Project trail rig 'Yolanda'
 

Currently as of 12/9/15

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...4ca2f1f3f3.jpg



Hey everyone! Figured I'd start a build page to keep track of my progress. Just purchased this 2000 4x4 green XJ with 164k on it a few weeks ago. This is going to be my designated trail toy, and will mostly see off road miles. My lady decided her name would be Yolanda for some reason. I'll likely find a better one soon.

The same day I bought the jeep I ordered a rough country 4.5" full kit with leafs, black pro comp rims and some 32" Kenda klevers. The tires I got for only $500 shipped! We'll see how they hold up. Here's the progress so far.

Here she is the day I got her, 100% stock
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...6d3e756f44.jpg
First Thing I did was change all the fluids, air filter and plugs to make sure she was sea worthy. I also rattle canned the roof a similar green to cover up some rust.
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...7006458a03.jpg

Then my lift came. Installed everything myself in the parking lot behind my apartment. Basically used a torch and BFH to get me through it. Finished it up over the course of 1 week. Diff drop and extended brake lines also installed.

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...07b50d4718.jpg


Lots of cursing and bloody knuckles later :grin::grin::grin:
I also starting taking off the front fender and the bumper caps. Really stoked on how she's sitting right now. Still needs some dialing in, and theres a couple noises that I need to check out. Sway bar discos will go on this week sometime also.

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Today I messed around with some angle steel and a cut off grinder. Came up with a pretty functional CB mount, rather than purchasing one that looks identical. Took me about 15 minutes total!

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...12eb7e0120.jpg



Also ordered some new goodies!

OMC rock krusher sliders
RC diff guard

Will be looking for bumpers soon. Front needs to have winch mount, preferably none or single hoop. Rear needs to be simple, D rings for sure, preferably a hitch mount. No swing out. Anyone have any good recommendations that aren't outrageously pricey??

thats a killer deal on rims and tires!!! where did you come across on that deal

The tires I got off Ebay, and the rims were $50 each on 4 wheel parts!

damn man!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! killer deal
I have been pounding ebay for that kind of deal and cant turn up anything that close

Sweet ride!

Couple new goodies! Can't wait to smash this thing on some rocks. Also mounted up my CB radio. Fender trimming in progress as well. Got my JCR roof rack mounts in the mail. Going to start drawing plans for a low profile rack with side and rear lights.




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for the bumpers. I went with ares fab front and rear. Nice and clean bumpers high clearance all that good stuff. Reasonable price. I chose a hitch front and rear and I'm going to put a winch on a plate and wire front and rear with disconnects to connect the winch in the front or the back and make a custom set of jumper cables thay just plug in so I don't have to even pop the hood. Just my ideas.

Just a friendly heads up, I've heard of some nasty things happening to peoples knees with the CB mounted near that area. I would urge you to mount it either right above the rear view mirror (great location with reinforced metal there for self tappers), or along/in the center console somewhere.

Keep up the good work, you're gettin a lot done in a short time :thumbup1:

Yeah I've been a little worried about that! It hasn't been a problem yet, but It might be once I'm on the trail. Shouldn't be too hard to move it If I need to.

Finished off the front fenders today! Found some sweet weather stripping that fit great.
Ignore the dent lolz.


https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...0637486f54.jpg

Dents give character. They also let people know that it sees actual trails, and not just parking lots.

Just ordered both the Ares evolution rear bumper and front evolution winch bumper. :thumbup1::thumbup1::thumbup1:Wallet hurts.

Looks good. I would move that cb. I used to have my kc light switch there and moved it after I broke it with my leg

Fenders are done! Cut/ folded the rear then sprayed with undercoat. She flexes good. Really digging the RC lift so far. It's not nearly as stiff as I thought it would be.




https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...a0a24a31b5.jpg


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Took her out for a beating today! Everything seems to be working good. Definitely need to get some rear quarter panel armor. Also ordered 40' of 1x1/16th steel to start on the roof rack.



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Trail time!! Woo hoo

Bumper!!!!
 

Santa came a little late today :tongue_smilie::tongue_smilie: Rear bumper should show up soon. Any recommendations on paint? I usually just use rattle
can bed liner. Curious about the 'hammered' style paint some people use.



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Jeep looks good!

I use rustoleum bed liner. Painted my whole trailer with it, paint the flag poles I make with it, painted my bumpers with it, painted my mower with it and more. Love the finish it gives and it's really easy to touch up, but it is pretty tough so it doesn't ever need a whole lot of touch up. I buy the spray cans at Walmart, I just buy all they have when I go because I know I'll use it.

I did almost the exact same thing. I love the 4.5 " RC lift, Kenda tires as well. It rides super smooth. I put the 33x12.5x15 tires on and have very little rubbing. Your rig is looking sweet! Also put the same front diff cover as you did.

Yolanda is looking good. Bonus points for doing the lift yourself, in a parking lot.

Thanks dude! The tires rock. And I've taken them through some nasty stuff. Also smashed the diff cover pretty hard and it didn't even dent!

Suuuper stoked on how this came out. Ended up spraying it with black rustoleum HAMMERED. As you can see it's more gun metal grey which I'm very okay with :cool2:



https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...76b4467ad8.jpg

Lookin really good!!

Rear Ares Fab bumper came. I'm just waiting for the rain to stop here in California. Also did a little work on my roof rack. I'm making all the cuts myself, and my buddy is going to TIG weld it since I have no welding skills/welder. The front will have 45 degree 'wind faring' pieces that aren't shown yet.

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...be9d5536bf.jpg

Also: Another glamor shot


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Subbed

Love how the rear turned out! Fits nice and snug, and only $350 shipped! Ares makes some good stuff!


https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...90ae6b879e.jpg


And to finish it off! :drink: :cool2:


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Still need to do something with the ugly exhaust.

I have an ares fab rear bumper too, very few trailer ball mounts fit in the receiver because they weld them in backwards. Be careful pulling on any part of that bumper unless you got the upgrade mounts, and if you have the upgrade mounts make sure you only pull on the d ring mounts. Twisted my bumper because I was too lazy to take a ring off and put the strap in it. And I put on a flowmaster super 44 and dumped right near the axle.

Attachment 281619

Thanks for the info dude! I have no need to tow anything. I was thinking about getting one of those hitch mounted tire carriers at some point. How did you end up bending the bumper?

I was pulling someone out in 4 low on pavement and he didn't budge I was just spinning my tires. And I wouldn't trust a tire carrier in the hitch without the upgrade mounts, I've seen too many pictures of those bolts ripping out because a spare tire bouncing around. I was the person who convinced him to even start making the custom mounts that tie in down the frame rail. I was the Guinea pig. They didn't fit perfect and I had to do some modifications, but it was worth it. Grabs the holes for the hitch, and all the holes on the back.

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Haven't updated in a while, but heres the recent projects.

Roof rack is almost done. I'm mounting 1 3x3 LED cube on each corner. Used the JCR fab roof rack mounts and they work great so far!

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...80eea0ad08.jpg


Also got crafty and made my own ashtray switch panel. Took all of 15 minutes to cut out a piece of plastic and drill some holes. I'm mounting a blue seas fuse panel in the engine bay and wiring everything to it also.

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...3a8171d5bb.jpg

Roof rack is finally done! Coated with rattle can bed liner. Was able to spend just about $100 for everything. Haven't wired the lights up yet. Does anyone have any tricks of how to run the wiring into the engine bay?
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...8e921788e1.jpg


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Mine has a hole drilled in the roof with a rubber grommet. I have never had any issues leaking so i can personally say it works great!