Canadian Expedition XJ

[Waytec]

I am going to chime in here. yes there is a potential for shock loading the drive train when using changes. But you can do that on dry pavement. Putting the chains on is a traction aid and you need to drive like you have chains on. I use them all the time in winter and only a set on the rear. I adjusted my driving habits when they are on. It is hard to explain but you do feel it in the rig what you need to do. I was told once that you have to chain all four corners because you are changing the circumference of the tire and this will case the rear end to over drive the front end. I have noticed this at about 30Km on packed snow trails, but on the tail and when using chains you are not going much over 20Km an hour in the winter.

Putting one change on a front wheel and one on a rear opposed corners is an old farmers tail. this would work if you were locked in the differential but with a differential action transferring the torque to the wheel that has the least amount of traction do this is about 5 steps back.

 

[Azlugz]

I've been told something some what similar but have never used chains to test it. If you have an open diff with no locker, only put chains on the wheels that are going to be moving you forwards. So have one on your front drivers side and one on your rear passenger side (or vise versa, can't remember which is which). Does anyone do that?

That wouldn't work as an open diff will spin the tire with the least traction, if you are on ice and chain the right side, the left will spin and vice-versa. Doing oposite front and rear won't change that.

 

[Black Dog]

That kind of makes sense in theory but it just didn't sound quite right. I think if I ever decide to buy tire chains I'll invest in enough for all four wheels to be on the safe side.

 

[Canadian Moose]

Hey folks... its been awhile since the last update.

The jeep is becoming more expeditionish this weekend.

Here is a sneak peek at what is to come

Bushwackers, safari snorkel, roof rack and a new rear axle showed up :elkgrin:

 

[Canadian Moose]

Day 22

Day 22, Installed the bushwackers.... well three of them. The forth and the snorkel will come soon.

 

[Canadian Moose]

Went wheeling/ exploring this past weekend. It was pretty wet the entire time. Kinda a neat area, nothing to hard.

My Twin!!! Remember it from before.... It has come along ways. Yes those are the Iceland off Road Flares.

Have you ever seen a stick stuck like this! Happened all by itself! Crazy

 

[Canadian Moose]

Day 23

Day 23 Snorkel and 4th flare install

Started off by ordering a new steel grill for the snorkel. Should be a lot stronger than the old plastic one to the left. I then painted the grill and snorkel black.

I then removed the fender and washer bottle.

I then drilled a 3 1/2" hole in the base of the inner fender for the air hose.

Here you can see the airbox mounted with the safari snorkel addition on the left.

and finally the new fender. Make sure you measure 3 times and cut once :2thumbsup:

I didnt get a chance to snap a photo of the completed jeep as the weather got bad. stay tuned :cheers2:
I still have to add the horns and washer bottles. Not sure what to do about a washer bottle. 1996 and prior xj one wont work due to my ac evaporator being in the way. Also the 1997 tj one didnt seem to fit anywhere either.

 

[Canadian Moose]

Day 24

Day 24 Winch install.

I recently purchased a slightly used 10,000 pound Champion winch with the 3.6hp series wound motor. He only used it twice but it looks like its been on his jeep for a year. Like everything I buy... this was a good deal.... but needed some TLC.

Here are some photos.

A fair bit of corrosion under the paint....

I am probably gonna paint it the same way as my bumper... but I considering gunmetal gray... What do you guys think?

 

[Canadian Moose]

Day 24 Cont.

Day 24 Continued Winch installed!

I decided to paint it / rockerguard it the same as my bumper.

 

[Canadian Moose]

Day 25

Day 25, Exhaust, small repairs, poser shots.

Started early this morning. I brought my Jeep into Sherwood Exhaust for some much needed repairs. My old muffler had several dents and holes in it... and I figured my cat was probably factory original. I ended up buying a Magnaflow cat and using the Banks Monster from the TJ. Heath installed them for me. I am pretty happy with the new sound!

I did a bit of interior wiring and bits... Then took it for some poser shots.

I am headed back out to make some mounts on my basket for the highlift and shovel. As well as paint the last few flares (flat black like the snorkel one).

 

[Amauri]

Very nice Jeep! :26_7_2:

 

[The Adam Blaster]

I'm surprised you took the fender off when you drilled the 3.5" hole for the snorkel, I didn't bother doing that with mine...
And a suggestion -- after being on for a couple of years, the flexible corrugated rubber hose got very brittle, and I tore it when I was trying to reposition it.
I think if you wrapped it with something, tape, foam insulation, SOMETHING to prevent it being hit with dirt and rocks etc. as well as deflect the heat from the engine, it might last a lot longer.

The other great thing about that part, to get a replacement it would have to come from Australia as they don't stock them as a replacement part anywhere in N. America as I found out from making a bunch of calls and emails to different retailers all over Canada and the U.S.
And to buy a replacement hose, it was like 200 bucks and was going to be a month or two before it came in.
Right now I have the foil dryer hose on mine. It's definitely not watertight, nor very durable. My front axle is in need of replacement parts, so I'm not hitting any trails any time soon.
I think I'll look into some heat resistant hydraulic hose as a replacement this summer...

 

[Jeepsta]

I really like your XJ, used to have a 98 that exact color. Brings back good memories. I was going to chime in on the chains issue because I work in the oil/gas fields in northwestern New Mexico and in the winter it gets pretty nasty with the snow and the mud. Anyways I drove a F-250 for 3 years in the stuff with chains on the front only. I never had any problems with tearing up my tranny or transfer case. When I got a new truck this year my old for had 252000 miles on it with 1 rebuilt tranny at 96,000. Just my experience with chains......

 

[Black Dog]

My Twin!!! Remember it from before.... It has come along ways. Yes those are the Iceland off Road Flares.

Purrr, I love twins! :wings:

 

[The Adam Blaster]

I forgot to mention in my previous post - the windshield washer fluid bottle...
My snorkel kit came with a little tiny replacement one. I didn't know exactly where to put it, so I zip-tied it to the master cylinder.