Today I was hoping to get it all done and running again, but the old gasket needed some effort getting it off. Well the gasket itself came right off but it left some of it on the passenger side lf the block. So while i was getting that all off and watching the football game Time just flew by.

I also installed my Rampage headlight conversions and Putco headlight harness

 

Well I got a little bit done to it today. Some major progress I would say actually. Got the head, and valvetrain back on. Started to get the exhaust header on a little as well. At least put that gasket and the downpipe connected to it. Hoping to finish sometime this week or next weekend

 

Yesterday we finished putting the motor back together along with everything else. The Rampages with the harness are really bright! Definitely an improvement over stock. I highly recommend them to anyone. Today we'll be flushing the fluids and hopefully i'll be driving the XJ by the end of the day.

I also towed it back to my house so it is now out of my aunts garage.

 

well she runs! but....I was driving her to wal mart to see if they had any exhaust clamps because my previous splice job is now loose because of the aftermarket header, and it started leaking coolant. so this is whats left to do:

replace factory radiator hose clamp with one of the ones that screw on so it doesnt come loose again

tighten the bolts where the header and downpipe connect.

check again for any coolant leaks (water pump and thermostat specifically)

exhaust clamps where needed to stop exhaust leaks.

check to tighten the intake/exhaust bolts


it's running a little rough but I think that might be due to installing 703s and it having to get used to that, plus for the lack of having a rear O2 sensor at all....I need to fix that. Also it might just be the sound from the exhaust leak at the downpipe. I'm really hoping to drive her to work on monday.

 

Yesterday i fixed the hose clamp problem, tightened the bolts to the downpipe and she runs and rides like a champ.

Drove her for about 75 miles last night and no problems. I decided to put some premium in it to see if it ran better because of the machining and its a noticeable difference = (

Today i got some exhaust clamps to solve my exhaust leak problem

 

Well now that the XJ is fixed and running again. Time to get back to the build.

Next up to get is the detours electric fan conversion. I'm having issues with my E-fan and well why not go a little overkill?

After that is new rims and tires. 99% sure i'm just going to go with 33x12.50x15 BFG KM2s, and black rock d-windows 15x8 with 3.75" BS.

Both of these i'm hoping to have by the end of Feb. With tax return money and such.

After I have then i'll be comfortable going offroading again.

Also, with the APN header my exhaust is sounding mean still, and at idle it sounds a little lopey. Already had two people ask me if I swapped a V8 in. One lf them was a guy who has had XJs before and he made me pop the hood to prove it. I'm very happy with it. However i plan on getting a custom downpipe made soon to get rid of a leak I have from when i put my exhaust on.

 

well good news is, is that it's been driving well! went to Rausch Creek and got to off-road a little in the snow. Borrowed my friends 32s for that, and I am very grateful for that. I really want to buy the 32s from him soon so I can have some MTs again.

now for the bad news.

On my way back from Rausch Creek my alternator went out, so I managed to drive home almost 2 hours on battery power alone. I want to get it rebuilt by the same guy who did the alternator on my white XJ. I haven't gotten around to taking it out yet.

the other bad news. I plan on putting the build on hold for awhile and buying a car to daily drive. probably will do some little stuff like install the parts I have, and get shackle relocation brackets as well. I also need to get a switch panel.

everything I have left to install:
durango steering box
lebaron hood vents
sway bar discos (dukie's)
stickers!
LED lights! mounting on bumper or in bumper! these things are sick!
LED rock lights
timken hubs (both driver and passenger)
I think there's some more left as well.

 

some pics

 

Pulling the alternator now.

Skid plate got in the way, and the bolts holding that on are messed up anyway. Working on removing it but the driver side bolt is being stubborn.

 

havent posted anything in here for awhile.

here's the recent stuff:
Timken hubs in the front axle
new brake rotor
new fuel pump (mine went out on me)
Prime 4x4 Switch panel (7 switches)
JCR light tabs to mount the LEDs (will be mounted this weekend)

my front driveshaft CV joint went to ****, so I'm gonna "borrow" the one off the white XJ and put that on tomorrow.

also got some D windows with fake beadlock and chrome center caps as well. I have found 2 33x12.50x15s, and need 2 more.

 

well here's the recent.

LEDs have been installed and wired up.
CB radio is finally installed (Just need to finish tuning it)
stole the driveshaft from the 1999 stocker


going to sell the wheels I got.

and some other things are in the works.

 

Just some recent stuff

 

got a new Jeep part the other day! Iron Rock Offroad 8.8 axle truss, thanks to dukie!

 

Been awhile. Here's the new stuff!

now on 32x11.50x15 BFG M/Ts KM1s!

driver side motor mount has been replaced finally with the brown dogs.

went to OC Jeep Week with some friends, had a good time.

Just installed 5 channel amp, 12" subwoofer, and now I have a full MB Quart system with a new Kenwood bluetooth head unit. Hid the mic behind the vent in the center on the passenger side. I can talk on the phone handsfree with the windows open 60 mph down the road. Works great. new stereo works amazing. just need to tweak it a little bit.
Currently the soundbars are just sitting in the Jeep with the speakers sitting in them. Going to completely strip them down, clean em up, cut them to fit the speakers correctly, new holes for tweeters, mount the crossovers in them, and then I will be rewrapping them in black cloth and then putting them in the Jeep.

 

forgot some pics.


Also, angry eyes made a comeback