XJBARTZ90

I like the hood vents. I am purchasing these in the next few weeks? how did you lay them out? did you just eye ball the location or?

2000CHERO

They are the best vents if you're worried about snow/rain, they are specifically meant for that weather. The openings are vertical. My brother and I both installed them on our jeeps. I got rid of them, and put a new blank hood on, as I really didn't notice much of a difference. My brother kept his as he loves them. Sure they prevented the E-fan from coming on sooner, but it still came on almost every time I wheeled or was in stop and go traffic.

As for mounting:

I laid both sides where I wanted them to sit. Took a pencil and marked the bolt holes on each one. Took the vents off, got a yard stick, and measured each hole in relation to the cowl, and the indent down the center of the hood. Once I made any adjustments to ensure both sides were the same, I connected the dots with said yardstick to form the shape I would be cutting. I used painters tape and masked off the lines, then cut with an angle grinder. Don't forget to lay something over the engine.

Have it checked if you want to make sure both sides match:

Once it was OK'd by my co-pilot, I re-taped the edges leaving about 1/4" of a lip exposed, and painted it to prevent rust:






Hope this helps!

2000CHERO

My brothers jeep also got an AJ bumper: AJ's PhatXJ, with a custom stinger:




His winch is also a used CL winch, which I completely took apart, cleaned, regreased, and brought back to life. I had to order a few pieces for his, but still only in the winch for around $280

2000CHERO

Brown Santa came today!

So having decided that I just didn't need the roof LED bar (currently listed for sale in the FS section in case anyone wants to make an offer), I decided I wanted something to compliment my bumper light bar. Mounting options are pretty limited, and I didn't need a whole lot of light. I wanted something in a spot pattern too, as I already had flood on the bumper.

So after searching around, I cam up Vision X Optimus Single Square Driving Lights. Having Vision X Dura Minis for rock lights and a reverse light, I knew the quality and service was going to be on par, so I called up the friendly people at Rockridge4WD, where I got the Dura Minis from and my Yukon Zip. I got a hold of Erin, and she gave me an awesome deal I couldn't pass up, with free shipping! Came out to be cheaper than Rigid Duallys (or any of their pods really), and the lights are suppose to be the most focused beam on the market; which is key if I decide to mount these anywhere above the hood.

They boast a 10W single LED chip, with their proprietary IRIS reflector technology to give 693' of usable light. And that light is suppose to be focused, with no bleed. And they're small! That to me, is also key, as I can't help but to laugh at any Jeep with "Mickey Mouse" ears; big ***** circle lights on the A-pillars.




So at the moment, with a 10*focused beam (they come in 4 different beam patterns), I plan to test them out around the A-pillar area to see how much, if any, glare I might get. If it works out I will most likely be ordering Detours A-pillar brackets.

2000CHERO

Mocked up those lights tonight, AWESOME. They throw a little light up close, but the beam is as focused as I could ask for:






These photos show the view from the cab. As you can see, with me holding the light where it will likely be mounted, there is absolutely no hood glare to driver or passenger:




With that, I've decided on Detours A-pillar mounts, but I will get the ones meant for a snorkel, so they stick a little further inward; further away from branches and stuff.

WheelingWV

Nicely done

2000CHERO

Thanks man!

JPXJMOAB

Great build so far!! I've seen a lot of guys used chassis saver on the under body as well as some cheap rubberized rattle can undercoat over that. Very impressed with the detail work you've done! If you ever want to get rid of that spectre intake let me know too subbed

93_xjcherokee

Love the build. Both yours and your brothers jeeps look clean

2000CHERO

Thanks! I'm very particular about what goes on and how it's done. When I'm done I want a very clean XJ that I can DD 9+ hours, AND beat on the trails. I think I'm well on my way to accomplish that. By adding what I believe to be the best of each category (LA's, steering, etc), I think it'll be a beast of a DD.

And that CAI is staying haha, got it in 2014 from Advance for $99 shipped. Now that they're discontinued (temporarily apparently), I'll be holding on to it. Opened up so much more room for activities.

skidtoy

what brand is your cargo barrier net??? nice truck

2000CHERO

It's a vehicle specific net made for the 97-01 XJ by Raingler.

skidtoy

thnaks i saw another like it few weeks back on that bleepin jeep channel on youtube. just intrested to see price difference.

2000CHERO

No problem. I didn't really shop around when I bought this one. I needed something to keep the dog in the bench seat, and the gear in the back. Having a weight limit is 500lbs or whatever it is sold me; if there's ever an accident I know it'll stop my gear from becoming missiles.

2000CHERO

Got the steering back from being welded. Mocked it all up so I know where the racket needs to go and how it needs to be angled. I am going to have it welded on either tomorrow or Sunday. With the RE frame bracket, the RuffStuff axle bracket works perfect!