So I bought another one..

Quick question on hood vent design. Would you guys rather have around 5-8 low profile louvers per vent, or a waterjet cutout of maybe 15-20 straight line openings about a 1/16th wide (rounded edges on everything). These will be put on a 9x5 cutout of stainless and it will have a 15 degree slant to it for that sporty look. Mainly looking for personal opinions as I will be selling a bunch of em. Louvers would be a much cheaper route, but I think i would like the clean water jet cut out look more.
 
Decided to make the jeep a pavement pounder and took out the front locker when I installed the front 4.56's. Now I know why shops charge so much to do gears... took me about 15 set-ups to get it right. Also getting the dad's xj ready for a slick rock run the first week of April. Cant make it to reno fest but the dad's jeep should be good to go this summer. Here's a couple updated pics of the xj. Also thinking about trying to strip some weight off it by doing aluminun links with metal cloak bushings, if the funds are there.



 
I can't get over how clean your rig is. I'm planning a trip to slick rock right spend the same time, what days were you planning on going?
 
Yeah im kinda suprised its still in decent shape for how hard I beat on it. My phone must have changed August to April. I meant The first week in August. Not sure if you knew what I meant. I'm camping at lake utica with my bro and some friends. Monday through Wednesday or Thursday.
 
First week of april ?
 
Nope didn't catch that. I was basically asleep when I read that.
 
Been throwing around an idea for a fold out roof rack, for tents and to act as an awning, plus i gave the rack I had on back to my dads jeep.. This is what I'm thinking would work. 50" x 70"











This is a rough sketch and I would round everything plus add some angles and light mounts once built. I want to do aluminum to save on weight, but not sure how it would hold up to a lot of weight (1x1 1/8") . Or should I just go 1x1 16 gauge steel? I don't have a tube bender, so it will likely be square tubing. Not really sure on what to do for a floor yet.

let me know what you think
 
I like it, however my only concern is if attached to the gutter failed and putting weight on the awning part for a tent or gear might bend them, maybe try adding a few stock bolt mounts if you have the those. But the concept is cool, I am building something similar now
 
You could try 3/4" expanded steel or aluminum, depending on which metal you finally use to build it. It doesn't add too much weight and it allows you to hook tie downs pretty much anywhere. You can tack weld or bolt it to the floor cross bars. I've considered doing this with mine, but rarely use it so never got around to it. Anyway, just a thought. :dunno: I like your plan though.
 
goodwilljeeper said:
I like it, however my only concern is if attached to the gutter failed and putting weight on the awning part for a tent or gear might bend them, maybe try adding a few stock bolt mounts if you have the those. But the concept is cool, I am building something similar now
Click to expand...
Yeah, pretty much been thinking the same thing. I wonder how much those gutter rails can handle. Could always beef up the rail on the folding side somehow and just attach the rack mount to that.

Rob D said:
You could try 3/4" expanded steel or aluminum, depending on which metal you finally use to build it. It doesn't add too much weight and it allows you to hook tie downs pretty much anywhere. You can tack weld or bolt it to the floor cross bars. I've considered doing this with mine, but rarely use it so never got around to it. Anyway, just a thought. :dunno: I like your plan though.
Click to expand...

That's what I've been looking at. I am a little worried about cost though because It's most likely going to be aluminum. And with about 48sqft... that might cost more than any other parts of the build. I'm looking into other cheap alternatives at the moment.


Anyone have a recommendation for a metal supply store to pick up 1"x1" .125 thick in long lengths? North Bay to Santa Barbara
 
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Got a little project done this afternoon. I got a "tires sticking out too much" ticket here in SLO and need to install flares or flaps. Here's my version of some quick disconnect mud flaps. The receiver tube will be bolted or welded to the front/center of the stock shackle box. Some guys mount the flaps way back, basically on the rear bumper, but I'd rather them be in a little bit so they don't stand out as much. The receiver tube is 1.25x1.25 & 4.75" long and the flap tube is 1x1 & 12"long. I cut the rubber so that it is flush with the edge of the tires and is about 14" long. Final dimensions were 13'x14'. Will be painting and mounting some time later this week. Also might change out the snap pins for smaller ones. Picked up the rubber mat at Home Depot for $16 and I had the tube floating around. Have plenty of left over mat if anyone down here needs some.







 
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Great looking build man! I am in your area, kinda too. I live in lompoc, but my dad lives in Nipomo so I'm there a lot drinking his and Jeremy's (JohnnieWalker) beer and working on jeeps. My girl just got a fix it ticket for no mud flaps too. We just bought some ebay flaps that I screwed in with self tappers, got the ticket signed off then took them off right away. Not usually something cops bug with around here. I've never been hassled for it. If you see me driving around, say hi!
 
cencal96xj said:
Great looking build man! I am in your area, kinda too. I live in lompoc, but my dad lives in Nipomo so I'm there a lot drinking his and Jeremy's (JohnnieWalker) beer and working on jeeps. My girl just got a fix it ticket for no mud flaps too. We just bought some ebay flaps that I screwed in with self tappers, got the ticket signed off then took them off right away. Not usually something cops bug with around here. I've never been hassled for it. If you see me driving around, say hi!
Click to expand...

Thanks man. Nice, yeah the slo cops always mean mug me when I pass them so I'm going to keep them on for a bit. I feel like I've passed you a couple times recently but there are a few white lifted XJs up here so I'm not sure.
 
I worked in Slo about a year ago so it's possible haha


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Little update on the Jeep: Sold my mazda, so the XJ is now my main and only driver. Pulled the trigger on some cooper at3's and will be doing a few other things here and there to make it a bit more comfortable to drive. My 32" Kevlars will be up for sale soon. Not sure on a price yet but there are 4 tires around 75% and one at 90% so 5 total. I'm thinking aluminum lower links with metal cloak joints, quiter muffler, bored tb...etc
 
First time having a 33" AT on a Jeep. Anyone ever have any issues running a 33x12.50 on a 15x8 wheel? The tread doesn't seem to be 100% flat. Or maybe that's just how the tire is normally? Idk. Going to keep an eye on it and might swap to 15x10s if it needs it. I feel like 33x12.5s on 15x8s is pretty common though. Other than that issue, the tires feel great. Got it up to 75 today and you can barely hear the tires at all. The wind noise from the brick shaped body and the drone-master exhaust is all I really hear now. The tires ride MUCH better than the MTRs, but that was expected. Pretty happy with the purchase. $630 installed ($70 mail in rebate) with a 2 year no questions asked road hazard warranty.





 
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I am running them without any problem.. a lot of guys 33 without a problem.
 
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