Project "Dirt Cheep XJ II" begins.........

[Georgia Mike]

WHAT'S UP FELLAS!!!!!! I'm back!!!!!!!

Just bought myself a little '91 XJ off of eBay today, and I'm going to drag it home tomorrow morning. I've got to get the thing running first and foremost, but I did get the engine to turn over while looking it over, so that's a good sign. It's got a 4.0/AW4/231 in it, but it's got a D35 in the rear.:puke: The interior is beyond funky, but it's all gonna come out, anyway. It'll be open season on this one because I'm not going to worry about making it streetable. I'll just haul it wherever it needs to go. :yelclap:

I'm excited to be getting back into 4wheelin' again. It's a lot more family oriented than motorcycles. Plus it's safer, and prolly cheaper, too!!

Welp, I'll talk to you guys later, and hopefully before too long I'll see you on the trails!!!!
:peace:

[JLane99XJ]

awesome!!

maybe you'll get it ready b4 the crawl in july...

besure to let us know if we can help ya find anything in paticular..

[Ghost]

YAY! Welcome back! Let me know if you need anything.... I got parts available.

[MrMom]

also have parts... new 3 row CSF radiator to be specific if the cooling needs some help have upper and lower arms some long arms steerinr set up
rear hitch few rock crawler wheels possibly a 8.25 rear locked up
just up the road from you in Cleveland

[Georgia Mike]

:patriot: Thanks for the warm welcome!

I may be hitting you guys up for some parts!

What kind of longarms and steering you got, MrMom?

[Ghost]

Yea you need to attend the Crawl this year, youwould not believe the deep end I've stepped off of!

[Georgia Mike]

Well, it runs, sort of. It will run for a minute and shut off. When it runs it's really rough. It's definately an ignition related issue. Fuel pressure is good @ 35psi. I'm thinking it's the CPS. This is where I start to get confused. I'm 99% certain mine's not the Renix FI system, but mine doesn't have the HO valve cover. It seems there are 2 different ways to measure the CPS' resistance. With one system 0 resistance means it's good, the other system 0 resistance means it's bad.:dunno: Which is it? Can someone post up a pic of a Renix equipped 4.0 for me so I can determine for certain if mine's the MOPAR injection?

[Ghost]

91 is HO and MOPAR. It will have a rounded TB, Like the 01, and the Renix TB is square looking.

[Georgia Mike]

OK, so do you think mine's supposed to have a zero resistance, or some type of resistance? I measured across every possible combination of the three poles on the CPS plug with my meter and got nothing from any of them.

[Ghost]

I can look up the procedure tomorrow. I have the FSM at the shop.

[Georgia Mike]

Cool, I'd appreciate it! Been searching here in the OEM tech section, and it pointed me to a couple of other things to check out, too. The good thing is that the engine made no unusual noises and didn't smoke, so that's encouraging.:yelclap: Can you also look and see if it says anything about testing the pickup coil, too?

Thanks,
Mike

[Georgia Mike]

FIXED IT!! It was simply a bad connection at the plug for the CPS. Cut it out of the harness and rewired it with butt connectors. It may make it a little more of a pain to replace later, but at least I don't have to worry about it any more!!

Now I need to do a compression check, and if that checks out, it's time to start stripping it down for trail use!!

[Ghost]

Sorry I did not get back to you. Ben felt sick Sunday so I never made it to the shop. Then I fogot. Glad you got it fixed.

[Georgia Mike]

Ah, it's cool man! I actually found that little tidbit of information right here in the OEM tech section. I started it up today, full well expecting it shut down shortly afterward. When it kept running, I popped the hood, and as soon as I touched that connector, it shut off.:rolleyes:

So then I tried out the transmission and t-case, and they worked great. The vacuume disco on teh front axle doesn't work, but I'll prolly just convert it over to a cable anyway.

Now it's time to break out the Sawzall!!

[roXJeepr]

Hey Mike! Glad to see you're back man! Think you'll make the Crawl this year? Hopefully we'll see you there.
Dale

[Ghost]

Ah, it's cool man! I actually found that little tidbit of information right here in the OEM tech section. I started it up today, full well expecting it shut down shortly afterward. When it kept running, I popped the hood, and as soon as I touched that connector, it shut off.:rolleyes:

So then I tried out the transmission and t-case, and they worked great. The vacuume disco on teh front axle doesn't work, but I'll prolly just convert it over to a cable anyway.

Now it's time to break out the Sawzall!!
Do not waste your money one the cable unless you want to. I shimmed mine by putting the fork on the other side of the e clip.

[Georgia Mike]

HEY! What's up Dale! Long time no see! What's your XJ looking like these days?

Glen, I was actually thinking of trying to rig up a home made manual cable operater for the disco. Dunno if it's possible. Anyway, I'm also in the market for new axles, too, so I may not have to worry about this one anyway.

[Mark WNC]

Hey Mike, where ya been?
That was a long motorcycle ride you took.
It's good to see and here that your back.
Maybe you make the crawl this year.
I notice you said family, is there some
news you need to be telling or what?

[Georgia Mike]

What's up Mark! About the family, well....yes, and no. We now have a daughter, but Wendy and I are seperated at the moment. Don't know where that's going to end up, but whatever happens things are bound to be better in the long run. From what I've been reading you've been a busy guy making babies as well!! LOL!!!

What's your XJ looking like these days? I'm just now getting started on mine. If you know anyone with a good set of axles, lift, tires, whatever, for sale, let me know. Mine's got the junk axles and stock suspension and I'm looking to upgrade before the 'Crawl. So yes, I plan on being there! I'm going to put my Triumph Daytona on eBay this weekend, so I'm thinking I'll have at least $3,000 to spend in the very near future for everything!

[256offroad]

HEY! What's up Dale! Long time no see! What's your XJ looking like these days?

Glen, I was actually thinking of trying to rig up a home made manual cable operater for the disco. Dunno if it's possible. Anyway, I'm also in the market for new axles, too, so I may not have to worry about this one anyway.

well i have abuddy that is building the same kinda project as you....and he built a homemade disco outta choke cable...he put a bb lift on it with some old buckshots and welded it front and rear...

[Georgia Mike]

Well, looks as if I won't have to worry about that front axle! I've got a line on a pair of locked and geared D-30/8.8 axles to swap in! Yipee!!!:yelclap:

[Mark WNC]

Hate to hear about you and wendy but congrats on the girl and
may peace be with you in whatever happens.
As far as kids we have Karson of course which is 14 now and
Molly 4 and Myla 2 and one on the way, due at the first of November.
Lets pray for a boy.

My XJ is getting beat up pretty good now, I have put a long arm kit on It which is great and I built another one for Crystal in winter 2005 and 2006 It has a 44 rear locked and 30 locked with 6.5 in lift and the same tires I have and its an automatic.
She drove it at tellico last summer and it did really well.
I guess karson will get to drive it now that we are expecting again.
Prolly see you at the Crawl.

Anybody hear from Woody,Is He coming this year?I hope so.

[Georgia Mike]

Wow, you've been pretty busy, at home, and at building XJ's! Tell the family I said hello, and I look forward to seeing them at the 'Crawl if they come with you. I'm sure Karsen will make a good 'wheeler as long as there are no stick bugs around to freak her out-LOL!:laugh:

[Georgia Mike]

Got some tires!! Bought a set of 35" BFG M/T's with only a few thousand miles put on them! And he even threw in a decent matching spare!:clap:

[MrMom]

you need my long arms

[XJPhoenix]

Sounds like a sweet build-up... Some nice deals too!

What sort of lift are you planning on? F-150 coils? ZJ Up-Country? Maybe S-10 packs in the rear? We gotta see some pics...

Here's a link to a sweet site, http://www.lunghd.com/ It has good on and off-site links. I'll assume you're familiar with Go-Jeep and his website, but just in case you're not, here's a link http://www.go.jeep-xj.info/ to his site...

I hope you have fun with the Jeep, and it keeps rollin' for you.

:)

[Georgia Mike]

Yeah, like my previous XJ, I'll be building the leaf packs in the rear. I'm not gonna do the F150 coils. I'll prolly buy some sort of lift coils or front lift kit meant for the XJ so I can get some flex out of them:eyes: All the money I'm saving buying used stuff will most likely go to new components in the near future as time for the 'Crawl gets closer.

MrMom, I never heard anything back from you about the longarms as far as meeting up to take a look at them. Give me a call at the number I PM'd you and we'll get together on it.

[Georgia Mike]

Well, I'm well on my way!! My Triumph Daytona 955i sold on eBay in less than 10 hours with the Buy it Now option!! Now I have an extra $1,000 over the reserve I'd set on it!!! :yelclap:

Time to get some long arms!!!!

[Georgia Mike]

OK, maybe it's not gonna be "Dirt Cheep" this go 'round.....
At least this time I'm gonna do it the way I want it-LOL!!!
:skull2:

[TheDiabetic]

Man you just got ripped on those soft 8's. My buddy just bought some over at Summit Racing in McDonough for $160 or so brand new same size. That is unless your counting mount and balance of those tires.

[XJPhoenix]

Oooo...

Long-arm kit? Sweet...

Piccies!!

:D

[Georgia Mike]

Man you just got ripped on those soft 8's. My buddy just bought some over at Summit Racing in McDonough for $160 or so brand new same size. That is unless your counting mount and balance of those tires.
Actually I didn't get "ripped" on them. $220 for 5 wheels shipped to my door doesn't sound bad at all to me. I bought them from Summit, too:laugh:

[Ghost]

When is anything we do for jeeps cheap?

[Georgia Mike]

:wstupid:
Hardly ever....

[Ghost]

Actually I didn't get "ripped" on them. $220 for 5 wheels shipped to my door doesn't sound bad at all to me. I bought them from Summit, too:laugh:
I would have to agree with you on that. It would be worth $100 to have them shipped across Atlanta and to not have to deal with the wonderfull drivers there! :shhh: :gee: :fuse:

[Mark WNC]

So when you puttin on the Snorkle or the Camera or whatever it was called
by so many?

[Georgia Mike]

LOL! No goofy mods this go 'round....:D

[MELKORsXJ]

sounds like a fun ride mike... i'd like to build myself a "project xj" in the future... and mine will be cheap, for sure...

...i'll take any donations to start early =)

[Georgia Mike]

OK, here's a pic for you guys. This is it on the day I picked it up. Two flat tires, a busted windsheild, and a few pounds of dead maggots in the hatch area from someone leaving garbage in it. :puke: Poor thing doesn't know what it's in for :scared:

http://i12.ebayimg.com/07/i/000/9b/8e/b890_12.JPG

[Ghost]

OK, here's a pic for you guys. This is it on the day I picked it up. Two flat tires, a busted windsheild, and a few pounds of dead maggots in the hatch area from someone leaving garbage in it. :puke: Poor thing doesn't know what it's in for :scared:

http://i12.ebayimg.com/07/i/000/9b/8e/b890_12.JPG
It's white. LOL!

[Sharker98]

:variety:

[Georgia Mike]

It's white. LOL!
Yeah...I thought you'd like that!:star:

[JLane99XJ]

It's white. LOL!

&
with totally awesome Purle tint!! :)

[Georgia Mike]

LOL....yep! I call it Ghetto-tint:dunce:

It's gonna suck taking that crap off!

[Mark WNC]

lets see some updated pics if you can get them.
Would like to see the progress.

[TheDiabetic]

yea i wana see some pics so i can say dang....i want....
my jeep hurts for mods and my wallet hurts for cash!

[Georgia Mike]

LOL--been too busy doing other stuff. It still looks like that, except the front tires are aired up and it's in my driveway now. I wired up the brakes and breakaway back-up battery on my trailer this weekend. Now I figured out that the XJ's going to be too wide for it with the new wheels and tires. :gag: Looks like I'll have to leave the stock wheels on it for transporting on the trailer and just put the real wheels on it when I get to the trails or campgrounds. I guess I'll widen the deck later on. I'll start working on the XJ's suspension next weekend :yelclap:

[Ghost]

Kool, I got the tunnel built on mine this past weekend.

http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=908596

Last page.

[Georgia Mike]

SWEET!:peace:

[Georgia Mike]

Before:
http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q28/mikewendysara/000_0125.jpg

[Georgia Mike]

During
http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q28/mikewendysara/000_0127.jpg

[Georgia Mike]

No pics today. Too tired to think of it :wierd:

Did get the rear suspension and rear axle in. Cut the front lower control arm mounts off and cleaned & painted that area. Got the long arm mounts and crossmember bolted most of the way in. I hope to get it all done before Monday night. Just have so many other things taking up precious "work" time on it:rattle:

[Georgia Mike]

It's probably evident that I'm working at a very leasurely pace here... :D

No pics again today, but I got the x-member completely bolted in, along with the outer pieces that tie the outer pinch weld seams under the doors to the "frame rails". Lots of drilling with this kit! It'll all be worth it in the long run though. Probably won't get anything done on it tomorrow. It's Memorial Day, and I'm gonna take a break! :D Then it's back to work on it Tuesday morning!

[XJCRAWLER]

Mike, where in Flowery Branch you located? I live over off Union Circle. I've got a red 98 on 39's. Let me know if you need a hand.

[Georgia Mike]

I live right off of Atlanta highway about a mile and a half north of the Falcon's training camp.

[Georgia Mike]

Well, I got it sitting back down on all fours Sunday afternoon. The rear sits about 2-3" higher than the front does. I know that the leaves are supposed to settle down a little, but seriously...are they gonna settle THAT much? Thinking of getting a set of ACOS when the money allows.....

Will post pics tomorrow:cheers:

[milkman3848]

how much lift do you have on there?

[milkman3848]

I put a 4.5 on my XJ and my leafs only settled about an inch.

[XJCRAWLER]

They say throw 500 pounds in the back for a while and that helps settle stiff springs.

[Georgia Mike]

It's an RE 5.5" Extreme Duty long arm kit. I'll most likely have to do something with the front, especially after I build a new front bumper and mount my winch to it.

[Georgia Mike]

The pic doesn't really show how big of a difference there is, but it's pretty noticeable!! And the rear springs aren't very stiff at all. I can hop on the back bumper and it bounces pretty freely.....
http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q28/mikewendysara/91XJalmostfinished.jpg

[TheDiabetic]

I wouldn't even worry about the back springs....it looks perfect! good job man, looks burly as hell...man i need some tires on mine. ahhhhhh!!!1

[Ghost]

Mines bigger! LOL! :wow:

[milkman3848]

Man, good job it looks awesome.

[Georgia Mike]

Mines bigger! LOL! :wow:
Not where it counts........:roflmao:

[milkman3848]

HAHAHAHAHA

[MrMom]

ghost nice avatar what memories

[TheDiabetic]

ghost nice avatar what memories
what about mines.....i stole it from ghost haha!!

[Ghost]

what about mines.....i stole it from ghost haha!!
You and a lot of other people! THat was done on my fist trip to Uwharrie if I remember correctly.

[The Hard Struggler]

The pic doesn't really show how big of a difference there is, but it's pretty noticeable!! And the rear springs aren't very stiff at all. I can hop on the back bumper and it bounces pretty freely.....
http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q28/mikewendysara/91XJalmostfinished.jpg

[The Hard Struggler]

Good looking ride! I'm almost done with my $400 find, hope to meet you at tellico in july.

[Georgia Mike]

Installed the SYE today. Rear main seal and new oil pan gasket are next on the to-do list. Won a new pair of ACOS on eBay, so they're on the way. Time is getting near for Tellico, so I just ordered a front bumper off of eBay, too. Working on a roof mount for my spare. Gonna have to brace the roof up pretty good to hold it, especially since the DSPO decided to walk on the rood and crush it in! :smsoap: But what could I expect for a $200 XJ? :laugh3:

I actually took some time to clean the old thing up, too. It took a solid 8 hours to clean that nasty interior! Then I washed it, and to my amazement, the paint job on this thing isn't as bad as I thought it was, and the body is fairly straight. Too bad that it's the best it'll ever look right now, at least to the general public anyway. I love the look of a well used, beat up trail rig :D

Going to the junkyard sometime this week to see if I can find a 2 door Explorer and snag the fender flares, rear axle flange and axle plates off of it.

[milkman3848]

Ask "the diabetic" about the rear main seal. He replaced his last week without dropping the tranmission. I saw him today and he's not leaking anymore. I can't wait to see it at tellico

[Ghost]

Looks like its coming along nicely. Will Tellico be it maiden voyage? I'm hopinng to get a day in URE before Tellico but I'm not sure if I will.

[Georgia Mike]

Hopefully I'll get to do a shakedown run on it before Tellico, but the way I work, it may arrive there untested....:skull1:

[saybye]

daaamn thats came a long way, looking good!!

[Georgia Mike]

Thanks!
:cheers:

[Ghost]

Yea looking good.

[Georgia Mike]

Put the ACOS in today, now it sits more level, even just a little bit high in the front, but the track bar is waayy too short now :bawl: Gonna mount the new bumper winch on it and see how much it drops it, hopefully it'll sit it down to where the trackbar will work.

Got the rear main seal replaced, too. The bearings are shot. The rear main bearing is worn through the primary metal down into the secondary copper. Also has some nice deep gouges all the way around :tear: Looks like I'll be doing a bearing job on it pretty soon, too. At some point it slung a rod, as there are markings on the caps like someone's had it apart, and there's a nice gouge all the way around the inside of the oil pan at the #2 cylinder.

[XJPhoenix]

Ouch!

Would it be a better thing to just replace the engine? More work, but you never know what else might be wrong with the one you have...

:eek:

[Georgia Mike]

Nah, I did a compression check on it right after I got it running, and it's got good compression across the board. New bearings and having the crank turned and polished will make it last for a good long while, especially since it'll be mostly a trail rig anyway.

[XJPhoenix]

Sweet!

Makes me want to get myself a cheap rig and see what I can do...

:)

[ChrisFewell]

i quickly read through the thread but did see the tire size..are those 33's?

[Ghost]

i quickly read through the thread but did see the tire size..are those 33's?
Nope he is running 35's. IIRC.

[Georgia Mike]

Glen is right. 35x12.50-15's

[Georgia Mike]

Well, I can look at it one of two ways....I'm either extremely lucky, or extremely idiotic! I realized that I forgot to prelube the output shaft in the t-case with assembly lube when I was putting it all back together :rolleyes:

Now I've got to take it all back apart and redo it. *sigh* :bawl:

No biggie! Now that I know how it all goes together it should be a breeze! LOL!

[XJPhoenix]

I'd say lucky; I'd rather catch it before I get out on the road and hear the grrrrrrrrrrrr of something self-destructing against something expensive.

:)

[Georgia Mike]

I love my local junkyard! I scored a pair of 8.8 u-bolt plates from an F150, 1310 companion flange from a Ranger, and a front driveshaft from a Grand Cherokee, all for a grand total of $21.40 :yelclap:

Dropped the driveshaft off at the local driveline shop to have it lengthened, and it should be ready tomorrow.

It's getting there!!!!!!!!

:piratefla

[Georgia Mike]

Rear driveshaft is in, t-case is redone, trimmed front fenders, mounted winch bumper, made new track bar mount......:roll:

[milkman3848]

That XJ looks awesome, it makes mine look like a baby..... Ready to see it up at the crawl!
Thanks for all your help today, we got the drive shaft put in and after a little working with it, it started up.

[MrMom]

need a winch for that bumper? I got one!

[Georgia Mike]

That XJ looks awesome, it makes mine look like a baby..... Ready to see it up at the crawl!
Thanks for all your help today, we got the drive shaft put in and after a little working with it, it started up.
Glad to be of some help!
:party:

[Georgia Mike]

need a winch for that bumper? I got one!
Nah, I've got one, but thanks for the offer. Milkman may be interested in it, though.....:laugh3:

[Ghost]

I have been driving mine a little bit. Hope it all holds together.

[milkman3848]

Mike, whats the number of the place where you said you got your SYE and eveything?

[Georgia Mike]

www.performanceoffroadcenter.com

They're over in Athens. There's another location, but I'm not too sure where it is. You can call them and they should be able to tell you where it is. It might be closer to you than the Athens location.

[Georgia Mike]

Got my winch plate finished today. 1/2 thick plate steel and angle iron!! BEEFY!!!! :spin1:

[MrMom]

Mike, whats the number of the place where you said you got your SYE and eveything?
call justin at PORC in cumming he will hook you up tell him curtis sent you

[MrMom]

4780 Hammond Industrial Dr. suite 100
Cumming GA 30041
779-292-9820

[z_lindig]

yeah everybody go there! i'm trying to get a job there but they aren't busy enough! LOL seems like a really good company.

[Georgia Mike]

Progress pic!

http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q28/mikewendysara/000_0136.jpg

[milkman3848]

Looks very good, when you get those rock sliders done post up a picture. What all will i need if i'm going to want to put those rock sliders on when i get up to tellico?

[Georgia Mike]

Just a drill and some wrenches....

[TheDiabetic]

Sounds good, just whenever you put yours on let me let me know what size bits and wrenches i need. Thanks
jeremy

[TheDiabetic]

Ha, sorry i'm at drews(the diabetics) but this is milkman. Thanks mike.

[Mark WNC]

You better hurry up, you just got about a week left.

[Georgia Mike]

I'm pretty sure I'll get it buttoned up by this weekend. All I have left is:

hook up the brake lines
install the front shocks
finish mounting & wiring the winch
install the trailer hitch
buy and install a CB and antenna
finish spare tire carrier & mount spare tire to the spare rim
build & install the rock sliders
trim rear fenders

It's pretty easy for me this week, as we're off work until Monday, so I've got all day everyday until then, and everything left to do is pretty much bolt-ons except for the rock sliders. I'll get all the bolt-ons done tomorrow, and tackle the sliders on Friday.
:eeks1:

[yellowxj]

sweet build up. just read it...we're still trying to get bruisednanner(andy's) rig back together after our last ride...he sheared trackbar bracket and lca brackets off the passenger side of the axle....since it was so beat up we got another axle for the front, reinforced the lca mounts, and are building a mid-arm ylink sorta set up for it...started yesterday and we need to have it done for the crawl...we got the subframe mounts for the lcas and the lcas done today as well as swapping in his gears and swapping over his spindles,brakes,bearings,etc. to the new axle housing...found out that he had sheared the spline section off the passenger side inner axle shaft too...nothing like a dead line to get stuff done :)

[roXJeepr]

...nothing like a dead line to get stuff done :)

That's usually what it takes for me to get ANYTHING done! :laugh3:

[TheDiabetic]

Hey Mike I don't know how much you use your cb off of the trail but there's a hobby shop in Snellville who will max the out put on any cb you buy from them and their adjustable firesticks aren't a bad price if u like em. It's probably quite a drive for you though.

[spazzyfry123]

Looks good, man! Pretty cool to finally see someone else running the same bumper as me. :party:

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a170/spazzyfry123/My%20Jeep/IMAGE_00007.jpg

Are you planning on getting a rear bumper to match the front as well?
-Tyler

:greensmok

[Georgia Mike]

Deadlines?!?! HA!! I laugh in the face of deadlines! I usually wind up getting my butt whipped by them, but still.....:laugh:

As far as a rear bumper goes, I'll most likely just stick with the stocker, as I don't really need anything too beefy back there. My spare will be mounted on the roof, and my Hi Lift will be inside, so there's not really a need for it.

[Georgia Mike]

Brake lines & shocks are installed, winch install finished, lights wired, & spare tire mount finished.

Had to get another new battery today. The one I just bought died. :confused: It wouldn't take a charge, so I took it back to Advance and swapped it out. While I was in there, I went ahead and got a battery hold down bracket and installed it, too.

Progress is being made!!
:party:

[milkman3848]

Sounds like you're gonna get it done!

[Georgia Mike]

I hope so!!
:peace:

[milkman3848]

What are you gonna do to be able to mount your spare on your roof?

[Georgia Mike]

I bought a couple of TJ spare tire carriers from Fortech on eBay. Couldn't resist 'em for $ .99 each ;) Anyway, I mounted one on my trailer for it's spare tire, and the other one on the roof of the XJ. That, along with the roof rack crossbars makes a nice tire carrier. And it's CHEAP! :D I'm gonna mount my CB antenna on it, too.

[TheDiabetic]

can i tie a tire down to my roof bars and it stay you think?

[milkman3848]

It would be nice if that could work?! I'm short on room so if i could get it up on top that would be nice!

[Georgia Mike]

I'm sure that you could, but I would use a couple of decent sized ratchet straps if that's all that's going to be holding it on. That's a lot of weight to just have resting solely on the roof rack bars if you're going to simply tie it on. You also have to think about it sliding side-to-side. Mine rests on the rack bars, but is also held firmly in place by the spare carrier bolted to the roof.

[Georgia Mike]

By the way, I would only recommend that for a temporary setup. Over the long haul, with the tire shaking and bouncing up and down, I'm sure there will be negative effects on the bars. They may eventually fail and that would be a bad thing to see a full sized spare bouncing down the road with roof rack bars still attached to it :doh:

[MrMom]

I have some yakima gutter mounts I may would part with
all you would need is the cross bars
I run a 33 on top that way and just racket strap it to the load bars it works great
also came across a niffty little way to mount your hight lift up there as well using some what yakima calls quick clips it works very good. add a couple bolts washers and wing nuts and it is very secure to the load bars

[Georgia Mike]

Bought and installed a CB and antenna, reinstalled headliner, trimmed the rear fenders, bled the brakes, and they absolutely blow! Pedal goes all the way to the floor before stopping the XJ, and that's just rolling around in the yard! :scared:

Anyone have any suggestions? Anyone wanna come over and help me rebleed 'em?? Brakes are kinda important, ya know?? :cool:

[TheDiabetic]

just keep bleeding them. i remember working on race cars i bled new lines for-ev-er!

[roXJeepr]

Mike, are you using a vac or pressure bleeder? If not, you may want to try that. Sounds like you've either got lots of air still, or something is sprooched in your MC. Surely you didn't do something dumb like leave the rear spreader bars out of your brakes?

[Georgia Mike]

Dunno what's going on with the brakes. I didn't really mess with them today. I was building rock rails. It's probably loads of air in the lines, as they were hanging out in the wind with no fluid in them for quite a few weeks. I was using a Mity Vac to bleed them, but goofed up when doing the fronts, and ran the MC dry :doh: I'm pretty sure it's just air because I can pump the brakes and start to get some feel to them, but not what they need to be. I'll get it figured out, even if it's at Crawford's :laugh:

[milkman3848]

How are the rock rails looking?

[TheDiabetic]

always thinking about yourself jeremy...

[milkman3848]

No i ment for him, how do they look on your XJ mike? Thats what i was asking, i could care less how they look as long as they give me some sort of protection.... Are you going to help with the long arms tomorrow?

[Georgia Mike]

Rails are built. Just need to drill a few more holes for yours and paint them. Haven't mounted mine yet, but I'll probably get it done by tomorrow.

[Georgia Mike]

Rails are done. Got mine mounted, but didn't paint them yet. I was in a hurry :greensmok

Anyway, yours are done. All drilled and painted ready to be installed (the paint isn't the best stuff in the world, but it'll keep them from rusting for a little while). I also have all the bolts and washers in a bag to install them. I'll most likely have the tools with me needed for the install (14mm & 10mm sockets, and 10mm wrench) , you'll just need to bring a drill and 5/16" & 1/4" drill bits to install them if you're going to install them at Crawford's.

[milkman3848]

Sounds good, what do you think the chances are of us being able to borrow some electricity from one of the full hook up RV camp sites?! I have a drill, but it's not chordless, would that do? Thanks

[MrMom]

cordless drill coming and I have power at my site

[milkman3848]

Thank you very much! see you there

[Georgia Mike]

Yeah, everyone's pretty friendly, and will help anyone out in need of anything. It's like one great big old family out there!
:)

Oh, one more thing. make absolutely sure you get a 5/16" drill bit. The 1/4" bit can vary a little on the bigger side, but the 5/16" has to be spot on or the frame rails won't grab the sheet metal bolts tight enough to hold. I tried doing it the way I talked about before, but found out it was way too much hassle for very little gain in holding power. Hope you don't mind. It makes them a ton easier to install, too!

[Ghost]

As long as the soybean feild runner isnt involved you can use my site! :cheers: I'll have the welder and all sorts of tools.

[Georgia Mike]

Thought it was Tobacco fields?
!!!1

[Ghost]

Thought it was Tobacco fields?
!!!1
Tobacco, sotbeans, and corn right now! LOL!

[Georgia Mike]

Well, I couldn't have been happier with the way the XJ turned out. I only need to do some minor adjustments to it to make it perfect to me, but all in all, I was really impressed with its performance! Here are a few pics of it on Lower 2 on Saturday....

http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q28/mikewendysara/100_0878.jpg
http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q28/mikewendysara/100_0854.jpg
http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q28/mikewendysara/100_0853.jpg

Thanks to Jeremy for manning the camera for me, and thanks to Glenn for helping me get the brakes bled!

:cheers:

[XJPhoenix]

That looks awesome!

Very cool...

:)

[Georgia Mike]

Thanks! :roll: