That's a new one- Wheeling with a FULL tank of gas
 

Today my son Ben is out at Rausch Creek wheeling at 'Topless for TATAS'.

He got another Cherokee, '97 2 door red auto, lift blocks front spacers, beat, slightly rusted, too beat to make nice and keep on the street. He traded a XJ for it and money, so it is basically free. He was going to part it out but it still runs and drives, So a New project. Project "Beater".

Project "Beater"
Minimal cost, Only use hand me down parts, parts that we have left over and sitting on the shelf from other projects. Minimal money to be used.

6 hours before leaving he stripped the front fenders and header panel off. Installed 2" wheel spacers and used 35" Duratracs. Cut the rear fenders for tire clearance. Pull off the sway bars. Weld the rear diff. Painted the front now exposed inner fenders red. It actually looks pretty good. Checked and topped off the fluids and filled it to the top 18.2 gallons with gas. Loaded on the trailer and off to Rausch.

Mind you, there are no skid plates, no body armor, no sliders, just slightly cut stock bumpers. Started wheeling and landed on a rock on the exposed plastic fuel tank and sprung a leak. He thought that he punctured a hole in it and drove back to camp spilling fuel, oops. Back at camp, couldn't find a hole or leak and someone suggested checking to fuel pump retaining ring. The previous owner had cut a small hole in the trunk to access the top rear shock bolts and as luck had it, the hole was right above the fuel pump. Yep it was knocked off and the fuel pump was loose and rattling around. Screwed it back on, no leaks and back to wheeling.

Lesson learned- was wheeling without a gas tank skid plate but Project Beater.
Lesson learned- when wheeling without a gas tank skid plate and a full tank of gas, if you hit a rock, there is no air/space to compress and as gas is not compressible, the pressure pops off the fuel pump retaining ring.
Lesson learned- having a hole in the floor right above the fuel pump was key to saving the day.
Lesson learned- when break, modify! Plan is to pull the gas tank and put it inside the rear out of harms way.

Future Plans for Project 'Beater'
-move gas tank to inside the rear
-replace rear hatch with a dented red hatch
-add 'beat up' front header panel
-flip the rear springs to 'stretch' about 4", no gas tank in the way
-bastard pack and add a leaf the rear springs and remove the lift blocks
-comp cut the rear fenders
-front and rear bump stops, currently has none
-'redneck' stretch the front control arms about 2", lengthen stock arms
-pull the rear quarter glass panels and rear hatch glass
-replace the good 2 doors with junky 2 doors we have
-strip out the rear interior and bedline
-install my fabricated front and rear bumpers, including $200 12k Chinese winch when I get JCR Bumpers and Warn or Smittybuilt winch
-add some take off bilstein shock we have front and rear, current ones are shot, the rear actually 'twerks'. That's embarrassing.
-add my rock sliders when they come off my XJ when we do rocker repair and add 2x6 sliders to it
-add front lunchbox locker, got it for free trading parts for another project
-Money items- limit to $1000- JCR transfer case skid plate, track bar and bracket, chrome moly front and rear axles, ?3" front springs.

Plan is for minimal cost.
How capable can we make a near zero cost 'Beater' trail rig.
It will not be street legal or street driven.
Basically a 'who cares if body damage' trail rig.
This represents the complete opposite of what we usually do but 'what the heck'.

(Assuming my theory is correct)
.....I never realized that Ben was your son :rofl:
I've wheeled with him a bunch, and I'm surprised he didn't text me about that incident. He was however talking about copying my front tube work on his new beater.

Yep.

Ha, he's wheeling more today and banged the tank again and popped the fuel pump retainer ring off, again. Definitely moving the tank up and inside.

He just walked up 'Jotter's Way' and showed everyone up. Ha, Go 'BEATER XJ'!

Latest, fuel pump retaining ring staying on, but just died out of nowhere and won't restart.

Funny in that just last week his 'DAILY XJ' died a block away from home and it was the CkPS. Replaced with one of our leftovers and has been fine since. Now today the BEATER XJ dies. Probably also the CkPS. Need to check with a multimeter.

This is actually the first time even driving this Jeep. Lots of 'what if's'. Just like any new to you vehicle, need to check the basics, fluids, battery, grounds and connections, scan tool, etc.

I'm sure the heat from the cut off exhaust doesn't help matters either.

Yep that’s correct.

Did some recent work on Beater. Another CkPS, stubby front bumper with hidden winch, front bump stops, front lunchbox locker, 52" lightbar, moved gas tank to inside, installed dented rear hatch.

Last weekend he took it to Paragon and ran with the big dogs. Did very well. Only issue when making a U turn to load up onto the trailer the drivers front wheel came off. No broken studs, nuts came off, ruined the alumn wheel. We knew that these wheels weren't the best or strongest and are basically disposable. Ordered a new wheel from 4WP and came in 2 days. Changed out the tire.

Next bit of work to be done- Lexan in rear hatch, relocate fuel filler and hoses, rear 4.5" Rubicon Express springs, rear bump stops, rear hitch for recovery point, exhaust and muffler, stereo, change engine oil. Then go beat on it some more.