So I decided to add motor mounts to the website so that mean I had to prototype something.

Here's my version of the motor mounts. (Yes I ll eventually do brackets as well). (Yes trans mounts too).

I drew up the stuff, submitted them to a local laser cutting shop and had them laser cut enough material to make 3 pairs of mounts.

I welded a pair up yesterday and test fit them on the parts mj with the engine out and it fit nicely on the frame. I also put it on the oem brackets on the motors I pulled out. Also fit nicely. I think it ll fit nicely on the crawler.

I'm using poly mounts because I had a set on my 5 speed XJ couple years ago and I loved them. I decided I ll have the same on all jeeps I own.



This weekend I'm gonna roll the crawler in the garage for some extensive work. Can't wait

 

Are you selling them DIY as well? My buddy might be interested.

 

Those are sexy!

 

That's a possibility. I haven't decided yet

 

Text me if you do. He likes them. Looks great!

 

Badass, Neal! If I didn't already have a set of Brown Dogs, I'd be getting a set for sure. Definitely interested in a trans mount and engine brackets though once you finally get the prototypes all good to go.

 

Over the weekend I painted the mounts yellow (DISCLAIMER; IM NOT TRYING TO KNOCK BROWN DOGS OFF... MY ENGINE PARTS ARE PAINTED YELLOW ALREADY SO IM MATCHING IT).




And parked the jeep inside the garage



Started taking the front end off..



Today I had a bit of time so I went ahead and removed the thermostat housing, water pump, alternator, etc.



The original alternator case is cracked from the accident before I owned the jeep. I always knew about it and kept using it for another 40,000 miles. Then it finally died. Good thing I have a Durango 160a unit waiting to go on.

 

Dude, nice.
I've been fretting about what to do FIRST on my Cherokee. Tune-up? Cooling System, Suspension/Steering?

I see your XJ with the front clip removed and I'm like - Fuggeddaboudit! I'm just gonna tear the whole freaking thing apart. Let's just do it all, baby! (so now I need to order about $300 worth of stuff...)

 

What are you doing to it? Did I miss something?

$300? That's CHEAP! You must be shoppin' on Rockauto Here ya go, here's a discount code... 5711416839057726

 

I work for a small truck accessory shop, doing web/internet stuff. I have access to, like, every product out there, and I get a super discount. I'm doing sortof a stock/rebuild thing right now with Crown Automotive stuff. (just getting going.)

 

Dangit man... I really need to get on with one of the shops around here. Just part time even

 

So I was working on the Durango alternator modification. It appears that I gotta grind the brackets to make it fit

I reused my old alternator when rebuilding the jeep 5 years ago it had a minor crack in the body and I was able to break the armature loose (it was frozen solid) so I decided to run it until it dies. Apparently it took 5 years to do that haha.

So when I took it out. The cracks was bigger than the day I put it back.



Comparison shots of the old alternator and the Durango alternator



Doesn't seem like much, eh?




Here's the part number of the alternator in case you needed to know



Did some grinding on the aluminum alternator bracket and on the steel bracket.




That's how much I ended up taking off.

Also, I'm not sure if I should swap the pulleys. The XJ pulley seem to be very slightly smaller. Probably 1/8-1/4 smaller.

Whatcha think about the pulley?

I also have my old upgraded cables up for sale, since I plan on making new ones for the new alternator. Should they be considered "collectible" since it's the very first cables I ever made. Ha


I was also able to install only one of the motor mounts in the jeep. I need more time. Ugh

 

Don't know if it's just me, but the pictures in the last post didn't work.