The Smurf XJ

[Triple Shot Studios]

This has been an ongoing project thus far this year, that has been recently picking up the pace. i got my hands on a 95 xj that the chain broke in the xfer case, and the motor had over heated.

there will be a 6.5 long arm lift going under her when we get her running, and little bit of body work taken care of.

still undecided if we will be going back with a np231, and as far as axles i know i need to upgrade, but thinking about running the stockers till i break something.

here she is when she was first unloaded

a template for the front bumper i have been working on,

pulling the drivetrain

all the fun with the transfer case

everything out of the jeep and starting disassembly

And finally where the motor is currently sitting.

trying to stay busy, but i do work nights, so that limits time to work. but i will keep you all updated as progress is made.

 

[Triple Shot Studios]

just dropped the motor off to the machine shop, that means its time to start cutting to make room for the suspension that will follow the motor install.

 

[Triple Shot Studios]

we had some fun today

 

[RatLabGuy]

love the glove oil cover lol

 

[Triple Shot Studios]

question for everyone, i have got all the cutting done on the front end i wanted to get done, and de-burred the edges. i am planning on making some brackets to support the middle of the fender now that she has a lot of play. with that being said, i am planning on running 33 or 35's, do i need to take out the pinch weld inside of the wheel well for clearance? if so, what can i do to keep the strength in the unibody at this point?

 

[BRUISER]

take a big arse hammer to it and bend the seam back

 

[Triple Shot Studios]

i feel a lot better about that than cutting it out and trying to run a bead down whats left of the seam

 

[Triple Shot Studios]

got some more cutting done today on the rear quarter panels. tell me what you think?

here is a close up of the rear

and here is the issue i am running into. at this point my thought process is to pinch the two pieces together and run a bead down the seam. was also contemplating rolling the wheel well sheet metal up and over lapping the quarter panel to prevent a seam right on the edge of the fender. what is your thought on this?

didnt realize this till after i had the drivers side cut almost all the way around that on the rear there is a pinch weld all the way around the fender edge holding the inner fender and the quarter panel together. thus is my problem.

 

[BallzF250]

Uh...Rockwell!

 

[Triple Shot Studios]

so, we have some updates, working on the rust in the cabin.

and here is a shot of the cut out rust thus far.

ill keep everyone updated as it goes!!!!

 

[Triple Shot Studios]

The motor is back from the machine shop, waiting on arp headbolts and waterpump to come in. photos of build coming soon!

 

[Triple Shot Studios]

motor is almost all together, lift kit is picked up, trying to locate a xfer case/sye and finish welding up the body, shes almost ready to drop the motor in!

 

[Jake.]

Mike! What's been going on bud? If you get that thing together soon let me know, I'm gonna be headed out to ure a few times this season. If you need a hand let me know

 

[Triple Shot Studios]

Whats up man! just trying to get everything together. been trying to figure out what size/thread the timing cover bolts are so i can get this motor wrapped up and get to moving on getting it in.

 

[Triple Shot Studios]

question for everyone, the machine shop lost the bolts to my timing cover and for the life of me i can not find any resources online that list what size/thread pattern these bolts are. anyone have any idea? tryingt o avoid going to home depot and buying 15 different bolts and trying each one.

 

[grapehead]

dude, hit the LKQ in durham, last time i was out there they had several xjs. or i'll be up at the shop this weekend working on mine, i'll try to remember to check.

 

[Triple Shot Studios]

just a little update for everyone, the motor is in, i still need to get a few things to get her running, but the big stuff is all ready to go.

todays plan is to install this sexy ass lift kit, it is a rugged ridge 6.5 long arm

i can not wait to get this thing running!!!!!

 

[grapehead]

awesome, good to see it coming together!

 

[Triple Shot Studios]

front suspension is almost all on, been fighting with the leaf spring bolts for a few days, keep everyone posted.