Canadian Expedition XJ

[The Adam Blaster]

Well, I don't want a locker in the front, so I would need to pay for that install.
The rear would be fine, and I've already got a detroit in my current rear axle, so that's how I would end up with 2 for sale.
And of course I'd have other extra shafts etc.
And another part of my rationale is that the axles would involve less labour costs to work on since they would already be separate from the vehicle, I could even get them shipped straight to Beartrax...

 

[Root Moose]

Sounds like you have it sorted.

 

[The Adam Blaster]

Sounds like you have it sorted.

Well, it's a plan... i have lots of those with no end in sight! lolol

 

[Canadian Moose]

I have some prior commitments that would prevent me from hitting the trails next weekend, however:

I'm pretty bummed about it to be honest, but after having it back together and road worthy for almost 2 months, I have yet to take it on any trails. I've had some issues with a number of bugs, mostly around the steering, and the last time it was at Beartrax, they mentioned the gears in the front diff. were starting to go.
So, I didn't want to risk REALLY ending up dead on a trail, within the city on asphalt would have been ok, could have just gotten it towed to the shop.
But then, about a week ago a very friendly (I'm being sarcastic here) police officer "put me in the system" because of my lack of fender flares and the 33's do stick way the hell out there. lol
So, it's parked right now as I don't want a $172.00 ticket for each corner, one for each infraction!!!
I do have a line on a set of axles, D30 and 8.25 with 4.56's, which is the gearing that I want. I'm thinking about going this route over getting Beartrax to install the 4.56's based on cost. The labour for gear swaps is pretty huge, and buying a 2nd set of axles means I would have something to sell to offset the cost. Speaking of which, if this goes through, I'll have 2 extra Detroit lockers to sell, one for each axle.

Ok, thread hijack off.

Ah, How do they know the gears were going? I would just swap the axle for the time being. Get wheeling
I didnt realize it was so much for no flares. I actually got pulled over for this but he just told me to put some on.... didnt say anything else. You are welcome to have the TJ flares I had on my jeep.

Gear swaps are insane.... 3.55 with 33s arnt that bad imo. Your neighbor (scott) got a buddy of his shop to do the gearing/ Detroit in his jeep. Might be worth looking into.

I might be interested in the lockers... Need some for my XJ... I was under the understanding that if you add some lockers without re gearing... although those might just be aussies...etc.

 

[Canadian Moose]

Well, I don't want a locker in the front, so I would need to pay for that install.
The rear would be fine, and I've already got a detroit in my current rear axle, so that's how I would end up with 2 for sale.
And of course I'd have other extra shafts etc.
And another part of my rationale is that the axles would involve less labour costs to work on since they would already be separate from the vehicle, I could even get them shipped straight to Beartrax...

Hmm didnt see all these responses when i posted last...

Anyways
It would be a shame to uninstall gears and lockers from an axle... We should talk sometime... I am interested... in swapping / buying some parts. I too have a spare d30 and some axle shafts. I am sure we could work something out.

 

[Canadian Moose]

day 27

Day 27 ZJ tie rod and new steering stabilizer.

My old stock tie rod got very bent on the last trip out. I headed to the local junk yard and picked up this one (on the top) for $10.50.

I had a spare tie rod end (new) laying around so I installed that as well.

Then I installed the steering stabalizer from Rough Country. It was only $28 extra when I ordered my lift. Once again its on the top.

Big thanks to Chris at Robins Automotive in Sherwood Park for the wheel alignment.
http://robinsautomotive.ca/

 

[Canadian Moose]

Day 28

Day 28 AC, transmission cooler, Transmission controller

I picked up this 1998 Cherokee with a salvage title with the purpose of using the ac from it. My jeep had ac at one point but the previous owner removed it when he started removing the engine... and lost some key parts. It would have costed me something like 400-500$ to get it working again.

Oddly enough this Xj will make a perfect donor for my 2.5L -> 4.0L engine swap in my Red TJ (Which is currently dissembled past the frame...)

The blue cherokee also had a tranny cooler attached to the condenser... so in that went as well.

Finally I installed:
MontanaFab.com Products

It is a transmission controller. It works amazing. I cant imagine wheeling a AW-4 with out it. Being able to control 1-2 great. It will no longer shift into 2nd halfway up a hill.. or refuse to shift into 1st while descending.

He is a crappy photo of it installed beside the shifter. The dial cap is not installed yet as i might shift the location a bit.

Once again big thanks to Chris at Robins Automotive for recharging the AC. It blows ICE COLD!
http://robinsautomotive.ca/

 

[Canadian Moose]

Day 29 Stiffeners, Sliders... build and install.

I started off by purchasing Jeep Cherokee Unibody Stiffener for $130.00.
Jeep Cherokee (XJ) - Staang's FAB

I cleaned off the frame with a propane torch and scrapped off the undercoating that was there from the factory. Then I took the flap disk to the unibody.
Here are some photos of the sliders tacked on.

I welded them on the rest of they way... in little sections so the uni-body would not get to warm. I was using a 240V Miller Mig welder with shielding gas.

I then started to make up some sliders. I purchased 16ft of 2x2x0.188 steel for $80. I also purchased two 8ft lengths of angle iron for $20.

I capped the ends with some plate I had laying around. I then took a grinder with flap disk to them.

Here is a photo of the angle iron bolted on. I almost used the entire length on each side.

I tacked the complete slider to the angle iron. Made sure everything was good then welded it fully to the frame and to the angle iron.

Here is the finished product before paint.

 

[Canadian Moose]

Had another chance to go out to the mountians this past weekend. Pretty much the same group as always. A Tj Rubi, Toyota pickup, 2 TJs, a JK, a h1 and myself.

It was still pretty wet out there. Here is my buddy crossing a river.

 

[Canadian Moose]

Thanks guys. Well lately I have been doing more wheeling and camping then working on the jeep. However, Over the next couple of days I will get a lot more done. Stay tuned.

Here are some more Alberta Wheeling Shots.

Our little inukshuk that we made

Its a long way down. Check out the next photo....

 

[Nikson]

Its a long way down. Check out the next photo....

Love the pics... definitely something to look for as far as hoping to make such a trip one of these days...

 

[Nikson]

Day 28 AC, transmission cooler, Transmission controller

Could you comment a little more on the transmission controller?

How do you like it? Does it do what it should...? any side effect to the AW4?

 

[Mr. D]

terrific looking jeep!!

 

[GetOutThere]

Followed this entire build when I was still a lurker. Inspirational xj build for sure. Love it.

 

[Canadian Moose]

Love the pics... definitely something to look for as far as hoping to make such a trip one of these days...

Sounds good! You gotta buy yourself a new jeep