New tech filled mod!!!

[Matt S.]

Ok well sorta :wierd:

This is a update post plus a question for those that have had more experience with this.

Update: I began this "cage" last september. Got enough done to wheel, and drove to Moab for the NAXJA event. I got home and well, it sat, and sat and sat some more. I just was not in the mood for building my jeep for 5 months.

Been back at it for a couple weekends and been ordering parts as well. Some might remember my idea of a custom dash, some may not. Its going pretty well. Getting the gauges was a HUGE step towards completion.

Still adding tubing all over the place, trying to make it as usable as possible. But how usable can a XJ be with all this stuff gone? I guess I will find out!

Also I put in a poll just for kicks on my gauge setup. just to see what different people like.
option 1
http://img238.exs.cx/img238/4695/gaugeoption15zp.jpg

option 2 (there will be tube work there for it to mount off of)
http://img238.exs.cx/img238/2412/gaugeoption22qc.jpg

On to the pictures...

This is the back view. That bar that runs side to side is a second floor. To mount a spare and keep everything underneath in place.
http://img215.exs.cx/img215/5189/backnobumper6ji.jpg

http://img215.exs.cx/img215/6613/seatmock3uf.jpg

HERE IS THE QUESTION Mounting the seats!
I am not SET on this mock up, its just tacked as of now. I have a unbent piece of 1.5" tubing running from door bar to door bar. It sites only high enough off the tranny hump to be able to remove bolted in items.

Structurally, is this not the best thing to do? I do plan on running big gussest from the tube on the floor to the seat bar, but the main reason is to support the future tube rockers. I ask structurally because I have two ways to do this. 1) pictured and 2) run a bent tube from the rocker floor bar up and over the hump. Then making seat brakets OFF the front bar and the rear bar. Make sense? what do you think should be done?

Here are some up close pictures.
http://img199.exs.cx/img199/9725/seatcrossmember1xv.jpg

http://img199.exs.cx/img199/5775/seatrails6wp.jpg

THANKS FOR THE HELP!!!

Matt

[olivedrabcj7]

id do something to raise the back of the seat up. it looks too reclined. everything else looks good. i wish i had the nads to rip the guts out of my XJ and tube it out like that. looks sweet!! i like the second guage setup by the way.

[nhrocker]

Nice looking rig! :wave:

I can't give much help on the cage build, but for the guages, I think option 1 is best so you have a clear view available at all times. With them in the lower (option 2) position, they may be blocked by the steering wheel. Just my .02

[BrettM]

i like the 2nd guage setup, but that is TOTALLY personal preference, so do what you like. I see the rear axle is out from under the farmer's CAT, is it getting linked?

Andy's got the tailgate for ya...

[Starboard M]

I too like the second option on the guages. Cant help you on the cage at all, but I cant wait to see what it looks like when its done.

[deathwobblezj]

nhrocker has a point about the steering wheel but its pretty close to stock locations... so i like option 2 better, and as for the seat mounts id do a bent tube kinda on a tangent from floor rocker to rocker so be stong lateraly and give a nice height advantage for the rear of the seats. JMO

tom

[C85D4x4]

2nd 1 b/c then, you would have something to grab onto

[nhrocker]

Personal preference is definitely the big factor. I just don't like having to look down through the steering wheel, but for aesthetics they look great either way. For me it's just easier to look to the left. I guess you could always set it up and then let me take it for a test drive to see if I like it..... :laugh3:

[Matt S.]

I do like the A-pillar setup, but when i do roll it over, I dont want to toast 500 dollars in gauges. I just did the gauge thing for fun.

Back to the seat help! It is leaned back quite a bit, but i seriously set it in SO many positions and that was the closest to comforatable. I have long legs and i need back support, so this seems like it will work the best.

[olivedrabcj7]

try tilting it back up so its not so reclined, but move it back. that will put you more square to the steering wheel. if youre climbing a hill like that, you might flip out of your seat backwards. lol.

[BrettM]

try tilting it back up so its not so reclined, but move it back. that will put you more square to the steering wheel. if youre climbing a hill like that, you might flip out of your seat backwards. lol.
nah, put it super reclined, it's better for CoG :laugh3:

[ROBZ95Xj]

WHat about mounting them on the right side of the stearing wheel on the top bar like nascar?

[Big Red]

i like the 2nd guage setup, but that is TOTALLY personal preference, so do what you like. I see the rear axle is out from under the farmer's CAT, is it getting linked?

Andy's got the tailgate for ya...

Exactly. I like the 2nd option better, but do what works for you. You are the one driving your rig and do what you like where you can keep your eyes looking ahead and not to the sides etc on your guages. Nice looking XJ, you have some great fab work there. :)

[XJ_ranger]

nice jungle gym...

i really dont know enough about cages to make any valid commments - however -

what if you cut into the floorpan and droped your tube to barely clearance the tranny (like 1/2" for tranny movement) and kept the straight shot - then did some "reconstructive" surgery with the floor pan to patch the holes... and be there....


maybe? then you keep the straight shot structure and mount it probably 1.5" lower?

just a thought...


another thing -
did you run any of the cage through the firewall and into the engine bay and then mount to the front "bumper bulkhead" area? that is one my big ideas for uni-body strengthening that i want to do *someday*

[Lodi Jim]

looking good
2nd gauge option , visibility and ease of entry and exit
no opinion on seating
idea with no dash is to run your air intake thru firewall and thru
where the glovebox would be, up to top of windshield at passenger
top side of rollcage
keep us posted with pics

[Roxtar]

I like the A-pillar design. As for the seat I'd go with a bent tube that will bring the seat lower and father forward if needed. The recline may feel comfy but being in the rocks is all about view. Tough to pick a line while you're in pimp mode.

[jrsxj98]

like option 2. and brad is correct. kinda hard to see the trail when you got the gangsta lean goin..........:cheers:

[Kaczman]

The seat mounts you have pictured will be plenty strong, however they appear to be pretty reclined. I think 10-15 degrees is pretty comfortable. Here's a shot of mine if you'd like another option.
http://www.xjdb.com/albums/xjs/xj0496.jpg

-Jon

[Matt S.]

The recline may feel comfy but being in the rocks is all about view. Tough to pick a line while you're in pimp mode.

Brad, your positivly right. I decided to lower the front of the seat. FM gave me the idea to use some bent tubing and drop the front. So that is what i will do.

And with the gauges, I am going to go ahead and do a combonation of the two. Going to put 2 gauges on the A-pillar and two in the center of the dash. I forgot that I am going to have to still put in my light/dimmer switch and a multitude of switches and lights.


Now I just got to figure how to make tube rockers... :rattle:

Matt

[Ed A. Stevens]

I take it you will revise the front seat mount crossbar to hug the trans tunnel (lower it)?

If you do, the two fore/aft mount bars for the seat locating bars can be set in tabs/channels with bolt holes for height/rake adjustment. The factory seat position is elevated off the floor so you should have room to work in adjustable mounts (unless you are too tall).

Box the fore/aft seat locating bars (make it a sub frame that is adjustable up/down in front & back).

Are you planning adjustable seat rails (forward/back adjustment)?

[Ludakris]

for gauges, how about a mix of the two, throw the two most used gauges up on the pillar, and the rest lower.

for the seat, I would go with the bent tubing in the front, bring the front down some, I may be reading the pic wrong, but it looks like a lot going on around the "foot" well.. I have 13's and I need room not to get hung up, specially getting in and out... but in all, i am jealous of the cage...

[Matt S.]

I dont want any adjustment in the seats. As of now at least.

Ed: I did initially want to have the front cross tube touching the hump so I could weld the floor to the tubing. But, after looking at it, It would elimitate the ability to remove the tcase shifter. So it must stay at least that high. Plus it will give me a point to tie in my tubular center console, which I should have made this weekend.

Ludakris: Yes the "foot well" is tight. But surprisingly comforatble. I can explain why I made it like it is.

My cage is based off of two main hoops. One on each side. I wanted as little bends as possible and wanted to keep the Apillar straight. I also wanted the cage to be DIRECTLY over the psuedo frame for maximum strength. The a pillar is nearly completly over the top of the control arm mounts. My middle tie in point is directly over the front spring hanger. And the rear most mount is above the rear shackle. My goal is to grab the most structurally important parts and start off them. I PLAN on finishing everything off with an engine cage and tieing it all together from front bumper to back bumper. Roof rack to rockers.

Matt

[JeepFreak21]

This is the back view. That bar that runs side to side is a second floor. To mount a spare and keep everything underneath in place.
http://img215.exs.cx/img215/5189/backnobumper6ji.jpg

http://img215.exs.cx/img215/6613/seatmock3uf.jpg
Matt

You're going to put the spare on top of that "shelf"? If so, why? Seems like you'd wanna keep that much weight as low as possible :confused:
Billy

[Matt S.]

You're going to put the spare on top of that "shelf"? If so, why? Seems like you'd wanna keep that much weight as low as possible :confused:
Billy


I know, I know. Low COG is goood. But I still have to put all my crap in there! I usually always carry a medium size Ice chest, a small case of tools, lots of spares. To be honest, I am REALLY tires of having to pack it all so perfect to tie it down for that just in case roll over. So the "shelf" is my tie down. I'll call it my trunk! It only made sens to put the spare on the shelf. Its better than the roof dont you think?

I am not going to be on 33s,35s, or 37s forever. So i made it to accomodate up to a 42x13.50 tire. And when its that big, you cant put it an where else can you?

Matt

[JeepFreak21]

I know, I know. Low COG is goood. But I still have to put all my crap in there! I usually always carry a medium size Ice chest, a small case of tools, lots of spares. To be honest, I am REALLY tires of having to pack it all so perfect to tie it down for that just in case roll over. So the "shelf" is my tie down. I'll call it my trunk! It only made sens to put the spare on the shelf. Its better than the roof dont you think?

I am not going to be on 33s,35s, or 37s forever. So i made it to accomodate up to a 42x13.50 tire. And when its that big, you cant put it an where else can you?

Matt

Fair enough, but why not lower the shelf a bit and put the tire under it, then put your crap on top?
Billy

[FarmerMatt]

To be honest, I am REALLY tires of having to pack it all so perfect to tie it down for that just in case roll over. So the "shelf" is my tie down. I'll call it my trunk! It only made sens to put the spare on the shelf. Its better than the roof dont you think?
Matt

Did you catch BigRed's reading comprehension disease? :wave:

My comment would be that everything is a compromise. I run the spare on the roof of my JD cause with the wife & 2 boys + camping gear it leaves very little room "under cover" left. I am fully aware it isn't the ideal place for it, but so what. Hell, his spare's going to sit lower than the one on my CAT & it weighs less too.

Matt

[BrettM]

on the topic of the spare... it looks like it will really kill your rear visability there also. I would put it on the floor and use a shelf for the ice-chest, camping stuff, etc. That stuff will typically weigh less, and will be left at camp anyway in places like JV, leaving you better visability and COG for the trail.

just my opinion. like farmermatt said, everything's a compromise

[JeepFreak21]

on the topic of the spare... it looks like it will really kill your rear visability there also. I would put it on the floor and use a shelf for the ice-chest, camping stuff, etc. That stuff will typically weigh less, and will be left at camp anyway in places like JV, leaving you better visability and COG for the trail.

just my opinion. like farmermatt said, everything's a compromise


I agree with FarmerMatt too, but I don't see what the compromise is with switching the place of the spare with the camping stuff.
Billy

[Jes]

I agree with FarmerMatt too, but I don't see what the compromise is with switching the place of the spare with the camping stuff.
Billy
The compromise is that he'd have to strap down all the stuff as opposed to just strapping down a spare.
Spare on top for trail runs, spare on the bottom for gettin' it runs.
Question is, does he "get it"?

[Matt S.]

Matt, I had a bad disease this morning. Wait, no it was 5:30 in the morning! :laugh3:

I know its going to be a visibility problem, but get real. Guys put there 35" spare on the bumper. You cant possibly tell me that is JUST as bad! When I dont have 3 days worth of JUNK, then yes, the spare will be below.


"get it" hmmm.. I get alot of stuff. But, its been quite long since I had something I could get it on with! How about this? I wont claim to get it (ever) until you tell me I can "get it". Can you handle that?

I will give an update with the seat mounts this weekend. Spending saturday and sunday gettin' it with the welder.

Matt

[Badcop]

IMO - I would change the floor mount design of the cage, it seems like theres going to be alot of pipe in the way when scrambling for the pedals.

[Matt S.]

IMO - I would change the floor mount design of the cage, it seems like theres going to be alot of pipe in the way when scrambling for the pedals.


Its much roomier than it looks. Fuction over form is at the top of my rule book. If i had a manual, than this cage would be horrible to have. I personally like it MUCH better than most cages Apillar designs. I also think it works out better having it over the frame rail because the door bars are bent out to meet the Bpillar. Creates a driver/passenger c0ckpit feel.

I really wanted a racing feel to the driver area. hopefully that is what I will have made.

Matt

[Jes]

If you're "scrambling for the pedals" you need more seat time. ;)

[jnackos]

I just want to see the video of this thing going 160mph! A la the new 160mph speedo!

[Roxtar]

The compromise is that he'd have to strap down all the stuff as opposed to just strapping down a spare.
Spare on top for trail runs, spare on the bottom for gettin' it runs.
Question is, does he "get it"?So where does he put it for "gettin it done"?

[Matt S.]

Man, what a looooong day! Got quite alot done this saturday, its very motivating to have it comming together nicely. Here are the NEW and FINAL seat mounts. These work much better and still are comfortable.

These are the seat rails. I have the front dipped down about 4 more inches than it was previously. The rear is nearly the same. Which is lower than stock anyways.

http://img169.exs.cx/img169/5579/newseatmounts52ed.jpg

Here is the seat in its new mocked position.

http://img169.exs.cx/img169/9086/newseatmounts48sm.jpg

Side view of the new mounts. To show the difference between my first try and second!

http://img210.exs.cx/img210/4495/newseatmounts0si.jpg
http://img136.exs.cx/img136/4351/newseatmounts30pl.jpg

Also worked on a few other small things today. So much to do!!
No more rear windows for now. Prep for paint and hopefully lexan replacements.
http://img210.exs.cx/img210/7845/nowindow28fh.jpg

Tore into the front axle. HP30 disconnect with non disco shafts. 760x joints. 4.56s aussie locker and soon to be lots of trussing. This is the start!
http://img171.exs.cx/img171/2483/barehousing6ea.jpg

here is the carrier with stuff installed. Dont have any pictures of the diff buttoned up.
http://img171.exs.cx/img171/3278/lockerinstalled2xw.jpg

well thats all I got for now. Going back at it tomorrow to actually mount the seats and start adding all the gussets for the cage work. thanks for the help and ideas! bring em' if you got em'!

Matt (not gettin' it yet)

[BrettM]

so are you going to chop the back sheet-metal? how are you gonna use the MJ tailgate?

[Matt S.]

No plans on chopping. I hope I dont ever HAVE to chop it. I want to keep it full body as long as I can. The tail gate is going to replace the hatch, well half of it at least. I am hoping to fab up a half hatch that is removable. I dont want the weight of the full hatch, but dont want to have to take it on and off all the time.

so a tailgate SHOULD fit in with some work. Then make a sliding hinge setup for the top half of the hatch. Quick 100 pounds on and off like that. Hope it works!

[Jes]

Hmmm, sounds familiar...
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5da25b3127cce9157efbcd1f100000016108UaNmrRo24

[JeepFreak21]

Hmmm, sounds familiar...
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5da25b3127cce9157efbcd1f100000016108UaNmrRo24

Who's rig's that?
Billy

[Matt S.]

This thread is probly going to die since I will be wheeling next weekend. So I will give more tech and updates in two weeks.

The only thing I dont like about that gate job is that I wont be able to use the FarmBoy lights. I will probly have to narrow and shop the hieght of the gate to get it to match the body lines. We shall see, hopefully i get the gate in the next few weeks.

I got one seat mounted and the steering wheel finally done. Also started the center console/dash.

A few pictures...

http://img231.echo.cx/img231/5653/centerconsole28ea.jpg
http://img231.echo.cx/img231/2737/centerconsole34tp.jpg
http://img231.echo.cx/img231/5369/grantcamlock7ms.jpg
http://img158.echo.cx/img158/783/seatmountedpermanent0oc.jpg

If anyone is considering doing the cam lock steering wheel removal kit, make sure you make a 1/4" spacer to go between the splined stub and the steering column. This will save you from having to grind away some splines to get it to lock and unlock fully.

http://img91.echo.cx/img91/5153/grantmodified5uw.jpg

[Jes]

Who's rig's that?
Billy

Kernel's.

[FarmerMatt]

does he "get it"?
He's gettin a lot of shop time. :D

[Jeff 98XJ WI]

Kernel's.
Excuse me for not knowing, but did this Kernel guy actually get that tailgate deal to work out on an xj? I would like to see some finished pics. Looks kind of neat in that one pic. Jeff

[sloppyjoe]

[QUOTE
Now I just got to figure how to make tube rockers... :rattle:

Matt[/QUOTE]



I think that it would be sweet if you brought the tubes down through the door, and then bend it up to where you would have a rocker. coming down from the internal cage. Then take some square tube to the unibody, and you would have the tube rockers with strenth from the bottom and top. I don't know alot about metal fab but the idea in my head looks pretty nice. Joe

[prerunnerXJ]

make this fit:

http://fiberwerx.com/images/oem-dash.jpg

http://fiberwerx.com/images/oem-dash_2.jpg

[Jes]

Excuse me for not knowing, but did this Kernel guy actually get that tailgate deal to work out on an xj? I would like to see some finished pics. Looks kind of neat in that one pic. Jeff

Yes, it actually works. He's in the process of his buildup.

[Matt S.]

thats the exact look I am going for! Prerunnerish dash. Very sweet. I just wont have the cool fiberglass dash. Just aluminum for me.

The rockers are going to be similar to what everyone else has done before. Square and dense. Then run tubing from the rockers to the floor tube. Its not really needed, but what have I done that is needed?

matt

[cccj]

So you spent all that time on design and fab for the strongest seat mounts, then bolted on seats with nutserts in plastic.
Why did you spend more on gauge pods than on your seats?

[Matt S.]

So you spent all that time on design and fab for the strongest seat mounts, then bolted on seats with nutserts in plastic.
Why did you spend more on gauge pods than on your seats?


How would you bolt them down? Nutserts are EXTREMLY strong. I have seen them hold to things welds have failed at. If they are done right. Your wrong on the whole "building strong seatmounts". One day this will be a buggified XJ, so building the platform right the first time is key. I am building a cage that is SUPER common in wranglers. Just doing it in a cherokee. I am not doing anything new and inovating. Maybe in a cherokee, but that dont matter.

Seats were 100 bucks total with covers. I have spent ALOT of money for someone my age. Upwards of 5k. Luckyly I know how to set gears, weld, paint, and repair anything mechanical. Hell I am not even 21 years old yet! I am doing the big time fab stuff now because 3 or 4 or 10 years down the road, I may not beable to. I can ALWAYS spend a thousand bucks on seats.

If I got some chincy gauges, and built a completly custom dash to fit those lame gauges, I would never be happy. Spend the money in the right places the first time.

Maybe next winter after my 1 ton axle swap I will BOLT IN some expensive ass seats. Until then, my doorless, hatchless, and windowless XJ will have seats that wont ruin in the rain, snow, and sun. Make sense?

Maybe this well help people understand me on this a little better.

I am all about the build. I love to wheel, dont get me wrong. But the BUILD is my hobby.

Matt

[cccj]

How would you bolt them down? I wouldn't. Rather I bought seats with frames.
Nutserts are EXTREMLY strong. I have seen them hold to things welds have failed at. If they are done right. They are only as strong as what they are attached to.
Your wrong on the whole "building strong seatmounts". One day this will be a buggified XJ, so building the platform right the first time is key. I am building a cage that is SUPER common in wranglers. Just doing it in a cherokee. I am not doing anything new and inovating. Maybe in a cherokee, but that dont matter. I completely agree with building it right the first time. I have done quite a few cages. Just reminding you that part of the safety of the cage is attaching the belts to it, especially with those style seats.

Seats were 100 bucks total with covers. I have spent ALOT of money for someone my age. Upwards of 5k. Luckyly I know how to set gears, weld, paint, and repair anything mechanical. Hell I am not even 21 years old yet! I am doing the big time fab stuff now because 3 or 4 or 10 years down the road, I may not beable to. I can ALWAYS spend a thousand bucks on seats.

If I got some chincy gauges, and built a completly custom dash to fit those lame gauges, I would never be happy. Spend the money in the right places the first time. Everyone has their definition of 'right places.'

Maybe next winter after my 1 ton axle swap I will BOLT IN some expensive ass seats. Until then, my doorless, hatchless, and windowless XJ will have seats that wont ruin in the rain, snow, and sun. Make sense?

Maybe this well help people understand me on this a little better.

I am all about the build. I love to wheel, dont get me wrong. But the BUILD is my hobby.

Matt


You seem to know what you are doing. Continue with your hobby.

[Matt S.]

OK!!!!

Today ChuckD and I tore into one of the last unmolested pieces on the heep. Knocked the rockers!!!

Just to set the record straight, I realy had no clue on what the hell I was going to wind up with or even what i was doing. Did not do an ounce of research. just 3 fast measurements to decide on the size of steel.

I am using 3"x5" .188" wall square tubing.

Step one... plasma anything that is close to the rockers.
http://www.kermantel.net/chuckd/mattsjunk/photos/photo3.jpg
http://www.kermantel.net/chuckd/mattsjunk/photos/photo12.jpg

Step two... think about what you just did and come up with a way to make it work!
http://www.kermantel.net/chuckd/mattsjunk/photos/photo6.jpg
http://www.kermantel.net/chuckd/mattsjunk/photos/photo7.jpg

Step three... weld the Apillar and the Cpillar/fender to the new rocker. Tie into cage for ultimate strenght!
http://www.kermantel.net/chuckd/mattsjunk/photos/photo17.jpg

After the fact I realized I had gained slightly more than 2" of rocker clearance. I still need to attach to floor to it somehow. Probly just going to use some strap or angle iron to cross the gap. Cut a LITTLE to much of the floor away.

I guess most people but the tube right up to the pinch seam. I cut those out and cut the next seam out as well. It is REALLY deep in there. But I dont have to protect the doors or body.

We also got the cage painted today. Though some dumass forgot to weld the lap belt mounts to the cage!!!! :rolleyes:

Monday I set the rear gears up and wed. I put the rear end back in and work on the front end some more. So excited to have it within a month of being done for now!

Anything to say on things I may have overlooked on the rockers?

Matt

[BrettM]

when ya gonna be "trail ready"?

[BIGSLVRXJ]

Go with option 2 but please don't get the XJ up to 160. LOL, you'll be blowing oil out of places you didn't know had seals.

[Matt S.]

Oh ok forgot to mention. That the dash is complete and didnt go with either of those options, so lets consider the gauge issue dead until I show you the final product. k?

Matt

[JEONLYEP]

Ding, ding, ding... We have a wiener, The testostorone is pouring out of every inch of this rear end.
Matt
:D I realize that this quote is 4 weeks old, but I couldn't let it go. Funny to me, maybe it's just too late? (when your so tired that everything is funny?)

Daryl

[Gojeep]

What happened to your B pillar? Are you not going to run any doors at all then?
You could turn those rockers into air tanks too.

[BrettM]

What happened to your B pillar? Are you not going to run any doors at all then?
You could turn those rockers into air tanks too.
haha, i didn't even notice that :laugh3: I guess it's a buggy now

[GSequoia]

Oh ok forgot to mention. That the dash is complete and didnt go with either of those options, so lets consider the gauge issue dead until I show you the final product. k?

Matt

Well I hope you actually installed the Tach right this time. Twas crooked in pic 2 ;)

Why'd you post that you're not 21 yet? I think that I'm feeling guilty that I probably gave you a beer in Moab (don't quite remember), guess I'll have to go turn myself in now :(

Sequoia

[Matt S.]

Well its scary to think that next weekend I will have it back home and driving!!!!

Lots of hard work pays off in the end.

here is what has been aconplished to get it off for this wheeling season. I still lack the bedliner and need to swap the front 30. but that is easy and small stuff.

Final setup for the gauges
http://img225.echo.cx/img225/6044/dashsetup13ku.jpg

I have yet to mount the speedo, but not really concerned with that as of now. I still dont have a speedo cable.

I added a top gusset to the rockers because it just looked like I would tweak it. better to be safe than sorry!
http://img84.echo.cx/img84/3822/rockergusset13ir.jpg

And here are the new seats and belts mounted and ready to roll.
http://img119.echo.cx/img119/2711/seatscoveredandbelts7pp.jpg

Here is how it sits. Everything painted and trimmed. I set up the rear end gears tomorrow at work, then come out tues or weds to intall it!

http://img208.echo.cx/img208/7118/poorthing29so.jpg


Anything you guys see that i need to do that requires a welder, bender, or plasma cutter? Once I leave, im done fabbin for a while.

Thanks!!!!

[BrettM]

lookin good! now that you're (near) done with the dash, what do you think? was it worth it? in hindsight, would you have done it knowing what you know now?

[Matt S.]

Oh absolutly. I truly feel thatt this is going to give me a GREAT platform for some great tube work. The dash is such a limiting factor into how narrow you can make your rig. Good example is FarmerMatts CAT. We narrowed it all the way to the edges of the dash. Without loosing the dash you cant go narrower.

In hindsight, this has turned out to be more fun and more work than I imagined. I just wish time was not such a huge constraint. I would have liked to have gotten the tailgate and front bumper built. But wheeling is wheeling. I just want to go out and have fun now.

[Matt S.]

Well Its about time this is wrapped up for the time being.

The last couple weeks have been small yet important tasks. I have bedlined the floor and firewall, sadly didnt have enough to do the roof. I painted everything, and mounted a few misc. things.

Today was a tough day. Had to take the old 30 out and put the new one in. I wish I could have foreseen the problems I would have run into, but se' la vi.

Had to build shock mounts, rework the LCA mounts, rework the trackbar mount, and do alittle to the steering. All in all it was a LONG day to swap an axle.

Here is how it turned out though.
http://img126.echo.cx/img126/9061/sss0100pp.jpg



Had the 40 mile drive home, which considering all, went relativly well. Not sure yet what noise my front end is making, but I can check that tomorrow. Probly crap in between the pads and rotors. No bad gear noise or new vibes. I know ALOT of people have 4.56s and 33s but it seemed really under powered.

Here it is sittin in its temporary spot.
http://img170.echo.cx/img170/6282/sss0096sr.jpg

I am really happy with how it turned out, not finished by anymeans. But I can wheel, thats whats important.

Matt

[JnJ]

Looking great! So, your a little disapointed with the 4.56s and 33s? Running a non-HO and AW4?

[Matt S.]

I didnt know what to expect. Of course I dont have my speedo hooked up yet, need to junk yard a cable. But with a car driving in front for reference, 70mph seemed... pushin it. We shall see, I havnt drivin a XJ in sooo long that my memory has faded.

yes its a non HO with AW4

[JnJ]

I felt the same way with 4.88s and 35s. This time I'm going 4.88s and 33s.

[Asher]

Don't forget that you really changed the aerodynamics of your XJ....

I did this to mine:

http://www.midriversjeepthing.com/albums/album100/100_2506_001.sized.jpg

http://www.midriversjeepthing.com/albums/album100/100_2617_001.sized.jpg

and at hwy way speeds it is a real dog with a tons of wind turbulence... you would think without a windshield it would just blow right through, but it also trailers worst than my other XJ that sits about 6" higher on the trailer (but still has a full cab and all glass)...

[JEONLYEP]

Don't forget that you really changed the aerodynamics of your XJ....

I did this to mine:

http://www.midriversjeepthing.com/albums/album100/100_2506_001.sized.jpg

http://www.midriversjeepthing.com/albums/album100/100_2617_001.sized.jpg

and at hwy way speeds it is a real dog with a tons of wind turbulence... you would think without a windshield it would just blow right through, but it also trailers worst than my other XJ that sits about 6" higher on the trailer (but still has a full cab and all glass)...

You got more photos of that? I like the idea, just wanna see more of it!

BTW, welcome to NAXJA

Thanks

DAryl

[Neil]

That looks like a great parts donor parked right next to your rig. (the yellow one that says "CAT" on it) :wave:

[Asher]

You got more photos of that? I like the idea, just wanna see more of it!

BTW, welcome to NAXJA

Thanks

DAryl

Thanks for the welcome, I will try and dig up some pictures. The cage still needs some corner bracing, but the front tubes run down between the doors and dash and tie into the 2x6 rockers, the B tube runs inside of whats left of the door frame and ties into the rocker also, and the same for the C tube down to the rocker, the D pillar runs behind the tail lights and ties into the rear 4x4 bumper with 2x4 end caps. I built the cage trying to keep the interior space to a maximum, I don't bang my head, or hit it anywhere (in any of the seats) but it is no bigger than the factory roof line.

Sorry didn't mean to highjack the thread so I will try and send you an e-mail if I find more pictures.

[edit]
forgot I had some pictures on the clubs web site, try these.
http://www.midriversjeepthing.com/modules.php?set_albumName=album50&op=modload&name=gallery&file=index&include=view_album.php&page=1

note, the pipe bender in the pic is not what I used to make my bends..



Thanks for asking,

[JeepFreak21]

I hate to lock a good thread, but since you guys can't quit voting... http://www.slicky.net/smilies/lockd.gif
Billy