axles, the front will bolt right up, the rear tho, you would have to weld on some new spring pads, since the mj is spring under, and wider than an xj. but easy enough. you don't even have to remove the xj pads. just leave em, unless you plan on going spring over, then you would have to move em out a bit.

nice truck, (both) and good luck, keep us updated with pics. i like to follow along with these builds too.

 

Welcome to the forum.

Sounds like a solid plan other than the add-a-leaf. Dont do that.

 

It begins...

Made some long pads for spring over.

4.5 re coils and wagoneer mj bastard pack in rear.

Bald 33 rollers for test fitting. Rubbed more than I liked.

Bringing wifes jeep home after new gears were installed. Comanche has been a slow process because i distract easily. I also took a break to lift my cj.

As it sits currently. Spent last 2 days replacing fuel tank and a new pump. I wasnt aware it is a positive ground pump so that gobbled up a bunch of time troubleshooting new pump. Got a new header panel from a buddy. Need to figure out light fixtures. Also have a front bumper like wifes jeep i will be welding up soon. I was surpised that the speedo is accurate with the 32s after the axle swap so i will stick with that size for now.

 

Plan to do grey bed liner on whole truck soon. Time will tell though. Debating on cutting fenders or not. Kind of like the flares. But not much fender clearance. Really want long arms in the front but they are out of my budget for now. Haven't put 30 miles on it yet and I'm already wanting to make a mild trail rig out of it instead of a commuter. Kind of miss my toyota for a woods truck so this probably will take its place. I like the thought of not having to cut 1 1/2 cord of wood to fill the truck. I may be getting lazier.

 

nice. i know what you mean about cutting those flares. they didn't make as many MJ's as they did XJ's, so i'd be weary also. but it will flex much better if cut. unless you just add more lift. lol
it looks good tho, and yeah, more firewood per trip keeps the cost down.
one day, hopefully, i will find the right MJ also. hard to find up here in decent shape.

 

Finally was able to take it on a shakedown off pavement. Still needs some fine tuning but i like it.

 

Anyone know if there is a trick to keep the mirrors from moving?

 

Duct tape

 

Got started on the rear and ran out of wire in the welder. Guess this is how its going to be till next weekend.

Got the front pretty close to how i want it. Suppose i had better start shopping for a winch. Ha..

I have a plan for this. Just gonna have to wait and see.....

 

Got a winch. Found. A smittybilt on ebay for $260.00 I have had this same model on my car trailer for 4 years with great luck so i will try another.

Kind of thinking about building a different leaf pack. Cant decide if i want it to flex or haul a load. Kind of tough to accomplish both i suppose. I did manage to get all my winter wood in without much for hiccups. I grenaded the factory motor mounts skidding wood. In there defense. They were over 30 years old and abused a bit by me.

Still scratching my head as to why i bought this thing. Couldnt pass it up for $150.

Got this one for free. Needed a starter.

Fixed it and gave it to a friend of my wife. Single mom that needed transportation. Put a 2 inch b.b. on it so i could mount up some free tires on it. It was cheaper than buying new tires.

 

Built a headache rack. I know it is kinda overkill but i plan on mounting pulaski, high-lift, and chainsaw to it eventualy.

Not a bad day for just me and the wife.

Soft springs might not be the issue😂

 

Need to build a swing out tire carrier. Its just strapped in this pic.

Added a snorkel. I like the look of them for some reason. It seems like it might actually breath better also. Not sure i like the rattle can paint job. I think it may end up with snow camo.

Bought some cheap adjustable arms. They seem plenty stout.

Pic of installing arms. Don't have any finished pics. Stopped part way through install to go pick up some geared axles for my CJ7. Model 20 4.56 gears, detroit locker, 1 piece axles and disc brake conversion with a matching dana 30 front for $450 seemed like a decent deal to me. Have to swap guts to my housing. Sorry off topic I know. Just excited about finally having a decent crawl ratio in the CJ for snow wheeling.

 

Awesome build man. I know you said you weren't a fan of the rattle can paint job, but i actually think it looks tough. Looking forward to this build

 

Need to build a swing out tire carrier. Its just strapped in this pic.

Added a snorkel. I like the look of them for some reason. It seems like it might actually breath better also. Not sure i like the rattle can paint job. I think it may end up with snow camo.

Bought some cheap adjustable arms. They seem plenty stout.

Pic of installing arms. Don't have any finished pics. Stopped part way through install to go pick up some geared axles for my CJ7. Model 20 4.56 gears, detroit locker, 1 piece axles and disc brake conversion with a matching dana 30 front for $450 seemed like a decent deal to me. Have to swap guts to my housing. Sorry off topic I know. Just excited about finally having a decent crawl ratio in the CJ for snow wheeling.