Some stuff I made for my XJ (built thread)

[winkosmosis]

Instead of just extending the skid to protect the transmission pan, why not do another full width skid that also protects the front part of the exhaust piping?

 

[XJPhoenix]

like it? It looks like a next-gen Klingon warship!

Oh come on, someone other than me thought the same thing...



Bob - Solid work. I looked at the finished product before final paint, and immediately thought it looked like some part of a WWII tank.

 

[blondejoncherokee]

nice build man!

 

[kastein]

I love it! I definitely agree on the welding, that first one that got reposted is absolutely beautiful compared to the second one. Good days, bad days... it happens. I think the practice doesn't really make perfect, it just makes the bad days less frequent.

 

[bobfortier]

Hi all

Here is a small improvement for my XJ. I had this metal box in my CJ-5 to keep everything I needed (tools, spare parts, etc) and I decided to install it in the XJ.

First I made a plywood "floor" bolted to the rear bench support at the back.

I did a notch in the "wall" so the box is positionned. Then I bolted the box to that structure

 

[bobfortier]

Next I bolted down the hi-lift jack at both ends. The bolts 5/16-18 with 1/2 inch nuts, so I carry two 1/2 wrench into the console. My 12v air compressor is secured with a strap on the "wall"

In the box I can fit 2 chrysler8.25 shaft, 2 dana 30 shaft, a tool box with all the trail tools I need, a bottle jack, the lugnut wrench, and other stuff. Since the content of the box will be used only when something breaks, I closed it with a 5/16-18 bolt with 1/2 inch nut. Same wrench needed for everything.

The spare (33) is held at the back with 2 ratchet straps on the factory "hooks". I'm happy with the result, and everything is secure at the back of my XJ

 

[WrenchMonkey]

Looks kinda familiar:

http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=977669

Great minds think alike, I suppose.

:cheers:

Robert

 

[Xtreme XJ]

You must not be married... or have kids !! you've got some cool ideas...
Admittedly I didn't read EVERY page (all but one or two) but I've got a question... running as low as you are why not go with a different tow-hook up front ? Something like a mid 90s horizontal GM pick-up hook... keeping it low means you need to try to eliminate the low hanging stuff...
On the gas skid you might try adding some vertical pieces along the sides (or better yet go up with the sides to the frame holes) front to back, just to add some rigidity.

Did I miss the final diff. skid picts. ??

All in All well done... especially considering the "old school" tech. Stick welder & a B.F.H.

I'm on worn 32s on 5" hawg'd fenders and I need more lift... NO WAY I could run 33s AND flex.

Congrats...

Curt

 

[Xtreme XJ]

Next I bolted down the hi-lift jack at both ends. The bolts 5/16-18 with 1/2 inch nuts, so I carry two 1/2 wrench into the console. My 12v air compressor is secured with a strap on the "wall"

In the box I can fit 2 chrysler8.25 shaft, 2 dana 30 shaft, a tool box with all the trail tools I need, a bottle jack, the lugnut wrench, and other stuff. Since the content of the box will be used only when something breaks, I closed it with a 5/16-18 bolt with 1/2 inch nut. Same wrench needed for everything.

The spare (33) is held at the back with 2 ratchet straps on the factory "hooks". I'm happy with the result, and everything is secure at the back of my XJ

Why not make some LARGER wing-nuts ?? Weld some solid rod to the nuts about an inch long each... little more leverage & should stay tight, (mine have for... 12 yrs.) then no need for the wrenches... actually up size the bolts if there's room on the mount... I know there is on the jack.

Curt

 

[ColoradoRaptor]

Again, nice work!

 

[bobfortier]

You must not be married... or have kids !! you've got some cool ideas...

Married, working full time, but no kids yet.

Admittedly I didn't read EVERY page (all but one or two) but I've got a question... running as low as you are why not go with a different tow-hook up front ? Something like a mid 90s horizontal GM pick-up hook... keeping it low means you need to try to eliminate the low hanging stuff...
On the gas skid you might try adding some vertical pieces along the sides (or better yet go up with the sides to the frame holes) front to back, just to add some rigidity.

The gas tank got it's share of hits, and it did not move yet, so maybe one day I'll do it, but for now it stays like that. Same for hooks

Did I miss the final diff. skid picts. ??

That project is still on the garage floor, awaiting devellopement

All in All well done... especially considering the "old school" tech. Stick welder & a B.F.H.

I'm on worn 32s on 5" hawg'd fenders and I need more lift... NO WAY I could run 33s AND flex.

Congrats...

Thanks !

Curt

 

[bobfortier]

Why not make some LARGER wing-nuts ?? Weld some solid rod to the nuts about an inch long each... little more leverage & should stay tight, (mine have for... 12 yrs.) then no need for the wrenches... actually up size the bolts if there's room on the mount... I know there is on the jack.

Curt

Simply because this is all I had at hand that day, and I'm in the the middle of a woodworking project, so I did not want to take the welder out for this. But I'm keeping the idea

 

[HELLBILLYJEEPER]

Can we get a picture of the whole cargo area? The heeps lookin real good I have stolen many ideas for the build I'm doin....!!!!!

 

[Samson04]

I have a 98 xj and I'm have a Skyjacker 3.5" lift on it. Now I have 31 x 10.5's on it. Today I'm going to look at 33 x 12.5's. Do you think they'll clear?

 

[bobfortier]

Don,t be afraid to cut the fenders and you should have no problem at all fitting those. I'm at 2 inches lift

 

[bobfortier]

Can we get a picture of the whole cargo area? The heeps lookin real good I have stolen many ideas for the build I'm doin....!!!!!

I'm glad that my ideas are helpfull. Here is the cargo, ready to hit the trail. The air reserve is used only when I need to bring air out of the vehicule, very usefull when someone de-rim (sp?) their tires. I can "inflate" the tank, close the valve, and when I open the valve all the air goes out quickly.

The small circle of metal bolted on the panel is to store my magnet-base CB antenna, if I need to take it inside for whatever reason

 

[bobfortier]

Bringing this up. I pick up where I left last Fall, the diff slider !

I was looking for an idea to hold it in the front, I think I will fold a 1/4 plate the shape of the wire, and bolt it on the slider. This should hold the front real well.

I will also address the loss of ground clearance, I'll just cut the angle at the back a bit. Hard to explain, stay tuned for more detail !

 

[bobfortier]

Hi all

Here is tonight's progress. I bent a piece of 3/16 to the shape I needed (BFH to the rescue) and then I drilled and tapped the skid.

More to come later, I hope you like.

 

[bobfortier]

 

[buzzbombxj]

Some more pics

I hope you like it !

that transmission pan skid is straight up sexy