dschappell

Here I go!! I am excited about this build. Pick this 1999 xj up from my wife's cousin for $1200. Was in a few fender benders and earned the named "Sherman" after the Sherman tanks. It had 180k on it and a blown head gasket about a month before she sold it. Her dad put a used (60k) engine in it and then she got smacked in the front. That's when I picked it up and just knew I could make it happen. The only major damage was a crunch on the unibody on the bumper mounts. It's going to get heated up and bent back into shape. I've already started the work and excited about the next few weeks. Adding a 2" budget lift, new header panel and light pieces, repainting, new heavy duty bumpers and rear tire carrier, roof rack and light bar... It's gonna be fun. Looking forward to any input you peeps have. Thanks!!

dschappell

So I got a lot done in the past while. Got some cleaning done on the inside under the hood. Also got the new turn signal relay replaced and new bulbs all the way around. (The lights were all screwed up because of the bad relay). I also got her (mostly) painted and got a el cheapo roof rack just to have something for the time being. Getting the front of the unibody heated up and bent back next week. I bought one of the Hornbuilt front bumpers from eBay. Only 149 shipped. I won't be doing much wheeling so I'm not too concerned. Here are pics so far.

Also, I'm looking for a rack for up top. I want 2 lights on it, and enough space for random crap and a spare. Budget is $100-$200. Any suggestions? Diy is also an option.

dschappell

Got the oil changed today. Used 10W30 to get going. Changing to 5W30 once the cold gets here.

Also took advantage of the nice day and finished painting. It's a nice desert sand color.

I was going to do blacked out decals for the "cherokee" "jeep" and 4x4 but decided to do stencils and black paint. Also putting American flags on each side just in front of the front doors.

Bumper ships in the morning. Will take about a week. Already looking at what recovery gear I want. I have a strong lean toward pulleys and rope using a 9:1 mechanical advantage as supposed to buying a winch. Again, not planning on much wheeling. Just beach driving, minor off road use and the occasional rescue of others during snow and ice.

All in all I'm at close to 700$ in enhancements. More to come.

holycaveman

Definitely an improvement so far!

dschappell

Thanks!

dschappell

Question... Are these shot? Like honestly, I don't fully know. I read that they can be flat but there is danger if they begin to invert. Is this what's happening? It looks like a tad bit of warp. Is the solution to get new ones?

dschappell

Ps this is taken with a jack stand but it's just to get the old flat tire off so it's roughly level with what it should be.

88whitecomanche

Yeah those leaf springs are in bad shape....
But I've seen worse I've had a set that literally looked like a w...
So yeah it's time to replace....

dschappell

Thanks. Hitting the JY on Monday!!

TMC

Great work so far!



What paint brand and color is that? Looks sharp!



What all prep work did you do for it?

dschappell

Thanks! I used krylon Camo SAND color. I read that that's having a lot of success lasting over time and not fading.

For prep I used 220 sand paper all over the body and laid a rust oleum primer grey. Then I went over with 2-3 coats of the sand paint. Got to tape up everything which takes about 18 years lol. I also am OCD so that could have been part of the problem haha.

I'm also going to do the underbody black, but I have to get it to my friends house who has a lift. I'm not about to try and kill myself just for that. I am debating the clear coat enamel to add. I can't find a flat enamel anywhere and I like the flatness of the sand color. I recommend the enamel coat, but I want the flat color still. As stated: paid for. Not too concerned about a nik or ding here and there.

Jrozar

Just flip them over and switch sides....

dschappell

So found a local guy with leafs that looked real good. Grabbed the pair for 50$. Also... The bumper came!! Feels pretty good. Its gonna get a coat of black next week sometime and then placed in the shop till I get that crunch on the passenger side fixed. At this point I'm considering just taking it somewhere and telling them to do the leaf changes, install the 2" BB, fix the crunch and install the bumper. Winter is coming and I need this thing on the road. Will post more once I get there!!!

dschappell

Here's the pics of the bumper. Off eBay from Hornbuilt. Ran $149 shipped. He also has a rear bumper. I'm considering it as well. It has a hitch receiver built in so that's a plus.

GreenXJ98

Nice bumper. Did it come with unibody tie-ins?