New tech filled mod!!!

[Matt S.]

This thread is probly going to die since I will be wheeling next weekend. So I will give more tech and updates in two weeks.

The only thing I dont like about that gate job is that I wont be able to use the FarmBoy lights. I will probly have to narrow and shop the hieght of the gate to get it to match the body lines. We shall see, hopefully i get the gate in the next few weeks.

I got one seat mounted and the steering wheel finally done. Also started the center console/dash.

A few pictures...

If anyone is considering doing the cam lock steering wheel removal kit, make sure you make a 1/4" spacer to go between the splined stub and the steering column. This will save you from having to grind away some splines to get it to lock and unlock fully.

 

[Jes]

Who's rig's that?
Billy

Kernel's.

 

[FarmerMatt]

does he "get it"?

He's gettin a lot of shop time.

 

[Jeff 98XJ WI]

Kernel's.

Excuse me for not knowing, but did this Kernel guy actually get that tailgate deal to work out on an xj? I would like to see some finished pics. Looks kind of neat in that one pic. Jeff

 

[sloppyjoe]

[QUOTE
Now I just got to figure how to make tube rockers... :rattle:

Matt[/QUOTE]



I think that it would be sweet if you brought the tubes down through the door, and then bend it up to where you would have a rocker. coming down from the internal cage. Then take some square tube to the unibody, and you would have the tube rockers with strenth from the bottom and top. I don't know alot about metal fab but the idea in my head looks pretty nice. Joe

 

[prerunnerXJ]

make this fit:

 

[Jes]

Excuse me for not knowing, but did this Kernel guy actually get that tailgate deal to work out on an xj? I would like to see some finished pics. Looks kind of neat in that one pic. Jeff

Yes, it actually works. He's in the process of his buildup.

 

[Matt S.]

thats the exact look I am going for! Prerunnerish dash. Very sweet. I just wont have the cool fiberglass dash. Just aluminum for me.

The rockers are going to be similar to what everyone else has done before. Square and dense. Then run tubing from the rockers to the floor tube. Its not really needed, but what have I done that is needed?

matt

 

[cccj]

So you spent all that time on design and fab for the strongest seat mounts, then bolted on seats with nutserts in plastic.
Why did you spend more on gauge pods than on your seats?

 

[Matt S.]

So you spent all that time on design and fab for the strongest seat mounts, then bolted on seats with nutserts in plastic.
Why did you spend more on gauge pods than on your seats?

How would you bolt them down? Nutserts are EXTREMLY strong. I have seen them hold to things welds have failed at. If they are done right. Your wrong on the whole "building strong seatmounts". One day this will be a buggified XJ, so building the platform right the first time is key. I am building a cage that is SUPER common in wranglers. Just doing it in a cherokee. I am not doing anything new and inovating. Maybe in a cherokee, but that dont matter.

Seats were 100 bucks total with covers. I have spent ALOT of money for someone my age. Upwards of 5k. Luckyly I know how to set gears, weld, paint, and repair anything mechanical. Hell I am not even 21 years old yet! I am doing the big time fab stuff now because 3 or 4 or 10 years down the road, I may not beable to. I can ALWAYS spend a thousand bucks on seats.

If I got some chincy gauges, and built a completly custom dash to fit those lame gauges, I would never be happy. Spend the money in the right places the first time.

Maybe next winter after my 1 ton axle swap I will BOLT IN some expensive ass seats. Until then, my doorless, hatchless, and windowless XJ will have seats that wont ruin in the rain, snow, and sun. Make sense?

Maybe this well help people understand me on this a little better.

I am all about the build. I love to wheel, dont get me wrong. But the BUILD is my hobby.

Matt

 

[cccj]

How would you bolt them down? I wouldn't. Rather I bought seats with frames.
Nutserts are EXTREMLY strong. I have seen them hold to things welds have failed at. If they are done right. They are only as strong as what they are attached to.
Your wrong on the whole "building strong seatmounts". One day this will be a buggified XJ, so building the platform right the first time is key. I am building a cage that is SUPER common in wranglers. Just doing it in a cherokee. I am not doing anything new and inovating. Maybe in a cherokee, but that dont matter. I completely agree with building it right the first time. I have done quite a few cages. Just reminding you that part of the safety of the cage is attaching the belts to it, especially with those style seats.

Seats were 100 bucks total with covers. I have spent ALOT of money for someone my age. Upwards of 5k. Luckyly I know how to set gears, weld, paint, and repair anything mechanical. Hell I am not even 21 years old yet! I am doing the big time fab stuff now because 3 or 4 or 10 years down the road, I may not beable to. I can ALWAYS spend a thousand bucks on seats.

If I got some chincy gauges, and built a completly custom dash to fit those lame gauges, I would never be happy. Spend the money in the right places the first time. Everyone has their definition of 'right places.'

Maybe next winter after my 1 ton axle swap I will BOLT IN some expensive ass seats. Until then, my doorless, hatchless, and windowless XJ will have seats that wont ruin in the rain, snow, and sun. Make sense?

Maybe this well help people understand me on this a little better.

I am all about the build. I love to wheel, dont get me wrong. But the BUILD is my hobby.

Matt

You seem to know what you are doing. Continue with your hobby.

 

[Matt S.]

OK!!!!

Today ChuckD and I tore into one of the last unmolested pieces on the heep. Knocked the rockers!!!

Just to set the record straight, I realy had no clue on what the hell I was going to wind up with or even what i was doing. Did not do an ounce of research. just 3 fast measurements to decide on the size of steel.

I am using 3"x5" .188" wall square tubing.

Step one... plasma anything that is close to the rockers.

Step two... think about what you just did and come up with a way to make it work!

Step three... weld the Apillar and the Cpillar/fender to the new rocker. Tie into cage for ultimate strenght!

After the fact I realized I had gained slightly more than 2" of rocker clearance. I still need to attach to floor to it somehow. Probly just going to use some strap or angle iron to cross the gap. Cut a LITTLE to much of the floor away.

I guess most people but the tube right up to the pinch seam. I cut those out and cut the next seam out as well. It is REALLY deep in there. But I dont have to protect the doors or body.

We also got the cage painted today. Though some dumass forgot to weld the lap belt mounts to the cage!!!!

Monday I set the rear gears up and wed. I put the rear end back in and work on the front end some more. So excited to have it within a month of being done for now!

Anything to say on things I may have overlooked on the rockers?

Matt

 

[BrettM]

when ya gonna be "trail ready"?

 

[BIGSLVRXJ]

Go with option 2 but please don't get the XJ up to 160. LOL, you'll be blowing oil out of places you didn't know had seals.

 

[Matt S.]

Oh ok forgot to mention. That the dash is complete and didnt go with either of those options, so lets consider the gauge issue dead until I show you the final product. k?

Matt

 

[JEONLYEP]

Ding, ding, ding... We have a wiener, The testostorone is pouring out of every inch of this rear end.
Matt

I realize that this quote is 4 weeks old, but I couldn't let it go. Funny to me, maybe it's just too late? (when your so tired that everything is funny?)

Daryl

 

[Gojeep]

What happened to your B pillar? Are you not going to run any doors at all then?
You could turn those rockers into air tanks too.

 

[BrettM]

What happened to your B pillar? Are you not going to run any doors at all then?
You could turn those rockers into air tanks too.

haha, i didn't even notice that :laugh3: I guess it's a buggy now

 

[GSequoia]

Oh ok forgot to mention. That the dash is complete and didnt go with either of those options, so lets consider the gauge issue dead until I show you the final product. k?

Matt

Well I hope you actually installed the Tach right this time. Twas crooked in pic 2

Why'd you post that you're not 21 yet? I think that I'm feeling guilty that I probably gave you a beer in Moab (don't quite remember), guess I'll have to go turn myself in now

Sequoia

 

[Matt S.]

Well its scary to think that next weekend I will have it back home and driving!!!!

Lots of hard work pays off in the end.

here is what has been aconplished to get it off for this wheeling season. I still lack the bedliner and need to swap the front 30. but that is easy and small stuff.

Final setup for the gauges

I have yet to mount the speedo, but not really concerned with that as of now. I still dont have a speedo cable.

I added a top gusset to the rockers because it just looked like I would tweak it. better to be safe than sorry!

And here are the new seats and belts mounted and ready to roll.

Here is how it sits. Everything painted and trimmed. I set up the rear end gears tomorrow at work, then come out tues or weds to intall it!

Anything you guys see that i need to do that requires a welder, bender, or plasma cutter? Once I leave, im done fabbin for a while.

Thanks!!!!