Mira's '93 XJ 2-dr. build (11-year-old's first Jeep)

[1x1_Speed_Craig]

Is it an auto tranny? Do you know if it would be a direct bolt in for a 2001? I think I read something about years not playing nice together die to the computer or something..? If it would work, how much would you want for the tranny/t-case? Mine will need them since its still only 2wd.

No tranny. More details in the Midwest For Sale thread. Let's keep Mira's build thread on-topic.

 

[1x1_Speed_Craig]

This week, I completed a budget-boost install on Mira's Jeep, along with mounting up the Ravine wheels & 31" x 10.5" KM2 tires.

Today, I got the 8.25 rear axle pulled today. Dana 44 install tomorrow, hopefully. I also got a bunch of the interior items stripped out of the 1999 "donor" Jeep.

 

[1x1_Speed_Craig]

More progress today. The Dana 44 is 90% installed. I still need to hook up the brake lines, and figure out where I'm going to route the vent line (and also trim down the u-bolts).

 

[xcm]

That 2door late model is SHARP, youre a lucky girl mira.

The shocks even match...

 

[1x1_Speed_Mira]

Hiya, Mira here. I want to send out a HUGE thanks to our friend, Mitch Ware, for sponsoring my jeep project with a cash donation. We really appreciate your generosity to my jeep project. We will use the money well.

I also want to thank JCR Offroad for sponsoring me with an AWESOME discount on my Ultimate Sliders for my Jeep Cherokee. I appreciate it and I will post pictures of them once we get them installed.

 

[Goose_XJ88]

Yay updates! This is really awesome what you are doing Craig. Cant wait to have kids of my own someday and be able to do something like this.

Congrats to you Mira on the new 2door and to your little sis on her new rig too. Cant wait to see more progress. Now off to search for the other build thread..haha

 

[xjlongo]

Great Build so far ! Its going to be an awesome rig when done

 

[1x1_Speed_Craig]

Quick update...I bought a "new" house (no garage yet) in January, so progress has been slow with the move, getting settled in, etc.

Mira & I (finally) finished painting her brake calipers with Eastwood caliper paint (one of Mira's sponsorships). We obviously did it with brushes vs. spraying. Overall, it seems like good stuff, and seems to be more durable initially than some Duplicolor (aerosol) caliper paint I have used in the past.

A couple weeks ago, I got the calipers/pads installed, and the brake lines hooked up & bled. I would have liked to have done this with Mira, but am trying to balance progress with the limited time I have with my girls (I'm a divorced dad, and this was a non-kid weekend).

After the install, I got it out for a road test for the first time with the 3.73 gearing and disc brakes. I really liked the gearing with the 31" (actual 30") tires. The brakes seemed to work pretty well, but I may look into a disc/disc proportioning valve before it's all done. It feels like I could still gain some braking performance out of this set-up. Keep in mind that, while it was a different vehicle platform, the rear axle (and the front that will eventually be swapped in) came out of my former 2005 Unlimited, so I know how the brakes performed on that vehicle.

I hope to make a little more progress with my girls over Memorial weekend. More to come...

 

[831_xj]

God I am so jealous! Mira has the best dad in the world! Definitely doing it right, killer jeep!

 

[Fore Wheeler]

Glad to see you back working on this Craig. My son in law and I were talking about you this weekend, he still needs to get a steering wheel from you at some point.

 

[1x1_Speed_Craig]

Today, we made some more progress on Mira's XJ. She swapped out a broken tail light (probably the first of many), and we got the rear bumper removed in preparation for installing her JCR Offroad gas tank skid plate.

Mira & her little sis Maeve helped get the bolts in after I hoisted it up under the Jeep. We also used JCR nut strips, which made the install very easy & straightforward.

Mira torquing down the skid plate bolts.

Mira's post-JCR Offroad gas tank skid plate install "rear window doodling".

And finally, a post-work "victory spin" around the yard.

 

[1x1_Speed_Craig]

BTW, thanks Dan (Fore Wheeler). Give me a shout when you want to take a look at the steering wheels I have.

 

[Glenn B]

I love this thread. Great stuff, thanks!

 

[Fore Wheeler]

Re: Re: Mira's '93 XJ 2-dr. build (11-year-old's first Jeep)

BTW, thanks Dan (Fore Wheeler). Give me a shout when you want to take a look at the steering wheels I have.

Will do. You're still in the gr area?

 

[1x1_Speed_Craig]

Yes, NE GR. I just messaged you, as well.

 

[johnkherd]

Awesome build.

 

[1x1_Speed_Craig]

Thanks John.

 

[1x1_Speed_Craig]

We made some progress on Mira's XJ interior removal today. The headliner and much of the interior trim is removed, and ready for the replacement as-needed. We also plan on having the windshield replaced while it's out. Next, we'll be running the wiring for her Gentex temp/compass mirror, and also lighted sun visors (an upgrade for this Jeep).

Keeping track of the trim & screws for future reinstall.

Behold, the ugly, saggy headliner. Girl Power 1, Headliner 0.

And a post-work victory lap around the yard.

 

[Fore Wheeler]

Is the jeep shrinking, or is your daughter getting bigger? How long till she gets her license? Looking great Mira and Craig.

 

[1x1_Speed_Craig]

Is the jeep shrinking, or is your daughter getting bigger? How long till she gets her license? Looking great Mira and Craig.

LOL. Mira just turned 13 in July, and is getting quite "long". On a related note, we, unfortunately, were broken into the day before her birthday, and had all of our (high-end) mountain bikes stolen, along with an iPad Mini (Mira's b-day present), among other things. We just got Mira a replacement bike, and the 19" frame is the same size I ride. It's hard to believe she's getting this tall/big! Time passes so quickly.

Craig