Mira's '93 XJ 2-dr. build (11-year-old's first Jeep)

[1x1_Speed_Craig]

That dash swap is a mighty big undertaking!! However, being only 23, I can remember how crappy it is to have some fugly dash designed in the 1980's in my first ride... haha The newer interiors were so utilitarian and soft featured, its a good timeless design without giving off that "god, this is old feeling"

good work!!

Thanks. :cheers: The whole project is a lot of work, but we have plenty of time, and a complete donor vehicle so we're sure to get everything right with the swap. No worries.

Craig

 

[Tacedaddy]

Dang good work Craig, I dont think i would attempt a full dash swap.
Sorry i got off the phone so quick earlier GF showed up (drama)

 

[1x1_Speed_Craig]

This just in...Mira was published in the January 2012 issue of Jp Magazine. Woot! I'm very proud that they complimented her writing/grammar/punctuation. That's my girl!

 

[brianglawson]

SUPER AWESOME!!!

 

[Ghost]

This just in...Mira was published in the January 2012 issue of Jp Magazine. Woot! I'm very proud that they complimented her writing/grammar/punctuation. That's my girl!

Now I have to go find that rag.....

 

[1x1_Speed_Craig]

Thanks guys. Here's an easier-to-read image. This is on page 56 of the mag.

 

[DeftwillP]

We got a celebrity on our hands here.

 

[xj bmx]

I just hopped on to see if you guys knew about this, hahaha congrats!

 

[kidarkitect]

That 11 year old has a better jeep than me!!!! Grrrr.

Okay, awesome work. Look forward to doing this with my kids one day.

 

[Action Fab]

Very cool guys. Keep it up!

 

[1x1_Speed_Craig]

Thanks all. I can't wait to show Mira all of this feedback! Much appreciated.

Craig

 

[xjsnake]

That 11 year old has a better jeep than me!!!! Grrrr.

I know the feeling!

Awesome job Craig and Mira :yelclap:

 

[1x1_Speed_Mira]

Thank you all for the great comments! :clap: When my dad called me and told me about the magazine, I would have screamed, but I probably would have broken my dad's ear drums. I guess i'm a celeb now. :woohoo:

-Mira

 

[DeftwillP]

Can you get me Justin Bieber's autograph?

 

[Johnnie Walker]

Can you get me Justin Bieber's autograph?

Fail.. the worst post of this thread.


Congrats on the article! Wish I had that kind of motivation when I was younger.

 

[Johnnie Walker]

Up flush with the axle center line. That is what I did with all my axles. You just have to hole saw the mount is all. Or if you have a plasma cut an arch.

x2, when I swapped in my C8.25 one of the shock mounts was broken. So I had Tim (knucklehead61) cut/weld shock mounts flush with the tube.
The raised mounts are tons better than stock regardless, but still low.

Thanks for the kind words, Tom. It's definitely a work-in-progress. :eeks1: Is ROTM even active? I just found a post (HERE) from back in January mentioning that it is "suspended until further notice". Is that still the case?

Craig

If you are not already, join cherokeetalk forums, sure this vehicle would make the cut for COTM.

 

[1x1_Speed_Mira]

As much as i'd like to get you Justin Bieber's autograph, ( because he's, like, AWESOME!!!), I can't...

 

[1x1_Speed_Craig]

x2, when I swapped in my C8.25 one of the shock mounts was broken. So I had Tim (knucklehead61) cut/weld shock mounts flush with the tube.
The raised mounts are tons better than stock regardless, but still low.

Good idea, but I already owned the M.O.R.E. high-clearance mounts (not flush, but better than stock), and they're already finish-welded on the axle.

If you are not already, join cherokeetalk forums, sure this vehicle would make the cut for COTM.

That is one forum I'm not on yet. I'll have to check it out. We're newer to XJs (within the last 1 1/2 years)...I was primarily a CJ/Wrangler guy prior to that.

As much as i'd like to get you Justin Bieber's autograph, ( because he's, like, AWESOME!!!), I can't...

I can only have so much influence over my daughter, and reluctantly support her love of said singing celeb. :laugh: That being said, she is also a fan of classic Queen, and can belt out "I Want It All" with great passion!


Craig

 

[1x1_Speed_Craig]

Maeve (Mira's little sister) actually helped me out in the garage today, and was a great little helper! She liked watching me weld, and seemed pretty interested in the process. She, of course, laughed at me a couple times I forgot to connect my ground wire prior to welding. Anyway, here's the progress.


Front view of Mira's completed (minus paint & replacement "skull" diff cover), disc-braked, trussed Dana 44 rear axle.

Close-up of front of truss. I welded a couple 7/16" nuts on the inside on both sides of the center section as a mounting point for a potential differential skid plate down the road.

Close-up of passenger-side Dana 44 rear. The M.O.R.E. shock mounts gain us about 1" of additional ground clearance over the stock shock mounts.

Another center section shot. I cleaned up & painted the inside of the truss, and also the top of the cast center section prior to welding on the truss so it'll be easier to seal up from the elements.

On the rear of the truss, I drilled a hole, and welded (from the back) a 7/16"-20 bolt to mount the OEM '05 LJ brake line splitter. The little tab below is just to keep the splitter from rotating around.

Here's a close-up of one of the truss welds. I did a double-pass weld with my Millermatic 135...worked very well. I haven't done many double-pass welds, but given the thickness of the material, it was the best route to go with my 115V Miller welder.

 

[VAhasnoWAVES]

looks great. are you adopting? lol.

how was the fitment of the truss? looks superb from the pics.