The only one (MJ) in the World (perhaps you know better)

[johnglamb]

Let me introduce you to my MJ, a 1992 Carabobo, Venezuela built Jeep, XJ owner for many years always had a desire to add an MJ to the fleet. Saw an ad on the website Autoscout24. Mainly European vehicles. I spied an MJ in the Canary Island of Tenerife. After swapping a few Emails with the vendor I hopped on a flight to Tenerife South, which for you who are not too familiar with the terrain the Canaries are a small volcanic Islands off the coast of West Africa. After a protracted bus journey to the north of the Island i met the vendor, we did the deal and spent the next day effecting the usual export crap, filling in useless forms that no one will ever want to see. Parted with the Euros required and set sail from Santiago de la Cruz on the ferry. Some 60 hours later arrived in Cadiz, southern Spain.The Comanche Laredo, 4 litre 4x4 5 speed manual never missed a beat up the motorways through Spain and France and two days later and some 2500kms from Cadiz was back in the UK. Incidentally total mileage is about 80K kms, about 60, thousand miles, not much in 22 years. It has not had a hard life and is pretty well unmarked, good paint, no dings, no rust, just like new in fact. amazing.There are some odd details which differ from the US and UK spec, little things which were soon done. Side indicator markers, yellow front and rear indicators, rear fog light and rear seat seat belts. The reason for the rear seat belts is because this rare beast was fashioned by the design team at Jeep's Carabobo plant to combat the introduction by Datsun (Nissan) and Toyota's pickup range with crew cab and king cab pickups, which as we all know have swept the World. Jeep's design team had a few attempts to come up with a four seater and the model that I have was built some time in 1992 and just as they had it signed off as being acceptable. Chrysler pulled the MJ line to concentrate on the Dodge Laredo instead.This vehicle hung around at Chrysler's main dealer in Caracas Messrs Rustiaco, who still sell Jeeps and Mercs and was eventually sold to a Spanish guy who was working in Bolivia and Venezuela. When his work contract came to and end in 1997 he put the MJ and his furniture and personal effect in a container to be sent to Tenerife. This container disappeared for over a year, but eventually turned up and they were re-united, Jeep none for wear.
Jeep used as his fun ride until personal, domestic and work reasons lead to the advert in Autoscout 24 and the rest is detailed above.The vehicle is now ready to have affixed it's UK registration plates, and thereby a problem has arrison. I don't have too much in the way of paperwork and the UK DVLA require evidence of it's built date. the VIN number is 8YFFJ26VXPV077298 if anyone can decipher this VIN number to an actual build date I should be very grateful.
Does anyone know of any more 4 seater MJ's in the World.Check out the pics imgur: the simple image sharer

 

[Mrsig]

and enjoy the forum!

 

[69jeepcj]

I tried using our Vin decoder which should show a build date, but it wouldn't work. I sent the site administrator a note about it so he can look into it to see what the problem is. Good luck

 

[TerryMason]

Welcome to jeepz.com. Looks like our vin decoder is missing some information when it comes to Venezuela VINs

(please excuse the french)

VIN : 8YFFJ26VXPV077298
Country : Venezuela
Manufacturer : Ensambladora Carabobo S.A.
Vehicle Type : Export, Right Hand Drive
Gross Vehicle Weight : 4001#-5000# [1815/2268 Kg]
Line (Body Type) : Cherokee 4x4, Comanche 4x4
Series (Body Type) : Base
Body Style : Truck, 2-door Pickup
Engine : 4.0L 6 Cyl. Gasoline (MPI) Leaded (ERH)
Check Digit : X
Year : 1993
Plant Location : Valencia, Venezuela
Sequential Serial Number : 077298
Check Digit Test : VIN errone - Check digit devrait etre 5

I suggest you email Chrysler and ask for a build sheet. This worked for me back in 2008, but your mileage may vary today ;-)

customerassist at chrysler dot com

 

[johnglamb]

This is the best we have had so far, the odd thing is there were no MJ's built in 1993, but as this was a prototype of sorts it may well have been "New" old stock, It was sold by Rustiaco Caracas 29th September 1993, I have been in contact with them and as yet they have not replied. Customer care at Chrysler Venezuela have also come up with some information, but insufficient for the UK's DVLA which wants original documentation, In English, no scanned or Emailed docs are acceptable, so you see my difficulty. I was hoping someone might have access to Jeep's Carabobo records and come up with a build sheet, which would help.
Some have suggested that there is often a build sheet behind the door cards and sometimes the date is stamped on a bit of tin somewhere in the body, but before I rip up the carpets etc. I am trying the paperwork exercise and your contribution is certainly helping. Hoping that you will keen digging for me.
Currently the vehicle has had all it's UK requirements like yellow indicators, rear seat belts, left dipping headlights rear fog lamp, was submitted to VOSA for testing and passed it's MOT test without any advisories, after all with only 80K miles on the clock and no rust anywhere it's like brand new, but sits in the Man Cave without it's UK registration. Below is a copy of the letter from the DVLA in Swansea Wales outlining the rejection. Says also that a recognized Club could authenticate the vehicle to type and date, may have to go that route if all fails Regards John
http://i.imgur.com/5aDQo1N.png

 

[johnglamb]

http://i.imgur.com/jAj1kKe.jpg
This link shows the Authentication Document supplied by Chrysler de Venezuela's Customer Care which promptly responded to my request. No good said DVLA Swansea, written in "Foreign", Lord help me.