over the coarse of a little Christmas break from work I was able to work on the jeep. the first thing on the list was to get the dirt bound center console bracket in. easy right? at least that's what I thought. getting the bracket to fit, in my mine, correctly took forever.


my old bracket as you can tell is broken so I took the center console, using this.




and took out the center console.


the bracket didn't fit over the transmission tunnel correctly so I had to force it over and the screws that came with didn't work. once I got the bracket installed I had to put the center console back on. but the two screws inside the console itself didn't work. so I had to take it back out and move the bracket back. the bracket is about an inch or two farther back than the original bracket holes. than the screws for the console to attach to the bracket were not right.



I wasn't very happy with the install process but once its all in there, its solid like a rock.


I didn't get any install pictures because I figured it was an easy job. now I wish I would of taken pictures.



old garbage to new garbage

 

I also ran the cb cable threw the jeep. and my CB came in.



4 FT firestik , CB cable, firestik stud mount


COBRA CB

 

my iron rock mid-unibody stiffeners came in

 

My SOLID diff covers and my lube lockers showed up







SOLID diff covers


solid sticker because why not?


lube lockers

 

well I installed some of my CB. I bought a JCR passenger CB bracket, I didn't like how they had it behind the rear tail light. so I cut it up and put it in front of the tail light.




this is the JCR bracket after I cut it up, I did not get a picture before hand


this is the bracket between the rear light and the body, notice the gap
I did not like the gap. I was worried about moisture



this is the bracket on the outside of the rear light

than I originally bought a 4' antenna and I didn't like the stress the antenna was putting on the bracket, and the 4' antenna was wayyyyy to long for me. so I bought a 3' antenna and a spring. much better



4' antenna


3' antenna with spring


the difference between the two

so I have a brand new 4' antenna available for sale.

 

than I ran the CB cable through the jeep, under the carpet to the center console, no real important pictures, but I still have pictures none the less




running the CB cable


I think im going to put the cb here


im running the box for the CB and cable through the center console

still haven't had the CB tuned. I need to do that soon.

 

next I had to mess with the track bar. I had bought this track bar off a CL and the PO said it should work with a 3" lift. NOT. as you can tell, there are no more threads left on the track bar to make it smaller.
I think this track bar is meant for a bigger lifts





the track bar is at its shortest position and the axle was not centered



sticker?
instructions?
even had the original box it came in!

I'm pretty sure I found a brand new IRO double sheer track bar on CL for $180.

this thing is BEEF! score!



the next day I installed the new track bar and now the axle is centered. and I still have threads left. I would assume that the track bar I have is good for a 4.5" and taller lift.

so now I have a 4.5" and taller track bar and a 4' CB antenna for sale.

 

also my boostwerks linkage came in. It wont be going on soon. I will put this on when I do my SYE, seems smart.

 

a few nights ago a took out the wheel well cover and put in a pool noodle to keep the road junk and winter salt out of the jeep. I took more pictures, but I think you guys get the idea



no pool noodle


pool noodle

 

I also have change directions on this build. I am leaning more towards a expedition type overlanding build. I would like to travel and back roads and camping.


3" lift (half installed)
31s (looking around at tires)
aluminum wheels to keep the weight down (stock 15x8 TJ wheels?)
front and rear hitch for recovery (installed)
camping supplies (cooking area/sleeping area)






items I still need to buy;


front stiffeners
rear stiffeners
shackle relocation brackets
nut strips
wheels
tires

 

Your XJ is coming along nicely. Too bad we live so far apart, I've got a great set of 31's that would be perfect for your rig.

 

Nice job on your XJ so far. Just started working on my son's future DD/ Hunting/ Camping rig. We're looking at doing something along the same lines as yours.

 

During these "kayaking" trips... are you actually going kayaking, or just mounting them up top and flexing the Jeep? HAHAHA! Just givin ya crap! Just found it funny that all your "went kayaking" pics were pics of the Jeep flexed with kayaks ontop.

Anyway... Nice XJ! You've done some good work to it. Keep it up!

 

yeah soon I will be looking for some 31's

 

thank you. its no where near done.