New Jeep

[Coastie]

After rolling my last Jeep and selling the whole heap. I thought my last stint in this expensive addicting hobby was over but nope. I have bought another XJ, didn't even make it a whole year :looney:. I found this one on craig's list and I haven't even seen it in person yet. My dad picked it up for me yesterday.

My last XJ which I built in my late teens was built way to big I am thinking smaller since I will never be a rock crawler. I want this Jeep to take me into the back woods for camping and exploring :)

The specs:

1994
243,000 miles
4x4/auto
D30/Chrysler 8.25

My plans in order:

Tune up
4.5 RC lift
32's (I haven't figured out which ones yet, last used TrXus M/Ts)
Aussie locker(s)
Front bumper, I want a ARB but cost might make me choose a cheaper model.
Winch
JCR rear bumper
Roof Rack
At some point I will paint it tan and hurc the tub.

Hello, my name's Oliver and I am a Jeep-o-holic.

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x200/Oliverff/New%20Jeep/Jan2009001Small.jpg

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x200/Oliverff/New%20Jeep/Jan2009002Small.jpg

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x200/Oliverff/New%20Jeep/Jan2009003Small.jpg

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x200/Oliverff/New%20Jeep/Jan2009004Small.jpg

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x200/Oliverff/New%20Jeep/Jan2009010Small.jpg

[ehall]

It'd be a sin to repaint that

[Crusher16]

Welcome back to the addiction.

[Timmy2XJS]

hahaha! i got one and now 3 reside at my house!


welcome back!

[Hammered]

not sure if you have a particular rack in mind. Heres a cheap one...

http://www.etrailer.com/pc-CCR~7325.htm

[Graeme]

It'd be a sin to repaint that

X2 - I love those black jeeps with the red stripe. I'd shed a tear if I heard that was painted.

[woody431]

That motor looks really clean for 243k miles! I had a RC 4.5 on one of my XJs and didn't really care for it. Id say maybe look into a Rubicon Express, TNT, something a little higher end. But, if you're set on the RC, by all means, go for it. Otherwise, nice lookin XJ!

[Coastie]

So I just drove straight through from Georgia to the U.P. about 16 hours in my new XJ and it went well :) She has a few oil leaks and the tranny is leaking somewhere (I think it is from where the pan meets the dip stick tube) As soon as I get my Obama bribe and taxes back this Jeep will grow fast.

[scat]

Before you buy an ARB bumper, check these out http://www.ajsoffroadarmor.com/products-bumpers-winch.php

[Coastie]

Before you buy an ARB bumper, check these out http://www.ajsoffroadarmor.com/products-bumpers-winch.php

I think I have decided to go with a JCR bumper I have always liked them and the price. Then I found out I wouldn't have to wait for shipping because they are 4 hours away :P

[Coastie]

So I finally got my RC 4.5" lift on but found out in the process that I have a very badly broken tranny mount and the vibrations are to awful to test drive haha!

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x200/Oliverff/IMG00341.jpg

Now I need some bigger tires to go with my wheels that are sitting in my living room.
http://s184.photobucket.com/albums/x200/Oliverff/?action=view&current=IMG00341.jpg

[Coastie]

So here is the Jeep sitting on my friends 33x12.5x15's. Mine will be here in a few more days.

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x200/Oliverff/IMG00349.jpg

Does this look like it sits a little high? It's the RC 4.5" kit on 33's with almost no rubbing haha.

[POLAR_JEEP_04]

it looks like the rear tire is way to far foward

[scottmcneal]

it looks like the rear tire is way to far foward

X2

[Coastie]

I thought the same thing too, do I maybe have the leafs on backwards?

[POLAR_JEEP_04]

if they were on backwards they would be to far to the rear (easy way to stretch wheel base) is it like that on the other side? might be the wrong leafs or they drilled the center hole in the wrong spot

[Coastie]

It is the same on both sides, I never really noticed it with the small tires I have on it. Just when I test fitted some 33's.

[Jimbo_1321]

you can see it in both pics...
my idea would be to call rough country and tell them.
if they're not willing to do anything take the plate that goes on top of your leaf springs and drill those four holes an inch to an inch and a half forward, you'll need to figure out which first. and then move the axle a little back.
if that didn't make sense go look at the u-bolt plates and you'll understand

[Coastie]

you can see it in both pics...
my idea would be to call rough country and tell them.
if they're not willing to do anything take the plate that goes on top of your leaf springs and drill those four holes an inch to an inch and a half forward, you'll need to figure out which first. and then move the axle a little back.
if that didn't make sense go look at the u-bolt plates and you'll understand


Yea that makes sense, my other choice is to drill another hole in the leafs. I don't think I could drill the plate far back enough to make a difference.

[chedisme]

before you do any self mods to fix it talk to RC they are normally very helpful. and will probably correct any mistake they have made.

[Coastie]

before you do any self mods to fix it talk to RC they are normally very helpful. and will probably correct any mistake they have made.


I just got off the phone with Jason (aka Grimis) and he said it was normal, so that when it flexed the axle would shift backwards. I had never heard of this before but I am by no means an XJ guru.

Jason was a great help with another question I had also +1 for RC.

[Jimbo_1321]

I highly doubt it should be that far forward....

[POLAR_JEEP_04]

still doesnt look right to me. the axle is not going to move back that much when flexings. im almost willing to bet first good flex takes the flare off

[Coastie]

Yea I don't think I am going to leave it like that. Just passing on what I was told.

[WrenchMonkey]

A lot of lift-leaves do that. I agree it looks bad, but you do see it a lot.

There's probably not enough space to redrill all four ubolt holes in the plate.

I just redrilled the center hole. Then the plate, ubolts, and axle all move back together.

I gained about an inch and a half that way, and centered the wheel in the fenderwell.

http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb201/rmhull/Haspin080705/p08070504mine.jpg

Robert

[Jimbo_1321]

oops. that's what I was thinking about...
don't know how I got it mixed up...

[bwfdrums]

not sure if you have a particular rack in mind. Heres a cheap one...

http://www.etrailer.com/pc-CCR~7325.htm (http://www.etrailer.com/pc-CCR%7E7325.htm)

That is a pretty good deal on a rack dang! well if you ever come through ohio and want something a lil different. I am selling my rack and rain gutter mounts with it. the lights broke off so i dont have those anymore. all for
$240


http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x55/empireoffroad/IMG_1448.jpg

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x55/empireoffroad/IMG_1447.jpg

[bigalpha]

Ever figure out that rear axle issue?

[Coastie]

Nope not yet, like I said, Jason said they were meant to be that way. I don't really like it. So when the weather is warmer I am going to take them out and redrill the center pin hole.

[Coastie]

So I finally got some tires of my own, some Wranger MT/R's 33x12.50x15

It went from stock

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x200/Oliverff/New%20Jeep/Jan2009002Small.jpg

To this in just a little over a month.

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x200/Oliverff/New%20Jeep/IMG00372.jpg

[Coastie]

Poser shots!

My frist wheeling trip with this Jeep is coming in two weeks.

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x200/Oliverff/New%20Jeep/IMG00408.jpg

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x200/Oliverff/New%20Jeep/IMG00409.jpg

[Coastie]

So I haven't posted about my Jeep in a while, been to busy working on it!

I have done a small number of mods lately.

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x200/Oliverff/New%20Jeep/IMG00477.jpg

Went door less for the summer time.

About a month ago my tranny started to slip pretty bad, with 260,000 on the clock not to bad so I went on the hunt for another tranny. I found one from a '95 with 30K on it and it even came with a NP231 for $200!

Since I was going to be putting this in soon I wanted it to be pretty as it can be. So I painted it and the TC red.

I will be waiting another 2 weeks to put it in once I get my SYE so I can put the TC back together.

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x200/Oliverff/New%20Jeep/IMG00482.jpg
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x200/Oliverff/New%20Jeep/IMG00483.jpg
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x200/Oliverff/New%20Jeep/IMG00484.jpg
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x200/Oliverff/New%20Jeep/IMG00485.jpg

All in all I am really happy with the way it came out.

[97XJ2]

Cool, when you go wheeling, do you go to Drummond? I've never been but I hear that its supposed to be a good time.

[Coastie]

Yea Drummond is a great place, my next place I haven't been to turtle ridge yet. Once I get the new tranny in I will be going again.

[Coastie]

Been a while since I have updated.

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x200/Oliverff/New%20Jeep/8322_141619292400_609927400_3032155.jpg

Painted it desert tan.

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x200/Oliverff/New%20Jeep/0116101815a.jpg

Picked this baby up yesterday, also got 4.88's for it and my Dana 30. The 44 will be locked and converted to disc brakes before going in.

Also will be ordering TNT long arms in another week.

[Coastie]

Been doing a few new things to the Jeep.

Upgraded the charging system with the help of 5-90 to a 136A system with upgraded cables throughout.

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x200/Oliverff/New%20Jeep/0313101439.jpg

I did all this for a new winch, decided to go with the brand new Mile Marker SEC 8. The winch is mounted on a Logan's Metal bumper, it's a very stout bumper and very well priced. You can also see that I installed vents off a 80's 280Z.

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x200/Oliverff/New%20Jeep/0404101706.jpg

Also went with some long arms. Chose to run Iron Rock's arms and so far I am very pleased with them.

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x200/Oliverff/New%20Jeep/0313101308.jpg
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x200/Oliverff/New%20Jeep/0313101308a.jpg

Next up I want to do a steering upgrade. Thinking of JCR and after that I wanna do new shocks maybe 5150's.

Still gotta work on that D44

[austinaubinoe]

wow clean tan paint job, do that with a gun or a can? The 5150's are AWSOME. I run then on 8 inches of lift with no sways and its a good ride for what it is.

what is the difference between the PEC8 and the SEC8? Ive never owned one, bet I always thought that the mile marker 8k winches where the best budget ones on the market.

[Coastie]

wow clean tan paint job, do that with a gun or a can? The 5150's are AWSOME. I run then on 8 inches of lift with no sways and its a good ride for what it is.

what is the difference between the PEC8 and the SEC8? Ive never owned one, bet I always thought that the mile marker 8k winches where the best budget ones on the market.

Here is the thread for my paint job.

http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1006403

I believe the PEC is a higher quality winch than the SEC. I think that MM saw how well the Smittybilt winches were selling and since they were supplying many of the parts for those winches decided to market their own budget winch.

[WrenchMonkey]

Totally diggin the tan.

What's up with the rockers? In some (including the paint thread) they're black, in others they're not...

And didja ever try to move that axle back?

Looks good...

Robert

[Coastie]

I painted over the rockers because the bed liner I used there sucked and I like the mono-color better.

Nah I didn't; RC stuck be their guns saying it was supposed to be that way and I haven't really had any issues with it. I have been wanting to go with some different leafs though.