99 XJ DD & Weekend Warrior

JANUARY 2012:
Well that's pretty much it to date. Recently I did some electrical work on the Jeep (over the last couple weeks)
I finally got around to installing some fog lights that I've had laying around for ages. Nothing fancy, but they get the job done. Put 'em on the front bumper caps, for now.
Completely rewired the stereo system, It looked like the P.O. had a drunken monkey with only two fingers and one good eye put it in.... a complete FUBAR as far as installs goes, but I got it all cleaned up and figured I'd throw an amp in the mix too. A 200w 4ch, wired up under the rear seat.
Also went and rebuilt my dimmer switch, I did a pretty lengthy/entailed write up on it here:
http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1077584
I had a couple instrument cluster lights go out on me recently, so I replaced ALL of them. Now it looks good as new, (however, I'm gonna do something cool soon with those in the near future - stay tuned.)
sssh.gif

My rear defrost switch light went out on me too, so I took care of that as well - I did something a little different, I'll post up the pics/procedure on that here in a minute....
Also did the power window master lockout bypass trick. Now all the switches are working the way they should.
Here's a couple pics of the lights and amp:

(Like I said, nothing fancy, but gets the job done.) -may try to swap in a set of 100w H3's into these housings and see how they do.


Here's the Amp, an MTX 4200X, 4ch, 200w, with built in X-overs. Front is ran 2ohm stereo to all 4 speakers, and the rear is bridged 4ohm to a single 10" sub in the back. (just for low-fill, not trying to win any DB or SPL contests here.) -that, and I wanted something that can be removed very easily for cargo room, etc.
 
JANUARY 2012:
Here's the results of the illumination upgrade/fix on my rear defrost switch.
Basically a tear down of the switch, and swap of the illumination bulb for an LED...
You can find the full step-by-step write up on the process here:
http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?p=245557733#post245557733








I really like the look of this clean, white illumination, and with the resistor, its not a "Hyper-LED" look, it looks OEM, and more modern.
I'm planning on doing this to the entire dash including the heater controls,
as well as the instrument cluster in the very near future.
 
Uh that dent in your down pipe is suppose to be there for drive shaft clearance, thats done from the factory, However if you have a pretty good lift on your Jeep you probably wont need it.
 
AUGUST 2012:
That weekend wheeling trip with the Jolly Jeepers lead to two small bits of damage.

CHRISTMAS 2012:
Christmas has came and gone, and under the tree I found no Jeep parts from Santa,
did I fall asleep and miss a year?:banghead:


now THAT's what I call a true cat-back exhaust!! ^^^

seriously, though-- you've got a good looking rig that you can take pride in having done everything to!
 
did I fall asleep and miss a year?:banghead:
D'OH!!! Oops, yea thats my bad, and now I can go back and edit it... oh well, I think most people will get the jist of the time line.... Thanks for pointing that out though.


now THAT's what I call a true cat-back exhaust!!
...GROAN..... what a comedian!! lol!

seriously, though-- you've got a good looking rig that you can take pride in having done everything to!
Thank you very much. I try to take pride in my work, especially doing everything myself. And although I'm not dropping big bucks on this build, and doing most of this on a pretty tight budget, my goal is to end up with a great rig that's both capable and reliable. - I appreciate the feedback!
 
Wow that HNT sye was a pain for you eh. Should have just gotten the AA would have taken way less time to put in! since you had to take the case apart anyways!

I have nothing against the hack and tap, tons of people use them for years. The AA just seems like a better choice.
 
Wow that HNT sye was a pain for you eh. Should have just gotten the AA would have taken way less time to put in! since you had to take the case apart anyways!

I have nothing against the hack and tap, tons of people use them for years. The AA just seems like a better choice.
Believe me if Advance Adapters (or anyone else for that mater) made a short shaft conversion for the NP242 I would have done it in a heart beat. But as it stands Tom Woods is the only one making a yoke style output shaft conversion for the np242. http://www.4x4groupbuy.com/store/woods-np242-shaft-free-shipping-p-4937.html And at $850.00 It's not even an option for 99% of us. I have contemplated switching over to a 231, but that's not really high priority. I've beaten the hell out of this H'n'T and it's held up just fine... In the future I will do the swap, but for now, this is fine.
 
It can't be said too often on here, but GREAT write-up!
 
Thanks guys I appreciate the feedback and support.... All that helps keep my bank account nice and drained! HA!, Tax returns are just right around the corner - haven't done them up yet, so I dont have a spending amount yet....but I'm gonna do my best to make some big changes here in the near future. Stay tuned!
 
Well Taxes have come back, and some of the refunds are going into the Jeep (of course)....
Here's the list:

  • 1-ton Steering Upgrade
  • Adjustable Track Bar
  • (possibly) New Drop Pitman Arm
  • Rear Main Seal
  • New Catalytic Converter
  • New Exhaust Manifold/Header
  • Offroad Lights


I've started ordering parts, and here's whats in shipment as I write:
New Catalytic Converter: (Roughly $75 - Shipped)
http://performance-curve.com/2goerlichcatalyticconverterobdii608214-1-2.aspx
608396.jpg

thunderbolt2.jpg


New Exhaust Manifold: (Roughly $73 - Shipped)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Exhaust-Manifold-Jeep-Wrangler-99-98-97-95-94-93-92-91-Cherokee-Car-4883385-/250913149079?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Year%3A1999|Make%3AJeep|Model%3ACherokee&vxp=mtr&hash=item3a6b96d097
KGrHqRpE8Vh2ttUBPNeSP7rMQ60_12.jpg


Offroad Lights: (Roughly $41 for all 4 - Shipped)
Pin Spots (will be mounted center of roof rack)
C8006W.jpg

Driving Beams (will be mounted outside of center on roof rack)
C8005W.jpg

C8006W_schematic.jpg


That's it so far - I think I have a deal worked out to to have a completely custom fabbed steering upgrade - I MAY go OTK on this- we'll see. - If so... the whole thing will be custom - including the track bar.
The rear main seal I'll be picking up soon. (prob from the stealership)... I will of course do a full pic-heavy write up as soon as the parts come in.
 
Well parts have started rolling in, The Lights, Headers, and Cat have all arrived this week. (I'll post pics in a min....)
I also just ordered: (parts will ship out tomorrow and should be here next week)

  • 1.00" DOM H/D Steering upgrade kit (tie rod/drag link)
  • Double Shear Track Bar
  • Steering Box Brace
  • Drop Pitman Arm


And I'll be picking up from NAPA tomorrow:

  • Felpro Two-Piece Rear Main Seal
  • Felpro One-Piece Oil Pan Gasket
  • Loctite 518


There's gonna be some serious wrenching going on in the next couple weeks,
I'll be sure to post up pics of the parts as they come in, and of course do a full write-up of the installation as it happens.
STAY TUNED!!!
 
Pics as promised:




 
How'd you fix that loose exhaust hanger?
I couldn't find that mount anywhere.
I replaced the trans mount but not the hanger mount.
Where'd you get it?
 
How'd you fix that loose exhaust hanger?
I couldn't find that mount anywhere.
I replaced the trans mount but not the hanger mount.
Where'd you get it?
It was actually already there, I just used a a not of muscle and a big a$$ pry bar to get it back in place, Oh and a little lube to make sure it slid in with ease....

Where did you get those lights from?
Awesome wright up!
Hey thanks! I appreciate the feedback.
The brand is "Blazer" Here's their site:
http://blazer-international.com/products
I found out that I could order and get them drop shipped through Walmart of all places... Here's the Part numbers:
SPOT BEAM: C8006W
DRIVING BEAM: 8002KW or (CW8002K this is Walmart's number - same light though.)
I just need to figure out a way to mount them to my rack. I've been toying around with a couple designs here at work...(machined tabs that I'll weld on.) But I may opt for something that's more adjustable. I just dont want to end up spending $20-$30 per mount for these.
Y'all have seen my rack (lol) so you know what I'm working with..... Any ideas?
 
More Parts:
parts.jpg

Picked up (2) two-piece Rear Main Seals (just in case I screw one up)
And a 1 piece Oil Pan Gasket.
Also some gasket maker (same as Loctite 815)
 
Last weekend didnt bode well for time in the garage to work on the Jeep.
My "hunny-do" list become 10 times longer than it should have.
So the only thing I got done was fabbing up a mounting system for the light on the rack.
I still have the exhaust work to do AND the maintenance
.... and on top of that, The rest of my parts came in today (YAY!... Birthday presents!!!) - that I bought for myself....
.... well its still cool to get a mass load of parts delivered on your birthday, even if you had to buy them yourself.
Just arrived:

  • 1.00" DOM H/D Steering upgrade kit (tie rod/drag link)
  • Double Shear Track Bar
  • Steering Box Brace
  • Drop Pitman Arm
I'll post pics of all the new parts, as well as my install of the lights later tonight.
 
I know I'm a couple/few days behind on this, but here's the new parts for the steering upgrade. I haven't yet gotten to the install, so for now, these are just sitting in my spare room taunting me:
 
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