Project Resto-wheeler
 

Hey all. This is my first major Jeep project. I'm a volunteer fire fighter in Louisville KY, so those of you who like blinky lights stay tuned. The plans are as follows:

Custom winch bumper: In progress (RLC Welding is a local builder,) this will include a winch, siren speakers, grill guard, LED light mounts, Fog light mounts.
Install lots and lots of Red LED's from Whelen: TIR3's, TIR6 slimlighters, Vertexes, HHS2100, Dual Avengers, and much more.
3" lift from Rusty's or RC: Not sure which but will have the full spring pack, my rear is saggy.
Custom overhead console: I would like to mount a remote scanner head, remote 2 way radio head, scan guage 2 and a few switches on an overhead console. I would like to find a 97+ console shell to modifiy but I might wind up building it will sheet metal.
Roof basket: A place to store gear and ad lights to the rails. I also want to put some rear facing 100 watt lights for the a-holes who ride my bumper.
Rear bumper with tire carrier: Free up some interior space and again ad some places for lights.


I'll be updating this thread as I ad stuff to the XJ. Here's pics from the day I bought it. I'm not in the service, but the previous owner is so I removed all the stickers.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y18...J/bb36bfef.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y18...J/988176cf.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y18...J/3967fca3.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y18...J/7d894129.jpg

Welcome neighbor!!!:popcorn:

Thanks, man. I live in PRP off Dixie Hwy. I'm hoping to get to the Turtle next spring and start learning how to wheel. All of my driving experience has been on pavement and usually with 400+ rwhp.

My bumper in progress:

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y18...g/bca7ed5c.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y18...g/45d21c5f.jpg

Picked up a Caravan overhead console at the local Pull A Part. I grabbed some extra parts from a ZJ console also. I was lucky enough to find one with no computer, no compass, and with the rear vent switches. I don't plan to use any of that stuff and basically wanted the console to store my sunglasses and garage door opener, plus have a place to mount my remote scanner head, remote UHF radio head, and scan gauge 2. Alot of stuff, I know. Pics to come....

that bumper looks sick!

looks like it might be a good looking bumper when finished

I drew it out and took it to him. He does some really nice work and was building Exterra bumpers while I was there. Best part is, I'm getting what will basically be an ARB style bumper with custom touches for half the cost.

Overhead console is done. I had to fab a bracket for the middle support, but no big deal. Pics coming in the morning.

I found a neat surprise while installing the console. I got the build report from Jeep and my truck had keyless entry listed, then further down had keyless entry delete. I have the circuit board for keyless entry in the old dome light housing, so I guess I'll transfer it over and go by a junk yard Monday for a fob.

I have a friend who has some 16" MTR's that I'll be picking up for cheap. The only problem is there are only 3, but they are brand new. I think I'll have them mounted on these:
http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/MiniW...leColorIndex=1

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y18...g/96f78c70.jpg

I stopped by the fab shop today and snapped some pics. The bumper is almost complete. Work will not allow me access to photobucket so I'll have to post when I get home.

im not a firefighter, but all my friends are so i hear where your coming from with the blinky lights thing lol, oh and very very loud noises

LOL, its kind of addicting.

Here's the promised pics of the bumper:
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y18...g/7648897b.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y18...g/920301a9.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y18...g/6d42468f.jpg

He's still got some final touches to put on it. There will be holes with grilles in the front for the siren speakers.

Tackled some rust today. And so far, the rust is winning.

Cleaned the roof with a wire wheel and broke out a can of POR15.
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y18...g/bebd5190.jpg

Started to see what was behind the bumper caps:
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y18...g/6a6dc46c.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y18...g/ba5320a6.jpg

and i tohugh mine were bad...

It needs a floor pan too. I'll take this over rust in a fox body Mustang cowl anyday.

I'll be looking into quarter panel armor and getting some plate to fill in the rest. I'm planning a rear bumper with a tire carrier build, so I can design it to look however I want now.