Nailed it. My 16-month-old gets priority. And with spring here, why would I be lying under my rusty Jeep, alone, when we can both play in the garden together?

 

Exactly! (not that I'm complaining. Not much, anyways.)

My simple ball joint replacement has had my Jeep apart for at least a month. Each step is a Saturday or Sunday afternoon goal, just one step of the project.

Saturday #1
- Remove tires, get XJ on Jack Stands
- Maybe pull the calipers and rotors (if there's time.)

Saturday #2
- Break Axle Nut Loose, Driver Side
- Remove Hub/Knuckle Bolts, Driver Side

Saturday #3
- Pop Hub out of Knuckle, Driver Side
- Begin removing hub/knuckle bolts, Passenger Side
(Immediately broke a bolt, will need a torch for other two. Next Weekend, maybe.)

You get the point. I feel you.

(I'm really digging the other parents on here, and I like hearing about their kid-related stuff. I knew I wasn't the only new dad, new Jeep owner.)

Also, those flares look A W E S O M E.

 

Ho-Lee-Shtite! That thing brapping bursts of whatever is the most amazing thing I've ever heard. The reassuring sound alone is worth keeping the thing around - like a moral booster.

 

5.5 months or so on the long arms, took the front axle out about a month or so ago though.

 

5/20/17

Well, I got some mail-order beef. Otherwise known as JKS Quicker Disconnects. Here is my neighbors eye witness account of me opening up my mailbox:

Got the rig up on jack stands and kicked the wife's Mazda out of the garage


Here is my little fold-up work cart. Works great for holding tools. I also have a little fold out camping chair (not pictured). I typically use this stuff at work when wiring up a panel in the field. But they work great here at home!


Got my Horrible Freight pitman arm puller a work out.


"it is verking doctor!"


Damn steering stabilizer trying to screw me, kept getting in the way. Ended up taking my Lenox diamond cut off wheel and chopping the stud in half. This gave me a bit more clearance.


Side view, the pitman arm puller got me about 70% there. It kept slipping off at a certain point. Then I just beat the **** out of the stud with a hammer to get it the rest of the way off


Installed to proper torque and greased up


All in all not a bad project. The passenger side stud had me pissed for a minute. It feels really good to have these on my rig. They are 100% pure beef. Something that is only truly apparent when you hold them in your hand. Nice heavy durable feel. JKS recommends greasing these puppies regularly for the first 3 months. So I will try to stay on top of that. Otherwise, another one for the books gents. Stay tuned....

 

Thanks for the compliment man! And yes, it warms my heart knowing other parents are on here enjoying the hobby when they can! Not having all the time almost makes the hobby that much more enjoyable. Sort of like a "I want what I can't have" type thing. I enjoy the little time I spend on it so much!

 

06/03/17
Well, a small update. Finally gathered up my work bonus funds to nab my rear fenders from Hooligan Off-road. Two to four week fab time plus shipping. Looking forward to installation. Also, I plan to attend to some rust underneath my passenger rear bumper end cap at the same time.

 

06/22/17-06/23/17
Not too much to report. Got my jhc7793's headlight harness in the mail yesterday. Started to install yesterday near dusk. Got too dark. Resumed this afternoon. Pretty easy install.

Front plastic furniture uninstalled


Harness pulled through cavity between radiator and grill, ty-rapped for wire management. Used dye grinder pads to sand area free of paint where headlight grounds were to be installed


Installed high and low beam relays landscape style, also sanded surface where the relay's ground are located. All grounds are held by bolt through 10-32 machine screws


Re-installed battery and made fused positive connection @ battery terminal


Much brighter!!!


Good mod, cheap mod. Now I don't have to worry about my headlight switch burning out.

 

Wow just read through the entire build ! Impressive ! I love your XJ and wish I had the extra cash flow to get
mine going like yours . However like yourself and other I've got kiddos . 5 month old and one that will be 3 in September .

 

I think you should rotate your relays to the typical vertical orientation if you do any wet trails/water crossings. I can see water laying in the connector, where it would drip out the bottom if mounted vertical. Probably being over cautious, but that's how I roll.

 

Not over cautious. I had 2 relays go bad from just rain and such because the water got in somehow but had no way out. Terrifying when the headlights go out on a back road at 2am.

 

Thanks buddy, kids come first I know. Good luck getting your Jeep to where you want it!

Where yours mounted vertical or horizontal? I will probably keep the orientation the same for now. I will keep an eye on it, thanks guys.

 

They were stuffed in sideways. I have them ziptied up to a cable now keeping the top up. They may have shifted around since they were just stuck in there before, but I'm not risking it again.

 

What's your front bumper?

EDIT: just saw in your sig. ignore me. unless you want to sell it???

 

Bad *** rig! Love the color