The tale of the $500 XJ

Okay so it's been a while since I posted. Updates as of late are I rebuilt the entire top end due to a broken valve spring and bad seats, replaced all sensors, the gas tank got replaced because the old one was crushed. I installed a new set of leaf springs.

I took the potato through the rubicon with out breaking until I hit pavement, then the fuel pump died. Didn't wheel it for a while other than quick trips to hollister, and then took it to slickrock with gordo and John (twinhauler). That was a great trail, easy enough to not ruin the fun, but not so easy that you're bored.

Finally, after the toy run in hollister the potato is going under the knife...
 
Thanks Jerk, I rode shotgun on the Slickrock run... lol
 
Hey did you buy your dana 44 from mark with a white xj? I am gonna have my 8k mile 4.56 gears for sale soon if your interests.
Putting the 4.88s in soon
 
Mine came with the heep with 4.56 installed. Ill be buying XJenson's 44 in a little bit but holding onto my current setup for another xj. Seal got his from a junkyard IIRC. Hey twinhauler, talk to your brother and have David check his email.. I sent him a ton of pics of my little 2 door.
 
Haha sorry Casey. Yes he rode shotgun and was a decent spotter.

Yeah I bought it from mark. Super cool dude. It's xj is very well built.

So the plan tentatively for the potato is I'm going to jump to 35's, 4.88 gears, long arms(not sure if raduius arm, or full 4link w/panhard bar, and I'd like to just get a crossmember and then I'll fab up my own arms with Johnny joints at each end of the arms.), hybrid cage, lockers (can't decide between arb, eaton, or ox), and rock rings because I've already bent a wheel and I'd like to protect my valve stems. I'm keeping the same axles under it because I don't want to go full width, and I don't ride the gas peddle all that hard. I'll be changing from the disconnect style 30 to the non-disconnect style 30.

I'll also be doing all the other nessisary upgrades that come with running 35's. Ie...steering.
 
Dude Woah that's a shitlpad for that potato!

Get some c gussets
Offset wheels and big tires like to bend em

Sounds like you got a good thing going. Let me know if you need some help I'll come work on my junk with you
 
Haha I know. I just figured it's time to tackle it all.

I was going to get some metal here an make my own gussets.
I forgot to add I'm going to finally reinforce the 'frame'. Haha

Dude for sure, I'd appreciate any and all help that I can get.
 
keep your eyes on pirate. so many built Tj/XJ axles seem to go so cheap on there. Some dude in CO or something had a set of just stupidly awesome built XJ axles going for 1500$, I think chromos, gears , selectables, and so much more. Most guys on pirate are willing to ship.
 
Awesome, thanks for the advice jon!!
 
That was mine. 3-6 months is fine, he has my contact info now and if he decides he wants it, it will prob still be in my garage. Im planning on continually working on it as long as its in my possesion. Thanks for letting me know twinhauler
 
The potato had it's first major break today. Sheared the bolts holding the straps for the rear drive shaft which promptly fell out and broke one of the u-joint caps. Also bent the lip of the rear passenger tire in about 1/2" just missing the valve stem.
 
Yay! Ubolt time. Got pinion yokes for front and rear that use ubolts instead of straps. Way stronger. Just be carefull not to over tighten. They will deform the caps.

If your not breaking... Your not wheeling.
 
Has anyone had experience with the new Kevlars? I thought I heard somewhere that they're not holding up on the sidewalls like the older ones. I could be wrong though. Also what do you all think of rock rings? I just bent the holy crap out of one of my rim lips, and could see why they'd be useful.
 
A lot of people in our chapter run them. When you read reviews, take not of where in the country the review is coming from. They are not as popular back east. The terrain is different there.

Im probably leaning more toward the cooper stt when time comes to get new meats. But they are comparably priced.
 
Failed smog today chaps. :-/
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

tmbuster
Back in an XJ finally!
Replies
0
Views
47
tmbuster
tmbuster
NorCalChris
From Ghost to Post: An Update from the Shadows
Replies
14
Views
203
EricsXJ
EricsXJ
R
Shifter pops out of 2nd
Replies
0
Views
68
rtd16
R
F
2000 XJ 4wd AUTO - Stumbles when accelerating but ok when TCM removed and shifting manually
Replies
6
Views
177
lawsoncl
L
S
93 XJ no start no fuel after 3 years of sitting
Replies
6
Views
154
Stantheman601
S
Back
Top