Project: Keeping It Clean

[freerider15]

After having built a buggy, I've been longing for something simple again, to be able to enjoy the light wheeling, going camping (not because I'm wheeling), longer trips out again.

I've been through all the hoops of an XJ, and after building this:

This XJ should be a walk in the park...or so I "thought".

I'd been thinking about something with maybe 4.5" of lift and 32's, keeping it nice and clean. Well, a close friend of mine Sam (zluster on here), had bought an XJ at auction as a flip (repair and resell). Well, I'd always liked the Jeep (and it was in one of my top 3 colors - Patriot Blue), and had what I was looking for: Low miles, already had a 4.5" Full BDS Lift kit, and more.

So, after selling one XJ that I had for a while, I picked this up from him, since after a few years he hadn't had the time to get it fixed (since he had a real job now).

So enters, the new to me 2001 (and still the newest vehicle I've ever owned).

Specs:
- 2001 XJ - Patriot Blue
- ~105k miles
- Moab 16" wheels
- Brown Dog Motor Mounts
- Newer Aluminum Radiator
- BDS 4.5" Lift Kit
- HP D30 Swapped

Now, from that picture, all looks pretty good? Well, the fact of the matter is there was some pretty good damage to the passenger side. It looks like the previous owner (prior to Sam), had hit something hard enough with the front right tire to shove it up into the wheel well far enough that it cause some frame and floorwell damage, bent the upper arm mount on that side, and killed the LPD30.

So, I fixed the crossmember mount for Sam (before I bought it), he had done some other work, and swapped in a HP D30.

From there, it's all on me.

Since I've had this for a while, I've been able to acquire parts for...a lot less than MSRP mostly. I'll chronical some of it through the build.

As some know, I'm *rather* anal retentive. I don't like shoddy work, and this build won't be any different. I plan on doing some things a little different, with small touches that make a difference. After building the buggy, other than sheetmetal work...this will be a nice relaxation from custom one off everything .

Build plans for this rig (as of this post):

Front HP D30:
- Artec Truss - Acquired
- Zip Locker
- 4.10's
- Ten Factory Axle Seals - Acquired
- WJ Steering Setup - Have several parts acquired
- SOLID Diff Cover - Acquired
- New Coil buckets and LCA's (not quite like most setups however)

Rear: Ford 8.8 (Has 4.10's, Discs, and LSD)
- Complete new brakes
- Artec Truss - Acquired
- SOLID Diff Cover - Acquired
- Shock Mounts - Acquired
- TNT U-Bolt Eliminators - Acquired

Tires:
265/75R16 Goodyear Duratracs on 16" Moabs - Acquired

Other:
- 231J w/ SYE - Came with on rig
- Tera 2Low - Need to pull it out of donor case
- Boostwerks Hidden Winch Comp Mount - On my shelf
- Dirtbound Rear DIY Bumper (no cut/fold) - Acquired
- Dirtbound Front DIY Bumper - Acquired
- Smittybilt 8k winch w/ synthetic - Acquired
- Full Interior Sound deadening using three stage system (CLD + CCF + MLV)
- Bilstein 5150's front - Acquired
- Bilstein rears
- Tomken Gas Tank Skid - Acquired
- Offroad Armor Rock Rails - Acquired but will have to see if they'll work

So yeah, I've got a buttload of parts sitting in my upper deck area on the shop, ready to go on and get me some more room finally. I know I'm missing some of what I've got sitting up there, but I'll get around to it...

 

[freerider15]

So, a bit went on between the time I acquired the rig, and now.

Bought a house, continued to wheel, work on and build the buggy, and go married.

This was originally to be the wife's rig, but she now has a '96. This will allow us to take both out, the dogs, and get her back into wheeling (since we have two dogs she doesn't come out on buggy trips much at all).

So, from where I started, until today, unfortunately has been the bulk of the work. To make matters worse, this isn't the sexy, step back and go "hell yeah!" work...this has been getting it to square one-ish...bodywork.

So, I'll let pictures do some talking.

What I started out with. You can see how far that tire got pushed into the wheel well:

It's hard to tell somewhat from the pictures, but the frame in that area had seen better days. So what were the plans? Cutting, replacing, a bit of massaging, and frame stiffeners.

Mind you, I wanted this to be body shop good, with no body shop skills :laugh:

I refused to cut corners, and take my time. I won't lie, I've got probably over a hundred hours into this thing already from just bodywork.

Luckily, Sam had a donor XJ he was keeping at my house for a few, before he got a few more things off it and we took it to scrap. So, I robbed the section of floorboard I needed.

From there, LOTS of cutting, measuring (repeat that about 13454 times), welding, and so on.

So, first things first was some cutting to get at the root of things:

Removed the LCA brackets with a spot weld bit, and you can kind of see the frame wrinkles in these pictures:

I was able to use my oxy/acetylene torch, some hammers, and some hydraulics to get things pretty well smoothed back out, and looking good. Next was prep for the Passenger side frame stiffener. I used IRO, but had Josh at Hooligan had his released when I bought these, I would have gone with him.

Prep for the frame stiffener. Bright Idea to mark with a paint pen where paint needed to be removed to weld. Well, with my weld on primer that wasn't too bright of an idea.

This stuff is what I'm surprised I don't see more people using. Yeah, it's expensive at $30 a can, but so is replacing stuff because it's rusting from the inside out. Everything I do around this, get a coat of this stuff. Do it right once, and be DONE!

Getting bent up (wish they came bent to match, that's a PITA):

Prepped (Inside Surface):

And mounted/welded (it's been a while since I've welded to the unibody, got better as time went on):

There were some fitment issues that had to be dealt with, some from the frame still, and never going to be, 100%, and then the stiffeners ran a little long in the flat plane on the bottom.

All cleaned up (Flap Disc'd and Self Etching primer)

Threw on some color match paint and called it done, for now.

 

[freerider15]

While that looked like "quick" work, that was probably several straight days of work to get to that point.

NOW came the time consumer...getting the floorboard and surrounding areas fixed.

The pinch seam had been pushed in, the trans tunnel had some waves on the passenger side, it was...hell.

Interior brace of the frame rail cut out for massaging:

Redone with a thicker brace, all weld primed:

Then came the inner area and pinch seam. originally, I had planned on trying to pull this out and massage it some, since a bit of it would be covered by the fender.

Well, I decided against that and off I went...trying to be a body shop guy since I don't like compromise :laugh:

Old piece cut out and new one beginning to be grafted in:

Don't have a good complete pic at the moment it looks like. But that part took a while since I used a flashlight to find any and all pin holes, to make sure the weld seam was 100%.

Next came the floorboard...and what an adventure that was. This took some ingenuity, some bolts to hold things in areas...and more.

Prepped the floor, frame, and surrounding areas (the brace piece got stripped to primer and repainted, since some crap got on it while it was still wet. Yes, though it will never be seen again, I still repainted it).

And then it began. Where I had weld seams, since I don't trust thin sheet metal to thin sheet metal, I also added double ups along the seams (everything weld primed).

Starting to get cleaned up:

Mostly complete with holes filled and things smoothed out:

Next came copious amounts of seam sealer (on both sides). The bottom side of the floorboard and frame aren't really pictured, but lots of work on those sides as well.

It then got a coat of color match paint (not pictured ).

 

[freerider15]

Saving Post #3

 

[freerider15]

So now that the floor was done, I could move onto other things.

I decided that since some of the frame damage was between the horizontal and transition to front section, mid-frame stiffeners would be good

Took a drive to see Josh at Hooligan, and headed home with some stiffeners.

The fit on the passenger side was good, not perfect though (not from his stuff, from the frame issues).

The driver's side, fit like a glove.

The entire frame got stripped via flap disks down to bare metal, weld primered, and so on.

Welding the stiffeners is farrrr easier with a flexible weld neck

Everything on the driver's side looks better, since it got done second.

Driver's side front and mid stiffeners, as well as passenger side mid stiffener:

Missing some pictures but the front and mid frame stiffeners got tied together with fish plates, and everything got a coat of self etching primer.

A TON of work, in a small series of photos :laugh:

 

[freerider15]

So, that kinda sorta bring me to now. Those photos were a couple years worth of work time wise. As mentioned, quite a bit going on between those two.

Now, I plan on having this done by Spring, to get it out on the trails and have a 4x4 daily driver again.

It sat outside for a...while...while the buggy got some attention, and since the buggy lives where it's currently parked.

Got it pulled back in, and pulled all the interior out 100% (most of it was just sitting inside the rig disconnected, including the dash).

Next steps are removing the sound deadening stuff that was OEM. (the foil backed pieces, as well as the trunk section and small sections over the wheel wells).

I made the mistake of trying this normally, forgot how tar-like this stuff is.

Then, I remember seeing some videos a couple months back...using Dry Ice and Isopropyl alcohol

Mix the two, pour it on top, and the stuff chisels right off. The foil backed stuff comes off FAR easier, but is still some work. The stuff in the trunk...the cracking of it is cool to hear, then it comes up in a matter of seconds.

Old, crappy method:

New, much quicker and cleaner method:

So that's where I'm at now. I should have the small amount I have left pulled by the end of this weekend.

From there, it will get a full three stage sound deadening. Note, no matter how you do it (the proper way), its not cheap.

First to go down will be the CLD tiles. From there, closed cell foam and mass loaded vinyl. As well, door and headliner will receive (not right away) treatment including butyl rope and hydrophobic melamine. This will be the guinea pig before I do my tow rig at some point ('99 F-350 Superduty). The sound deadening will cost me in the neighborhood of $600+. I'm not using the generic Dynamat, Fatmat, etc.

 

[smokeyyank]

Dude, your work is always top notch! Will be excited to see how this rig turns out.

 

[freerider15]

Dude, your work is always top notch! Will be excited to see how this rig turns out.

Thanks, hopefully it moves pretty quickly once the interior is done. I won't lie, putting the heater core and dash back in (properly) I'm not looking forward to.

I noticed something in one of my pictures...yes, I did at one point use two Optima Red Tops as tire chocks, that's about what they're good for :laugh:

That being said, since I have a brand new one that I got for pretty well free...it's going in.

 

[Kittrell]

I won't lie, putting the heater core and dash back in (properly) I'm not looking forward to.

I'm a seasoned pro, let me know if you need a hand. P.S. Do not put anything but the Mopar heater core in there.

 

[trippled]

Are we actually going to see you on some trail runs now?

I need to get some of that primer. How is actually welding to it? No difference? Looks like it'll be a good capable rig.

 

[POSJ]

I’m really excited to watch this build...your buggy thread was awesome.

 

[freerider15]

I'm a seasoned pro, let me know if you need a hand. P.S. Do not put anything but the Mopar heater core in there.

I very well might. I'll see if Sam can't swing over and help some, beer tends to help with that

I'm on the fence with the heater core. The one in there isn't very high mileage, but I also don't want to have to pull it again. But, I'm also not sure I can swallow the $400 or so for a Mopar unit...

Are we actually going to see you on some trail runs now?

I need to get some of that primer. How is actually welding to it? No difference? Looks like it'll be a good capable rig.

Hey now, I've been on plenty of trail runs...just with rigs with a bit more tube

Welding to it honestly is no different than normal. Since it's copper based, it has an excellence weld ability. I've gone through about 1.5 cans between the Front and Mid stiffeners, and the floor board stuff. To me, it was $45 well spent. I get mine locally, though it can be had through Amazon prime last I checked. I'm not a fan of some of the other weld primers I've seen used.

I’m really excited to watch this build...your buggy thread was awesome.

Thanks!

 

[freerider15]

Well, this has been moving along lately with interior stuff...mainly since I have to drive it out of the shop (my requirement), to bring the buggy in.

Seeing as EJS is less than two months away, I need to get prep work done on the buggy, tow rig and trailer before. Tick tock!!!

I'll get some pictures up possibly tomorrow or tonight.

The interior was stripped cleaned, wire brushed in some areas and some paint laid down.

CLD tiles were install on the floor, rear cargo area, rear quarter panels and dash.

I should have the last of the Mass Loaded Vinyl (MLV) and Closed Cell Foam (CCF) applied throughout this evening.

Currently the doors will be revisited later.

Once I have the carpet, heater box, and dash back in, I'll go ahead and drop the headliner.

I've got 3M Thinsulate Acoustic (SM600L) for the rear quarters and the roof.

Once the interior is all wrapped up, the "real" work should go rather quick, since that stuff is easier to me than the interior stuff.

There will be some exhaust modifications, but what I'm doing and such won't be shown on . Those with keen eyes might notice some differences.

Once that's done, I'll get some things buttoned up so it's drive able and road worthy.

Then I'll get started on the 8.8 build followed by the D30.

I could get both of those builds done in a couple long weekends in reality.

 

[freerider15]

Finally got the interior sound deadening for the floor and firewall complete.

I've got the headliner ready to drop down and get CLD tiles on the roof, and then back the headliner with 3M Thinsulate Acoustic.

The sound deadening wasn't too bad, just tedious and time consuming.

I can go into more detail, and my methods of doing it if anyone is interested.

It's much like the Sound Deadening Showdown method, with a couple tweaks that to me, made install easier and more efficient.

Pics:

Interior pretty well cleaned up, all OEM deadening and butyl tiles removed:

CLD Tiles installed, sorry I realized this is the only picture I got. I wen't a little more overboard then really needed.

While I'm doing the headliner, I've also got the Heater Box torn apart.

Going to make all new foam seals, and give it a good once over and clean up inside and out. I looked at the heater core, still looks just fine, and isn't clogged. No leaks on it, so it'll go back in. The evaporator looks great as well, so right now no changes to the heater box really needed.

Hoping to get the following done this week:

- Headliner/Roof sound deadening
- Rear Quarter sound deadening
- Heater Box Re-Installed
- All Carpet and Trim back in
- Dash re-installed.

From there, some exhaust stuff and fuel clean out and she should be ready to start up again!

 

[kmanxj5050]

Wow!! great work.

I've recently been working on a similar project on an off. Gave up my wheeling rig about two years ago. Bought my wife a 01 to DD last spring. Just did a 4.5" lift and some JK take offs a couple months ago.

What are you using to post these photos?

 

[freerider15]

Wow!! great work.

I've recently been working on a similar project on an off. Gave up my wheeling rig about two years ago. Bought my wife a 01 to DD last spring. Just did a 4.5" lift and some JK take offs a couple months ago.

What are you using to post these photos?

After the photobucket hostile takeover, I'm using Flikr. Hopefully this lasts a bit.

I'm nor savvy enough nor have enough time to do the whole "host them on my own server" deal.

 

[DutchVDub]

That's a lot of work to fix the floor, kudos to you. I'd have just crumbled it up and found another, although admittedly they're getting harder to find.

 

[freerider15]

That's a lot of work to fix the floor, kudos to you. I'd have just crumbled it up and found another, although admittedly they're getting harder to find.

Well, it's one of my three top colors, has a low low mileage engine, and already has everything else and barely a spec of rust. Trying to find one this clean other than the floor would have set me back the same if not more.

Got the heater box back together with new foam seals.

Hopefully it should be back in tomorrow, then onto the headliner.

 

[Starboard M]

Are you concerned about moisture between the body and the MVL? How is it attached, some sort of spray glue?

How much MVL did you get, and from where? More details, more!

 

[Kittrell]

You have a Dirtbound center console bracket ready to go, yes?