This link may help you keep your chrome mirrors:
http://www.go.jeep-xj.info/HowtoMirrors.htm

Heres his overall page which has a bunch of helpful info an how-to write ups:
http://www.go.jeep-xj.info/

 

Thanks for the links. The first one is very useful. I grabbed some manual mirrors from a '92 in the JY, and Fallon installed them. The write-up you gave me states that you can change the glass on electric mirrors, but you have to break it on manual mirrors. I will give the hair-dryer trick a try, however. I wish I knew this earlier as the donor had electric mirrors, but I gave them away!! I haven't gotten through the 2nd link yet.

Ate something bad last night. Thought I was gonna die! Home from work recovering.

 

I have been thinking that Fallon had the C8.25 all along, but after getting under there and dropping his axle I see that it is a D35. The donor car has a C8.25. Here are two pics. Will you confirm that the top is a D35 and the bottom is a C8.25? I plan to replace the D35 with the better axle. Is this a sound decision? No idea about gear ratios yet.

Thanks

 

The 8.25 is definitely an upgrade from the 35. IIRC the drive shaft lengths are different between the two.

 

That top picture is 100% a D35. Bottom is a 8.25

 

The DS lengths are different because of the longer pinion on the 8.25. Because you're lifting, having the longer of the DS will actually help some. You shouldn't see any issue with using the stock shaft but if you do it's just a simple swap from your donor rig.

 

Cool. Hope that works out.

I believe his donor is a 2wd though so not sure if those driveshafts will be usable?

 

I don't think they are. My motor came out of a 2wd XJ and I remember the ds being a good bit longer, too long to fit in there. Luckily driveshafts are easy to come by as about every junkyard has an XJ

 

Thanks, Guys, for confirming the axles. Sort of a bummer. I had to disconnect the Ebrake cable (PITA) and the brake lines (PITA) on both axles. Tested my salvation! But the 8.25 is sitting in the shop waiting to be degreased, wire-wheeled, and painted. The D35 is under the donor, which doesn't have a driveshaft, and pushed back out of the shop. Maybe with the lift it will work out. I have shortened a DS before... I could do it again if necessary

I pulled the brake drums apart completely to get the ebrake cables out. I took pics but not GOOD pics. Probably have to use the manual to put them back together!

Somebody busted the windshield in the donor XJ with a rock. I suspect the sorry-butt, no-good worthless neighbor kid. His dad is worse. I was thinking about saving it for a spare, although I really don't need to. It's just principle.

 

Any progress? Looking forward to seeing how much lift you get out of the BP.

 

Fallon has to wire-wheel and paint his axle before we stick it back under the Jeep. Hopefully he can get that done tomorrow. I'm anxious to see what we get too!

Relocation brackets are gusseted and painted.

 

Here's pics of the brackets with gussets. I ran out of "nominal" black and painted them with "go-faster" red. I can already see that my welds will interfere with how the hitch overlaps... gonna have to get out the grinder. Sorry about the cell phone pics. Momma had the camera.

And here is a pic at a local truck stop.

 

lol

 

Are you going to use the stock shackles?

 

That's my plan... unless you tell me that's a mistake?? I thought it would be okay.





Here some pics of Fallon sandblasting his axle. I hope to get it painted today and back under the Jeep tomorrow. I was worrying over the gear ratio, then I found this sticker! Shoulda LOOKED at it!! Fal will also get his hitch done while the blasting rig is out.

What do the metal tags say?