Nikson's '01 XJ Build

Nikson

Explorer
winch update...

since got the winch back, figured I would freshen up a bit the carrier & get everything put back together...

Wires & Bracket

03-27-2010%20WINCH%20%26%20JOTTO%20DESK%20work%20001.JPG


Paint came out pretty good, nice texture to it...

03-27-2010%20WINCH%20%26%20JOTTO%20DESK%20work%20002.JPG


All back together... (WARN stickers on windshield)

03-27-2010%20WINCH%20%26%20JOTTO%20DESK%20work%20006.JPG


I'm loving the stickers...

03-27-2010%20WINCH%20%26%20JOTTO%20DESK%20work%20010.JPG
 

Nikson

Explorer
JOTTO DESK install...

Seems like everyone is getting themselves as comfortable as they can with various hook-ups, including laptop/notebook mounts.

I came across a used JottoDesk setup off a police Chevy Malibu. Figured with a little modification, I could make it work...

Will need to do some extra mods as far as getting it to perfection (not getting into passenger leg space), but other then that cant complain.

Anyways, here's what we have...

Jet Bandsaw - used off Craigslist (figured $200 was a good deal)

03-27-2010%20WINCH%20%26%20JOTTO%20DESK%20work%20014.JPG


Bottom Mount plate

03-27-2010%20WINCH%20%26%20JOTTO%20DESK%20work%20015.JPG


Edges cut to fit XJ's floor...

03-27-2010%20WINCH%20%26%20JOTTO%20DESK%20work%20019.JPG


Front view (floor mat even fits right under it...)
Will have to get couple of grade8 bolts/nuts on the bigger side to hold it all together.

Drilled the floor and bolt put from underneath, had to fight carpeting a bit (was getting wrapped up around the drill bit).
Bolt / lock washer / washer from the outside, and on the inside a washer / lock washer / nut to secure the actual bolt. Another washer / lockwasher / nut on top of the mounting bracket. Figured that will do a better job supporting it.

03-27-2010%20WINCH%20%26%20JOTTO%20DESK%20work%20021.JPG


When upper stand is removed, its NOT even there...

03-27-2010%20WINCH%20%26%20JOTTO%20DESK%20work%20023.JPG


All put together...

03-27-2010%20WINCH%20%26%20JOTTO%20DESK%20work%20025.JPG


Driver's View

03-27-2010%20WINCH%20%26%20JOTTO%20DESK%20work%20026.JPG


Passenger's View

03-27-2010%20WINCH%20%26%20JOTTO%20DESK%20work%20027.JPG


How it looks with passenger's legs there...

03-27-2010%20WINCH%20%26%20JOTTO%20DESK%20work%20029.JPG


03-27-2010%20WINCH%20%26%20JOTTO%20DESK%20work%20028.JPG
 

SWbySWesty

Fauxverland Extraodinaire
neat laptop mount. Seems slightly intrusive on a larger passenger's legs though...maybe a little kink in the tubing would help? You obviously have the skills!
 

Nikson

Explorer
This specific unit was pulled from a police car while back, thus I dont think there was much concern for passenger's leg room, or could have been that design for that car was okay in this type of setup...

I figured that on short trips (for now) it will be fine... and in time - I will do as you said with the location of the STUB for the mount, move it closer to the center, so its not as intrusive as it is now...
 

Black Dog

Makin' Beer.
This specific unit was pulled from a police car while back, thus I dont think there was much concern for passenger's leg room, or could have been that design for that car was okay in this type of setup...

I figured that on short trips (for now) it will be fine... and in time - I will do as you said with the location of the STUB for the mount, move it closer to the center, so its not as intrusive as it is now...

That kind of mount is usually kind of inconvenient for your passengers. Yours might not be as bad though because you've only got the one mount, the police cars I put toughbooks in had a couple things over there.
 

Nikson

Explorer
That kind of mount is usually kind of inconvenient for your passengers. Yours might not be as bad though because you've only got the one mount, the police cars I put toughbooks in had a couple things over there.

They were definitely built without consideration for passenger's... :)

I'll mod it a bit, and see what I'll come up with sometime soon here...

Oregon Cascades are expected to get up to 3feet of snow over next 24 hrs, may be I'll get a snow day out of this.... :)
 

Nikson

Explorer
Those are just regular stainless steel screws.

I've pre-drilled with a 1/8 bit (through flare to mounting bracket)...

Then screw them in and secure them. This will basically secure the flares to the mounting plates. Once that done, just put your flares back on the XJ & secure the 10mm nuts.

When done, tighten the screws by hand with a screwdriver until you feel it is safe & you are not overtightening & bending flares too much...
 

Black Dog

Makin' Beer.
This is a very good build. And you're doing it fast too, most guys take their time and add things as their budget allows.
 

Nikson

Explorer
This is a very good build. And you're doing it fast too, most guys take their time and add things as their budget allows.

Well, keep in mind that this build has been going on for past year pretty much...

I've just made sure to photograph everything and share it in timely manner.

I've go plenty more to come along, and it will slowly show up here... not enough time at this point for it all...
 

Nikson

Explorer
Sold sold sold

Get a bit of a feeling ...

"A Cowboy without a Horse!" after I sold the XJ.

Its been a great project. Due to some future traveling plans, I am required to switch to a newer vehicle, under 5 yrs of age, thus future build plans are going to included a newer JK Rubicon or something similar.

Thanks everyone for being a great crowd with all of your comments & advice.

:victory:
 

Nikson

Explorer
that's a real bummer!
i sold my xj 4 years back and still miss it!
sven

Seems like I am going to go similar route as you have...

XJ and then JK :)

I have made plans to do a JEEP RIDE across Russia from Vladivostok to St.Petersburg sometime in the summer-fall of 2011.

I would have loved to take my XJ, but I would have to make arrangements to bring it back into US since customs fees are just outrageous for a 10 year old vehicle.

It will be a lot simpler to find a customer for the JK i'll use on that trip, and I guess I could always build another one.

P.s. I have given it a lot of thought of where I will buy another XJ eventually.
 

XXXpedition

Explorer
i have to say that i appreciate the milage on the diesel JK. here in europe the xj would be so expensive, i would be broke already :)))
 

Forum statistics

Threads
186,308
Messages
2,884,415
Members
226,200
Latest member
eclipse179
Top