FitchVA - The Bad

[FitchVA]

stock specs:

1998
4.0L I-6
AW4
NP231 TC
D30/CHRY8.25 - stock 3.55 gears

pic from when i bought it:

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1823&g2_serialNumber=3

[FitchVA]

first thing i did to this one was to armor it up a little bit

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=55&g2_serialNumber=1

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=60&g2_serialNumber=1

if my memory serves me, in those boxes are:

RRO rock rails (junk)
rusty's tc skid
skid row gas tank skid
c4x4 front tow hook kit
rear hidden hitch


you can kinda see the rails installed in this pic of my dad and niece washing my jeep for me

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=62&g2_serialNumber=1

[FitchVA]

the day before the lift went on, i put this gem on...

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=67&g2_serialNumber=1

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=74&g2_serialNumber=1

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=70&g2_serialNumber=1

[FitchVA]

theeeeeeen the long day of the lift install...

Rubicon Express 4.5" superflex lift
adjustable upper and lower control arms
RE heavy duty track bar bracket and track bar
OME shocks and steering stabilizer
32x11.50 BFG MT's on 15x8 crager soft8's

before:

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=98&g2_serialNumber=1g

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=94&g2_serialNumber=1

after:

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=88&g2_serialNumber=1

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=102&g2_serialNumber=1

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=83&g2_serialNumber=1

[FitchVA]

the very next weekend, i took on the task of the SYE install all by myself in my apt parking lot. i had experienced help with the lift, but none whatsoever with the sye. none-the-less, it went very well considering up to that point, my mechanical resume was rotating the tires and oil changes

and thankfully i didn't get thrown out of the apt complex

i did the advanced adapters hd sye kit and a tom woods shaft

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=116&g2_serialNumber=1

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=110&g2_serialNumber=1

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=112&g2_serialNumber=1

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=114&g2_serialNumber=1

[FitchVA]

i picked up a surco roof rack as well as a xj d44 from a fellow SWVA4W member. the d44 came with a warn diff cover. i soon after scored a used warn diff cover for the d30 but have no pictures.

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=142&g2_serialNumber=1

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=144&g2_serialNumber=1

[FitchVA]

at the time, i couldn't find anyone local that had experience with ARB lockers, so i took the xj down to the Carolina Rock shop to have him install them.

4.56 gears front/rear
ARB lockers front/rear
u-bolt yoke conversion yoke front/rear

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=408&g2_serialNumber=1

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=411&g2_serialNumber=1

[FitchVA]

here's where you'll see the xj w/out the front arb bumper. why you ask? because some ass much thought he was more entitled to my stereo and tools that i kept in the jeep than i was.

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1659&g2_serialNumber=3

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1653&g2_serialNumber=3

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1651&g2_serialNumber=3

i sold the bumper so i could replenish the tool supply.

[FitchVA]

i took the xj back home with me to trip up the fenders and bumpers as well as herc.'ing the rockers and bumpers

the full gallery -> http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=166

trimming

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=241&g2_serialNumber=1

hercing

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=273&g2_serialNumber=1

trimmed bumper

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=281&g2_serialNumber=1

factory flares mounted higher up

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=283&g2_serialNumber=1

[FitchVA]

i'll save you guys on the saga known as the progression of my switch boxes so i'll just post the final version.

full writeup: -> http://fitchva.com/jeep/?p=75

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=705&g2_serialNumber=1

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=707&g2_serialNumber=1

those switches control my relay box. full writeup -> http://fitchva.com/jeep/?p=60

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1113&g2_serialNumber=3

[FitchVA]

i had been in a few situations where i really wanted to have a snorkel for the cheap insurance. so i put my "google-foo" skills to work. because i relocated my flares up higher, the ARB snorkel wasn't going to work. i had seen a few pictures of the AirFlow snorkels from australia that show that they wouldn't interfere.

so after some digging and searching, i found a contact that worked there. he was willing to ship me one from aussiland. i ordered it tuesday evening and it was on my doorstep when i got home from work on friday

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=355&g2_serialNumber=1

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=357&g2_serialNumber=1

here you can see why i needed to go with the AirFlow

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=375&g2_serialNumber=1

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=377&g2_serialNumber=1

[FitchVA]

then i scored some axles from DC

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=428&g2_serialNumber=1

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=435&g2_serialNumber=1

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=439&g2_serialNumber=1

d30/4.56 gears/tru track/warn alloys/warn hub conversion/ctm ujoints
ferd8.8/4.56 gears/full detroit/stock shafts

both came with a full set of alloy spares new in box and the fronts came with a set of new in box yukon super joints

[FitchVA]

8.8 prepped and painted

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=847&g2_serialNumber=3

i figured i'd go ahead and slap the alloys in and use the stockers for spares

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=849&g2_serialNumber=3

the front is wider than a stock d30 my about 3/4 of an inch with the warn hub kit. and the 8.8 is a tad narrower than a stock d30, so i used the spider trax spacers to give me almost an exact match

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=851&g2_serialNumber=3

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=886&g2_serialNumber=3

and a big thanks to matt for his welding help on the spring perches

[FitchVA]

oh, and i used the ruff stuff 8.8 swap kit and diff cover

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=885&g2_serialNumber=3

[FitchVA]

part of the swap deal that involved me getting the tj moab wheels for my other xj also included my old 32's and soft 8's. so in a rush to get rubber under the xj, i got a set of bfg mt's in the 35" flavor.

but they didn't stay on the jeep for long. they're now in jon's possession

and i went with a set of 35" bfg km2's. you can also see the T.H.O.R. rear 1/4 panel armor as well as the removable doors (still in progress)

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=922&g2_serialNumber=3

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=919&g2_serialNumber=3

[FitchVA]

i'm now pretty much up to real-time now. i'm getting ready to embark on the next big upgrade.

that d30 that i got from DC will be going in. i've done some home brew gusseting, added a ruff-stuff diff cover, and prepped/painted it.

it will be going in when this goes in:

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1600&g2_serialNumber=3

and those won't go in until these go in:

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1352&g2_serialNumber=3

those are the tnt (now tecks's) y-link long arm upgrade and the ruff stuff frame stiffeners.

if you want your paint to stick, it needs to be at least mild weather. we had a little window of that recently so i've finally gotten everything painted

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1601&g2_serialNumber=3

pardon the saw dust. the y-link kit was shot with old faithful - rustoleum hammered and the insides of the stiffeners were shot with 3m weld-through primer (not cheap stuff!!!)

[79CJ5]

pm sent!!!!!

[FitchVA]

OMG! SOMEONE STOLE MY AXLE!!!

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1593&g2_serialNumber=3

but while they were at it, they installed the frame stiffeners, treks belly pan, and got the new axle all preped and ready to go:

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1009&g2_serialNumber=3

(crappy picture - all that crap is dust that the flash over displayed)

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1595&g2_serialNumber=3

edit: forgot to add the pic of the axle

[xjtrailrider]

Wait! Does this mean that this XJ may see a trail THIS year? :sSc_eek2:

Good work! Keep it up!

[FitchVA]

Wait! Does this mean that this XJ may see a trail THIS year? :sSc_eek2:

Good work! Keep it up!

:p .

[FitchVA]

i should rename this project to "slow boat from china" because that's the pace i'm working at :harhar:

after taking a little while off from the jeep, i got back to work only to pull a muscle in my neck this weekend doing some moving.

one reason why i'm so slow is because i end up wasting time on stupid stuff like cleaning and painting the wheel wells. to be fair, i did also relocate my brake line bracket ;)

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1588&g2_serialNumber=3

and repainting my shocks :rotflmao5:

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1589&g2_serialNumber=3

i snapped off the axle-end track bar bolt and fubar'd the bracket trying to get the rest of the bolt out. i welded a nut on the end and went to town with my impact. that was after heat, pb-blaster, etc. so i'll either have to make my own or find some place that sells them

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1584&g2_serialNumber=3

lower/main arms in

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1603&g2_serialNumber=3

upper/mid arms in (kinda)

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1586&g2_serialNumber=3

test fitting the new 5.5" springs

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1598&g2_serialNumber=3

i probably could have gotten it back up on all 4 wheels had i not snapped the track bar bolt and had TNT not shorted me the 2 upper control arm bots on teh axle end. ...and that i didn't notice that fact until just now. oh well.

[xjtrailrider]

I probably have that "flag nut" and TB bolt somewhere in the garage. There may still be one on my axle that I'm tearing down to truss, re-gear and lock.

[95greenrio]

If Jon doesn't have it I'm pretty sure I didn't tear up that bolt taking my track bar off.

[FitchVA]

well if either of yall have one and can spare it, i'd be more than willing to pass a little dough your way. :2thumbsup:

[hadfield4wd]

Steve,

Are you and Jon competing for the cleanest Trail Rig?

I don't think I've seen Jon paint used shocks though, so his meds must have kicked in.:wings:


So far you win for most anal.:thumb:
Jon is a close second.

Seriously that looks sweet.

[FitchVA]

well i'm just dead tired of getting showered with ancient dried up mud every time i am under it working. so i figured i'd clean it up a bit. and what better time than when there isn't much to work around.

btw, do you need to come over tonight?

[xjtrailrider]

well if either of yall have one and can spare it, i'd be more than willing to pass a little dough your way. :2thumbsup:


Steve, I left you a message, i have that track bar bolt/nut whenever you need it.:thumb:

[xjtrailrider]

Steve, where did you get the paint for those Nitro's at, it matches perfectly:2thumbsup:

[FitchVA]

Steve, I left you a message, i have that track bar bolt/nut whenever you need it.:thumb:

thanks again! you're a life saver

[FitchVA]

Steve, where did you get the paint for those Nitro's at, it matches perfectly:2thumbsup:

it's rustoleum sunburst yellow 239110. picked it up from lowes. it is super close. closest i could find the OME's color w/out custom mixing anything. this color is more of a pure "yellow" whereas i noticed when they were side by side that the OME's have a hint of orange to it. but it's pretty darn close. close enough for me :driving:

[xjtrailrider]

Thanks, i'm gonna paint mine when I swap in the new axles.

[FitchVA]

i did some more work on it over the past few days

got the alloy usa axle seals installed

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1594&g2_serialNumber=3g

working on the angles

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1599&g2_serialNumber=3

random pic of the old axle stripped of all of the goodies that are going on the xj. i'll miss the ARB though. oh well.

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1591&g2_serialNumber=3

a sight for sore eyes (and back)

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1592&g2_serialNumber=3

i got my axle back to where it belongs. i had been a little towards the back from stock. it's now a little forwards of stock.

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1590&g2_serialNumber=3

stretching the 'ole girl's legs

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1596&g2_serialNumber=3

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1602&g2_serialNumber=3

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1585&g2_serialNumber=3

this is when i noticed that my lift was kinda tilting. this got me a little worried and i didn't remember to take some measurements (shocks, bumpstops, etc).

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1587&g2_serialNumber=3

but it'll easily unseat the coils. and up to this point, i still had slack in the brake lines. i'll probably end up adding some limiting straps

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1597&g2_serialNumber=3

it had about 3" of uptravel before hitting the RE bumpstop. i'll probably add 3 hockey pucks and limit the uptravel to what you see in the pics. i used to run 2 additional hockey pucks but i wanted to see for sure how many i needed to add first. they can easily slide in the coils whereas the RE one won't. so that's why i went ahead and put it in now. i'll have to do some slight trimming to the front of the wheel well. but other than that, i think i'm good.

i still need to give her an alignment and recheck everything on the front end. then wrap up the odds n ends in the back. then i'm good to go! i would have kept working but my neck/back started to stiffen up on me again.

[FitchVA]

oh, and about 1/2 of the neighbors came over when i opened the garage door. with the back squatted down, they thought i had broken something. :rotflmao5: then when they saw the front, they just kinda looked at me and couldn't understand what the f. i was doing :rotflmao5:

[xjtrailrider]

Nice very nice!

I'm running 3 hockey pucks, RE bumpstop, and ACOS in the front to keep the tires out of the front fenders on stuff.

[RUparrothead]

Looking good Steve!

It's been a while since I've seen it on all 4 tires :harhar:

[berk9]

looking nice man.... who makes that rear corner guard, price, and how easy do you think it would be to make?

[FitchVA]

they are THOR (Trail Head Off Road) guards. pm Aventone on NAXJA for more details.

i would guess that they would be hard to fab. the body lines are all over the place on every plane. but with enough time and skills, i bet they could be made by hand. the sides of these are formed in a press.

[Big Red 95]

man that thing is sweet.

[xjtrailrider]

I plan on making my own corner guards, The only thing I'm doing different is I'm going to add a strip around the wheel lip for a fender flare and not do the light boxes but just go straight back and cut holes for the side markers. I like the THOR's I just don't have the coin to buy them.

[hadfield4wd]

oh, and about 1/2 of the neighbors came over when i opened the garage door. with the back squatted down, they thought i had broken something. :rotflmao5: then when they saw the front, they just kinda looked at me and couldn't understand what the f. i was doing :rotflmao5:

Get used to that. I'm like a circus side show for my neighbors.


Nice very nice!

I'm running 3 hockey pucks, RE bumpstop, and ACOS in the front to keep the tires out of the front fenders on stuff.

Whats wrong with using your inner fenders for bumpstops? As long as your not cutting tires it's just more flex.:harhar:

[TrailReadyMJ]

Lookin' great Steve!!! :2thumbsup:

[FitchVA]

thanks :thumb:

[xjtrailrider]

Get used to that. I'm like a circus side show for my neighborhood

There fixed it for you:harhar:




Whats wrong with using your inner fenders for bumpstops? As long as your not cutting tires it's just more flex.:harhar:

I don't have any inner fenders, but I do use the snorkel hose as a bump stop on the drivers side:D

[FitchVA]

well i have been fighting a bad back/neck for the past several weeks. i wanted to try and make the pott's meet in the middle run, but i was supposed to work yesterday. i showed up at the train yard where i sat and waited for about 5 hours until they canceled the test i was supposed to observe.

but because i knew i had to work, i wasn't going to hurt myself last week to get the jeep ready for the run.

ater seeing a chiropractor last week, my neck/back is feeling much better. so i figured i could get out and do a few light-duty things to the xj. with the big daddy tie rod and the new 5.5" coils, the tie rod was still hitting the pass-side swaybar bracket. so i needed to relocate it a bit.

cut off the tip of the swaybar bracket:

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1014&g2_serialNumber=3

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1013&g2_serialNumber=3

took some measurements and came up with the new bracket extensions out of some 1/4" plate. and because i'm so OCD, i had to make them as identical as possible ;)

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1011&g2_serialNumber=3

after some more cleanup:

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1012&g2_serialNumber=3

welded up. (pass side) not bad considering i haven't welded in quite a while. you'll also see i drilled a few more holes for plug welds.

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1015&g2_serialNumber=3

all painted up. (driver's side) kinda hard to see it, but it's there:

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1016&g2_serialNumber=3

[xjtrailrider]

Looks good Steve. You missed a rainy muddy mess at Potts.

[cootees]

looks good. you favor those plug welds don't you?

[FitchVA]

lol yup. i tend to overdo things sometimes :driving:

[hadfield4wd]

Steve,

Welds look good.

[FitchVA]

got some more work done.

stock bump stop setup:

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=888&g2_serialNumber=3

longer bump stop installed (snapped the back bolts off on both sides so i tacked them on in the back):

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=889&g2_serialNumber=3

as you can also see in the above photo, i never trimmed (cut/fold) the entire wheel well. that's because when i did the trim the first time, i reused the stock flares. so i needed that lip. i don't need it anymore ;)

but first, i had to be OCD and clean up the rear wheel well area:

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=891&g2_serialNumber=3

showing the completed job and new clearance:

hhttp://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=890&g2_serialNumber=3

and while i was looking around, it was nice to have plenty of room with the tucked up belly pan

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=892&g2_serialNumber=3

that was part of friday. i did more work today, but none of it is finished so i'll hold off on the pics i already took until i'm done.

[FitchVA]

Removable doors (with newer-style XJ hinges):

I started work on this at the completely wrong time - right in the middle of the 8.8 axle swap. I needed to work on something different, so I started on this. Looking back, it was a poor decision because I only got 1/2 done before I started back to work on the axle swap. But oh well, live and learn. I'd also like to apologize in advance for all of the dirt/filth that is covering my Jeep in these pictures. That stuff that looks like rust, is only dried up mud and gunk that I haven't cleaned off. That will be taken care of in due time. I have since sworn off mud.

I used a Dremel tool with the wand attachment. The attachment makes it MUCH easier to get into the tight door jams.

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1257&g2_serialNumber=3

Whenever cutting metal with my Dremel, I prefer to use the reinforced cutoff disks. They have a mesh backing that keeps them from shattering as easy and the seem to last a bit longer.

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1259&g2_serialNumber=3

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1265&g2_serialNumber=3

I started on the passenger's-side door.

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1256&g2_serialNumber=3

Here is a pic of the from passenger's-side door's top hinge:

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1255&g2_serialNumber=3

The hinge stud is covered in an annoying plastic or rubber sheath. It's hard to tell at first, but once you start cutting, you can tell.

Here's where having the attachment payed off:

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1258&g2_serialNumber=3

I used a scraping motion to cut a groove into the cover to expose the inner metal shaft:

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1261&g2_serialNumber=3

Then using a small(er) screwdriver, i was able to push the remaining cover off:

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1262&g2_serialNumber=3

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1263&g2_serialNumber=3

[FitchVA]

Now with the metal shaft exposed, I cut it in 1/2:

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1264&g2_serialNumber=3

Using a small pry bar, I was able to press the bottom part of the shaft out:

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1266&g2_serialNumber=3

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1247&g2_serialNumber=3

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1248&g2_serialNumber=3

Repeat for the bottom.

I chose to leave the top shaft in so it would hold the door on while I finished up the rest of the work.

Now it's time to take out the pin holding on the door assist thing. I simply put a long punch on it and smacked it with a hammer from the bottom:

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1325&g2_serialNumber=3

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1326&g2_serialNumber=3

Time to disconnect the electrical. Here's where I started cussing the fact that I had power doors/locks/mirrors. The back two doors are easy. The front passenger's-side is a pain and the driver's-side is the WORST. They left very little room to work.

For each door, trace the wires to their connectors and disconnect them. I didn't get any pictures of this because it's just too tight to get a camera down there.

For the passenger's side, pull away the protective cover out of the door jam:

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1327&g2_serialNumber=3

Push in the inner protective cover through the hole:

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1328&g2_serialNumber=3

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1329&g2_serialNumber=3

Feed the loom through the holes:

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1332&g2_serialNumber=3

[FitchVA]

Before you pull the door off, I would suggest getting something to set them down on ready. I chose this old floor mat:

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1330&g2_serialNumber=3

I lucked out in the fact that I had a set of cheap saw horses that fit perfectly under the door to help support it:

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1331&g2_serialNumber=3

Now it's time to man up and pull the door. It would help to have a friend over. But I was able to do it solo by having the saw horse support the door while I finished driving out the upper part of the hinge shafts. Once they were out, I slid the door off and set it aside:

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1333&g2_serialNumber=3

TADAAA!!

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1334&g2_serialNumber=3

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1336&g2_serialNumber=3

Here's what happens when you play in the mud with no inner fender guard to keep the gunk out of your door jams:

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1338&g2_serialNumber=3

This made my doors a little rough opening and closing.

Profile pic of the body side of the hinge:

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1339&g2_serialNumber=3

The body side of the hinge has inserts that protect the metal. These were in rough shape (they were bent up and damaged when I punched them out):

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1341&g2_serialNumber=3

[FitchVA]

I ordered a full set of replacements from ebay (came with new shafts, inserts, and even the darn plastic sleeves). I planned on using these with the new removable door setup, but went a different direction (more on that later).

Here are a few quick picks of the rear door on the passenger's side. THe procedure is exactly the same as the front. The rear doors are MUCH easier to do in both respects (cutting and electrical).

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1342&g2_serialNumber=3

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1343&g2_serialNumber=3

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1319&g2_serialNumber=3

The electrical connections for the rear doors are located behind the seat belt tensioner at the bottom of the B-panel:

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1320&g2_serialNumber=3

*POOF* both are now removed:

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1321&g2_serialNumber=3

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1323&g2_serialNumber=3

Repeat for the other side.

[FitchVA]

Fast forward a moth or so, and time to work on getting them put back on :rotflmao5:

Note: I showed the removal of the passenger's-side doors. However, this next set of pictures showing the modification of and installation of the modified hinges are for the driver's side. So keep that in mind...

I will skip ahead to the method that worked best for me and touch on the other method at the end.

THE VERY FIRST THING YOU'LL WANT TO DO IS MARK THE LOCATION OF BOTH THE SHIMS AND THE HINGE ON YOUR DOOR!!! If you don't, you run the risk of either having your doors out of alignment or aligning them from scratch.

Pic of the hinge before any modification:

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1185&g2_serialNumber=3

I tried a few methods of marking. I tried a sharpie, but the pint wasn't sharp enough to mark the exact location. A pencil got rubbed off way too easy. So I ended up using a box cutter to score the outline of each. I'll have to go back and paint these areas, but I had planned on that anyway.

Once I marked the lines and removed the shims and hinge, you can see my lines:

Door:
http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1189&g2_serialNumber=3

Shim pack:

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1188&g2_serialNumber=3

I would also like to suggest that you do these one at a time. IMO, it's much easier to only have to worry about 1 set of these at a time. There's no worry of mixing them up or forgetting what side you're working on.

Mark the hinge to cut off the bottom ear. In this pic, I was cutting on the left edge of the tape. I thought I had marked it with a few arrows, but I guess I forgot to take a pic fo that part. Oh well:

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1191&g2_serialNumber=3

Cut and smoothed down. I also rounded over the door stopper stud. I'm not sure if it's needed, but I did it anyway.

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1192&g2_serialNumber=3

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1193&g2_serialNumber=3

I decided to use a 3/8" bolt for the new hinge stud. It fit the body-side hinge well with very minimal wiggle. But it also means that the door-side hinge needs to get drilled out:

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1200&g2_serialNumber=3

Once drilled, slide the new bolt in and test fit it to the body. Since this is the driver's-side upper hinge, the shaft needs to only be long enough to contact the upper ear. I marked both the bottom of the ear as well as the cut line. The top line was used to make sure I didn't grind down the bolt too much.

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1201&g2_serialNumber=3

[FitchVA]

I then cut down the bolt and rounded the end off. Rounding the end off will help to center it in the body side hinge ear. These pics also show that I ground off the paint and coatings of the hinge and bolt. This was so I could tack the bolt to the ear.

hhttp://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1250&g2_serialNumber=3

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1251&g2_serialNumber=3

Tacked:

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1252&g2_serialNumber=3

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1253&g2_serialNumber=3

And repeat for the bottom. The only difference for the bottom is that you want to allow the bolt to insert into both ears. Marked in a similar fashion to the top:

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1254&g2_serialNumber=3

Here is where the patience comes into play - putting the hinges back onto the door. The steps don't reflect it, but I did the top hinge mods then put them back on the door before I did the bottom hinge. Make sure you do your best job putting both the hinge and the shims back into their original positions. Thsi is where your marks come into play. It's a balancing act to tighten down the bolts enough to still move the hings/shims around, but still be tight enough to were when you go to finally tighten them down, nothing moves. Just take your time.

Here is a pic of the driver's-side rear door with the hinges modified on the door, on the XJ:

Upper:

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1202&g2_serialNumber=3

Lower:

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1204&g2_serialNumber=3

Now just finish up the rest of the doors, and you're good to go. How I handle the electrical will have to wait. I have a few ideas, but finishing this isn't on the top of my plate. I needed to get the XJ to a point where she could get inspected.

Don't forget to paint the bare metal you exposed doing this mod. I would also suggest some sort of grease on the hinges now that the bushings/inserts are no longer used. I will be applying some general bearing grease when the hinges are dry from painting them.

[FitchVA]

Here are a few quick pics (w/out detailed steps) of the other way that I didn't care for using the factory replacement shafts and inserts.

Modified upper hinge (unmodified replacement shaft resting on hinge to show difference):

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1186&g2_serialNumber=3

Lower hinge:

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1196&g2_serialNumber=3

New inserts in place:

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1198&g2_serialNumber=3

I didn't like this setup for 2 reasons:

#1 - The inserts never wanted to stay in place. When I pulled off the doors, at least 2 of them would pop out and bounce around - usually under something my hand wouldn't fit.

#2 - Just pressing in the new shafts didn't work well. Maybe had I tacked them, they would have stayed in place, but where they were just pressed in, they had a tendency to work themselves loose when trying to get the doors back on.

[hadfield4wd]

I'd also like to apologize in advance for all of the dirt/filth that is covering my Jeep in these pictures. That stuff that looks like rust, is only dried up bud and gunk that I haven't cleaned off. That will be taken care of in due time. I have since sworn off mud.

How dare you post pics of a dirty Jeep.:sSc_eek2:

Anyway Steve, looks real nice. Just don't buy anymore parts. And you'll get it done.

[FitchVA]

How dare you post pics of a dirty Jeep.:sSc_eek2:

Anyway Steve, looks real nice. Just don't buy anymore parts. And you'll get it done.

:harhar: i just hate that the dirt kinda looks like rust. :p

all i have left to do is align the front, bleed the brakes, and attach the e-brake cables. but at the pace i work, that should take all week ;)

i'm waiting on a PM from a vendor on another board about a particular purchase that would come in a heavy box :driving:

[hadfield4wd]

:harhar: i just hate that the dirt kinda looks like rust. :p

all i have left to do is align the front, bleed the brakes, and attach the e-brake cables. but at the pace i work, that should take all week ;)

i'm waiting on a PM from a vendor on another board about a particular purchase that would come in a heavy box :driving:

Stop buying stuff and go wheeling. Unless of course you are buying something that begins with "A" and ends with "tlas".

[FitchVA]

Stop buying stuff and go wheeling. Unless of course you are buying something that begins with "A" and ends with "tlas".

what about something that starts with a "W" and ends with "inch"? :rotflmao5:

[hadfield4wd]

what about something that starts with a "W" and ends with "inch"? :rotflmao5:

Sounds good to me. Do you want me to get the air/hydraulic for the bender? we could make a sweet bumper.

[FitchVA]

i'm not sure the bumper i may build will have tube on it. but if i do, i'll be sure to pay you a visit :D

[FitchVA]

the past couple of days i've been doing a few things that weren't really picture worthy.


hooked up the e-brakes
bleed brakes
aligned the front end
reinstalled from tow hooks
reinstalled front and rear bumpers
reinstalled carpet
reinstalled front seats
installed different head unit (from the white xj)
added backing plate to the center console so i can use my laptop mount


i also added some cargo tie downs in the back so i can secure my spare tire. i grabbed a few pics:

stock next to a new and beefier tie down

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=928&g2_serialNumber=3

all 4 of 'em mounted and slits cut into the carpet so they poke out and can be used. you can also see the interior is reinstalled (mostly)

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=926&g2_serialNumber=3

and tire strapped down. i added a 3rd strap that ran from the rear 2 tie downs and across the front of the tire. i was kinda scared that in an accident, the tire might squeeze out of the "X" the straps made. but i didn't get a picture of that 3rd one.

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=927&g2_serialNumber=3


oh, and i took her for a spin around some neighborhood streets. she rides GREAT!

[FitchVA]

family photo. first time the green one's been out of the shop it far too long. just ignore the POS shed that belongs to the neighbor as well as the trees he refuses to cut down

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery1/albums/album55/IMG_1343.jpg



oh, and last night i ordered some of those shackle relocation brackets that jon's running. i was tempted to make my own, but i just don't want to futz with making them right now.

[hadfield4wd]

family photo. first time the green one's been out of the shop it far too long. just ignore the POS shed that belongs to the neighbor as well as the trees he refuses to cut down

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery1/albums/album55/IMG_1343.jpg



oh, and last night i ordered some of those shackle relocation brackets that jon's running. i was tempted to make my own, but i just don't want to futz with making them right now.

get yourself an inspection sticker and give me a call.

Also didn't I tell you to stop buying parts.?!?

[FitchVA]

i'm going to try and get a sticker this week. it's going to suck because i'll have to sit and wait on the jeep to get inspected and it'll be busy because it's the end of the month.

but i can't off road it until i get the limit straps (shipping out this friday) because it'll spit out the front coils if you look at it cross-eyed.

as for the parts - <whiney kids' voice>buuuuuuuuut i NEED them!!!!! </whiney kids' voice>

i need a scooch more height in the back to level it out as well as needing to help my aweful shackle angle. it's pointing more forward than anything.

[FitchVA]

my shackle relocation brackets showed up today. these things are pure BEEF :2thumbsup:

when i ordered them, the said they'd be delayed a day or 2 because they were waiting on a new shipment of hardware. i did notice that the bolts look a shade short. in the following pictures, they're only finger tight, but i don't see them drawing in a TON more.

these are the 2 that hold the 2 halves together. i guess it's not that big of a deal because i can weld the 2 1/2's together as backup.
http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1405&g2_serialNumber=3

this is the bolt that will now hold the shackle:
http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1391&g2_serialNumber=3

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1392&g2_serialNumber=3

i noticed that mine's a grade-5 vs jon's grade-8 bolt. and this one is a tad short.

i might replace these with some longer grade-8's. i have to get some more bolts anyway to get some longer ones where the bolt to the "frame".

for better pictures of the overall finished project, they're in jon's thread here:
http://www.scc4x4.com/forum/showpost.php?p=240&postcount=5

[xjmudman96]

wow. those are pretty beefy

[xjtrailrider]

I love mine, cheap way to lift the rear and improve flex and ride. I do recommend a SYE with this set-up as the pinion angle is changed drastically in a way that a slip yoke set-up will not like.

[rubican!]

you need to get that thing inth woods. Its a really good looking XJ.

[hadfield4wd]

Call brian about the bolts. I'm sure he'll want to know.

[xjtrailrider]

^^^X2, Brian will take care of you.

[FitchVA]

yeah, i wanted to post them to let jon see them. i didn't know if that's how they were supposed to be. but it seems like there was a mistake. i dont care about <$5 worth of bolts, but hopefully if they are in fact wrong, it will save them some hassle and added expense.

[FitchVA]

i shot brian an email and within 5 minutes he replied. :2thumbsup: he said it looked like the bolts were in fact too short and that he'd double check their stock and offered to pay for the bolts. i told him not to worry, that i just wanted to give him a head's up. seems like a stand-up-guy. :thumb:

[FitchVA]

i've had a productive past couple of days. these aren't in the order of completion, but rather, ease of posting :D

first up, i added some limiting straps to keep from popping out coils when on the trails. during testing and shop time, the coils had a tendency to want to pop out. that would suck on the the trail.

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1036&g2_serialNumber=3

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1035&g2_serialNumber=3

they look kinda short, but i made sure to measure twice. they do mount 1/2 way down the arms so that's why i recon they seem short. we'll find out :rotflmao5:

[FitchVA]

i finally got around to "finishing" my laptop mount (unfinished version can be seen in my white xj thread http://www.scc4x4.com/forum/showpost.php?p=864&postcount=10). the unfinished setup used a ratty piece of plywood as a temporary solution. well i finally got around to fitting my cutting board top :rotflmao5:

this also shows how it's easy to transfer from the xj's:

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=3600&g2_serialNumber=3

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=3601&g2_serialNumber=3

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=3602&g2_serialNumber=3

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=3603&g2_serialNumber=3

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=3604&g2_serialNumber=3

[FitchVA]

i did those between the bigger project - the shackle relocation brackets. jon did these and i really was impressed when them. a bunch of NAXJA folks run 'em too.

i wanted 2 benefits from doing this - a better shackle angle and a little more lift.

i was dead nuts even front / back in lift height. but that's w/out the extra weight of tools and spare parts:

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1393&g2_serialNumber=3

and this is my crap-tastic shackle angle at ride height:

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1396&g2_serialNumber=3

the relocation boxes themselves:

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1399&g2_serialNumber=3

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1400&g2_serialNumber=3

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1401&g2_serialNumber=3

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1402&g2_serialNumber=3

GOT BEEF? :clap2:

[FitchVA]

bent in the flare out of the stock box. ugly, but not really easy to do

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1446&g2_serialNumber=3

bolted in the top 1/2:

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1403&g2_serialNumber=3

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1445&g2_serialNumber=3

i forgot to take a pic of the bottom 1/2 mocked up. ooops.

i made one notch to the bracket so i could still use the rear-most hitch bolt

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1447&g2_serialNumber=3

starting to weld the two 1/2s together. because of the big valley created by the bends, i did it in 2 passes. unfortunately, i forgot to take a pic of the finished product. you can kinda see the finished welds (but painted).

but here's a pic of the 1st pass:

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1449&g2_serialNumber=3

i'm not sure why there wasn't any heat discoloration on the top side, but there was on the sides and back:

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1448&g2_serialNumber=3

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1450&g2_serialNumber=3

meh, i'm happy with 'em.

PAINT TIME! like my hi-tec paint booth? yes, that's a ladder, shop broom, and a rake :rotflmao5:

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1451&g2_serialNumber=3

[FitchVA]

all bolted up. you can also see the larger passes on the welds:

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1438&g2_serialNumber=3

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1439&g2_serialNumber=3

MUCH better shackle angle:

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1440&g2_serialNumber=3

little bit higher in the rear now:

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1452&g2_serialNumber=3

repost of the before pic for comparison:

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1393&g2_serialNumber=3

it looks like i gained ~ 1.5" in the back

before - 7.25" from the top of the tire to the lip of the flare:

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1397&g2_serialNumber=3

after: - 8.75" from the top of the tire to the lip of the flare:

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1444&g2_serialNumber=3



so far, i haven't used them yet so i can't comment on their performance, but these puppies are very well made by H. D. OFFROAD ENGINEERING (http://www.hdoffroadengineering.com/collections/frontpage/products/xj-shackle-relocation-kit). they, themselves were easy to put on. lining up all of the bolts through the gas tank skid, receiver hitch, and these things SUCKED A BIG FAT ONE!

[hadfield4wd]

Steve,

Looking good man. Nice work as usual.

[FitchVA]

holy crap this thing rides smooth as glass! i dare say it rides better than the white one. maybe i should lift the white one more...;)

[xjtrailrider]

holy crap this thing rides smooth as glass! i dare say it rides better than the white one. maybe i should lift the white one more...;)

I told ya so! Mine rides better than a stock XJ any day, I think it handles better as well. If tires didn't cost so dang much and the mpg was better I would daily drive my rig.

[jhowery]

long arms! convert the back and it is even better....

[FitchVA]

long arms! convert the back and it is even better....

TNT or TREKS ... whatever you want to call them, came out with a rear long-arm upgrade a few months after i bought the front kit. it surely looks nice. but not for me right now. :driving:

[xjtrailrider]

How about an update, I hear you got some new wheels:D

[hadfield4wd]

How about an update, I hear you got some new wheels:D


shhhhhhhhhhh

[xjtrailrider]

shhhhhhhhhhh



:dont_tell:

[FitchVA]

crap. ive been too darn busy as of late. been working so much i barely have time to breath. i spent most of last weekend testing for work. heck, im in PA as i type this. either way, i snapped a few pics that i have on this laptop i can share. these were taken before i unmounted them. big thanks to my "enabler" for setting this all up

being stupid:

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1026&g2_serialNumber=3

closeup:

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1025&g2_serialNumber=3

the tires arent mine. these wheels will get my current 35's and they'll go on the green one. the fake locks that are currently on the green xj will go on the mj with some (probably) 33 all terrains of some sort

[xjtrailrider]

crap. ive been too darn busy as of late. been working so much i barely have time to breath. i spent most of last weekend testing for work. heck, im in PA as i type this. either way, i snapped a few pics that i have on this laptop i can share. these were taken before i unmounted them. big thanks to my "enabler" for setting this all up

being stupid:

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery1/albums/album130/IMG_1596.jpg

closeup:

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery1/albums/album130/IMG_1597.jpg

the tires arent mine. these wheels will get my current 35's and they'll go on the green one. the fake locks that are currently on the green xj will go on the mj with some (probably) 33 all terrains of some sort

Nice wheels! I shoulda jumped those back when I had some money:D

[FitchVA]

well im glad you didnt ;)

[hadfield4wd]

Just for the inquiring minds those are champion beadlocks. And he got a screaming deal. Those are some kick butt wheels.

[FitchVA]

well with all that's been going on with dad, they didn't have time to shop this year for christmas, so i got some greenbacks. :2thumbsup: i just placed an order for a superwinch 9k with 80' of synthetic line. :2thumbsup: amazon said they'd get it here by tomorrow. ...yeah... we'll just see about that.

i better run out and get some cutting disks. :yup:

[xjtrailrider]

Thats a nice friggan winch:2thumbsup: I'm jealous of the rope, thats on my list for next year.

[hadfield4wd]

Nice Steve. I've been sick so didn't work on the jeep today. I am alos completely out of consumables. Cut off wheels, gas for welded, acetylene, I also messed up my backing plate for the 4.5" grinder as I jambed it up and it came apart and through my coveralls then continued to spin 80 grit into my leg. Fun times.

[xjtrailrider]

I also messed up my backing plate for the 4.5" grinder as I jambed it up and it came apart and through my coveralls then continued to spin 80 grit into my leg. Fun times.

It kills you to go for more than a few months without getting seriously injured doesn't it:p

[hadfield4wd]

It was just a flesh wound.

[FitchVA]

weak! they shipped out the winch COVER so it'll be here tomorrow. the winch won't be here till monday. oh well. gives me time to gather up all of the saved bumper pics i've been saving up all of these years.

[FitchVA]

Well I finally got motivated to start working on the XJ again. I know it's been a while so go ahead and get all of the jokes out of the way. :p

I wanted to get this winch mounted up before winter fully gets underway. Watch, we won't get an ounce of snow this year.

Superwinch 9k with a beefy winch channel I got form Harbor Freight:

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=4356&g2_serialNumber=3

I made a cardboard mockup in case moving the real deal around wouldn't work for mockup ( I haven't needed it yet )

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=4357&g2_serialNumber=3

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=4359&g2_serialNumber=3

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=4360&g2_serialNumber=3

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=4362&g2_serialNumber=3

I plan on making the "wings" out of some 2x4 tubing. Naturally, I'm too chicken to start cutting on things, so out comes more cardboard to simulate the 2x4 :rotflmao5:

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=4358&g2_serialNumber=3

Rather than doing the straight up normal cut, I want to try out cocking it back 45 degrees. I also want to notch it to fit over the winch tray. I will weld a piece of flat stock to the top of the 2x4 that goes straight back to make the top of the bumper

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=4363&g2_serialNumber=3

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=4349&g2_serialNumber=3

[FitchVA]

The front vertical part of the winch U plate will be trimmed off. Then more flat stock will be welded up to build up the tab that will become a d-ring mount. (yes it'll be a horizontal mount vs a vertical one )

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=4350&g2_serialNumber=3

Here's a mockup of the frame tie-in. The front part will weld up to the 2x4:

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=4354&g2_serialNumber=3

I'll be heading back to visit the folks tomorrow morning, so I'll have to finish this when I get back after the holiday. Oh, and I need to fix all of the old broken image links.

[xjtrailrider]

Nice work Steve. Not gonna give you a hard time this time, just glad to see you back on the boards!

[hadfield4wd]

Steve,

Howdy there. Looks like a good plan. Just make sure you have supports that add triangulation back to the legs that go ont he frame. Also do an internal steering box plate while you're at it.

Glad you're back too.

[FitchVA]

already have an internal steering box support plate :2thumbsup:

[FitchVA]

Bah, I didn't get near enough done this weekend. After banging my head up against the wall trying to get my original idea to work, I switched over to a more traditional design only to throw that away this morning and become hell bent on making the old design work (albeit with a few tweaks). Anywho, I still got a bit of work done...

Cutting 1/4" with a 4.5" cutoff wheels brings the suck. But think I got my money out of this disk? :rotflmao5:

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=4378&g2_serialNumber=3

Bolted the frame tie-ins together before getting out a flap disk to make both sidea symmetrical.

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=4379&g2_serialNumber=3

Done, and I'm oh-so glad I have that drill press. Makes drilling insanely easy.

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=4380&g2_serialNumber=3

The winch plate has been cut down so it fits between the frame tie-in brackets unlike it sitting above them my older pics

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=4381&g2_serialNumber=3

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=4383&g2_serialNumber=3

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=4382&g2_serialNumber=3

After looking at the cardboard mockup pics, I think I'm going to slop the bottom back at a steeper angle. It's at 45 right now so I might go around 35.

[FitchVA]

Oh, and no, that's not the final design. There will be much more to it. I only have enough cardboard mockup to check the front and the lower angles.

[xjtrailrider]

Lookin good Steve!

[FitchVA]

i want to change my title to "worlds slowest fabricator" :rotflmao5: but i can see the light at the end of the tunnel now. here's some updated shots of where i'm at:

burned the winch plate to the frame brackets:

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=4424&g2_serialNumber=3

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=4412&g2_serialNumber=3

added the wings made from 2x4 rectangular tubing. i was going to try to get these cocked to a radical angle on 2 different planes. it looked good mocked up in cardboard, but i just couldn't get the cuts right in metal. so i gave up and just mounted them flat:

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=4413&g2_serialNumber=3

it's hard to see, but added a filler strip to the face below the winch plate:

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=4416&g2_serialNumber=3

one of the reasons why it's taking me forever. these are 3 gussets for the front skid under the winch plate. they'll never be seen by anyone other than me, but i had to make sure they're 100% identical. :rolleyes-1: damn my ocd

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=4417&g2_serialNumber=3

test fitting 2 of the skid gussets and using the bumper as a 3rd hand weight for cutting out more metal:

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=4418&g2_serialNumber=3

added a piece of 1/4" plate to each side of the frame bracket to beef up the d-ring mount. they're only tacked in here:

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=4419&g2_serialNumber=3

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=4420&g2_serialNumber=3

[FitchVA]

fully welded in and partially smoothed out. i grinded only enough to make sure i didn't miss any spots. i'll make 'em straight and smooth later.

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=4421&g2_serialNumber=3

you can also see that i hadn't drilled the d-ring holes yet at this point. lesson learned - drill those holes out on the press THEN weld the brackets on. :yup:

got the front skid gussets mounted:

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=4422&g2_serialNumber=3

front skid tacked on

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=4423&g2_serialNumber=3

back on for test fitting:

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=4447&g2_serialNumber=3

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=4448&g2_serialNumber=3

doesn't stick out too far i don't think

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=4449&g2_serialNumber=3

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=4450&g2_serialNumber=3

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=4451&g2_serialNumber=3

i've still gotta figure out how i want to finish off the bottom of the wings. i could either leave it like bare but i'll probably add some filler plate to match the front skid.

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=4456&g2_serialNumber=3

[FitchVA]

i also have to figure out how to finish off the ends of the wings. i could always leave it like this... :thumb:

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=4452&g2_serialNumber=3

here are 2 different ideas i'm considering:

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=4453&g2_serialNumber=3

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=4454&g2_serialNumber=3

[hadfield4wd]

you can also see that i hadn't drilled the d-ring holes yet at this point. lesson learned - drill those holes out on the press THEN weld the brackets on. :yup:

That had to bring the suck. I bet you drilled for about an hour.


i also have to figure out how to finish off the ends of the wings. i could always leave it like this... :thumb:

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=4454&g2_serialNumber=3

I like this one.

Finishing off the bottom shouldn't be hard. Just cut a triangular piece to fit and some to a point at the end. It's hard to explain but I'll come over this week and show you if you want.

[FitchVA]

it felt like i drilled all day. broke 3 different step drill bits. ugh.

as for the finishing of the bottom of the wings, i just need to figure out what will look good. at first, i was thinking about going all of the way to the end of the wing, but the more i think about it, i might only go 1/2 or 3/4 of the way out. i'll mock it up with the good 'ole cardboard to see what looks better :)

[evolution]

looks good man, i like the last pic frame too.. as far as the bottom pc, paper or card board is your best friend when fabbing.. will you fill in the lil gap between the tube and the grill to close the gap too? keep up the good work..

[xjtrailrider]

Nice work Steve!

[FitchVA]

looks good man, i like the last pic frame too.. as far as the bottom pc, paper or card board is your best friend when fabbing.. will you fill in the lil gap between the tube and the grill to close the gap too? keep up the good work..

yup, i've been stockpiling cardboard for a while now. it's much cheaper and easier to work with than metal. and yeah, that void will get filled in as well. i'm also going to plate the sides of the winch tray that isn't covered by the winch.

[FitchVA]

Nice work Steve!

thanks!

oh, and i went back and fixed all of the old picture links that somehow got broken :2thumbsup:

[Scrambled]

Looks good Steve!
I stock pile 4x4 sheets of cardboard from work for the same reason. LOL

Later
Sean

[FitchVA]

got some more done today on the bumper...

decided that i wanted to do a full length "skid" under the wings. i was debating only taking the "skid" about 1/2 way or 3/4 of the way. but those didn't look right.

cardboard mock up

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=4473&g2_serialNumber=3

i chose to cut down some of the rectangular tubing scrap to use for the gussets

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=4474&g2_serialNumber=3

all tacked up

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=4475&g2_serialNumber=3

time to start filling in the winch tray. i don't like the look of the entire tray being sunken. so i worked on some patch panels to fill in the top. before...

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=4476&g2_serialNumber=3

after (also used some cut down scrap 2x4 rectangular tubing)...

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=4477&g2_serialNumber=3

only got 1 side done before i got cold, tired, and hungry:

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=4478&g2_serialNumber=3

[FitchVA]

oh, i also cut the wings to their final length. for now, they're just the straight cut. after remounting the bumper, i might add that 2nd angled cut. but for now, they're just gonna stay straight.

[hadfield4wd]

Steve I like it. Are you using a flap disc for final finishing? That bumper looks strong.

[FitchVA]

Thanks. I took your advice and used the 1/4" for the front skid. I'm glad I did now. It didn't add as much weight as I thought. It's been a while, bit it seems lighter than my old ARB bumper made out of much thinner metal.

And yeah, I"m using a flap disk to clean up all the edges. I've only cleaned up a few areas at this point though.

[FitchVA]

All I have let to do is cap off the inside of the winch channel on the other side, cap off both wings, fill in the void between the wings and the frame tie-in, then grind down all of the seams. Then it'll be ready for paint.

[xjtrailrider]

Nice! I've been doing some fabbing as well but on my tractor. I plan on a rear bumper and quarter-guards before the winter is out though.

[hadfield4wd]

I expect to see it done today.

[FitchVA]

nope. didn't do any work on it today. too much social stuff going on to work on it.

[hadfield4wd]

too much social stuff going on to work on it.

Lies:harhar:

[FitchVA]

LOL, that hurts. I think I'll go cry myself to sleep.

:P

[FitchVA]

Not a lot of visible progress, but I'm 99.99% done with fab now. All I have left is to fab up a license plate holder and do a little bit more grinding. Then paint.

It's hard to see/tell, but all of the welds are smoothed out now:

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=4485&g2_serialNumber=3

You can see the capped ends, filled in the driver's side winch tray valley, and put on the patch panel between the wing and the frame bracket

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=4486&g2_serialNumber=3

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=4487&g2_serialNumber=3

[xjtrailrider]

Steve, I use the mag lite mounts on the roller fairleads for the tag. Or are you running rope/hawse fairlead?

[FitchVA]

yeah, i've got the synthetic rope so i have the hause fairlead. the idea in my head should be pretty nifty. hope it translates to reality well ;)

[OverEasy]

Man, just read through this whole thread. Well in between watching Jersey Shore. LOL!

Very nice! Good, clean work man. Looks great!

[FitchVA]

thanks man

sorry for the lack of progress this week. i was hoping to be done by this past wednesday but i haven't even touched it this week. i just found out that work is moving me to atlanta, ga. thankfully they're giving me some time. i have to be there by mid august. so i have from now until then to finish all of my projects. :( my current plan is to rent a condo within walking distance of work for the first year. that'll give me time to scope out different areas. but for that first year, i'll be shop/garage-less.

[FitchVA]

finally! paint is going on...

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=4496&g2_serialNumber=3

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=4497&g2_serialNumber=3

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=4498&g2_serialNumber=3

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=4499&g2_serialNumber=3

I'm shooting the bottom 1/2 for now. Once it's done drying, I'll flip it over and paint the top. I normally like shooting it all at once, but I just don't see how I can.

Oh yeah, I weighed it - 75 lbs before paint. Not too shabby I guess. And CRAP. I totally forgot to paint my front/core support "L" brackets and my license plate bracket. Shoot. It just dawned on me when I uploaded these.

[hadfield4wd]

Turned out real nice.

[xjtrailrider]

I like it! When will mine be ready LOL!

[FitchVA]

LOL. Thanks. You already have one though :P But at the pace I work, your current bumper would probably rust out around the time I get yours finished. LOL

[Scrambled]

Bumper looks good man,cant wait to see it on the Jeep. Looking forward to hearing more on that hawse fairlead licsence plate bracket as well.

Sorry to hear about the relocation Steve.

Later
Sean

[FitchVA]

It's finally done at long last.

First bolted in the cross memeber brackets

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=4529&g2_serialNumber=3

Bumper on. Don't stick out too much IMO

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=4531&g2_serialNumber=3

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=4532&g2_serialNumber=3

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=4533&g2_serialNumber=3

[xjtrailrider]

I like it!!! I'll trade you a Logans for it LOL!

[FitchVA]

Winch on

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=4534&g2_serialNumber=3

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=4535&g2_serialNumber=3

This was measured before anything was put on 8 5/8"...

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=4355&g2_serialNumber=3

This was measured after it was all said and done 8 3/8"...

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=4536&g2_serialNumber=3

I don't think that's too bad. I figured it would have been more lost. Oh well, I'll take it.

Here's my license plate bracket. It's just a piece of flat stock with two sleeves welded to the back of it. Two short screws will bolt the top of the plate to the bracket. The bottom longer screws will bolt into welded nuts behind the face of the bumper. A few quick turns of a screw driver will have it read to pull cable/rope for winching duties.

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=4528&g2_serialNumber=3

Installed
http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=4538&g2_serialNumber=3

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=4537&g2_serialNumber=3

[FitchVA]

I've got a cover. I'm not sure I'm going to use it, but here it is.

http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=4539&g2_serialNumber=3

Another side shot showing the approach angle
http://fitchva.com/jeep/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=4540&g2_serialNumber=3

[FitchVA]

I was hoping that buying that winch tray was going to save me some time. It turned out that it caused more work and more frustration. I wish I could start over with what I know now. I think I could get it done much faster and it would be more clean.

Up next - getting the bead lock wheels on.

[FitchVA]

Are there any better ways to "keep" the hook than the way I have mine? I have seen some rubber blocks that hold the hook and fit nicely in the rollers, but I have the hause fairlead.

[xjtrailrider]

I hook mine to the D ring

http://i418.photobucket.com/albums/pp266/xjtrailrider/commander/P1020412.jpg

[Scrambled]

Ok that has to be the only dirty pic I have ever seen of John's XJ! LOL ;)

Bumper looks great man!!:2thumbsup:

The approuch angle on the bumper isn't too bad Steve. I had an aftermarket one similar on my old XJ and I liked it for 2 reasons. It protected the body at times,covered the steering some, and kept me from picking a less than reasonable line at times when I knew i had to drive it home.

Gotta say your design has to allow for more than a few degres more than what I had back then. Yeah I still love XJ's :)

Im working on a plate mount design for hawse fairleads that snaps into the inner edges of the lead.
Kinda like the old mag light mount John, myself, and alot of others use but in reverse.

Thoughts?

Later
Sean

[hadfield4wd]

Steve that is really nice. I like it. I keep my winch rope that way as well. I woul duse the cover. The winch rope is suseptable to UV rays.

Let me know when your ready to do the beadlocks. I'll come over and help. I would start by just getting all your current tires unmounted. We can do the rest. You going to bead balance?

[FitchVA]

Im working on a plate mount design for hawse fairleads that snaps into the inner edges of the lead.
Kinda like the old mag light mount John, myself, and alot of others use but in reverse.

Thoughts?


I racked my brain for a while on how mount the plate. The only tool-less design involved velcro. I guess one thing you could do is take the mag light mounts that they use for the rollers, cut them in half and invert them. There might be enough tension to snap into the openings. Just a thought.

[FitchVA]

Steve that is really nice. I like it. I keep my winch rope that way as well. I woul duse the cover. The winch rope is suseptable to UV rays.

Let me know when your ready to do the beadlocks. I'll come over and help. I would start by just getting all your current tires unmounted. We can do the rest. You going to bead balance?

Thanks. Yeah I'm just going to take the beads I'm using the balance them on the rims they're on. I haven't had any vibes from these wheels/tires so I think I've got a good amount of beads.

[FitchVA]

I hook mine to the D ring

http://i418.photobucket.com/albums/pp266/xjtrailrider/commander/P1020412.jpg

sweet .