Nikson's '01 XJ Build

[Nikson]

I'm diggin' this build - especially the wheels! sweet deal. Looking forward to seeing more pics of the 4.5 lift with 33's (and any cutting you did) since that's my goal for now...as you know...

Its all fun and giggles... When I bought this thing, I promised myself I would be careful with it, and take it easy and "pretty" I guess...

Wanted to do better, but turned out as usual!!!

Honestly, I am considering doing another 2" of lift, but first will wait to do some proper bumpstops... and then see how it goes...

 

[Nikson]

first drive...

Had to test work in progress...

Middle of June, 2009.
NW Oregon
Detroit area

Wife is testing it out...

McCoy Rd Warming Hut

Touch of NATURE

 

[Nikson]

Twin in RED

''Дурной пример - заразителен!'' or "Bad example is very infectious!"

Thats a Russian proverb about people following others examples. With that said, my buddy got an XJ, and we've built twins...

Here we are in process of his suspension work...

 

[Nikson]

Twin in RED II

Here we are "happily" together...

 

[Nikson]

End result

Older Winter Pic...

 

[Nikson]

Transmission Cooler...

Figured that with all the wheeling - pulling - jerking and extra stress on the tranny, needed to give it a little extra room to breath, or actually to cool off the "steam" of wheeling so to speak...

Tranny cooler install as follows...

THE STUFF

Out the air box...

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_frheDZKuX2E/S5iv9r1_CGI/AAAAAAAAFMM/irziWjYoM7s/s640/06-10-2009 Jeep 015.jpg

Out the electrical fan...

Mounting the cooler (it better to put the mounting straps from inside, this way you have a FLAT end on the fan's side of the radiation, NO RUBBING )

Run the supply lines (see the tabs - flat towards the fan)

Secured & Supply Lines ready

Cutting the supply line...

All in place...

End Result...

 

[Nikson]

Fender Trimming

I LOVE THIS PART... in all the honesty... I had to trim my fenders total of 4-5 times now... and honestly, there is no right or wrong way to do it... it all really depends on how much you need or want to trim due to what look you are after.

Bump stops really make the difference, but if you have them out too much, then you will have your suspension bottom out every time you hit a pot hole or a speed bump on the road; and dont get me started especially if you are loaded in the rear and your suspension is saggin...

So,,, you really want to trim up to the level which is considerably "sane" for you personally. I've found that to be somewhere really in the middle. Havent gotten to do my bump stops way I want them, but will get there sometime soon. Be sure to see photos of the work...

Anyways... here is some work in process in a regular "home" garage, with nothing special (tools), just a good ol' DREMEL tool...

Cutting the flares...

Tape helps to keep the "good" edge...

Fender Cut...

Hammered the "sharp" weld edge...

Vacuum relocate...

Inner Fender cut & installed...

How FRONT looks...

 

[Black Dog]

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_frheDZKuX2E/S5iv1Baj-LI/AAAAAAAAFKU/Yayr6iO56to/s640/P1130835.JPG

Looks like you've got a pretty nice garage facility to work in! My garage has a good roof but the walls are pretty drafty. I've got a big roll of black plastic that was given to me that I'm going to wrap the inside of my little garage with to try and wind proof it a bit.

 

[SWbySWesty]

Thank you for the good pics on cutting...I have a dremel and just need to buy some cutoff wheels to do the front and rear...definitely before dropping an inch or two!

 

[Nikson]

Looks like you've got a pretty nice garage facility to work in! My garage has a good roof but the walls are pretty drafty. I've got a big roll of black plastic that was given to me that I'm going to wrap the inside of my little garage with to try and wind proof it a bit.

This is my buddy's job shop so to speak, I dont have a 24 hr access into it...

If I did,,, it would be done in no time with some crazy mods that people could only dream of...

 

[Nikson]

Thank you for the good pics on cutting...I have a dremel and just need to buy some cutoff wheels to do the front and rear...definitely before dropping an inch or two!

Dremel works fine, just takes a bit longer then all the "big" stuff... but it rather gives you a perfect edge, being that the cut off wheel is small.

Lately have been using a DEWAUL 4 1/2 wheel type of tool, faster but much more noise... LOL

 

[SWbySWesty]

It looks like you didn't cut the fender at the top...just the front and back portions. Am I seeing that right?

 

[Nikson]

It looks like you didn't cut the fender at the top...just the front and back portions. Am I seeing that right?

This picture only shows how it actually looked when I first cut it (rear part of the FRONT fender) Sorry, might be a best picture, but the one I had at that time...

I've done lots more cutting now, will get that post up soon here... got to do this slowly I guess., or is it rather better to throw the whole build out into the posts???

 

[SWbySWesty]

Do it however you please...just know I'm scrutinizing every detail. Make of that what you will! ha-ha

 

[Nikson]

Do it however you please...just know I'm scrutinizing every detail. Make of that what you will! ha-ha

Well, thats how you get to perfection.....

I've never felt sorry for what i've done, its all a learning process. Lots of times when someone actually makes fun of what you've done - makes a "wise man" think and rethink... while others get upset and annoyed by it...

Cant take the heat - get out of the kitchen...!!! (in reference to posting your build)