First XJ build

[336wheeler]

Got my fuel system plumbed and functional > my sending unit even works

 

[336wheeler]

Trying to get this joker trail ready

 

[336wheeler]

In the words of Tommy Boy, “quit playin’ with yer dinghy!”
Does anybody really read build thread tech?
Filled it up with ethanol free gas, did plugs and plug wires, and distributor. It’s got a new lease on life and breathing fire

 

[336wheeler]

2018 vs 2021

 

[skyhighZJ]

2018 vs 2021

Damn

 

[336wheeler]

Master fabricator @Charles Sauder helped me build some door bars that tie the interior cage into the sliders, for a bit of a hybrid approach. I’m really happy with the end result.

 

[paradisePWoffrd]

I like seeing different stuff... guessing that the doors arent ever going back on. Looks like it will be a good tie-in for some front tube fenders.

 

[336wheeler]

Tonight @Charles Sauder and I added a B pillar node back to the tube the air shock mounts on, and the slider/cage hybrid completely wraps the B pillar. I love the outcome.

@paradisePWoffrd yeah the doors won’t be going back on, pretty much buggy-ish mode from here on out

 

[336wheeler]

Well I’ve got some intermittent motor issues that I’m working through now. Motor appears to be fine overall, seems to be a fueling issue. Been doing a lot of parts replacing and diagnostics, but still coming up short for now. More about that in Gen Tech.

In the meantime, @Charles Sauder hooked me up with some wakeboard tower speakers. Mounted those to the cage for maximum American party performance

 

[336wheeler]

Also, finally got this pile of on the trail last week for the first time since the rebuild! The lengthened WB, rear 4-link, and boggers really make a huge difference. The jeep felt great overall, except for some weird motor stuff that I’m working through now. Definitely got some wheeling lines that I would’ve never been able to get before the rebuild. It’s wildly stable; had it really sideways multiple times and it felt great

 

[Charles Sauder]

Master fabricator @Charles Sauder helped me build some door bars that tie the interior cage into the sliders, for a bit of a hybrid approach. I’m really happy with the end result. View attachment 337982View attachment 337983View attachment 337984View attachment 337985

Master fabricator @Charles Sauder helped me build some door bars that tie the interior cage into the sliders, for a bit of a hybrid approach. I’m really happy with the end result. View attachment 337982View attachment 337983View attachment 337984View attachment 337985

Lol more like master bator

 

[336wheeler]

@Charles Sauder the fact that you quoted me twice proves you can't use the internet

 

[Charles Sauder]

@336wheeler I can't use this grandpa version of it anyway

 

[336wheeler]

Washed the rig today. Been trying to do some shakedowns as much as I reasonably can to see if I feel comfortable trying to take it to Moab at the end of April...

My old “upgraded” track bar had goober bushings, so I upgraded to a Core4x4 Tier 4 which has Johnny joints on either end, with 5/16 wall DOM. It’s incredibly beef, and the bracket is nice and beefy/adjustable too. Trying to work as many kinks out as possible. It does really well and I’m really happy with how the build has turned out.

edit: I also had a leaky radiator, so I threw a radiator in it. Just tying up loose ends.

Hydro assist and 300M u-joints are on the radar but not necessarily critical right now. I’m just enjoying it and finding loose ends as I go.

 

[DonYukon]

This thing is tits. I always wanted to try a XJ build . everytime I get close to spending some coin on one something comes up or gets expensive

 

[336wheeler]

The looks you can get on the parkway in a tubed and linked XJ on boggers

 

[336wheeler]

Awesome day on the trails @URE

 

[336wheeler]

Well somehow on the night run I managed to bend my 1.5” OD quarter wall DOM tie rod. It’s not bent that much but I figured it would be beefy enough. Banged my muffler on some rocks and need some attention on that, but overall the Jeep held up great and was a blast to wheel. Was great to meet more NC4X4 folks out on the trails!

 

[336wheeler]

Moab was excellent > was able to run some of the hardest trails there on 33s. Boggers weren’t quite appropriate out there… a little too tractor-like for slick rock. So I was wishing I had more ground clearance but happy with everything else.

Sold both of my sets of 33s and 35s… fast forward and now I have a set of fresh Q78-15s sitting in the shop. Waiting on my 32 bolt racelines to arrive.

 

[StretchASU]

King of the Glades

 

[336wheeler]

Also forgot to add that I did an Advance Adapters 32 spline SYE, and used a single joint (non-cardan) driveshaft > because who likes cardan joints?!? My driveshaft is pretty much flat anyways, so no worries with vibrations.

That’s a 1310 cardan yoke that I’m using ujoint ubolt straps with. Works great, although I did have to clearance the tcase output yoke a little with the grinder to have yoke clearance at full droop.

 

[336wheeler]

After a 2 month wait, my wheels finally showed up

 

[336wheeler]

Installed some Yukon Superjoints and made some progress towards the hydro assist. I’m using a 1.5x6 ram and welded the tabs to my diff cover. Next will be tapping the box top cover and installing the DIY4X end cap on the box and getting lines made.

 

[336wheeler]

We took the jeep up to Potts Mtn this past weekend and stayed at the Pines. It was a first time for me but I absolutely loved it and can’t wait to go back. The jeep did great; hydro assist performed flawlessly. I hope my factory PS pump will last a while in this config, it doesn’t seem to be starved or lag running the 1.5x6 ram.

 

[NickMaul]

Potts is one of my favorite trails. The view is exceptional!