'Different' modifications

[casm]

The XJ's getting close to what I'd consider to be 'finished' - SYE & CV shaft are in, shackles, ACOS, and control arms will be done in the next few weeks, and after that it just needs bumpers and a belly skid to be at where I want it to be. Since I'm trying to keep it as a liveable commuter vehicle, this setup is pretty much as far as I want to go with it for the time being.

Thing is, I still have the itch for tweaking it. This has got me wondering what other people have done that's unique in terms of the usual run of modifications we see here. I'm not talking about something like installing a stereo, CB, or GPS (got those fronts covered anyway), but rather little things that make it more useful for the way you're using it.

Anyone have anything in this regard that they've done and want to share? So far I've been coming up with plans for concealed electric OBA (just airing up & down, not running tools) and a permanently-wired inverter and outlets, but it's just not quite what I'm looking for.

[nick86]

Now that's the funniest thing I heard all day"My XJ is finished". Are they ever really finished?

[casm]

Are they ever really finished?
this setup is pretty much as far as I want to go with it for the time being.

:rolleyes:

[Matthew Currie]

ON this subject, one I've always wanted to try but never done is a recessed spare tire well in the roof. Has anyone ever tried that one?

[ZacSquatch]

Intigrated console/cooler/fridge for that 6 pack on the ride home.

[JeepFreak21]

One of the cheapest, easiest mods I did was one I appreciated the most... rewiring the cigarette lighter to be on 24/7. Great for charging my cell phone or laptop battery.
Billy

[GrimmJeeper]

my fav mod has to be the 7" screen i put in the dash. now i can play ps2 and watch porn no matter how far from home i am :D now thats camping.

[Fergie]

A la Olivedrab CJ7....
















































































http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v176/bergferg/trucknutz.jpg

[ZacSquatch]

They make "lips" you can put in your hitch recievers.

[beakie]

When my rear speaker bar cracked in half I glassed it over and since it was a little stronger now I put some velcro tabs on the back so I can have my fishin rod in the Jeep all the time and not have to worry about it takin up room, or getting broke if I toss something in the back.

[Kejtar]

change out the bench in the back to be 1/3 as in there is only a bench seat behind the passenger but the 2/3rds behind the driver is all open :D

[5-90]

How do you use your rig? You may be 'too close' to the problem, and therefore unable to think of other useful mods. We can help you spend your money - er - come up with new mods...

[XJumpmaster]

I've been toying with the idea of puting in a mount for my laptop like in police cruisers. I'd really like to get more involved in geocaching and expedition type travel.

[JohnX]

Best mod I did was to add a "shelf it" from jcwhitney. Bolts in where the visors go and give you a shelf for stuff. I have my radios, plus I keep maps, sunglasses, snacks, etc.

If you're over 5'10" tall I would forget it though, it will get in your line of sight to see stoplights and higher signs, etc. Its kind of like having the visors down part way.

[98XJSport]

I want to add a couple lights in the hatch that will shine down when the hatch is open. Saw that done recently on here, most likely lost in the crash.

[JeepFreak21]

Best mod I did was to add a "shelf it" from jcwhitney. Bolts in where the visors go and give you a shelf for stuff. I have my radios, plus I keep maps, sunglasses, snacks, etc.

If you're over 5'10" tall I would forget it though, it will get in your line of sight to see stoplights and higher signs, etc. Its kind of like having the visors down part way.

Pics? http://www.slicky.net/smilies/fingersx.gif
Billy

[BruceB83]

Best mod I did was to add a "shelf it" from jcwhitney. Bolts in where the visors go and give you a shelf for stuff. I have my radios, plus I keep maps, sunglasses, snacks, etc.

If you're over 5'10" tall I would forget it though, it will get in your line of sight to see stoplights and higher signs, etc. Its kind of like having the visors down part way.

When did you purchase this? I looked for it and it seems it has been discontinued. JCWhitney only had it for the Expedition/Navigator and the F-150...

Not to mention it is $169!!! That seems a little steep for that item.

[casm]

How do you use your rig?

See, that's the thing - I'm not taking it out rockcrawling or anything like that, so it's pretty much set up to be able to deal with getting in and out of places in the desert & mountains that aren't super-difficult, but wouldn't really be suitable for a completely stock vehicle.

You may be 'too close' to the problem, and therefore unable to think of other useful mods.

That was more or less my thinking on this, too. Right now a lot of what I've been looking into are items that make it easier to live with for extended periods of time away from 'civilised' facilities such as plumbing and 110V electricity, but since most of that stuff can be covered with off-the-shelf items it's not really much in the way of a mod.

We can help you spend your money - er - come up with new mods...

Truth in advertising never rang clearer :)

Something else I've been poking around in lately is the idea of an everyday vehicle with two-thirds of the XJ's overall capability, but superior fuel economy. Not that the XJ isn't really good at what it does, but a lot of the time it's overkill (particularly for commuting and around-town needs), so something more flexible looks interesting. My requirements so far are that it should achieve 50% better average fuel economy than the XJ (so around 22-24mpg), have a low range, and 9" of ground clearance. Early '90s Subaru Loyales are looking interesting in that regard, but we'll see. It's mainly just something I'm kicking aorund for the moment.

[Ralph]

Cup holder. Most useful addition to date. After that would be rear disk brake conversion.

[casm]

Cup holder. Most useful addition to date. After that would be rear disk brake conversion.

Way ahead of you on both of those - it's a 2000, so has the cupholders as standard, and did a Teraflex rear disc conversion a few months ago ;)

Freewheel hubs. Hm...

[Ralph]

Way ahead of you on both of those - it's a 2000, so has the cupholders as standard, and did a Teraflex rear disc conversion a few months ago ;)

Freewheel hubs. Hm...
Good job.

[Prepmech]

Something else I've been poking around in lately is the idea of an everyday vehicle with two-thirds of the XJ's overall capability, but superior fuel economy. Not that the XJ isn't really good at what it does, but a lot of the time it's overkill (particularly for commuting and around-town needs), so something more flexible looks interesting. My requirements so far are that it should achieve 50% better average fuel economy than the XJ (so around 22-24mpg), have a low range, and 9" of ground clearance. Early '90s Subaru Loyales are looking interesting in that regard, but we'll see. It's mainly just something I'm kicking aorund for the moment.

I was thinking the same thing. Got to looking at '05 Liberty CRDs. Was going to set it up with a 2.5" lift, 265/75R16 tires, ARB bull bar, winch, Junk Yard 4cyl axles with 4.10 gears, lockers front & rear... Sounded like a pretty good mix between economy and capability, until I talked to my wife about it. Her reply was "but its a girls car", 'nuff said.

[Lowrange2]

I was thinking the same thing. Got to looking at '05 Liberty CRDs. Was going to set it up with a 2.5" lift, 265/75R16 tires, ARB bull bar, winch, Junk Yard 4cyl axles with 4.10 gears, lockers front & rear... Sounded like a pretty good mix between economy and capability, until I talked to my wife about it. Her reply was "but its a girls car", 'nuff said.

just bought an 88 Ford Ranger for this purpose... it gets 22 mpg... I only paid 100bucks for it... So when its Found on the Road Dead... its because it only cost 100 bucks and I walked home.

[ZacSquatch]

Fasted on race day
F**king off road demon
Fullfills off roading dreams

Cracked
Head
Every
Valve
Rattles
Oil
Leaks
Every
Time

[Prepmech]

A few of the small things I've recently done or am getting ready to do for geocaching/camping:

I always liked the switch for the back-up lights that AEV put on its rear bumpers so you can turn them on whenever you want.

The ext idle switch is nice to have too.

If you have a '97-01 then swapping to the limited door panels with map pockets.

I'm working on putting a camel back pocket in the back of my front seat.

Beer bottle opener gusset on spare tire carrier.

Gear racks, boxes.

Colored map light to preserve night vision.

[casm]

I was thinking the same thing. Got to looking at '05 Liberty CRDs. Was going to set it up with a 2.5" lift, 265/75R16 tires, ARB bull bar, winch, Junk Yard 4cyl axles with 4.10 gears, lockers front & rear... Sounded like a pretty good mix between economy and capability, until I talked to my wife about it. Her reply was "but its a girls car", 'nuff said.

Yeah, I looked into them as well. Apart from your wife's comment (and I applaud her keen perception), it's a lot of money to spend on what basically amounts to a second vehicle. I'm still interested in the CRD transplant idea, but I've decided to put that off for a couple of years until the XJ's more in need of it, and we've had a chance to see how the 3.0 CRD in the WKs is working out.

I always liked the switch for the back-up lights that AEV put on its rear bumpers so you can turn them on whenever you want.

Yep. I was actually going to do this with a set of Oldsmobile Aurora reversing lights, but ultimately decided to go with a JCR rear bumper and carrier. Since the spare would block the Olds lights and I plan on ordering the bumper with the integrated backup lights, I'm holding off on that until it's here and in.

The ext idle switch is nice to have too.

Definitely. One of the most useful low-buck mods that I've done.

If you have a '97-01 then swapping to the limited door panels with map pockets.

Mine's a Limited so already has them, but definitely recommended for anyone who doesn't. No map pockets in my Sport drove me nuts.

I'm working on putting a camel back pocket in the back of my front seat.

Usually just sling mine over the seat back and latch the chest strap to the headrest. Works great, and clip on the strap doesn't poke me in the back while driving.

Beer bottle opener gusset on spare tire carrier.

Hm. That's a place I'd never considered putting one.

Gear racks, boxes.

Been through that, but am planning on some slight improvements.

Colored map light to preserve night vision.

Interesting; never thought of that either. Thanks!

[IslanderOffRoad]

I've got a bracket on the rear bumper that doubles as a whip antenna mount and a beer opener

[casm]

Well, it looks as though my next project figured out what it's going to be for me. For reasons I can't go into right now, the XJ's going to be off the road for some time. An '85 Subaru Brat complete with T-tops and jump seats fell into my lap for cheap, so it's going to tide me over until everything on the Cherokee front is sorted out.

The XJ's not going away permanently (nor am I :illegalflipoffsmiley: ), and I'll probably sell the Brat after I've got the Jeep back. Kinda figure that this'll be an interesting diversion from Jeeps for a bit - as much as I love my XJ, everyone needs a break from staring at the same stuff over and over every once in a while. Plus it'll be an opportunity to look into the light-but-capable 4x4 idea and generate some further thoughts from there.

Anyway, hope y'all have better luck with your XJs than I have recently :D

(BTW: no 0331 head failure involved, for anyone who may be speculating...)

[RichP]

ZJ rear view mirror, they have built in map lights, $3 at the boneyard...

[casm]

ZJ rear view mirror, they have built in map lights, $3 at the boneyard...

Ooh - I like that idea. Putting it on the junkyard list.

[RichP]

Ooh - I like that idea. Putting it on the junkyard list.
Look for a buick or Oldsmobile cutlass ciera or such, they have them too only both lights have their own switches, the Jeep one has one switch that turns on both lights. Also check the center fold down console, my wifes has a fold out cup holder that folds open to hold two cups and then you can fold it shut and rotate it back into the console. Mercedes have the same, at least on their 95+ ones, only the benz ones are made out of aluminum.
Just thinking about it now that solution would be a good one for a pre 97 XJ instead of the one that goes over the emergency brake. On a 97+ it would allow you to use the front most cup holder on the console to hold one of those cell phone holders.
Also panavise makes a metal bracket that mounts to the two left radio screws and comes out behind the center bezel, I mount my cell phone there like this
http://www.rjpsystems.com/DSCN0130.jpeg

[JeepFreak21]

I always liked the switch for the back-up lights that AEV put on its rear bumpers so you can turn them on whenever you want.

Like when some A-hole is tailgating you? http://www.slicky.net/smilies/hsughdunno.gif :D
Billy

[selarep]

Look for a buick or Oldsmobile cutlass ciera or such, they have them too only both lights have their own switches, the Jeep one has one switch that turns on both lights. Also check the center fold down console, my wifes has a fold out cup holder that folds open to hold two cups and then you can fold it shut and rotate it back into the console. Mercedes have the same, at least on their 95+ ones, only the benz ones are made out of aluminum.
Just thinking about it now that solution would be a good one for a pre 97 XJ instead of the one that goes over the emergency brake. On a 97+ it would allow you to use the front most cup holder on the console to hold one of those cell phone holders.
Also panavise makes a metal bracket that mounts to the two left radio screws and comes out behind the center bezel, I mount my cell phone there like this
http://www.rjpsystems.com/DSCN0130.jpeg

Or.... you could blow 150$ bones on the map lights, compass, and temp gauge... like me. Which still sits in my room because I need a new windshield. its a awesome mirror, just not-necessary....
http://www.jcwhitney.com/wcsstore/jcwhitney/images/imagecache/G_20305G_CL_1.jpg

[Kejtar]

front door map pockets: not all XJ's came with map pockets, so I made my own. I went to the junkyard, found some jap car with map pockets that were removeable. I painted them black and bolted them on.

[selarep]

front door map pockets: not all XJ's came with map pockets, so I made my own. I went to the junkyard, found some jap car with map pockets that were removeable. I painted them black and bolted them on.
pics?

[Kejtar]

pics?
I'll try to dig them up, though it might take me a few days. Just got back home from traveling and I got two evenings to get my XJ wheelable again before I hit the road on Thursday.

[GrimmJeeper]

i took a rear view mirror out of a 99 camaro, so now i got the map lights :D

[ren]

Better welding of the door hinge-to-body area. I guess that is more of a preventitive maintenance item, though...

[Beej]

Best "mod" I ever did was soundproofing my XJ. I used Silent Running 500, it paints onto interior sheetmetal and converts sound vibration into heat. The heat is negligible and isn't noticable inside, even on hot days. I used closed-cell foam glued inside all of the interior panels as well. I also recently did the interior parts of the dash in SR500 too. Works fantastically well. My Jeep now sounds like a Lexus inside, and its really nice for trips or even just for city driving; shutting out the noise.

I'm pretty sure I'm going to do this to every vehicle I own now...

[JeepFreak21]

Best "mod" I ever did was soundproofing my XJ. I used Silent Running 500, it paints onto interior sheetmetal and converts sound vibration into heat. The heat is negligible and isn't noticable inside, even on hot days. I used closed-cell foam glued inside all of the interior panels as well. I also recently did the interior parts of the dash in SR500 too. Works fantastically well. My Jeep now sounds like a Lexus inside, and its really nice for trips or even just for city driving; shutting out the noise.

I'm pretty sure I'm going to do this to every vehicle I own now...

Did you keep the carpet too? Bedliner? What?
Billy

[Beej]

Did you keep the carpet too? Bedliner? What?
Billy I pulled it up, cleaned it, applied rust protector where necessary (2 small spots), applied the SR500 in two coats and then put everything back as it was. I just did section by section over a few months. I did the front doors, then the rear doors, then the hatch, then the rear fenderwells, then under the rear seat, then the driver's side floor and centre section, then the passenger side floor, then the inside of all the plastic pieces, then the ceiling under the headboard, then took the dash apart and did inside that, the interior firewall and all the vents I could reach, then I took off all the plastic pieces again and glued closed cell foam on the interior surfaces, and the insides of the doors and in the rear fenderwells.

Now the doors 'thud' closed very quietly and its damn near silent inside with the windows up in busy traffic. The difference it made to the stereo is nothing short of amazing. I'd do it again in a heartbeat and plan to do it to our little pickup next. The SR500 isn't cheap though, but its worth it IMHO...

[GSequoia]

blah blah blah...

I'll check it out when you are in Moab next year. Since, after all, it is required.

Probably the best out of the ordinary mod I've done is a toss up between my sunroof for kicks and the remote fuse box for usability. Having a source of clean power with multiple circuits is nicer than I can describe.

[JeepFreak21]

I pulled it up, cleaned it, applied rust protector where necessary (2 small spots), applied the SR500 in two coats and then put everything back as it was. I just did section by section over a few months. I did the front doors, then the rear doors, then the hatch, then the rear fenderwells, then under the rear seat, then the driver's side floor and centre section, then the passenger side floor, then the inside of all the plastic pieces, then the ceiling under the headboard, then took the dash apart and did inside that, the interior firewall and all the vents I could reach, then I took off all the plastic pieces again and glued closed cell foam on the interior surfaces, and the insides of the doors and in the rear fenderwells.

Now the doors 'thud' closed very quietly and its damn near silent inside with the windows up in busy traffic. The difference it made to the stereo is nothing short of amazing. I'd do it again in a heartbeat and plan to do it to our little pickup next. The SR500 isn't cheap though, but its worth it IMHO...

Do you think it could be used with bedliner... either above or below it?
Thanks,
Billy

[Starboard M]

Best "mod" I ever did was soundproofing my XJ. I used Silent Running 500, it paints onto interior sheetmetal and converts sound vibration into heat. The heat is negligible and isn't noticable inside, even on hot days. I used closed-cell foam glued inside all of the interior panels as well. I also recently did the interior parts of the dash in SR500 too. Works fantastically well. My Jeep now sounds like a Lexus inside, and its really nice for trips or even just for city driving; shutting out the noise.

I'm pretty sure I'm going to do this to every vehicle I own now...
Yikes. That stuff is expensive. $150 per gallon.

I put some of this in my 99.
http://www.edesignaudio.com/edv2/product_info.php?cPath=1_24&products_id=52

Helped a fair amount, although I only put one layer down and only the floor. When I get home Im going to do the roof and doors, and if I have enough a second layer on the floor.


For the same price as a gallon of the Silent Running stuff, you can get three gallons of this.
http://www.edesignaudio.com/edv2/product_info.php?cPath=1_24&products_id=53

Im really thinking about getting a couple gallons. Only thing that worries me is the lower temp spectrum.

[Roxtar]

An XJ isn't finished till it looks like Okie Terry's.

Then it's truly finished

[JeepFreak21]

An XJ isn't finished till it looks like Okie Terry's.

Then it's truly finished

I think Phil's almost there.
Billy

[Beej]

An XJ isn't finished till it looks like Okie Terry's.

Then it's truly finished Hey! Don't talk about that guy here, he's got his own website to be talked about on...

[Begster]

What I've wanted to do is put some sort of switches on the steering wheel, like around where the factory cruise switches are, that control the stereo. This way you don't have to take your hands or eyes off the road to turn up the radio or change the song. I've just never had the time or drive to do it.

[Root Moose]

The TWC+ module is similar to this but it is meant to control the winch. No reason you couldn't hook that up to the stereo instead I suppose.

[old_man]

Toilet paper oil filter.

[8Mud]

My son just bought me a seat pad, actually well made, combination heater and vibrator. I find the vibrator function a little kinky, but what the heck why not.

[Kejtar]

The TWC+ module is similar to this but it is meant to control the winch. No reason you couldn't hook that up to the stereo instead I suppose.
speaking of TWC+: great idea, but if you stall, you loose control of the winch..... cause of that I installed a regular switch for the winch control

[Root Moose]

speaking of TWC+: great idea, but if you stall, you loose control of the winch..... cause of that I installed a regular switch for the winch control

I guess it pays to keep the OEM winch controller in the boonie box. ;)

[GrimmJeeper]

Toilet paper oil filter. its an XJ, not a chevy :D im surprised nobody picked up on that one yet ;)

[Kejtar]

pics?
http://i15.tinypic.com/6wq9vnb.jpg
http://i14.tinypic.com/7xm7a6p.jpg

[GrimmJeeper]

nice shoe collection remi :D

[Kejtar]

nice shoe collection remi :D
hey... I'm a packrat... what can I say...... Actually I probably should throw the damn thing out... it's been in the garage for god knows how long..... I need room to expand my beer bottle collection ;)

[RichP]

I had a couple of sets of speakers that looked like that, made by Muntz, they were handy for surface mounting almost anywhere and if you had a hatchback in the 70's that covered alot of vehicles. They were a good replacement for factory door arm rests. I don't remember 'built in' arm rests becoming common till the 80's.
I have been eyeing the map pockets on the 97ZJ, carpet covered and they use an elastic material to hold them closed.

[Phil]

I knew I should read Non-tech more.

I think Phil's almost there.
Billy

:bs: I drive my junk on the freeway.

[Starboard M]

I knew I should read Non-tech more.



:bs: I drive my junk on the freeway.
It being on a trailer doesnt count:D

[Phil]

It being on a trailer doesnt count:D

Fawker, I've only towed that thing to the trail three times ever. I drove it to work the other day!