1999 XJ - June

[plum1mer]

Well this last month or so has really kicked my ***. The jeep was stolen from my girlfriend's house, then found in a ditch two days later. The knuckle heads stole everything out of the jeep including the battery, radio speakers, all my tools, all my camping stuff, hunting knives, and the list goes on. They also striped out the key slot and pretty much destroyed the ignition.

Which brings me to today. After a ton of cleaning, engineering and turned wrenches I have a working vehicle again. I installed a Putco headlight harness with intentions of upgrading the headlights soon, a new battery (I probably needed one anyways), the ashtray switch panel with intentions of some LEDs and light bars. The radio and some LEDs come in tomorrow so that project will get it's own update.

Now the cool part. On the switch panel I've integrated my ignition barrel. One switch for accessory and one for the starter motor. Soon I'll be adding a hidden master switch inside the jeep for some extra security. Video shows how the ignition works.

XJ Switch Panel Ignition - YouTube

Lastly, the big news. I got engaged and will be married in February. We've decided to sell her current car and she'll DD the jeep. This project will turn more into being a safe and reliable driver, yet still being able to get us out of cell phone range to camp and wheel a bit. We're still keeping it a fairly low budget project.

 

[highspeed]

That sucks someone stole your xj. At least you were able to salvage it.

I love dd'ing my XJ but not liking the tire wear, so I keep my truck running. Your xj is much better suited for dual purpose.

Congrats on soon to be married!

 

[plum1mer]

That sucks someone stole your xj. At least you were able to salvage it.

I love dd'ing my XJ but not liking the tire wear, so I keep my truck running. Your xj is much better suited for dual purpose.

Congrats on soon to be married!

Yeah people suck. I've been buying used take-offs from craiglist for all my cars lately. It's way cheaper if you know what you're looking for. Thanks! I'm pretty stoked.

 

[plum1mer]

21JAN15

Got my new radio installed and it would sound really good if all my speakers worked. BUT it works for now. I need to cut back on projects until after tax returns, but after that i'll most likely tackle rewiring the speakers as well as replacing them for better quality stuff. Also on the list is a fuse/ relay box and some lighting to go with it.. Hoping to keep the rig pretty expedition/ adventure oriented, yet keep it worthy of daily driving. Anyways.. here are some pictures

Also got my Putco headlight harness in and REALLY like it.. absolutely worth $40 or whatever i paid for it.. hopefully some aftermarket headlights will brighten it up some more!

 

[plum1mer]

One last relatively lame post before the real electronic stuff goes in.. Ordered some LED light strips on amazon because they were super cheap and what the hell! (4) 1-foot long strips for 7 bucks.. why not!

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BQE5JAK/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

before

after

another view

overall really impressed.. way brighter than stock and less power draw. I think i'm going to order more LEDs for the map lights and other overhead lights as well as more LED strips for the cargo area and mount them on the hatch so they shine into the back when it's open.

 

[Hardkor]

I just put two led's in the hatch for that very reason. I used rock lights from Olympus off road and went with green. I also added a toggle switch so that I could turn the led's off and on independently or have them come on when the hatch opens.

 

[plum1mer]

Nice! I like it man.

 

[Hardkor]

Nice! I like it man.

Thanks. It's much brighter than the pic shows. It took me a while to figure out the wiring so that they would come on when I opened the hatch and without interfering with the other interior lights.
I just tapped into the rear cargo lamp for ground and power. Let me know if you have any questions.

 

[plum1mer]

Thanks. It's much brighter than the pic shows. It took me a while to figure out the wiring so that they would come on when I opened the hatch and without interfering with the other interior lights.
I just tapped into the rear cargo lamp for ground and power. Let me know if you have any questions.

Yeah LEDs are really freakin bright! I love it. Rapidly becoming a LED whore.. That's where i was planning on vampiring into.