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I would have gone 16" wheels if I did it over again. Decided to do wj brakes and big steering after I already had the 15" wheel setup. Then again, it's a poser build, what do I know
It's next to impossible to find 3.75 backspace in a 16x8 aluminum wheel. I can't find a definitive answer if 4" backspace will work on the 8.8 with 33x12.50 MT's. I swear my old XJ rubbed with 4" backspace on an 8.25 axle, never heard it, but there were marks on the inner fender well. Might not be worth worrying about, just want to know what to expect.
T1XJ, do you think you'd be fine with 15" steel wheels or would you still not be happy with the clearance for the WJ swap? I'm thinking about 15x8 with 3.75" backspace, just don't want clearance issues with offset tre's and don't want rocks getting stuck between wheel and caliper.
It's next to impossible to find 3.75 backspace in a 16x8 aluminum wheel. I can't find a definitive answer if 4" backspace will work on the 8.8 with 33x12.50 MT's. I swear my old XJ rubbed with 4" backspace on an 8.25 axle, never heard it, but there were marks on the inner fender well. Might not be worth worrying about, just want to know what to expect.
T1XJ, do you think you'd be fine with 15" steel wheels or would you still not be happy with the clearance for the WJ swap? I'm thinking about 15x8 with 3.75" backspace, just don't want clearance issues with offset tre's and don't want rocks getting stuck between wheel and caliper.
Use extended bumpstops in the rear, and it will be a non-point.
I would have gone 16" wheels if I did it over again. Decided to do wj brakes and big steering after I already had the 15" wheel setup. Then again, it's a poser build, what do I know
lol.... yeah... lame ole' poser on clayton long arms
Well that's not what I wanted to hear!! But good to know in advance, thanks. I really don't want to run 16" E-rated tires, I just don't think I'll be happy with how stiff they are. What about 15" steel with maybe 3.75" backspace, is there the same problem with caliper clearance being extremely tight?
I have one or two 16x8" aluminum rims in mind, but they are 4" and 4.25" backspace and I don't think that will work well with my 8.8 out back, I think the tire will rub the inner fender well fully stuffed and articulated, not sure though.
Run the E's I don't think you'll notice. And the rock thing isn't too bad on the XJs, I had more of a problem on my MK, difference between well designed brakes and not so well designed...lol
Originally Posted by T1XJ
I would have gone 16" wheels if I did it over again. Decided to do wj brakes and big steering after I already had the 15" wheel setup. Then again, it's a poser build, what do I know
Been close to a year since I've posted in here. Busy life. Schoolhouse remodel took most of my spare time and all the money. My job is taking me away again so it will be another year before i work on anything. This is turning into a 10 year project.
In other news, My dad asked me to help him go get a $50 trailer and a great pyrenees dog from a farm that was selling everything and as soon as I get there, I spot a 97-01cherokee that looks good from 200 yards, no plates. Definitely need to check that out.
I ask the lady "whats the deal with the jeep?" She says " I'm going to scrap it."
my dad says, "i owe you $50 for the trailer, how about i give you another $50 for the jeep?"
She laughs and says no. Then says she will call the junkyard to ask what they will give her. She calls, then says "junkyard says they will give me $50 as they will need to come get it, its yours for $50 if you want it"
Deal. I tell her ill get it the next day (today). At this point i really know nothing about it. So i ask, not that it matters, i still want it. I know i can scrap it for more if its that bad.
She says "hasn't run in a couple years, transmission is toast, engine knocks, and i have no idea where the title is. i don't know much more than that."
I go home without investigating further as it was getting late and my dad had to bring his new dog to his farm over an hour away.
This morning, i go to get a uhaul from the auto shop in town and tell him what I'm doing, and he says he would get it for me for $50, cheaper than a uhaul. Its about 30 minutes one way to the jeep. easier for me as the jeep doesn't run and his trailer has a winch. So i agree, and go about my business. Couple hours later he calls and says the jeep is delivered. I go to check it out.
Turns out, its a 99 sport, auto, 4x4,np231, c8.25, has a plow mount, nearly no rust, floors are solid, unibody frame is great, interior is very farm dirty, and plow wiring everywhere, leaking oil, Fram OCOD, however all fluids full, trans is a bit brown i think though. I also found some paperwork that says it originated in south carolina. At this point i'm happy with it as a shell to build a beater to trailer places. Next step is to put a battery in it and see what happens.
Been close to a year since I've posted in here. Busy life. Schoolhouse remodel took most of my spare time and all the money. My job is taking me away again so it will be another year before i work on anything. This is turning into a 10 year project.
In other news, My dad asked me to help him go get a $50 trailer and a great pyrenees dog from a farm that was selling everything and as soon as I get there, I spot a 97-01cherokee that looks good from 200 yards, no plates. Definitely need to check that out.
I ask the lady "whats the deal with the jeep?" She says " I'm going to scrap it."
my dad says, "i owe you $50 for the trailer, how about i give you another $50 for the jeep?"
She laughs and says no. Then says she will call the junkyard to ask what they will give her. She calls, then says "junkyard says they will give me $50 as they will need to come get it, its yours for $50 if you want it"
Deal. I tell her ill get it the next day (today). At this point i really know nothing about it. So i ask, not that it matters, i still want it. I know i can scrap it for more if its that bad.
She says "hasn't run in a couple years, transmission is toast, engine knocks, and i have no idea where the title is. i don't know much more than that."
I go home without investigating further as it was getting late and my dad had to bring his new dog to his farm over an hour away.
This morning, i go to get a uhaul from the auto shop in town and tell him what I'm doing, and he says he would get it for me for $50, cheaper than a uhaul. Its about 30 minutes one way to the jeep. easier for me as the jeep doesn't run and his trailer has a winch. So i agree, and go about my business. Couple hours later he calls and says the jeep is delivered. I go to check it out.
Turns out, its a 99 sport, auto, 4x4,np231, c8.25, has a plow mount, nearly no rust, floors are solid, unibody frame is great, interior is very farm dirty, and plow wiring everywhere, leaking oil, Fram OCOD, however all fluids full, trans is a bit brown i think though. I also found some paperwork that says it originated in south carolina. At this point i'm happy with it as a shell to build a beater to trailer places. Next step is to put a battery in it and see what happens.
Here are a couple pics of my $100 jeep.
Where are you located? I need parts lol.
Even without it running that’s an incredible find. The body looks straight
Been close to a year since I've posted in here. Busy life. Schoolhouse remodel took most of my spare time and all the money. My job is taking me away again so it will be another year before i work on anything. This is turning into a 10 year project.
In other news, My dad asked me to help him go get a $50 trailer and a great pyrenees dog from a farm that was selling everything and as soon as I get there, I spot a 97-01cherokee that looks good from 200 yards, no plates. Definitely need to check that out.
I ask the lady "whats the deal with the jeep?" She says " I'm going to scrap it."
my dad says, "i owe you $50 for the trailer, how about i give you another $50 for the jeep?"
She laughs and says no. Then says she will call the junkyard to ask what they will give her. She calls, then says "junkyard says they will give me $50 as they will need to come get it, its yours for $50 if you want it"
Deal. I tell her ill get it the next day (today). At this point i really know nothing about it. So i ask, not that it matters, i still want it. I know i can scrap it for more if its that bad.
She says "hasn't run in a couple years, transmission is toast, engine knocks, and i have no idea where the title is. i don't know much more than that."
I go home without investigating further as it was getting late and my dad had to bring his new dog to his farm over an hour away.
This morning, i go to get a uhaul from the auto shop in town and tell him what I'm doing, and he says he would get it for me for $50, cheaper than a uhaul. Its about 30 minutes one way to the jeep. easier for me as the jeep doesn't run and his trailer has a winch. So i agree, and go about my business. Couple hours later he calls and says the jeep is delivered. I go to check it out.
Turns out, its a 99 sport, auto, 4x4,np231, c8.25, has a plow mount, nearly no rust, floors are solid, unibody frame is great, interior is very farm dirty, and plow wiring everywhere, leaking oil, Fram OCOD, however all fluids full, trans is a bit brown i think though. I also found some paperwork that says it originated in south carolina. At this point i'm happy with it as a shell to build a beater to trailer places. Next step is to put a battery in it and see what happens.
Ended up tossing a battery in it after i reconnected the positive cables to the terminal and removed some plow wiring.
Great news, it started right up and i drove it around the yard for a few minutes. Sounded great. I wonder if there is anything wrong with the trans? I didnt feel anything funny. Ill find out summer of 2019. Poor jeeps get to sit another year.
Catch you later CF
Ended up tossing a battery in it after i reconnected the positive cables to the terminal and removed some plow wiring.
Great news, it started right up and i drove it around the yard for a few minutes. Sounded great. I wonder if there is anything wrong with the trans? I didnt feel anything funny. Ill find out summer of 2019. Poor jeeps get to sit another year.
Catch you later CF
Well that sucks the Jeep is going to sit but I don't think it will hurt it anymore than what is already done. I bet some fluid change and you will be good to go. Maybe they were referring to 4x4 shift system and not the transmission itself.
Turns out there is more to the story. Still working on tracking down the title. The angry ex bf of the lady i bought it from says he told her to scrap it because it was junk. They are not on speaking terms. I have contacted the exbf, waiting on a call back. Could go two ways, he wants it back and I'm out $100 or he gives me the title. I am not interested in a fight if it comes to that, so right now it's a $100 gamble to keep life interesting. If i get the title, i see no reason this couldn't be a daily driver style jeep with my other one getting more offroady. Of course i'd have to do the 3 pedal mod for me to keep it long term though. We'll see what happens. I'm excited at the prospect of a cheap fun project to get me back in the game next summer.
Turns out there is more to the story. Still working on tracking down the title. The angry ex bf of the lady i bought it from says he told her to scrap it because it was junk. They are not on speaking terms. I have contacted the exbf, waiting on a call back. Could go two ways, he wants it back and I'm out $100 or he gives me the title. I am not interested in a fight if it comes to that, so right now it's a $100 gamble to keep life interesting. If i get the title, i see no reason this couldn't be a daily driver style jeep with my other one getting more offroady. Of course i'd have to do the 3 pedal mod for me to keep it long term though. We'll see what happens. I'm excited at the prospect of a cheap fun project to get me back in the game next summer.
Well nice score like I did! Keep us posted on any progress you make with it.
In case anyone was wondering why this project is taking so long, there are many reasons.
To keep it short, The biggest issue is that when I started welding on the mid stiffeners I was using a junk/underpowered welder with fluxcore that I could not get it hot enough to melt the metal properly.
Instead of stopping after a few welds, I bulldozed through and welded up both mids and the drivers front. I had an extreme lack of knowledge on how to weld and should have stopped immediately till I had much more experience. I have been quite upset with what I did way back then for several years and have delayed working on this thing knowing that I would have to fix this problem. Basically I don’t know how the stiffeners stayed on.
I recently got into a little garage I am renting and started grinding off the plug welds to see just how bad they were. After thinking about it this is why I came up with. The picture below shows the problem and also the beginning of the solution. Hole saw around the bad plug welds and fully weld the circle. this will take quite some time unfortunately. This pic was a test to see if I had the welder settings correct. I am using a millermatic 211, inverter style, and it is awesome.
bear with me, someday I’ll drive this thing again. Two bad plug welds and the fix ( I will weld all the way around)
If you look closely you can see that many of these had the cold booger weld that was barely holding to the unibody; that is the reason I am doing this. Drivers side started cutting holes Drivers front stiffener mostly complete
started making some progress, passenger mid and drivers front stiffener is mostly done. Ran out of welding wire. Started drilling the drivers mid stiffener. These three are the only poorly welded stiffeners.
Mouse pee damage, didn’t make it to rust yet Tasty Front cleaned, sanded, painted, middle just vacuumed Got the upper half of the drivers side mid stiffener mostly welded back up.
gutted the interior to clean up the mess the mice made from the Jeep sitting so long.
07-23-2017, 09:36 PM
