Sold the whole longarm kit that I had acquired about a year ago tonight! Current plan is to order a IRO Double Shear track bar and Zone 3" lift kit with full leafs and Nitro shocks. Now I just need to finish up the flat flares before that kit arrives! Plenty to keep me busy as we approach the holidays...

 

What kind of lift? Full packs or aal? Includes LCA? Etc? Gimme details lol.

 

He said full packs.

So it looks like this thing is gonna come together real soon. I'm excited.

 

I JUST ORDERED IT! Zone 3" Lift with Nitro Shocks, and full leafs. Great price point, and a good starting point for me with the 31's and all. Even they will probably look a little small once the flares are done. I've already PB blasted my bolts, although the Monstaliner project and some rust repairs need to finish first unfortunately!

The kit does not include LCA's, also unfortunately. I decided that I'll keep the stock ones on a little longer, maybe through the winter, and decide which ones to get when I have more $$$. I was looking at IRO, good price point. But Rock Krawler arms would be pretty sweet as well.

 

Looking forward to seeing your progress!

 

Last night I worked on cutting the rust out. I got most of it. The rest will be scrubbed and cleaned and then coated in Chassis Saver (when my girlfriend brings it back to me!)

The quarter panel might be a challenge to rebuild, at least to fit the flares, but I'm up to the challenge. May try to source this section from a junkyard.

Rocker:


Lower Quarter panel


I'l be cutting some of this anyway for the fender flares, so I may not have to get picky with the bends and all. We'll see how it turns out--I'll ideally be mounting the factory bumper caps again after the Bushwacker installation--which I am working on tonight.

I'm extra motivated now that I saw snow flurries last night!

 

Made good progress on the flat flare installation last night--driver's side is mostly done. This is the only pic I have so far, fender is cut and Rustoleum applied to seal the bare metal as best as I could. I also made the first cut on the rear driver's side flare, and when I get home tonight I'm continuing work on the flares with a 6 pack handy and I'll remember to bring my good camera out this time.



You'll see a little piece sticking out at the lower right--two Torx bolts there. I was unsure what to do there but after reading the instructions again, you're supposed to cut the first bolt. I have corrected that since this picture.

Today I also picked up a 16ga steel patch for the rocker and door jamb area--hoping to get that done this week too! 4 day weekend coming up and I'm trying my best to be ready for Monstaliner this weekend. Much more to come...

 

Good progress. Thumbs up

 

Tonight's work...

Finished up test fitting the front flare. The flares will actually not be totally installed until I do the Monstaliner, since it will extend on the bottom part of the fenders and doors to behind the flare. And of course, I had to throw one of the new 31's on! They already look too small--and this is stock height!





One side done, 3 more to go. Onto the rear driver's well, which I got the cuts and paint done for tonight.



While working on the rear flare I discovered a bit of a nasty surprise. The supposed "rust repair" done by the PO turns out to be bondo just slapped over a rust hole on the rocker panel.


I'll continue to sand it flat, and probably re-bondo it for now since I am now planning the 2x6 rocker replacement project in the spring. I'm fine with this holding through the winter. I've picked up some 18 gauge sheets of steel to patch the rocker and quarter panel with for now. I also scored a set of D-window steelies on Craigslist for $120, with 4" of backspacing. Hopefully getting the 31's mounted to those before the holiday. That's all for now! More pics and progress soon.

 

Doing good so far

 

great work.... subscribed

 

Thanks ya'll! Some textual updates...on Monday I scored a set of D-window black wheels on Craigslist for $100. They are in great shape, 15x8, 4" backspacing. Today I am getting the 31's mounted on them after work.

Current tasks at hand to get ready for inspection and roadworthiness again!

• Finish interior prep -- some good vacuuming, removing caulk from floor pan plugs, some goo removal yet.
• Apply Chassis Saver to lightly rusted areas on the floor pans and underneath the Jeep.
• After that, re-seal floor pan plug and drill 1" hole in it for new rubber drain plugs.
• Finish passenger side fender cuts and bare metal paint for the flat flares.
• Drill out hinge bracket from the rear door that I removed to fix the rocker and door jamb rust.
• Weld in patches for rust repair.
• Bondo up the 4 bracket mounting holes on the tranny hump driver side, since I won't be using the stock linkage anymore.
• Remove remainder of body trim
• Tape up doors for Monstaliner
• MONSTALINER INTERIOR!
• Finally, install Bushwacker flares after Monstalining is complete.

I have a 4 day weekend this weekend and it's going to be a busy one. My goal is to have the Monstalining done by Monday. We'll see!

Also, my 3" lift kit is due to arrive today! Woohoo. I'm not installing that until later though until I have my IRO track bar and SYE for my 231. The plan is to put the new T-case and shift assembly in during the lift process.

 

More updates!

So today I got the tires mounted on my new steelies, and got my new leaf springs that were on my doorstep today. The rest of the kit requires a signature and of course UPS shows up while I'm at work, so I need to figure out how to arrange a pickup. Ugh!



I'm aiming for around Christmas time for lift install, if not sooner.

In case anyone was wondering what stock suspension + Bushwacker Flat Flares + 31x10.50x15's look like, here it is:





Needless to say I'm even MORE excited to get the XJ back on the road!

 

Nice!

 

That kind of tempts me to get my BWs and Tires before I lift it. Do you plan on driving it like that at all? Wondering because I'm curious if you'll have any rubbing issues.