'96 XJ prject "Green Gargoyle"
 

Wasn't sure if anyone would be interested in my build.... no lift planned... keeping it relatively stock... And don't know all that much about working on vehicles, but figured I'd throw it up here for a good laugh. I'm doing a video blog, in conjunction with an airbrushing channel I have, but figured I'd post the vids here in case anyone wanted to follow along. Can't guarantee that it will be all that interesting or knowledgeable, but shouldn't be to bad. LOL

Well... like I said, its probably not real exciting, but here's a little vid about the repair I had to make after work tonight. Woot!!!!!!!! Look at this guy's horrible welding skills!!! LOL

Nothing fancy, today. Just replaced the steering linkage and upgraded to the ZJ tie rod.

The project... Got pulled over for not having a rear bumper. The cop let me go with a warning, but said he's seen me every day and finally decided to pull me over, and said if he saw me Monday, without a bumper, he'd write me a ticket.

So, guess it kind of forced my next project on me. Picked up some steel, and fabricated a bumper. Nothing amazing, but for a guy who doesn't know what he's doing, I think it came out pretty good.

Did my usual video blog thingy... not really a how to, but does go through the steps I took and some of the challenges I faced.

Just can't have nice things. Lol. Good job man.

Started on the floors today. This is still my DD for the time being, so I have to take it in sections, so I can get it done and put back together before I have to take it to work.

Not the best repair job in the world, but with cheap tools, and scrap steel, it was affordable and will last a good while. Plus, I learned a lot about what to expect and what to do as I continue the floor replacement.

The seat bracket on the driver side seat rusted out, and the seat was falling through the carpet, so was forced to deal with that this weekend.

PO screwed a small strip of metal under the mounting bracket, and that gave way this week.

http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/h...01410-30PM.png


Once I got the carpet up, the rust was worse than I ever imagined. I was pretty intimidated at first.

http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/h...01410-33PM.png

After taking a step back, then deciding I was up to the task, I decided to take it one step at a time. Step one was adding some angle iron to the frame rail, to strengthen it and give me a solid surface to weld the new seat brackets to as well as the floor.

http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/h...01410-37PM.png


Ran out of daylight, so had to leave it there for the night. This is my DD so I need to get the seat mounts fabricated and the main part of the floor welded in today.

http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/h...01410-37PM.png


Here is the video I did of it. Its not a how-to, but more of a blog about the steps I took to get to this point.

Here's the second part of the driver side floor.

Started the next morning by fabricating the rear bracket, and getting it welded in place.

http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/h...20146-09PM.png

After that, took the other half of the file cabinet I used on the passenger side, and fit it for the driver side.

http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/h...20146-09PM.png

Then started putting in some smaller pieces that were easier to get around the curves.
http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/h...20146-10PM.png

When they were all in, it sort of looked like a Frankenstein monster, but it was solid.

http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/h...20146-11PM.png

Then I fabricated the front bracket and got it welded in.

http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/h...20146-13PM.png


And this is where I had to leave it, so I could get it all back together to drive to work the next morning. This weekend, I'll tackle the rust on the bell housing.

http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/h...20146-12PM.png


Here's the video of what I did.

Still going on the floors... Forgot to snap any pictures as I went on this section, but got the video. Had to come up with a way to remount the body bracket for the transfer case, and then finished up the front floors.

Next I'll start working on the rear seating area floors and the cargo area.

Hope you enjoy the vid.

Took a break from the floors. Had to address a random misfire I was getting, and that lead to replacing the heater valve...
http://youtu.be/J1m-A_RndQY

Can't seem to get the video to embed today, but the link will take you right to it.

My Leaf Spring Nightmare!!!
 

As the title of this post suggests... it was a nightmare to replace my leaf springs. I chalk it up as one of the worst experiences of my life. From the physical toll it took, to the emotional head banging... I had problems at every single turn I took... and then there was the single digit temperatures in my garage over the weekend... add all those up, and I wouldn't wish this on anyone.


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Excellent video!

I changed my user name but its still me and still working the '96.
Just got done putting in the new gas tank, so thought I'd throw the vids up here.

I've been watching your videos for a few months, found your channel while looking for leaf spring removal techniques and for replacing headliners. Great content! Keep up the good work!

Do you have a removing headliner video?