I definitely plan on driving it. I'm hoping to get it inspected after I finish all in-progress projects now. Hopefully in the next week or two.

I haven't turned the steering wheel around to see if the tires will rub on the lower control arm still. When I test-fit the old wheel (factory XJ wheel), it would definitely rub the LCA, but now I'm not so sure. I'll have to check then.

 

Hurry up! Lol. Less talking more wrenching

 

Hey now did you see my list? Lol that's a lot of work to do with a 2 week goal.

 

I like the way those shocks look. Nice, plain, and black.

 

Me too! I hate the look of fancy shocks, or white tubes or even Bilsteins. When I upgrade these one day I will probably paint whatever I get. I want everything to look uniform underneath.

 

Glad you feel the same haha! I felt weird nit-picking about it but I really just don't like white bodies... or the way they look when painted black for that matter. But I really like the matte finish on the Zone (Nitro?) shocks haha. Not that it matters much at all.

 

Yes they are the Zone Nitros. Finely made by hand in Mexico. heh. But ANYTHING is better than the crap that's on my rig now--nearly rusted-through Gabriels which are a common AutoZone shock I believe. The new ones have a very nice paint job, actually. It seems durable. I know that all of the top rear bolts are going to break when I attempt removal of the old ones...

Does anyone know what hardware I should get to replace them, so I can have it ready for when it happens?

 

UPDATES....Today has been a very busy day (Technically yesterday..). I worked on getting the Jeep back on all fours and its new shoes so I could take it over to my parents' house where my welder is to work on the quarter panel and rocker. I also finished prepping the passenger side for the Bushwacker flares.

my POS Harbor Freight angle grinder crapped out on me about an hour into the flares. Had to run and get another. $9.99 Black Friday Special!

16 gauge patch sheet metal for this job. Ready for welds..


After that, I applied Chassis Saver paint all over it and up inside the quarter panel for future protection.


Prepping the new outer replacement section.


That will be welded in tomorrow! (today?) Also, the dixie cup of Chassis Saver I had went a long way. Did the front passenger floor board with it so it wouldn't go to waste.


And here is how she's sittin now on the 31's.


I'm very happy with my progress so far. I do need to find a different brake equalizer as the one I got from Big Dave is for the older models and doesn't quite work right. I may head to the JY tomorrow and see if I can find one and cross some other things off my list.

 

Looking good!

 

Thanks man!

Well, today I went to the JY and was able to find four 703 injectors out of a 1996 Plymouth Breeze. All the neons were picked clean and some of the other cars just didn't have the right ones. Plenty of 784's though--if I wasn't pressed for time I would've grabbed probably 2 sets of them to sell. So I guess I'll have to wait until the next JY trip (different yard) to find 2 more, hopefully. Kind of an impromptu idea anyhow, not on the priority list. Shortly back to work on the quarter panel and rocker this evening.

 

I usually clean out every yard I go to, for the 703 and 784. Sold them all. That's how I was able to afford to buy the 3 link and all stuff I need for my lift.

I plan to do this again soon cause I need to buy new tires and a e-locker for the rear.


In fact I don't think I ever had to buy anything out of my pocket for my jeep lol

 

Lookin good man!

 

Alright guys so here's where I'm at. After lots of patience yesterday, I got the outer part of the panel done.

I used butt-weld clamps from Harbor Freight to hold the piece in place.


This took a while, partly because of that gap I had to fill in.


Ground down.


Here you can see the little tab I welded on for the front screw of the bumper cap to fasten to.


Chassis Saver'ed


I've been debating on leaving it open like that so it can drain out if need be. That top part inside the fender well is bugging me, though. Any thoughts?

I'm about to tackle the worst of this battle....

 

On a happier note...here's some fresh front shots and with my light bar.

 

Some more progress. Man, this rust repair business requires a lot of work and patience. A labor of love!

Here's another shot of the quarter panel repair.


I have now moved on to the rocker panel and door jamb area. This area is in bad shape!

Patch made up for rocker.


Welded in and ground down some


I smoothed it out with Bondo, and this is what I ended the night with.


That door jamb area is a B****! Hoping to get a good bit of it done today.