What are you doing to your rig - the continuing saga

[DutchVDub]

Yeah, that big beast of an engine makes a lot of noise. I can't even hear the big open exhaust on it unless the windows are down and I'm driving by a fence or something. Its all just engine clatter. Once at cruising speed its not bad, but in town driving and accelerating it can get annoying.

 

[Hypoid]

Ben should buy you better picture formatting, Mike. Pics no worky.

your quoting it didn't fix it, DJ. Even the links don't have pics...

It's you. Pics worked both times for me.

Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

weird. If I click on the links DJ posted in the quote, I get a black screen with a tiny little white dot in the middle.

Clearly it is some sort of conspiracy, I get the same dot. I think it is watching me...:eyes:

shh. its listening too.

Good morning, Mr Blue, we've been watching you.

Shenanigans!

OK- I can see them there, but still not in the original post... shenanigans indeed!

Wow! I uploaded these into an album accessed through my Control Panel.

 

[Hypoid]

I wanted to replace the manifold gaskets, things came up.

Today, plan B was to R, R & R the old Tilt Column. Halfway into the R, R & R, I decide to push the "Easy Button" and install one of the extra columns I have sitting around.

My test drive will be @ Dark:30 AM, barreling down C470...

 

[in4aride]

Yep, this will be my DD. This will be my long distance wheeling (Ouray/Moab), camping, etc. rig.

Oh so you’re finally coming out my way?

 

[freerider15]

Oh so you’re finally coming out my way?

Been wanting to

Was going to see about bringing the buggy out your way to play around Montrose some time this year if nothing else.

 

[DutchVDub]

I'm thinking of going the cheaper route and ordering the Tomken fuel tank skid. Its 1/8 instead of 3/16 but its also almost $100 cheaper than anywhere else, especially with shipping factored in. It should also weigh a little less, which I like. Thoughts?

 

[planefixer]

I'm thinking of going the cheaper route and ordering the Tomken fuel tank skid. Its 1/8 instead of 3/16 but its also almost $100 cheaper than anywhere else, especially with shipping factored in. It should also weigh a little less, which I like. Thoughts?

I've been running one for about 12 years on 2 different XJs - cost was THE factor. It hasn't taken any big hits but it seems adequate and its super easy to install. Overall I'm happy with it..........so far.

 

[freerider15]

I'm thinking of going the cheaper route and ordering the Tomken fuel tank skid. Its 1/8 instead of 3/16 but its also almost $100 cheaper than anywhere else, especially with shipping factored in. It should also weigh a little less, which I like. Thoughts?

I've got one of the Tomken ones going on the Blue Jeep that I won at a COFest.

It is a little thinner, but it's still pretty heavy.

I plan on adding some of my own touch to it...can you say UHMW...

 

[DutchVDub]

I could dimple die it and then add some UMHW, that’d be sweet. I honestly can’t think of a time I ever even hit the fuel tank on an XJ, although I do remember Troy commenting on my 92’s fuel tank being “high clearance” from being pushed up on the bottom. Who knows, it’s another one of those piece of mind things I guess.

 

[freerider15]

I never hit my gas tank much, mainly since my hitch was what would hit. Now that my hitch with be integrated into the rear bumper, the gas tank will be a low point.

I thought about dimpling it, but not sure I will or not.

I want to add UHMW (since I've got a lot sitting around), so if hit, it'll be more of a "thunk" and then slide.

My biggest thing to figure out is how to attach it, and not cause more of a risk to puncturing the gas tank. Don't want to trade one thing, for another.

 

[DutchVDub]

True, I’ll have to see how much room is between it and the tank. Maybe some riv-nuts or weld nuts.

I just figure if you’re going to add UHMW might as well dimple die for the weight saving.

 

[freerider15]

I hear ya...dimple died would be nice.

Just not sure if it's worth the effort :laugh:

 

[freerider15]

Hoping to get the DD Build close to ready to run this weekend.

Heading home in 30 min. to do a second pressure wash engine bay clean.

Then this weekend I'll get the engine all back together with:

- New Intake/Exhaust Manifold Gasket
- New Exhaust Manifold
- Different PCM :gag:
- Injector O-Rings
- Valve Cover Gasket
- PCV and Breather Valves and New Rubber Rings
- New Waterpump and hose tube
- New Tstat housing and Tstat
- New Radiator Hoses
- New Heater Hoses
- New Belt
- New Air filter
- Upgraded Battery cables
- Upgraded Alternator
- New hatch struts
- Other stuff I'm forgetting

From there, I'll get some fuel in the tank, jump the fuel pump the let it run through some and get the system clean.

Once the exhaust is finished up, she should be ready to run again.

I'll get the interior put back together fully (with some additional sound deadening to do), and she'll drive herself out of the shop.

It'll still need some things like brake lines fixed and flushed. But it won't be too far off being DD ready.

Then, sometime thereafter, the real fun can start

 

[time2getdirty]

We had a Tomken on ours and it was terribly deformed after years of abuse.

 

[trippled]

I could dimple die it and then add some UMHW, that’d be sweet. I honestly can’t think of a time I ever even hit the fuel tank on an XJ, although I do remember Troy commenting on my 92’s fuel tank being “high clearance” from being pushed up on the bottom. Who knows, it’s another one of those piece of mind things I guess.

Man I drug mine over everything. Think I'm on my 3rd tank now.

I got the trans all in finally. I still need to fix broken exhaust hanger and plumb my filter into the cooler return. I have a big hydraulic filter setup that should catch anything in the cooler. I tried to blow it out but the way it's mounted didn't get much so need to remove to get the rest.

 

[Hypoid]

I'm thinking of going the cheaper route and ordering the Tomken fuel tank skid. Its 1/8 instead of 3/16 but its also almost $100 cheaper than anywhere else, especially with shipping factored in. It should also weigh a little less, which I like. Thoughts?

2/16th V.S. 3/16th V.S. 11 GA...

Granted, its the "old style" tank skid, but I added 2 layers of 1/8" hot rolled to my factory tank skid. There are a few deep scratches in it, and another with actual deformation of the metal... I think Led was there. I never had it hang up on any of its impacts.

Anyway, I have some sheet metal sitting around, if you decide to go that route.

 

[Fred]

I've had one since Big Offroad started, however long ago that was. I've had to repaint it, and replace the hangers it's attached to in the front. I don't recall seeing any dents when I repainted it, and I know I've dragged it across multiple obstacles.

 

[DutchVDub]

I'm going to get the Tomken skid. I might dimple die it and add some UMHW, as long as there is enough room for hardware.

I did get my block heater replaced on my truck this afternoon. I also installed the coolant filter. Of course I did forget to fully tighten the filter before I started to truck to check for leaks. Nothing like a little glycol shower for the engine. Other than that little mishap all went well.

 

[1-tonxj]

The tank skids are just huge boxes with no cross bracing so that's a huge unsupported section on the bottom for only 1/8th inch to not dent easily . 1/8 th inch is not even considered "plate" it's only sheet metal plate steel by definition does not start until 3/16th anything slimmer is sheet...lol...sheet metal does not make great heavy duty underbody armor .

 

[DutchVDub]

I guess I’ll just have to keep walking up the obstacles your buddies winch and break on.