First XJ build

[336wheeler]

The passenger side link required some exhaust modification - finally got around to finishing the exhaust today

 

[a_kelley]

I'm pretty sure I've got quarter glass...

 

[336wheeler]

I'm pretty sure I've got quarter glass...

it would be a shame to blow it out again right away

 

[336wheeler]

Bent the “upgraded” ZJ steering last week; put some beef on today

 

[336wheeler]

 

[336wheeler]

Ordered the D&C 6 pt cage kit, Ruffstuff unibody front and channel stiffeners, Airtex 8248 pump, and RCI2161A cell today.

Fun stuff in the works

 

[336wheeler]

And so the crawler saga begins

 

[StretchASU]

More blue cans and boogerwelding please sir.

 

[Brownsxj]

A KOH rig was built in that garage so I expect no less.

 

[Keith1138]

Ordered the D&C 6 pt cage kit, Ruffstuff unibody front and channel stiffeners, Airtex 8248 pump, and RCI2161A cell today.

Fun stuff in the works

Did you opt for the dom over the hrew? Are you planning to add extra triangles?

When I was looking at a cage for my cherokee those were two things that made it hard for me to find a cage kit that had enough triangulation to suit me and was made out of dom. I personally think the hrew would be strong enough with enough triangulation unless you are planning to launch it off mountains lol.

I'm excitied to see how this turns out!

Sent from my SM-G981U using Tapatalk

 

[336wheeler]

@Keith1138 I got the HREW version. I really just wanted a good start to a cage and I’ll finish it out how I want. By the time it’s done, it should be way more triangulated/braced/tied into the sub-chassis than D&C ever considered

 

[336wheeler]

Weight Watchers in action

 

[336wheeler]

Did some trimming

 

[336wheeler]

@StretchASU here’s the requested booger welds. Empty beer cans not pictured

 

[StretchASU]

@StretchASU here’s the requested booger welds. Empty beer cans not pictured

View attachment 326735 View attachment 326734 View attachment 326733

Now...less sheet metal.

 

[336wheeler]

I definitely like the buggy route and entertained that, but I’ve fallen in love with my road signs too much to abandon them. I’m essentially building around them at this point

Also the cage kit I got fits a XJ body. It should be arriving via freight this week. The back is cut more than it looks. I cut up to the taillight. It might get a comp cut sort of thing; haven’t decided yet

 

[336wheeler]

A couple progress photos

 

[336wheeler]

Frame stiffeners are terrible to install. Don’t let anybody fool you otherwise

 

[paradisePWoffrd]

Frame stiffeners are terrible to install. Don’t let anybody fool you otherwise

View attachment 328312 View attachment 328311

I have wondered for a long time, if building parallel frame rails out of tube, for everything to mount to, would be easier/better? Would still need to weld it to the "frame" but not the entire length, like a stiffener.

 

[336wheeler]

@paradisePWoffrd probably so. Frame stiffeners are miserable to install.

 

[336wheeler]

Well things escalated quickly

 

[NickMaul]

Cutting Cherokee unibody is addicting.


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[336wheeler]

@NickMaul definitely!! Welding it all back together though - jury is still out on that

 

[336wheeler]

Oh Lort

 

[336wheeler]

Tonight I got my “frame” side link brackets built and welded to the frame stiffeners, then starting mocking up the rear 4 link geometry. The lowers on the axle end are about 2-3” lower than they’ll actually be; should end up pretty flat.

The rear axle will be about 3-4” back from where it is now once the axle side brackets are on.