Thank you. Now I'm getting to the point of actually functional upgrades vs just cosmetics. I'm looking forward to seeing it lifted and with the bigger tires but not too enthused about fighting with the rusted bolts and **** that I know I will.

 

The beauty of your Monstaliner job is that it IS functional as well as cosmetic!

And hey, it's a labor of love. My XJ is getting garaged for a while this weekend as I prepare to gut the interior and remove all the axles and suspension for undercoating with Chassis Saver and then Monstaliner where appropriate. I'm really excited to get it all done. And when that's all done it's going back together with a new 5.5" suspension

 

your XJ is coming together beautifully, I like the bed liner paint a lot and the flares even with stock tires.

 

Thank you. I'm definitely liking it. It's funny when I look back at the very original pictures my buddy texted me showing it and compare it to how it looks now. I think it'll be that much better yet with the rest of my parts on it (and I think it's safe to say I'll spend more on it too over time, seems like never ending opportunity for upgrades and fun).

 

Very true. That was half the appeal of using the Monstaliner, it should do a pretty good job of protecting and will make it easier to clean (and since the off road park by my place is iron ore, I won't complain if the red washes off more easily).

True again. One of the main reasons I came up with this project is to get the chance to do some wrenching and learn a few more things on the mechanical side of things. Takes work, but is rewarding.

Sounds like you have a bit of work for you too. Hope it goes well. When you mentioned the Chassis Saver it has me thinking it may not be a bad idea to order some up and get under mine while it's still in good shape. I'll be under there enough for the lift and sliders, probably a good time to do it.

 

Made some progress today and hope to get more done after a lunch break. Got the front bumper on. I did this by myself which was a little bit of a pain in the ***, I'd recommend a partner and it probably would be pretty easy.

 

Got some more progress done. I'm juggling about 5 projects around the house these days and I hate to say it, this one ends up being the one to get pushed aside easiest.

Took about 5 hours, but got my sliders on. The driver side went relatively easy. The passenger side was a bit of a *****. The driver side one came in good shape, but the passenger one looked like either a scratch and dent or "learning mistake". There was a decent ding in the tube, one of the pads that bolts to the frame was bent quite a bit, and the piece that bolts to the pinch seam was 1/4" off. I figured the dings were not a problem and would happen anyway, the seam being off made it impossible to bolt to the seam. Took some grinding and pounding and i got it close, but I would have been happier if they had corrected it before sending it (there was some grinding they did to attempt to fix it, so I knew they were aware of the problem).

Instructions mentioned needing to trim aftermarket fender flares. Mine worked out without needing to touch them (although things are pretty tight).

Passenger side:


Driver side:


I also ordered up some tie rod flip inserts from Go Fer It Offroad. Figured it would be a cheap investment and pretty easy install.

 

Managed to knock off one more item. Got the rear bumper off and new one on. I did find that despite ordering one that pictured D-link mounts (and being advertised as "with mounts" and linking to D-links for use with it), it doesn't have them. Guess I should have looked at a few other places. I think I'll check out an aftermarket hitch or something so I can set up something for recovery in the rear. Think that means the next piece to tackle is the lift kit. Should be looking pretty good soon. I'm also debating on ordering up a safari rack...

 

Looks great! Although kinda funny with those big flares on a stocker. Haha, but I admire the fact that you did all those mods before even lifting it--which is the same way I'm doing mine. I just ordered my black 1gal kit for Monstaliner last week, and the interior is gutted and ready to go. Just need to get a torx set to remove seatbelts and a door for some more rust repair.

 

Thank you. I agree, looks a little off with the stock tires/height, but that fix is in progress. Started the lift kit work and the stock tires won't go back on once they come off. Got to the point of 1 of the lower control arms off and need to pick up a longer wrench to get the other. It's funny to think the first $2,000 (give or take) took this much time and work to do and if all goes well the next $2,500 (lift and wheels/tires) will only take 1 week. Then just gotta toss the interior back together and I can play a little.

I'm sure you'll like the Monstaliner. Good luck with it. Was easy to put on, looks great, and seems like it should hold up pretty good. I'm planning to do my CJ with it too at some point, probably the bright green and dark purple in some kind of 2 tone scheme. That'll be next spring/summer's big project, but I may shoot for weekdays on it and weekends on the bike or in the Cherokee.

 

I like it stating to look like a beast.....?

 

I just finished with my 3.5 lift kit rubicon express and pro comp 31x10.50x15 all terrain xtreme a/t 15" rock crawlers I love it

 

Definitely beats the stock look, doesn't it I'm definitely happy with the overall look its getting. Hopefully it functions as well...

Sounds like a nice setup. How hard was your kit to put in? The XJ Builder's Guide book I had mentioned a lot about RE kits/etc, but I didn't look too much at them when I was picking out my stuff. A buddy of mine who's done a fair share of off road fun highly recommended Rusty's and the price didn't seem terrible (plus pretty good reviews online), so I hardly looked elsewhere.

Worked on things a little more tonight. Got the 2nd lower control arm off (took a little torch work to persuade the bolts) and springs off. Went to put the new springs in and I realized I'm going to need compressors since I can only jack the XJ up so far. Oh well, probably not a bad thing to have on the shelf anyway. Then I ran into a problem. Looks like I may be limited on finishing up my lift this weekend. Yet another part issue, this time the adjustable control arms weren't in the box. Think I mentioned a little while back I'm going to be more diligent in checking these things as they come, too bad these were all ready in the pile and I thought I'd roll the dice and trust everything was there. I still have plenty of other things to get done on it, so I'll get over it. Probably means I'll knock out getting the interior back in and maybe hit the dash with the blue paint so the inside will be good to go once I get the arms in hand and get the rear done.

 

Any pictures of that sweet roof rack you bought?

 

I've been slacking on new picks and updates this week. My new lower control arms still haven't showed up, so the lift is still on hold. Also had my birthday celebrating and recovery to do and a few other busy nights, so didn't have a whole lot of time to wrench. Seeing as it is 90deg and 100% humidity today I'm not sure I'll get a lot done either.

I did buy a snazzy custom roof rack last weekend though I have to say I think it gives it a pretty nice look. That should be a good place for my spare tire until I come up with something off the rear bumper or hitch. Whatever that might be it'll be a winter or next year project.