New Project... UPDATED

[Glenn B]

Picked this up today for cheap. Will be a mild build. Maybe 3-4.5 inches. It is 2001, so I have to do my homework on these newer Jeeps. All of the last 9 XJ's I have had have been Renix, except for one.

Took me a while to get the drivers door to open. But even with the crushed rocker, it now opens and closes.

 

[GSequoia]

Re: New Project... wife says it is ugly

Nice, there are a few things I like about the later Jeeps, especially the larger mirrors.


Be forwarned, they don't get as good fuel economy as an old Renix!

 

[bjoehandley]

Re: New Project... wife says it is ugly

What part of Illinois did that XJ come from?

My '98 is still surprisingly solid (well, for a Suburban Chicago vehicle anyway), but the rockers are both getting pretty questionable looking!

 

[Glenn B]

Re: New Project... wife says it is ugly

I think it came from the Chicago area. I hope Beezil did not pee on it.

What part of Illinois did that XJ come from?

My '98 is still surprisingly solid (well, for a Suburban Chicago vehicle anyway), but the rockers are both getting pretty questionable looking!

 

[bjoehandley]

Re: New Project... wife says it is ugly

Wow, it looms clean! Any more, the rockers on these have already started rotting out far worse than my '98 has even started to!

 

[FlexdXJ]

Re: New Project... wife says it is ugly

Replace the rockers with 2x6 and get another door and it should look fine!

 

[Glenn B]

Re: New Project... wife says it is ugly

Yes, that is part of the plan.

Replace the rockers with 2x6 and get another door and it should look fine!

 

[XJEEPER]

Re: New Project... wife says it is ugly

Glenn, I jumped from an 89 XJ to a 2000 and have never regretted the move. Looking foreward to your build.

 

[Glenn B]

Re: New Project... wife says it is ugly

Thanks. I am looking forward to it as well. When the 89 sells, will be time to start ordering goodies.

 

[DrMoab]

Re: New Project... wife says it is ugly

Hows the rust?
The biggest mistake I ever made was buying an XJ from Chicago.

 

[Beezil]

Re: New Project... wife says it is ugly

I think it came from the Chicago area. I hope Beezil did not pee on it.

No….I didn't pee *ON* it……

 

[Glenn B]

Re: New Project... wife says it is ugly

I wondered what that smell was inside. There was, what I thought was dog hair, all over the inside. Now it makes sense that it was Beezil hair. LOL.

Mickey Thompson Baja MTZ's 33x12.50-15, 4.5 in. lift kit, and Superchips Trail Jammer kit ordered today.

No….I didn't pee *ON* it……

 

[Glenn B]

Re: New Project... wife says it is ugly

This is the kit I am getting:

http://www.roughcountry.com/jeep-suspension-lift-kit-perf686.html

 

[Glenn B]

Re: New Project... wife says it is ugly

And the parts begin to arrive. These showed up at work today:

 

[bjoehandley]

Re: New Project... wife says it is ugly

Wow, you ain't wasting anytime!



You'll need that unwasted time for dealing with the bolts underneith..................trust me.

 

[Glenn B]

Re: New Project... wife says it is ugly

Yeah, no doubt about that. Been soaking bolts since I got it. And crossing my fingers.

Wow, you ain't wasting anytime!



You'll need that unwasted time for dealing with the bolts underneith..................trust me.

 

[Glenn B]

Re: New Project... wife says it is ugly

Crossing my fingers was NOT enough, nor was the pre-soaking. It took me 4.5 hours just to R&R the rear springs. Of course all 4 upper shock bolts broke, but I expected that. The shackle and spring bolts sucked up a lot of time. I should have just got new bolts ahead of time and cut them out. News springs are in, will deal with the shock bolts later. New tires are also mounted.

Front end was a PIA. Passenger shock came out with little issue. Drivers side was a royal PIA with all of the ABS and associated crap in the way. Frame side track bar bracket eventually needed a torch on one bolt. The inner frame side weld-nut spun, and did not find a good way to hold it... as it is ROUND. WTH. Torched it off.

Both upper body side control arm mount bolts turned in to another rust drama. Sawzall, air chisel came in handy.

Alas, I ran out of time. Will not get to work on it again until Friday. The control arms are now all ready to come off, and then do the cross-member and long arm install.

I miss working on a rust free Jeep.

 

[bjoehandley]

Re: New Project... wife says it is ugly

tell be about it:banghead:

 

[Glenn B]

Re: New Project... wife says it is ugly

Drove it home tonight... after a LONG day working on it.
So far:
Rough Country 4.5in Long Arm suspension. The rust and broken fasteners made everything a complete bitch.
Mickey Thompson 33x12.50-14 Baja MTZ's.
Superchips Trail Jammer kit. Includes a Flashpaq, bigger throttle body, and a cold air intake.

So far, everything is on except the cold air... it is not compatible with the ABS, so I have to make some changes to make it work. And all 4 upper shock bolts broke, so will do than on Monday. SS brake lines are another project. Most all steel lines look questionable and shall be replaced.

Ruffstuff Specialties steering (DOM and heims) are also on the to-do list. They are sitting in the garage.

I am having it aligned in the morning. Has been a busy few days with it.

 

[XJEEPER]

Re: New Project... wife says it is ugly

Lookin good, Glenn.