BigBirdxj

Finished fabbing my rear bumper today. I like it!!

BigBirdxj

Cut and bent end caps welded up, some grinding and a flappy paddle, voila! Put a little phosphoric acid on then I'll paint later next week.
Bird

BigBirdxj

I can't believe it's been so long since I've posted here. Been busy on the Heep though. Pulled all the door parts and gaskets getting ready for paint. Also made BITD Championship with my daughter in Henderson and caught some picks of Strobel with a flat right in front of us. Got an idea for a pretty cool jack from a air spring for my Jeep.

Bird

BigBirdxj

I had the crazy idea to see what it would take to do this project. What I wanted was a 65" axle that would fit my XJ and the silverblades I run with the GC brake upgrade. So bought a '02 GC LP D30 and burned the diff case off, took the HP D30 from my rollover and burned the tubes out. Cleaned them up and pressed them together. Went well! Wouldn't recommend the project as it was a lot of work but it wasn't difficult, hardest part was finding a press. Here are a couple of pics.
First is left had tube and yoke.
Second is right side started on HP D30
Third is my home made press setup with project in progress
Fourth 12 ton jack that did the job. (Just big enough)
Fifth Welded 'er up good. Very happy with outcome.

BigBirdxj

Wanted to do rear bucket seats to accommodate adult passengers better. And now they can recline!!!
First I fabricated and "L" bracket that is welded to the seat frame and drilled to match the seat belt bold hole.
Second I fabricated a large gusset and angle bracket that I glued and screwed to the rear cross member which bolts to original seat bolt locations.
Third I fabricated another "L" bracket that I drilled for 2 1/4" self tapping bolts that go through the floor into the unibody frame section.
Fourth Done. All that is needed now if re upholstery.

Bird

BigBirdxj

I got this idea from Clan Bryce's web page. Cheap power option. Found a 4.2L for $50. Kept crank and rods for my '88 4L. Got a head and exhaust manifold from a 93 HO for $100. Here are a few pics of it torn down and ready for a hot bath! 250k and this thing is in great shape, valve tight and block only needing a little reaming and a hone. This is on hold pending fundification! Spent money on RC Long Arm and Carpet.

BigBirdxj

Need to get XJ to paint shop which means I need to drive it but can't put dash in until carpet. So I bought the carpet and put it in not wanting too. Got carpet from Stock Interiors online. Seams good, ordered the extra mass backing and got the whole rig for just under $400. Fit was very good, I was surprised especially considering my mods to the hump for the brake handle. Looks great. I re installed the original sound matting as well since there were no holes in the floor to ruin it. This is my son Jacob helping by cutting out and installing the new gasket he made for the shifter.

BigBirdxj

Received my bumper and winch yesterday from Quadratec. Bummed to learn that they are chinese, not sure what I thought at that price. Guess I didn't think! Anyhow got the Smittybilt XRC and the Quadratec 9000

BigBirdxj

Got my block, head and stroker crank back from the machine shop today. Gonna put the F150 up for sale this weekend to get the cash to put the engine back together.