SignWorX

I love the way your jeep is coming out. Looks like we have similar taste in style

SteelBlue99

Thank you! Definitely an on-going project. But it's coming together.

Thanks! I was thinking the same thing, when i was looking at your build thread.

SteelBlue99

So, no major updates, considering i'm broke. However, here's a few small updates.



Took everything off to check for a cracked exhaust manifold, and sure enough:



That was fun! Got it welded, and put back together. Then, I noticed someone on here who had photoshopped some teeth on their skid plate. I had mine off, and figured "what the hell, if i don't like it i can sand it down and repaint it black". It didn't come out the greatest, tons of overspray, but oh well. What do you guys think?



Then, I contacted IRO because i've had a bad leaf spring bushing for a while, and the squeaking was driving me CRAZY! I e-mailed them, and they told me that because they're RC leaf springs, I need to contact RC. So I e-mailed RC completely expecting them to say "bushings aren't covered, you need to buy a new one" and at first they told me "You need to contact IRO". I was like, I'm not playing this game. I got the PO number from IRO, and RC told me "we shipped one out to you today". I was very surprised. I asked them how long the warranty on the bushings was, and they said lifetime. Awesome! Changed it out, and no more squeak!

Also, I'm still working on striping and re-painting my roof basket. Got an idea though, what do you guys think about color matching the basket to my Jeep? I've been throwing the idea around, but i'm still not sure.

xj^REMY

verrrrry nice rig man....& beautiful house as well.....i think our definitions of "broke" are very dissimilar, haha

lucky u dont have the rust issues that i have here in new england....ur xj looks awesome, top to bottom....love the teeth, haha

i've been lookin at IRO's long arms, but not sure if i like the single y-link.....i understand they've engineered it to bind less than systems with the passenger upper, but it looks like there'd be too much stress on the drivers upper/adjustable axle connection....that flex is effin superb tho

for ur basket, weigh out the pros/cons of color matching or black/easier to touch up paint....bedlined u could beat on it a little better without worrying about touch ups....i'd personally do black, but then again my rigs completely black

SteelBlue99

Thanks, that's actually my girlfriends parents house. It's definitely a nice house, however we'll be moving into our own place at the end of this month.

Thank you! Working on a few things, i'll post some new pictures within the next few days. That's definitely one thing i LOVE about the desert, we don't have the rust issues.

I have had absolutely zero issues with the IRO LA kit. Rides like a dream. I know a few people running the same set-up with no issues either. Plus their customer service is top-notch, and that's another reason i went with them.

As far as the basket, i'll probably end up bed-lining it. That project keeps getting pushed back though, as I trimmed my end-caps, took off the side molding (and am still working on removing all the adhesive) and am getting a overhead console within the next couple of days. One day though, it'll get done!

xj^REMY

haha, thats my thought on a lot, "one day i'll get it done"

SteelBlue99

Been working on a couple of new things. Removed the side molding, as it was pretty faded and peeling off anyway. Also, I trimmed my bumper end-caps and put them back on. I like it much better with them on. Next on the list, is an exhaust. Probably Magnaflow High-flow Converter & FM40. Also, will have another update probably next week, as I found an overhead console for an AMAZING price. HUGE thank you, goes out to Casey (Gee oh Dee) i'll elaborate more, once it's all installed. Here's a current picture:

96_xj

That is clean and sexy

SteelBlue99

Thanks man! I'll have to post some pictures from the side without the molding. I'm not sure if I like it or not.

xj^REMY

niiice....i've been thinkin to remove my faded & peeling trim, but im torn between re-painting or just rippin it off.....how easy was it to clean up the adhesive off the body??

factory bummper & end caps definitely keep the front end clean....ripped mine off long ago....had to back off a line, & fell right on the passenger cap, got all banged up & partially taken off, so i just got rid of em.....but different desires for different terrains

keep it up man, she looks sexy....& she'll be soundin & breathin better when u get the exhaust

SteelBlue99

I took them off almost a week ago, and am still working on removing the adhesive. It's not too difficult, I just don't get much time to work on it. I've been soaking the adhesive in goo-gone and using a plastic putty knife. Works pretty well.

As far as the end caps go, mine weren't damaged at all. They just rubbed on the tire, after my lift. I removed them right after that, and had them just lying around. I figured what the hell, i'll trim them and put them back on. I'm looking at winch bumpers, but that won't be for quite a while, as I have no cash and my DD is going to be needing a clutch soon.

Thanks man! Yea, I can't wait to get an exhaust. I'm pricing everything out right now. Will probably have that done within the next week or two. Always a work in progress!

xj^REMY

ok, i assumed that'd be the process for removing the trim

& i'm definitely in that boat as well....verrry low funds for the jeep, but definitely in need of a good recovery apparatus (winch)/solid recovery point/front end protection....i end up wheelin by myself & having to question mud wholes & certain trails...its not as fun having to get out & walk the trail up ahead & checkin depths of water pits, haha

SteelBlue99

Yea, it's not terrible. I'm looking for a rubber wheel attachment, for my drill. I'm a perfectionist, and it takes a while to get every little bit off.

Yea, I have the D-ring in the hitch, but I have zero recovery points for the rear. I don't think I want to buy tow hook mounts for the front either, since i'll be getting a bumper eventually. I really want to learn how to weld, so I can make my own bumpers and rock rails.

SteelBlue99

Update: first of all, I made my own CB radio antenna mount. Got tired of having it on the bumper end cap, and it being grounded. Went to Lowes, bought a 3ft long piece of steel, and made this. Will be painted black in the near future. I think it came out pretty decent.





Surfing craigslist, I came across an overhead console in Wisconsin for a whopping $25. So, I e-mailed the guy and he said he still had it, but didn't want to ship it. So, I posted in the local Wisconsin section of CF to find somone in the West Allis area. Casey (Gee oh dee) here on the forum was generous enough to go buy the console, and ship it to me (Thanks again!). That's exactly why I love this forum! The guy I bought it from didn't have wiring, or the bracket though, which i figured was no big deal. Then I realized that the bracket is discontinued (duh!) and it took me a little while to find one of those as well. Bought the bracket from member e30 on here (thanks!) and got it all mounted up last night. Couple of issues I had: I was told it was from a 99, however the tan in my 99 is lighter than the tan on this console. So, the console is clearly from a 97 or 98. Also, I didn't realize until i was getting ready to put the console in, that the mounting bracket on the console was broken. I epoxied it, and it seems to be good now. Now, i'm trying to find the wiring for it, but here it is:





So, there it is. I know it looks weird, not matching an all, but i'm not really concerned with that right now. Eventually i'll re-upholster everything, console, visors & headliner but for now it's fine. Also, don't mind the black visor. The fabric was tearing, so I removed it thinking it would be easy to re-upholster it. Not so much. That's all for now, let me know what you guys think.

96_xj

now that looks sexy! i have always wanted one.... LUCKY!