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2xs, a new Jeep, a new Build Thread!

54K views 309 replies 21 participants last post by  Got it at last 
#1 ·
So, after my '90 2.5L AX5 YJ was totaled, and LOADS of looking around, I have FINALLY come up with a replacment!

Got me a '93 with a 4.0L and an AX-15!
Has the K&K CAI kit, and the Pacesetter header, upgraded downpipe that wraps around the front of the oil pan.

Has a overhead sound bar with some integrated stuff, havent looked into it to far, but i might keep it there...

It has a custom home made rear bumper with swingout spare carrier, Im removing this, it sticks out WAY to far!

More in post 2!
 

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#2 ·
Optima Red Top Battery,

So, Whats the FIRST thing I do? as soon as i got home?
Started tearing all my goodies off of my '90!

I now have a big pile of upgrades to play with!

Just need the paint code, and I can paint the family bar, front bars, and BARNES SKID!
 

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#3 ·
THEN! I swapped on my Smitty front bumper (made sure to keep the floods on.

OH YEA, it CANE WITH FLOODS!

and they work too!

Then I swapped in my projector front lamps for a GREAT visibility improvement!

Coming soon! Hard top and full doors (Yes, Ill look funny with a Black Jeep with RED DOORS till summer, I might Plastikote them black for a while, but they WILL be painted Black professionally.

AND! Im swapping my 3.5" Lift, shocks, 1 ton steering, and Tcase SYE!

AND THEN, FINALLY, Ill get off my A55 and prep/install the 8.8 that WAS SUPOSED to go into my '90!
 

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#11 ·
THEN! I swapped on my Smitty front bumper (made sure to keep the floods on. OH YEA, it CANE WITH FLOODS! and they work too! Then I swapped in my projector front lamps for a GREAT visibility improvement! Coming soon! Hard top and full doors (Yes, Ill look funny with a Black Jeep with RED DOORS till summer, I might Plastikote them black for a while, but they WILL be painted Black professionally. AND! Im swapping my 3.5" Lift, shocks, 1 ton steering, and Tcase SYE! AND THEN, FINALLY, Ill get off my A55 and prep/install the 8.8 that WAS SUPOSED to go into my '90!
Looks like a great find! Can you give me some specifics on your projector lamps? I'm looking to do something with my lights, they're so dim.
 
#9 · (Edited)
140K
Some of it has been repainted due to clearcoat fading, but they painted it with Plastikote, so Ill be re-doing that eventually.

ZERO RUST!

Soft top looks almost new, and it has Bestop seats!

Great to hear! Was wondering when you'd be back and if you would get a yj.
I never left, but I did spend some lurking time in the TJ and general forum sections...
 
#16 ·
Well it sucks that your 4 banger was totaled, but that's a clean replacement. Good thing is you can transplant parts off the '90.

That rear bumper does stick out too far. Looks to be well built tho. You shouldn't have any trouble moving it on C/L.
 
#21 ·
Ripped off that fugly rear bumper/tire carrier, posted it on CL, and already got a hit!
Installed the new Smitty with D-ring and hitch.
 

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#22 ·
Started ripping apart the '90, got the front and rear off, sitting in the garage waiting for next week, and 2 days off in a row to put them on the '93.

Still feels weird striping my '90....
 

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#24 ·
Still feels weird stripping my '90....
I had a 2002 Mustang GT that I just loved and I was rear-ended on the freeway and it was totaled. I bought a 2006 to replace it, and like you, it felt so weird to let it go. I wasn't able to swap anything over (nor did I want to) except the wheels, and now I feel like I still have a little bit of it left. But you will have the best of both Jeeps plus the added luxury of the 4.0 fuel injection. I think maybe the bimbo that hit you did you a favor.
 
#27 ·
Didnt do much today, installed my entire stereo into the '93, and painted my roll bar CB mount black.

Next 3 days I work 10 hours, Ill get home and it will be dark.

My next item will be removing the posi lock cable form the '90 and hiding the stereo wires in some conduit tubing tucked out of the way (it got dark and I ran out of time).
Also plan on installing the Hard top on the 93, and plastikoting the outside of the full doors black till Summer, when i remove them anyway, and ill get them painted then.
 

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#31 · (Edited)
I cant wait till I get my axles with 4:10 and 33's on it...

The more I think abotu this, th emore I wonder
Current diff tag says 3:07, and I have 31's on it.

Will going to 33's and 4:10s be to much gearing?

Remember, Im used to an anemic 2.5L TBI where the "sweet spot" was 3K RPM
This 4.0L is hauling ass with 3:07s and a seemingly LOW "Sweet spot" around 1500 - 2000 RPM....
 
#32 ·
Depends. Do you wheel it? I would assume so. If so I would go with 4.10's. I have 3.07's and 33's and it was a DOG with the tired old 4.2. With the new stroker motor though it doesn't even matter. If I weren't building this thing to wheel I could leave it as is and it would be fine. It's a friggin' hot rod now, although I have barely been able to drive it, I am still sorting out the little bugs. For the record I am building with the goal being 38's on Ford axles, and I am leaning towards 4.88's, although 4.56's have appeal as well.

They do pull hard at those low rpm's, that's why I love these engines, and also why i built a stroker 6 over doing a v8 swap.
 
#33 ·
I do wheel it, but I also commute, it doubles as my Daily Driver, about 20 minutes on the freeway each way.

With the 2.5L I was stuck in 4th, 5th was useless....

Also, my 8.8 has 4:10s, so i wont have to regear it when I swap.
 
#35 ·
I vote 4:10's as well. You already have the 4:10 geared diffs from the '90 right? So all you need to do is swap them over?

It'll knock the top end down a little, but the taller tires will make up for it.
 
#37 ·
Started my day fixing my tailgate lock, it was not even hooked up, ended up digging through my spare junk pieces tin and found an orange rod clip, modded it to fit and took a pic, it works perfectly now, (added a few zip ties just incase it decided it hated me later.

Then I started tearing apart my soft top, removed the roll bar padding (never liked that idea), and my Cross bar with eh CB mount (I missed a spot and its still a tad red)....
 

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#38 ·
I found out this Jeep has NEVER had the soft top off, well, the hardware has never been off, the windshield strip was GLUED and SCREWED ON, WTF!

So, I got the hard top on, bolted down, and my Passenger door didnt fit!

Ended up adjusting the Hard Top, and the door hinge, now it fits great, but I might need a new striker mount, it seems cracked...
 

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#39 ·
Got it all bolted together, now I need to paint my doors (I got Plastikote for now) this summer.
Got my Roll cage CB mount in, and next is the lift and 33's with my 4:10 axles from my '90!

Also, I think I found the image that will best fit this Jeep, DEATH MECHANIC!

I just need to find 2 5" and one 12" decals for various locations....
Ill take adaytime pic tomorrow at work, kinda weird seeing my old red doors on it...

But it looks ALOT better with a hard top....
 

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