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Project high mile Steel Blue 2001 XJ

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Old 11-04-2018, 06:56 PM
  #16  
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Did a bit of body work on the rocker repair. Need to sand smooth, I'll get to that later this week:
Project high mile Steel Blue 2001 XJ-i9r11st.jpg

Also, still waiting for some parts that have been on back order. They're supposed to be here this week. So I started on the suspension overhaul this weekend.
Removed the rear springs, glad I've got these out:
Project high mile Steel Blue 2001 XJ-kvcpvde.jpg
Can you believe this thing is a New England Jeep with >220k miles?
Project high mile Steel Blue 2001 XJ-c5z45rk.jpg
Project high mile Steel Blue 2001 XJ-lsgktpf.jpg

Oh - this won't be going back on....
Project high mile Steel Blue 2001 XJ-ngwihun.jpg
It broke on the pass side inside the rear body bushing. Oh well, everyone removes them so no big deal.
Old 11-04-2018, 07:10 PM
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Year: 2001
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Looks like a nice repair its nice seeing some that are not bothered or scared to get it done looks good !
Old 11-04-2018, 11:28 PM
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Can you believe this thing is a New England Jeep with >220k miles?
No i cannot as mine looks like the Titanic does now...lol

Great progress, looking forward to more!
Old 11-06-2018, 08:08 PM
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Last night I pressed in the new rubber bushings into the rear leaf springs.
I also got the rear shocks pulled out. One side came out OK, the other required some cutting.
Ordered some more parts today, supposed to be in later this week. Still waiting for some back ordered parts....

Tonight I worked on the body work / filler.
Project high mile Steel Blue 2001 XJ-dkqcclx.jpg
Project high mile Steel Blue 2001 XJ-7qti87t.jpg
Old 11-08-2018, 07:57 PM
  #20  
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Finally got the new rear leaf springs and shackles under the Jeep tonight. Both front leaf bolts fought me (had a very hard time getting them started).
Project high mile Steel Blue 2001 XJ-ysfrctb.jpg
Project high mile Steel Blue 2001 XJ-m13u8pu.jpg
I still need to tighten down all the suspension bolts and install new shocks and BPE's....
Old 11-11-2018, 07:43 PM
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The heavy duty work on the front suspension is largely done. Installed new upper and lower control arms as well as a set of 1.5" spacers.
Project high mile Steel Blue 2001 XJ-dz4sy7i.jpg

The spacers are part of a kit that included the rear shackles.
Project high mile Steel Blue 2001 XJ-ju7gsxd.jpg
Project high mile Steel Blue 2001 XJ-7ici9oq.jpg

Getting everything lined up on the front suspension was a PITA. Glad that is done!
Need to get a set of front sway bar bushings, the ones on the Jeep are pretty worn out.

Project high mile Steel Blue 2001 XJ-hllhqvd.jpg
Ordered a set of 235/75R15 tires last week, should be here later this week.
Old 11-14-2018, 07:21 PM
  #22  
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More rust repair needed:
Project high mile Steel Blue 2001 XJ-rjgn9bg.jpg

Got my new tires yesterday, mounted and balanced today:
Project high mile Steel Blue 2001 XJ-lhyc6k2.jpg

Finally got it back down on all 4's:
Project high mile Steel Blue 2001 XJ-g41buig.jpg
Project high mile Steel Blue 2001 XJ-lsta69w.jpg
Old 11-18-2018, 06:54 PM
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Spent a bunch of time this weekend on the Jeep. Got it outside to clean up the garage.
Project high mile Steel Blue 2001 XJ-5xqszij.jpg
Prep'd the rear bumper for repaint. There was a rotted spot on the pass side. Cut out the bad spot, welded in some new metal and a small amount of filler:
Project high mile Steel Blue 2001 XJ-354cju8.jpg
Put some time into the left rear quarter panel, still have one more piece of metal to form and attach:
Project high mile Steel Blue 2001 XJ-p0owa4t.jpg

Masked off all the spots that I wanted to shoot some new paint on:
Project high mile Steel Blue 2001 XJ-dagy5xe.jpg
Project high mile Steel Blue 2001 XJ-nswmuwz.jpg

And painted (2 stage urethane / bc/cc). First 2 coats seemed too dark, so I added a bit of silver to brighten up the color a bit.
Project high mile Steel Blue 2001 XJ-qud77wt.jpg
Project high mile Steel Blue 2001 XJ-xpo3gpm.jpg
Project high mile Steel Blue 2001 XJ-ewlaavi.jpg

Even painted the front bumper, had a few rust spots starting:
Project high mile Steel Blue 2001 XJ-cndmswt.jpg

And the final product:
Project high mile Steel Blue 2001 XJ-rlpl67o.jpg

Last edited by jturbo; 11-18-2018 at 06:59 PM.
Old 11-19-2018, 01:26 PM
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Better pic of the rear bumper repaint in natural light (ie garage door open). Color is off a bit but close enough for me.
Project high mile Steel Blue 2001 XJ-p0izrev.jpg
Old 11-19-2018, 07:10 PM
  #25  
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Rear bumper covers, fugly / before:
Project high mile Steel Blue 2001 XJ-3e4w9qi.jpg
Bumper black, better / after:
Project high mile Steel Blue 2001 XJ-xxrmml5.jpg
Back on the Jeep:
Project high mile Steel Blue 2001 XJ-u6fewmz.jpg
Garage shot:
Project high mile Steel Blue 2001 XJ-ykasvyz.jpg
Back end sits too high in my opinion, hopefully once I start driving the Jeep, it will settle a bit...
Old 11-19-2018, 09:29 PM
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What leafs and shackles did ya end up going with?
Old 11-20-2018, 08:00 AM
  #27  
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Originally Posted by TylerA23
What leafs and shackles did ya end up going with?
I ordered Crown Automotive p/n 4886186AA Heavy Duty Leaf Springs and the Teraflex p/n 001371200 1.5 inch Budget Boost.

FWIW - I still need to add some "clearance" between the right rear shackle and the exhaust tail pipe (currently rubbing)....
Old 11-21-2018, 07:56 PM
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Pre-black Friday shopping at the local wrecking yard, I got this for the antenna:
Project high mile Steel Blue 2001 XJ-2qplq21.jpg

The one on my 2001 XJ is broken, this one fits the bill.
I'll hit it with some black paint before I install it.
Old 11-25-2018, 05:23 PM
  #29  
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New antenna trim plate vs the old one:
Project high mile Steel Blue 2001 XJ-9kf6bt3.jpg

Moving along to the left side rear quarter panel, I made this patch panel mostly from 1 piece of metal:
Project high mile Steel Blue 2001 XJ-woetgyt.jpg
I didn't fuss much with the welds because it's covered once the bumper covers are installed....

Primered, riveted, and sealed up:
Project high mile Steel Blue 2001 XJ-cykoxlv.jpg

Backed it outside while I cleaned up the garage this afternoon:
Project high mile Steel Blue 2001 XJ-aghiixs.jpg
Old 11-25-2018, 05:33 PM
  #30  
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Sweet looking XJ !
That color is real nice make's for a nice looking Cherokee.


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