I had spent the last 2 weeks looking for something to tool around in over the winter. I saw a lot of rot boxes, some ran good, others not so much. I was hoping to find something solid though, which is hard in the salt belt.

Enter Chuck aka Project Ticking Time Bomb.





Chuck's a 2000 Sport that I found sitting on a used car lot. The floors and rockers were solid, with only a little bit of rust in the roof. Someone repainted it, rather poorly actually, but Chuck looked respectable... well, minus the 4x4 emblems that some idiot put on.



He needs some work though, but nothing major. I have a radiator on the way to replace the leaking one. The suspension needs to be looked over. I might buy a 2" or 3" lift to replace the sagging leafs and coils. I won't be doing anything drastic with this build, just a fun daily driver.

And in case you were wondering, he's named Chuck after a used car salesman I used to know and Project Ticking Time Bomb because of the stigma these 00-01 XJs have.

 

Looks like ur off to a good start

 

Thanks!

Got a little work done on Chuck this weekend.

I picked up a Kenwood receiver to replace the non-working factory one.


I ordered a trim ring for the receiver since it was an open item from the store. I'm happy I don't have to drive in silence anymore.


The speakers in the door weren't working, so I installed a pair of Eclipse speakers I had laying around.


I also installed my eBay radiator today. While I was at it I replaced the clutch fan and missing fan shroud from off of my parts XJ. I ordered a new electric fan for it as well since the old one was destroyed.


Finally, I debadged it. I still want to pull off the door mouldings, but that's a project for another day.






Hopefully I'll have time to pick up a blower resistor tomorrow so I don't have to have the heat blasting all the time. I also need to get a valve cover gasket while I'm at it. Pretty soon I'll be shopping for my lift!

 

Love the wheels

 

Yeah, they're a little different, but they've grown on me.

Replaced the blower resistor and electric fan since last time. I also picked up a new set of hatch struts and turn signal/hazard relay. I'm pulling the trigger on a 3" Zone lift with full leaf packs and Nitro shocks. Almost crashed Chuck a few days ago, with the dodgy front end being a part of it. Figured I'd better get rolling on fixing that situation before the snow really flies.

 

Ordered my lift on Friday and got part of it today. The leaf springs are supposed to come in tomorrow. Thanks to Derran at Rockridge 4wd for his help. You can check them out in the vendor section.

I love this part of getting a package!


Coils, u-bolts, eye bushings, and some decals


I went with the nitro shock upgrade. FYI, Rockridge 4wd doesn't charge you anything additional to step up to these.


After a nasty belt separation on my right front tire, I mounted the original tires off my '86 on Chuck. Figures my lift would arrive the next day! Hoping to get the lift installed over the weekend.

 

Oooh, neat. Looks really clean.



What is that XJ in the background? Looks pretty damn high. On a trailer?

 

Thanks. Yeah, it's on a trailer. No mud flinging monster hiding back there.

 

Hahaha didn't think that was the case

 

Leafs springs came in at lunch! I think the UPS guy was happy to see me since he didn't have to drag them up my driveway!

 

He has a truck and he has to carry them?

 

If you don't have 4wd or AWD you can't make it up my driveway when it snows. Everyone parks in the street and has to walk my packages up.

Edit: my driveway looks flat in that pic, but trust me its not.

 

Lol. Got it.

 

Lift is going on tomorrow if my friend comes through with the shop space. I really miss having my own shop, because it gets old having to rely on other people to get **** done. Got everything ready to go though if he calls.

 

looks good man