Introduction / 98 XJ Build

[machspeed]

Hey VAhasnoWaves, I like your new wheels, and I'm going to let you finish, but I have been making the best mods of all time........

Since my last update:
Front skid plate, and de-stickered the whole tamale (Thanks Walt)
Hood Pins
AC parts removal
Home made intake
(had a broken air box- total cost including new K&N filter was $30, I am that awesome)
Alternator relocation

And finally gave the Jeep the once annual car wash, hence the driveway poser shots.

This weeks agenda also includes finishing the rear bumper and tire carrier, and probably the SYE and rear shaft install, plus me being super lazy and sitting around doing nothing for a while.

 

[VAhasnoWAVES]

what am i "finishing". :dunno:

im digging the alternator location and tons of engine space. should make motor mounts a breeze when the time comes. i want to do those and the tranny mount once i get the SYE installed because im sure 50k miles at the new angle has worn them out. though you forgot that you got your rear BPEs done. whats next on the list after the SYE? we need to put in a bulk order for some offroad lights or at least fogs and see if we can get a discount. ill help you install a 136amp ZJ unit to power them.

ive also got something up my sleeve. remember that D30 i picked up for someone? his truck crapped out and ill be holding onto it a little while longer. i may just buy it for what he payed, gear it, and use it to mock up WJ steering. even if i dont... its just a matter of some fresh paint, swapping my unit bearing/shafts... and getting an alignment.



PS- i just realized i used way too many smileys.

 

[REWSTER]

what am i "finishing". :dunno:
.

Kanye west reference

http://www.google.com/search?um=1&h...i+was+gonna+let+you+finish&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=

 

[machspeed]

though you forgot that you got your rear BPEs done. whats next on the list after the SYE?

I am trying to forget that install, your were there so you know why.

I am not sure on what is next, I have been putting off the 8.8 swap almost as long as I have had the Jeep. So I would like to continue to put that off and find something else to work on

we need to put in a bulk order for some offroad lights or at least fogs and see if we can get a discount.

I had Hella 500 lights on the front, but they were broken by some a-hole. I think I want HID lights next, maybe an LED light setup, not sure yet. Whatever it is, it will be baller.

ill help you install a 136amp ZJ unit to power them.

Really easy swap now, alternator being on top is nice. I am not ready to rewire yet, battery might still get relocated in the future.

and use it to mock up WJ steering

WJ steering and brakes would be awesome, but I am happy with my ZJ steering and ease of finding stock parts.


And yes, that was a Kanye reference

 

[VAhasnoWAVES]

aaaahhhhh... i see what you did there. cute. let me know when you want to wheel that thing.



also... any chance of getting your hands in as help on the rocker replacement?

 

[machspeed]

aaaahhhhh... i see what you did there. cute. let me know when you want to wheel that thing.



also... any chance of getting your hands in as help on the rocker replacement?

I actually took it around some friends property just a few days ago, that was what prompted me to spray the dirt off. And I could offer assistance with rocker replacement, you going oe or copy my ride and go tube steel?

 

[VAhasnoWAVES]

for the work involved and cost... itd be dumb not to just do sliders.

 

[machspeed]

for the work involved and cost... itd be dumb not to just do sliders.

I think you should do boatsides, go all the way, you proved that you can hit your rockers at will.

 

[VAhasnoWAVES]

im going to school for meteorology... your the engineer... you come up with something.

ha!

 

[Rev Den]

At this point, cut 'em out and tube them.

Rev

 

[machspeed]

im going to school for meteorology... your the engineer... you come up with something.

ha!

After doing the tube on mine, I know exactly how I would boat side an XJ, and other than trimming the doors, the boatside is about the same amount of work, and maybe cheaper for materials too.

 

[machspeed]

Finally got my tire carrier to a place where it is functional. Still have some smoothing and finishing, but it is 1000% better than before.

A greasable 1" bolt and bushings for a hinge, and a latch plus a pin for the drivers side. Add in a cable and lock for the tire security, and I am money.

 

[VAhasnoWAVES]

im going to replace the bearings in my carrier soon. im curious to see the longevity of a poly bushing vs a roller bearing.



nice liscense plate location.

 

[machspeed]

It is actually just a standard 1" bolt, with a piece of tube stock with a grease fitting. At each end of the tube stock, there is a metal bushing that fits between the bolt and tube stock, also keeps the grease inside the tube.

It is from a piece of heavy machinery, and the strength is limited by my brackets being only 3/16", on the machines it came from it supported much more weight than my lousy tire carrier.

 

[machspeed]

After a month and a few days of use, and actually putting grease in the hinge for the tire carrier, it will open and close with one finger, even on an incline. If I had actual decent metal tools, I might even consider selling one or two to make a few bucks because I have had no luck finding paying jobs yet this summer. And because of no money going into my account, the project has stalled for the time being...bummer

 

[machspeed]

Decided to wash all the bugs and dirt from last weekend off, so there is no better time to take a few pics while I am at it. I also rotated the spare onto the vehicle, so no more new tire hanging off the back.

And everybody told me that the add a leaf lift in the back would settle, after more than a year, the answer is still no. Maybe I should go back to stock leaves and a shackle, or a shackle relocation.

 

[VAhasnoWAVES]

And everybody told me that the add a leaf lift in the back would settle, after more than a year, the answer is still no. Maybe I should go back to stock leaves and a shackle, or a shackle relocation.

i like a little rack... mine had it until i added the carrier.

i plan to do the shackle relocation, and see where im at. my shackles are almost dead vertical. if it needs leveling, id like to add ACOS. my front bump on one side is missing. two birds with one metaphorical stone right?

 

[machspeed]

I still need to bump the front and rear of mine, but with how little I wheel, I am ok with a little tire rub. And I do not like having rake on mine, even with gear and the tire hanging off the back, it still sits a little higher. I do think I am down to about 2.5" lift in the front though.

I also had a headlight go out last week, turns out it was not the bulb, but the headlight plug, so that had to get replaced yesterday. Fun fun.

 

[VAhasnoWAVES]

i had a headlight you could have used... :doh:

i even ran through mount pleasant. :gee:

 

[machspeed]

I need a new regular headlight anyway, to accompany the new one on the driver side from a few months ago. Was the headlight that silverstar I gave you......

Either way, turned out the headlight plug was broken and corroded, I have no idea how it continued to work for so long, it was that bad. I would bet the driver side plug needs replacing too.