kleiner

Looks good dude!

SpruceJedi

This stroker runs better than my original 4.0 ever did. I am pretty pumped!

Tubesteak

awesome man. great to hear. thats a sweet build .go have fun

SpruceJedi

Finally was able to put some more time in the garage. I got the rest of the front end pulled apart and started cleaning and painting. I'm 2 bolts away from just pulling the whole axle and diff out, so I think I am going to just pull it and do my re-gear right now.

Death wobble anyone?

I've painted the parts that are particularly rusty with rust bullet, then with black rust-oleum.

I was unable to resist temptation and in a moment of weakness my brother and law and I picked uP this beauty for 500$. It runs and the chassis still has undercoating on it and it comes with a spare 4.2L engine! It doesn't have any floors, but then again neither did the Flintstones.

SpruceJedi

Well the wagoneer runs like a champ. However the battery crapped out on my xj, so now I am shopping for a new one. I got the front axle/diff out from under the truck and up on the work bench. I am going to attempt my first ring and pinion job. Ive done a lot of research and I think I am ready. I have most of the tools and I have a local shop who has the rest and has offered to help me. Hopefully it all goes smoothly.

SpruceJedi

I had some family up to visit this weekend and they were eager to help. Which was good because I was working on stuff that I needed a couple extra sets of hands for.

Got the axle back under the front end and the springs on.

Control arms are on now.

A look from underneath.

Got my JCR front bumper installed too! I've made great headway this weekend.

SpruceJedi

I assembled the res of my steering tonight. It all went together real well. I also re-installed my brake calipers and the new brake lines.

SpruceJedi

Its been a very long time since I have updated this. Hunting seasons, super cold weather and the fact that I now have a pregnant wife have all affected my garage time. Anyway, here goes the update. I will post pics shortly.

Front suspension is all assembled and torqued.
Rear Suspension is all assembled and torqued.
All brakes are bled and adjusted.
Front bumper and rear bumper with spare tire carrier is installed.
Engine runs like an absolute champ.
Wheels and tires are installed.
SYE is installed and drive shafts are ready to go in.
Completely scraped and painted the under side of the XJ.

It has been a lot of work but as soon as the weather turns, it should be ready to roll. It sits real nice and I can't wait to get it out and play.

Xj88

I hear ya on the time restraints..

One question..what made you decide to go with rough country?
Ive been there and done that and realized the quality just doesnt exist, or at least for me it didnt. With all the bad talk I see here about them I guess others have found out they arent the best either..

Just curious why you went with them, you could have pieced together a lift with better components for just around the same price.

SpruceJedi

I went with RC honestly just due to cost and convenience at this point. I plan on doing a long arm and a rear coil conversion in the near future. My existing suspension was completely junk, I mean I had negative arch in the rear, all bushings in the front were shot. I was looking at a complete suspension rebuild. I had not completed my research on what I wanted for my final suspension and I needed something to get me back on the road. I ordered the RC because it was the least expensive path to getting back to driving, then I could sell what pieces were still good when I did my upgrade. Things changed, I bought a new car and my XJ was no longer a daily driver and became a full blown overhaul project. I am now going to build my own long arms and in the mean time this RC will get me through a year or so of playing until I can get it all built and completed. I have buddies with the newer RC kits and they seem to have had good luck with them. Like anything you get what you pay for and its all in how you treat it. I am sure they won't hold up like an OME or RE kit, but short term I am hopeful it will last.