xj project "Back in Black"
 

Hey yall. I have another build thread on here for my previous green xj title "project green mile" long story short i got rid of it and built a wj. I sold the wj for a profit, and just bought another xj a few weeks ago. Heres the specs:

Black'99 sport 4 door.
4.0 automatic.
130,000 miles.
4wd, d30 front 8.25 rear
Modifications:
3.5" Rubicon Express lift (full leafs)
Rubicon Express Twin Tube shocks
Crown HD steering setup
M.O.R.E Steering brace
PORC Slip Yoke Eliminator
Double cardan drive shafts (front & rear) 31" bfg All terrains turned treadwright mt's
16" Ion Alloy black simulated beadlock wheels.
Kargo Masters Safari Rack.
Dynomax exhaust
Adjustable tracbar from rough country

Thats what it was when i got it. Over the last few weeks, i have removed the basket from the roof rack, put in a jvc head unit, replaced all the speakers with memphis component speakers, and a few other things im gonna do write ups on. I also did my ammo box mod (i did a write up in my other build thread, but can redo it in this thread if need be)

Things to do are:
Jks disconnects.
Paint bumper end caps
Refinish inner fenders
Maybe new wheels
Roof lights.
Bumper mounted fogs.
Recover seats.
A few minor interior things
And whatever else i come up with.

Heres a couple of pics as it sits today.

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Thanks for lookin guys.

Ill be posting my write up from my last build on my ammo box cargo mod

Also ill be doing a few more write ups as i do things, like painting various things and hooking up lights etc.

I'm gonna do a quick little write up on the 20 mm ammo can mod for those who want to do it:

All you need is a 20mm ammo can, and whatever method you want to use to cut it and fasten it. I used a small grinder and a brinks lock. The 20mm can is best, it fits perfectly. There are two types though, some have a hinged lid and some have a removable slide off lid. Slide off lid is best. The hinged lid will not open completely due to the pitch of the back hatch.

First you have to take the factory spare off the mount.

Afterwards you will have a black bracket on the floor of the hatch that goes into the wall, and a small metal tab sticking out of the plastic wall that has two holes in it.

Sit your ammo can on bottom bracket and up against the tab. Mark where the tab meets the ammo can so you know where to cut. I simply smeared a little oil on the end of the tab then pressed the box against it so I know the exact size to cut.

Take the box out and cut where you marked, be sure to make the cut as small as possible. You want it to fit as snugly as possible around the tab, too loose it will probably rattle around. I made the cut then used a metal file to get it perfect.

Now its ready to slide on! Slide the tab through the cut and latch it in. like I said, I used a brinks brand lock. I keep the keys on my key ring, so the ammo can is latched securely in at all times, no rattles, and if i need my tools outside of the vehicle or I need to put something big in the hatch, I just unlock it and slide it off and go! It holds alot, I've got antifreeze, jumper cables, tools, shop towels, cleaning supplies, oil, rags, spare bolts, parts, and fuses, and could fit way more. Best of all, it frees up more space in the hatch by keeping all the stuff that rolls around your jeep in one secure place

Heres a pic of the bracket it sits on:

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Heres a picture of the lock in the tab:


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And the finished product:


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Cheap, easy, useful, and a good conversation piece.

I have used cleaners such as back to black before, and the work pretty good. But the bumper end caps on my xj were in horrible shape. And the old, grayed, weathered plastic really stood out and looked bad against my nice clean black paint.
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So, i decided i'd take care of my crappy looking plastic in a way that will last and be inexpensive. I grabbed a can of krylon fusion gloss black spray paint.


Then i taped off the front end. Far less work than yankin' those pieces off and fighting 'em back on right.
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If you havent heard of krylon fusion, or arent familiar with it, it is specially formulated to bond with plastic. There is absolutely no sanding or priming required. And it does very well if you follow the directions carefully.

After you tape off the areas you dont want paint on, clean the surface you're going to paint with degreaser. I used good ol' greased lightning. Sprayed it on and wiped it down and let it dry.

Then came the fun part
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I used three coats. Nearly a whole can. This stuff dries quick. As in, dry to touch in 10-15 minutes. And dry enough to be handled by an hour. In my opinion it looks great. It almost matches the gloss of the actual paint. I did not use a clear coat, and i dont advise anyone using a clear coat over the krylon fusion, as i have heard nothing but horror stories.

So there it is. A cheap, easily touched up way to make those plastics like new. Heres the finished product:
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I recently purchased a set of warn wireless fog lights from quadratec. Not a lot of people have them, so i figured i'd do a little review.

The ones i bought were the 55w fog lights. They also make driving and spot lights, but i will just be reviewing the fog lights.

First off, these lights are very slim, and have a tough metal housing that i was really impressed with. They come with an attractive hard plastic snap on grille to protect the glass lenses. They also come with a snap on cover that goes over the light grilles for protection during some day time wheelin'.

Now, these light arent completely wireless. The only thing wireless is the remote control switch.However, the installation of these lights is extremely easy. 90% of the wiring is already done for you. Basically, hook up to battery and plug in the lights and youre done. And the wireless remote is an awesome feature, and takes alot of install time out of the equation not having to find a place for a switch and wiring it and going through the dash. It comes with velcro to attach to the dash, for easy removal. Ican stand ten feet away from my vehicle and turn in my fog lights. With my vehicle on or off.

The lights look incredible. On or off. They have a yellow and blue look to them when they are off, and when they are on they produce a bold yellow beam. The beam is the widest ive seen on round fog lights. They shine very far, low, and wide. Great in fog. And great for spotting deer on the side of the road where your headlights wont reach.

Here's a pic of the lights after the install:
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The big question is, are they worth the 170$ price tag? In every way, yes they are. I highly recommend these lights. They are superior to both piaa and kc lights ive had in the past.

The xj got a little facelift today: h4 headlight conversion, smoked corner lights, smoked parking lights, somewhat smoked tail lights, and quadratec floor liners

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I'll post a pic of the floor liners tomorrow

Took a few poser shots today:
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Nice Jeep!

nice looking xj

Thanks man! Yours too

hey where did you get the H4 lights? I like the ones you got.

thats sexy, black is where its at!