EugeneTheTJ
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- North Carolina
Why's that?
-
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EugeneTheTJ's 2000 XJ Build Thread
- Thread starter EugeneTheTJ
- Start date
Why's that?
Re: Re: EugeneTheTJ's 2000 XJ Build Thread
They look flat in the picture. I think that's what he is getting at...
They look flat in the picture. I think that's what he is getting at...
EugeneTheTJ
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- North Carolina
From what I know about leafs, flat is okay. Got to remember this is an expedition build. Not going for monster flex here...going for ride quality.
If I'm missing something though, tell me!
EugeneTheTJ
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- North Carolina
Been mocking up my rear seat dog platform with some cardboard. Going to try to get the design hammered down then hopefully produce the final version sometime this weekend.
EugeneTheTJ
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- North Carolina
Got a call from the shop saying my tires are in.
Scheduled the install for this Saturday. Hopefully the week will go by fast!
Scheduled the install for this Saturday. Hopefully the week will go by fast!
EugeneTheTJ
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- North Carolina
Base of the platform is done. I'll get final pics when installed but it isn't quite done yet.
My inspiration:
I was on a flight a few weeks ago so of course I had to browse through the Skymall catalog. Most of it, as you know, is complete crap and gimmicks but I stumbled across this and realized that it was actually quite a neat idea:
http://www.skymall.com/all-in-one-carrier-for-4-door-vehicles/CDI101.html#cgid=10710&start=4
I have several problems with that product:
1) It doesn't look to be super well-built
2) It doesn't match my interior well
3) It's overpriced ($130). A folding table at Wal-Mart is like $40. Same basic technology...
4) It's universal fit so there are going to be gaps and issues
My logic:
Here is a pic of my backseat
Here is a pic of my dog
As the XJ is my expedition rig, and my dog is a member of the crew, I have to consider him when building the vehicle. As you all know, there isn't exactly a plethora of space inside the Jeep. As such, the back cargo area has to be used for exactly that purpose...cargo. However, he still needs an isolated space for himself. Given his size, the bottom half of the stock seat isn't exactly overly comfortable for long excursions.
Solution:
Design and build my own custom fit rear seat dog platform. This will serve two purposes:
1) Provide him with a larger space for trips
2) Create useful storage in the rear footwell that is (a) protected from sight from unwanted outside viewers and (b)separate from the dog.
(b) is important because it keeps things away from him (like food/treats) that he doesn't need to be able to reach by himself and it keeps him from falling off the seat onto whatever is in the footwell in the event of a sudden stop.
The product:
I still have to mount the support braces (legs) but this gives you an idea of what I made.
Laid in place (forgive the resolution, it was taken at 6am this morning. Better pics to come...)
Once the finished product is in place, I will be sure to include a test pic as well.
My inspiration:
I was on a flight a few weeks ago so of course I had to browse through the Skymall catalog. Most of it, as you know, is complete crap and gimmicks but I stumbled across this and realized that it was actually quite a neat idea:
http://www.skymall.com/all-in-one-carrier-for-4-door-vehicles/CDI101.html#cgid=10710&start=4
I have several problems with that product:
1) It doesn't look to be super well-built
2) It doesn't match my interior well
3) It's overpriced ($130). A folding table at Wal-Mart is like $40. Same basic technology...
4) It's universal fit so there are going to be gaps and issues
My logic:
Here is a pic of my backseat
Here is a pic of my dog
As the XJ is my expedition rig, and my dog is a member of the crew, I have to consider him when building the vehicle. As you all know, there isn't exactly a plethora of space inside the Jeep. As such, the back cargo area has to be used for exactly that purpose...cargo. However, he still needs an isolated space for himself. Given his size, the bottom half of the stock seat isn't exactly overly comfortable for long excursions.
Solution:
Design and build my own custom fit rear seat dog platform. This will serve two purposes:
1) Provide him with a larger space for trips
2) Create useful storage in the rear footwell that is (a) protected from sight from unwanted outside viewers and (b)separate from the dog.
(b) is important because it keeps things away from him (like food/treats) that he doesn't need to be able to reach by himself and it keeps him from falling off the seat onto whatever is in the footwell in the event of a sudden stop.
The product:
I still have to mount the support braces (legs) but this gives you an idea of what I made.
Laid in place (forgive the resolution, it was taken at 6am this morning. Better pics to come...)
Once the finished product is in place, I will be sure to include a test pic as well.
EugeneTheTJ
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- North Carolina
Cost:
Wood...already had on hand so cost was $0
Carpet...$18
Carpet Adhesive (use liquid cement next time)...$6
Hinge for support beams (legs)...$3
Total cost...$27
Skymall cost...$130
Savings...$103
Satisfaction of homebuilt quality...priceless.
Wood...already had on hand so cost was $0
Carpet...$18
Carpet Adhesive (use liquid cement next time)...$6
Hinge for support beams (legs)...$3
Total cost...$27
Skymall cost...$130
Savings...$103
Satisfaction of homebuilt quality...priceless.
EugeneTheTJ
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- North Carolina
Tires got installed yesterday. 31x10.50 Definity (Cooper) Dakota A/T's.
I went with these tires for a few reasons. They're manufactured by Cooper, they have a 50K mile tread warranty and, most important, the price. As some of you may know the A/T is discontinued and has been replaced with the Dakota AT2. The guy at Pep Boys sourced me the last set of 31 inch A/Ts in existence (5 tires).
Price? $19.99 per tire.
I went with these tires for a few reasons. They're manufactured by Cooper, they have a 50K mile tread warranty and, most important, the price. As some of you may know the A/T is discontinued and has been replaced with the Dakota AT2. The guy at Pep Boys sourced me the last set of 31 inch A/Ts in existence (5 tires).
Price? $19.99 per tire.
EugeneTheTJ
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- North Carolina
On a less happy note, I also overheated yesterday. Was on my way home and about 2 miles from my house the Check Gauges light came on and temp shot up to about 260. I pulled over and killed it. Got out and there was some steam coming from near the valve cover but no clear signs of anything spewing. For fear of really messing **** up, I got towed home. Unfortunately I don't have time to fix it myself right now so I am gonna have it towed to a shop tomorrow.
I just pray it isn't the head.
I just pray it isn't the head.
EugeneTheTJ
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- North Carolina
I'm gonna see what the shop says.
The pulley had been sounding a little funny beforehand so I have a feeling it might just be the waterpump. I hope so at least.
The shop I'm taking it to is a local family-owned, Christian-oriented business. Hopefully they will be trustworthy and honest with me.
Jeepedo129
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Henderson, NV
If its not the water pump I would do a coolant flush. Xjs have cronic issues with cooling if you (or the previous owner) don't flush the system regularly.
On 99-01 Xjs The Check Gauges light comes on around 220ish, once you hit that mark, the gauge springs over to the 260. This doesn't mean you hit 260, I guess its kind of a dummy feature the Jeep engineers added to scare you from really over heating.
Also, when an over heat condition occurs, instead of shutting down the engine, it is better to let the engine idle with the climate control set to full hot and the fan on high. This will allow the engine to cool gradually.
EugeneTheTJ
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- North Carolina
Shop said it looks to just be the water pump. Getting a new pump, thermostat, and coolant flush.
The power of prayer works wonders!
The power of prayer works wonders!
Tony_SS
NAXJA Supporting Vendor
- Location
- Washington MO
Just in case, keep an eye on your oil fill cap to make sure no goo starts forming.. also watch your antifreeze level closely.
I went thru all of this when I bought my xj. Like a dummy I bought an 00 with "valve train noise".. the PO overheated it and the cracked head took out the bearings. Best of luck to you.
I went thru all of this when I bought my xj. Like a dummy I bought an 00 with "valve train noise".. the PO overheated it and the cracked head took out the bearings. Best of luck to you.
EugeneTheTJ
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- North Carolina
Have any of yall removed the gas tank heat shield?
Mine is rattling and I was wondering if I could remove it and be okay. I don't want the tailpipe to melt the tank but then again I imagine the tank is pretty sturdy.
An alternative would be for me to pick up a skid for it but it would be a few weeks before I could install that anyways.
Mine is rattling and I was wondering if I could remove it and be okay. I don't want the tailpipe to melt the tank but then again I imagine the tank is pretty sturdy.
An alternative would be for me to pick up a skid for it but it would be a few weeks before I could install that anyways.
EugeneTheTJ
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- North Carolina
Ordered a set of JCR nutstrips. Figured it would allow me to get the back setup pieced together correctly and let me reinstall my hitch.
Not sure when I will have time to install them but hopefully soon!
Not sure when I will have time to install them but hopefully soon!
Tony_SS
NAXJA Supporting Vendor
- Location
- Washington MO
They are were well worth the $ when I put my Curt hitch on.. You notice the unibody firmed up too.
EugeneTheTJ
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- North Carolina
I wish I didn't need them but I'm pretty sure the factory one got bent somehow. Plan is to take everything back there apart and reinstall it all correctly. I will most likely be repainting my bumper while I have it off as well.
EugeneTheTJ
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- North Carolina
Should've come like this from the factory...
EugeneTheTJ
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- North Carolina
Wrapped up the dog platform this morning. Legs were made from treated 2x4s wrapped in the same carpet as the platform itself.
In place. A shot of the underneath storage area. Plenty of space for human and dog snacks, water/food bowls, a first aid kit, and our daypacks.
Kid tested, father approved.
In place. A shot of the underneath storage area. Plenty of space for human and dog snacks, water/food bowls, a first aid kit, and our daypacks.
Kid tested, father approved.
