did some wheeling at woolys today with a friend, he just got a 04 rubicon:










blew a bead on cowskull (one of the tougher trails they have), had to take the wheel off and air it up back at the shop, then get a tug to the side so i wouldnt do it again. but i did drive out of it!







my buddy broke a sway bar link, and i blew the seal in my steering box...time to upgrade i guess

 

look what came in the mail....







also picked up a cooler for it:




just need to pick up some new hydraulic lines and fittings, and ill be good to go. trying to get the xj ready for a wheeling trip this weekend

 

Sweeeeet buildd dudeeee!!! its an awesome rig and lots of hard work went into it....Someday i plan on building something similar once i finish my ME degree and start making money

 

thanks man, it has been a ton of work, but every time i take it offroad, its worth it

 

got the steering box in and new hydro line, along with a beefier drop pitman arm. steering angle is less severe now, and ive got the cooler hooked up to help keep temps down.

everything worked pretty well, went to wheelin in the country over the weekend:






























we also did a night run with the owners, which was awesome. i blew another bead (i really need beadlocks), and one of my stock steering lines has a small leak in it, other than that, everything performed quite well.

 

decided to stick with the stock gas tank instead of going fuel cell, since i still carry my spare in the back anyways...so now i need to add some protection to it.

made out like a bandit at the junkyard, stock skid and hitch, for 50 bux...



cleaned up pretty well:


all painted:


ill be cleaning and painting the hitch today...and may work on installing them.

 

what did you pull that stock skid plate off?

 

both the skid and hitch came off of a 92 cherokee...its not going to be a direct bolt up, but no biggie

 

ok thanks. i looked but couldnt get the damn thing off

 

well this is just great.... i make it all the way through this build thread and now my XJ looks like a golf cart to me. Nice work all round man, definetly gave me some great ideas for the future.

 

took me 3 hours in the junk yard, lots of swearing, and some bruised arms, but i got it!

 

thanks bud...least you can still drive yours on the street!

 

hitch and skid will be on tonight, i had to modify a few things to get them to work with the shackle relocation brackets.


Also, my xj is getting a new pair of shoes....40" Mtr Kevlars, and some new rims

 

Dont forget to wrap Injector number 3 for the TSB on the heat soak issue as you might misfire during 90 degree weather.. 7 bucks at the dealer.. Seafoam the throttle body too ASAP! I also added new injectors for 60 bucks.. brand new.. still testing those not sure if worth it over stock yet..

 

yeah man, I spent two hours banging, swearing, yanking, pushing, pulling. I tried everything, but those f****n bolts wouldnt move