First XJ - Needs a little work

[chattacuda]

We bought a 94 XJ in January. It has had some mods by the previous owner ( full width HP44 and 9' from a 70 F100 and custom 4 link in back and long arms to a custom cross member). That is about it. The differentials are stock and both open. It has about 6 inch of lift ( guessing) and all I have done is replace the tires ( 35" MTs). I am looking for someone in the area ( I live in Dayton TN, about halfway between Knoxville and Chattanooga) that can take a look at it and point me in the right direction for the next steps. The I know the coils and front shocks need fab work. I am planning to buy 4.88s for it, thinking a detroit in the front and a spool in the back. I have done a lot of wheeling in my day and used to have a dodge cab truck, 440, with a D60 up front and an Eaton in back and 44s, but this jeep/ fords stuff is new to me. I can make about anything, just want to make it right the first time if you know what I mean. We got it so we can take the grandkids riding, and have taken it once to Winrock on the easy trails to see how the gkids like it and they love it.

 

[Mr.Shrek]

Congrats on the XJ. There are a good number of members in your area. For a good shop check out Rock Solid Off Road. His name is Tyer and you can find him @ www.rocksolidfab.com

 

[Cottontail]

Check out the SEC Staging Area sub-forum. There is a ride in Jasper TN this weekend (Aug 14). There will be plenty of people there that might offer some insight. As well, you can test it out on these trails since you did alright at Windrock.

Meeting at 8:00 CT in Jasper. Specifics are on the thread

http://naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1039548


Welcome aboard.

 

[PacificEd]

Welcome aboard! That was sure fast....you just turned red this morning.

There is a lot of good information here both for stock, mildly modified and severely built rigs.

 

[High2by]

Welcome!

It'd be great if you could make it to the Cove this weekend. There will be several riding along that could give some good advice to you and answer any questions.

Post up some pics when you get a chance.

 

[chattacuda]

Welcome aboard! That was sure fast....you just turned red this morning.

There is a lot of good information here both for stock, mildly modified and severely built rigs.

what does " just turned red" mean? You know us Tennessee boys like orange!

 

[XJfreakHO]

Red refers to becoming a member, aka you paid your $35 dollars or whatever the current cost is.
Welcome to the board, sounds like a pretty great rig, get some pictures up.

 

[chattacuda]

heres a post-mud pic from Winrock. Only thing I have handy. If this works, I will get some more pics of the problem areas I am trying to solve. Found the frame around the steering box is pretty cracked today when I was taking stock of the work that lies ahead!! Thanks for all the feedback so quickly. Guess I better weld up the frame before I go anywhere!

 

[XJfreakHO]

Jeep is unibody, and there is loads of stress there, very common place for damage.

 

[Team Willys]

Welcome!

Get your frame rail welded up and join us for the ride this weekend!

We are actually having a dinner in the RSOR shop afterwards, so feel free to join us for a good friendly evening. You can take a look at some of the things I have to offer, as well as put faces to the names on here.

Tyler

 

[chattacuda]

Well, I have started on the steering box/ frame reinforcement. A guy at a local 4WD shop here in Dayton had a used frame reinforcement plate from his old XJ that I bought. I am making a template from it for the other side to use as a better bumper mount. The bumper I have is just bolted thru the three front ears on the frame, and not the underside of the frame. The bumper is off, the steering box is off, and hopefully will get to the grinding/ welding/ reassembly stage over the next few days. Thanks again for all the suggestions. Look forward to meeting some of you all soon.

I have ordered the SYE and driveshaft from Tom Woods.

 

[FlexdXJ]

heres a post-mud pic from Winrock. Only thing I have handy. If this works, I will get some more pics of the problem areas I am trying to solve. Found the frame around the steering box is pretty cracked today when I was taking stock of the work that lies ahead!! Thanks for all the feedback so quickly. Guess I better weld up the frame before I go anywhere!

Make sure you stop drill those cracks and get a steering box brace and frame tie-ins to prevent it from happening again.

 

[chattacuda]

yeah, it was cracked pretty bad on both sides and the bottom. Maybe the top too; haven't got a good look at that yet. Got the sides and bottom stop drilled and welded and will put frame braces on tomorrow. Have to come up with a design for a steering brace. Now I am thinking I better plate the frame front to back. However I gave it a good look over on the lift and the rest looks good. Ordered some RE express 5.5 lift springs to go on it and lower the front 2 inches. Still have to figure out what coil springs to get for back to lower it 2 inches too. Have to admit I like wrenching on it though!

 

[chattacuda]

Well, I finally got the front frame braces for both sides made and installed. I had to cut off the brackets the PO had made for a budget lift using stock XJ springs. I decided to go ahead a pull the D44 out for spool/ 4.88 gears and better lower coil brackets yesterday. I guess while it is down this far I will go ahead and do the OTK mod and install full length frame braces. I want to make some sliders and the braces will be needed for those anyway. Here we go!
http://s808.photobucket.com/albums/zz5/chattacuda/93 XJ/Frame Brace Work/