I decided to start a build thread as a way to chronicle what I have done to my XJ. It's a 1987 Pioneer with 200k on the odometer. It has a d30/d35 with a 4"ish lift riding on 31x10.50s BFG at's. This is my first jeep and I hope to get it to a reliable DD/over lander style jeep. At this point I don't see any extreme rock crawling. But who knows, maybe one day. Here is a pic of what it look like the day I bought it.

 

It's fairly clean. A PO had pulled the carpet out and bed lined the floor. I kind of dig it. I work on a farm so I'm always muddy or dirty and it's nice not having carpet to get dirty. However, one downside is that it is more noisy. Especially in the rear area. So loud I could hear the fuel pump running. I decided to add some rubber floor mating that is about an inch thick. It's designed to go in horse stalls.

 

Looking forward to this.

 

Thanks. I know I've looked at your build plenty of times for ideas.

 

After installing the mat it did quiet the road noise down quite a bit. But that dang fuel pump was still really loud so I pulled it out and installed a new one. That quieted it down quite a lot!

 

The next thing I tackled was that my key would no longer function properly when starting the jeep. So I replaced the cylinder with a new one. While in the process I discovered this:

 

Thank you. It's nice following builds that are around the same year as your own Jeep. That connector looks toast, look into why it is getting so hot. What are the upcoming plans for it?

 

She's so pretty!! Can't wait to see your plans for the Renix

 

After I found the melted connector I did a lot of looking on here to find a root cause and apparently it is not to uncommon to happen to this style steering column. The general consensus seems to be spontaneous combustion.

 

As for where I'm going with this I really like the build by Tony_SS on here. I think your following that one.

 

So once I had everything apart I was about to go to the parts store to get a new ignition switch and wire connectors for it when an idea struck. Now I hope y'all don't flame me for this one and yes yes I know the argument of "It might get stolen!", but I said "Self, how about a push button ignition?" So I went with it.

 

Any idea how to upload a video? I have one I wanted to show of the push start in operation. I keep getting an error about a security token.

 

No idea on how to do a video. I have a push button start in my jeep. I have no key anymore just a secret cut off switch

 

Hopefully this works.

 

Yours is unique for sure.