01 XJ "Daily Driver" build.....

[AT FAB XJ]

Got the Jeep back from getting the paint buffed. It was definitely a good idea and a good time to get it done while we had everything off.

Got a late start today bolting everything together but still got the front and rear bumpers on and the front flares. I will be able to get everything else back together shortly.

I really like the way the white looks but I'm still not sold on the bushw-h-acker flat flares in the front. May have to wait until it's all installed to see if I like it.

Here's a few pics of the progress:

 

[XJ Eric]

Lord that is beautiful! Mine's going to get some minor sheet metal replacement and a fresh coat of paint this winter while I'm deployed, just wish I had the dough to get it all detailed out like this. What's your opinion of the flat flares so far? I'm needing something too, but I'm afraid I've already cut out too much sheet metal to do it. Could always replace the front fenders, but I'm worried I've done to much to the rear wheel wells already.

 

[AT FAB XJ]

Thanks, I'll post some more when I get it completed in the next couple days.....

I don't know if I like the flat flares yet. I really like the stock flares so the only aftermarket cut out flares that I like the looks of are the Iceland offroad flares. Unfortunately after seeing the bondo/putty that holds the hardware to the Iceland flares and seeing the 3 to 6 month wait for a set I opted out of them.

This was the next best thing to me was the bushw-h-acker flats flares. I still don't like them on the Jeep yet but I'm hoping once everything is on it, they will look better.

If you have cut past the stock holes in the fenders/body you will not be able to easily mount these flares. These actually require less cutting that the older bushw-h-acker cut out flares so if you already have those you can't run these either.

You may check into the new Tomken steel armor with steel flat flares built in. They are a little pricey but well worth the money and you can run them on a Jeep that has already been cut.

check em out here http://tomkenjeepprojects.blogspot.com/2010/05/new-xj-4-door-steel-tube-fenders.html

 

[XJEEPER]

4:56's and 35's are great for flatlanders at near sea level. (perfect for a LS engine swap too ) Your recommendation is relative to your geography. I'm pretty darn happy with 4:88s and 285's in my DD 2000, living at 4400ft and wheeling it up to 10,000ft+. nuff said......

Thanks for sharing the buildup pics, nice rig. I currently have a pair of JCR rear guards on hand and plan on adding tube flares, but prefer a more stock flare look.
The Tomken units fall short in that they don't really provide adequate tire coverage.....plus they just don't look right.

The flat-Wackers look 100% better paint-matched to the body, fwiw.

 

[DrMoab]

Where did you get the fog and rock light switch covers?

 

[tonysinnette]

You should bring that thing to Hidden Falls the 23-24.

 

[REWSTER]

Its clean that's for sure

 

[Cody90XJ]

I really like that build up. I'm just down the road from your shop. I may have to stop in to see it in person if thats cool.

 

[rweaver138]

that thing is beautifully clean, i dig it

 

[AT FAB XJ]

The switches are Carling Contura 2 all from http://www.otrattw.com/.

I made a plate to hold them there. I also bought some new marine grade twist lock very nice 12v outlet sockets to relocate lower since this panel replaced everything.

Come on by, we always welcome customers to come by and check out the shop.

 

[Droopy76]

Wow! That thing is gonna look sexy as hell sitting at the mall.

 

[Mtb Jak]

Awesome rig man, how much did it cost to get the thing buffed?

 

[MG2000XJ]

Looks awesome, I wouldnt have painted everything white but it's still sick! So are you going to wheel this at all since you have the LJ for wheeling?

 

[AT FAB XJ]

Spent about $150 to get it buffed. I tried a new painter since our old painter has moved. Spent more than we used to spend but it came out decent. Still has some clear coat scratches but all-n-all not a bad job.

I actually had some Mall Crawler badges for it that I will probably put back on. I will do what we call "light wheelin" with it at our local 1x to 5x trails. It will definitely see the trails soon but it's not gonna be one of those "we can make it up this" rigs like my crawler is. There's just a little more pucker factor when you flip your daily driver!!! When I drag my armored up LJ across something it just makes us laugh, when you drag your daily and mare up the whole side of it you get that "ah xxxx" feeling!

We take the bigger Jeeps up to Clayton, OK where a 40" LTB is still an entry to medium sized tire. I will take this up there but probably only to run the main trail while watching people break stuff. This will see more trail time on a regular basis than my crawler because it's a lot easier to just jump in and make a day trip somewhere than it is to load the crawler and all the camping gear on the trailer and go somewhere.

Anyway, back to the build.....

Got a little more done today..... We are very busy at the shop so it's hard to get time to keep this thing moving.

Still need to finish installing the sliders but I got the pass side done today. Also still need to install the new cherokee and limited badges.

I think I am starting to come around on the flares, still not 100% but I think its one of those best of the worst situations so I better learn to love em.

Will post some good pics outside in the sun where you can see it tomorrow.

Here's a few more pics of the progress:

 

[srmitchell]

Wow, looks sweet. I think it could use some darker wheels, lots of white, it could use some contrast.

 

[XJ Eric]

Uh, looks like you exceeded your bandwith with photobucket, bub. Pics are blocked.

 

[_87_XJ_]

:thumbup: Very nice!

 

[AT FAB XJ]

should work now...

thanks

 

[collkid]

Winch on floor... Begging to go onto Jeep.

 

[xj_chef]

sweet rig.