Basslicks

SYNERGY!!! That's the other one I was trying to think of.

MWMahoneyJr

Exactly! That is one badass looking XJ. This is exactly what I am talking about. (maybe cause I saw this image on your build thread recently...)

Though, for the record, I also dig the standard 15" steelies a lot of people use. But I'd be leaning towards white ones - like trailer wheels. The old-school ones, with the blue or red stripe around the edge.

Thanks for the input, guys! Keep it up.

Basslicks

lol... it's actually blue AND red stripe around the wheels. The black Cragar D-windows I had have the blue and red stripe. Kinda neat though really because from about 20 feet away it looks purple.. but then you get closer and realize it's red and blue.

Martlor13

Yeah those. The ones you listed look like they belong on a sedan imo haha..but everyone has a preference for rims. Im not fond of the black version either, or any of the jk rims, butbthose would be what i chose. There are alot available because everyone swaps their rims first thing when they get a jk. BUT please do get quality adapters and please install them to their specs.

chipmaker

Thanks man. Keep an eye on CL and great deal will pop up. I bought all 5 of mine for $150 with only 25 miles on them. Dude bought his JK and drove it form the dealer to the wheel shop and had his tires put on some flashy wheels. Even threw in the lug nuts for free. I was originally going to run 17" soft 8's till I came across the moabs.

MWMahoneyJr

Guys - Harbor Freight near me is doing a parking lot sale.
(They are probably ALL having "parking lot sales" today, and I'm just a rube and think it's local only. Whatever. Savings is savings.)

Are there any essentials you have gotten from HF? Like, I bought my cheapo multimeter there, but I haven't really purchased anything else from there.

I have a basic Craftsman 1/2 and 3/8 ratchet set, with box wrenches.
But there are some specialty items I think I'll need soon:
Angle Grinder
Reciprocating Saw
Torque Wrench
Random sockets and extensions (32mm? for the axle nut and ball joint)
Torch/Heat
Electric Impact (a want, not necessarily a need.)

I mean, a HF angle grinder is $20, but I think I can snag a Craftsman for only $50 (I'm-a-gonna need one to cut off all this rusted metal. And I'm going to use it a lot.)

Can I trust a HF $9 torque wrench?

I'd like an electric impact gun, they seem so quick and useful for pretty much every bolt. This guy from BleepinJeep uses it to remove the axles from an old Ford pickup:
Skip ahead to 2:30 or so to see it in action!

I'm sure Dewalt or whatever brand is better, but as a first-time user, will I be happy with a HF one? Would a HF one break those bolts loose?
(There's also a super duper tool sale at Sears. Maybe I'll pick up a name-brand impact gun, or kit this weekend. Maybe a multi-kit - impact driver, drill, reciprocating saw, etc)

Mike

LSK

I havent had bad luck with HF stuff, but on something you'll use more than a few times i'd go name brand.

MWMahoneyJr

Anyone else play the game I call "Spot the Cherokee Owner?"

Ya' know - you pull into a parking lot and see an XJ, probably modified, and wonder if you'll spot the owner inside.


See, I went to Chipotle for lunch, and I see this li'l beauty sitting in the parking lot:

Defender roof rack with beefy clamps, aftermarket headlights, hitch.

So I walk into Chipotle, wondering if I'll be able to spot the Cherokee owner...Will they be wearing a Jeep hat? Is it the guy in Jeans and work boots? He might own an XJ...Camo or No-Camo? I see three different camo patterns waiting in line...

It's probably the guy with "Stillwell Stompers 4x4 Club" hoodie on. Yep, he and his two buddies just got in and drove off. I win!
(EDIT) Here's a link to their site. LINK
(EDIT2) Clearly I don't know how to link, or Facebook is messing with me. I don't use facebook. Go ahead and google the club name and you'll find them.

Basslicks

FWIW, all hand tools at HF have a lifetime warranty. That being said, I've yet to break any of the hand tools I've purchased from them... AND if you get the Pittsburgh Professional series tools, they're high quality (i.e. I have a set of 3/4" drive impacts that are the Pro series and they're CroMoly instead of the Cr-V)

Obviously not everything there is gold, but it's not all crap either. There are a lot of decent "Tool reviews" on youtube about what to or not to buy from harbor freight. "Harbor Frieght" in the search bar on YouTube will probably populate a hundred of 'em.

As far as the angle grinder, I got the cheapy black and red one they sell. Had it for about a year and used it heavily. The motor burned up on me... but I only paid 10 bucks for it. I have another friend that has the same one, uses it heavier than I do, and has had it for 5 years. So sometimes things are hit or miss. I have a B&D angle grinder now that I paid about $35 bucks for from WalMart and I actually like it better. The only qualms I have with it are that the screw-in "handle" broke - luckily I kept the handle from the HF unit, and the "wrench" that they include bench on my first disc change... to wit, I also kept the one from the HF unit and it's still going strong.

Their 3/4" drive stuff is good. I have a breaker bar that's about 2' long that I LOVE. Don't really use it much now that I have an impact wrench, but it works flawlessly when I need it.

Their hammers are great, the nitrile gloves and the mechanics gloves are every bit as good as the name-brand stuff. The socket sets are pretty good as are their wrenches. If you're looking to save on decent tools with a lifetime warranty, they'r great... that being said, I really prefer my craftsman stuff over the Pittsburgh for the wrenches and ratchet. The sockets are just fine. I've had plenty of HF tools that have LONG outlasted auto parts store tools (I've snapped breaker bars, ratchets, TORX sockets, and a swivel from auto parts places).

I have a 1/2" drive click-stop torque wrench of theirs and it works great. I checked it with an old "Torsion Style" Sears Craftsman unit (an OLD made-in-usa unit that my dad gave me) and it was accurate. Also has a lifetime warranty.

Their cordless tools are decent. The motors are kinda loud, but they work. The battery packs (in the few battery-powered tools that I've had) didn't last as long as the higher-dollar stuff. It's been about 10 years since I've had any of their cordless tools though. I will say this much though. The tool worked just fine... but the battery pack only lasted about a year and the cost for a replacement battery well... you may as well spend 10 bucks more and get an entire new tool. Like I said though... that was 10 years ago. Their cordless tools don't even look the same anymore.

Don't bother with their welders. They're garbage. At least their electric welders anyway... I have no idea if the oxy/acetylene setups are any good.

Get the prybar set too. Decent set for the money. I've really beat up the handles, but the bars have never bent and I've definitely put a lot of leverage on them.

You forgot to mention the TJ canyons (wheels)

MWMahoneyJr

Yeah, those say Jeep, so I totally thought those were normal on there. Nice catch.

MWMahoneyJr

Man! Thanks for the info. I think I'll scoot on up there on Sunday for the super-duper-see-what's-left-90% sale!

I have a list of goodies I need, so I'll see what I can find.

Basslicks

Don't forget your 20% off and "Free item_X with any purchase" coopinz!

MWMahoneyJr

BAM!

Basslicks

chipmaker

If you don't already have ratchet wrenches grab a set of em, they will change your life. HF also has a 28" iirc 1/2" breaker bar for like $8, super handy. If you get an angle grinder pay a few more bucks and get the higher level HF unit I had one for near 10 years before it gave up the ghost and I gave that thing hell. The black and red one I killed in a week. Personally I'd stay away from their cordless power tools. Ditto on the welders they suck.