MCObray
Explorer
It's a significant improvement over stock/cruddy suspension components. 4Runner search has ended... found a nice, well taken 00 T4R with the factory rear differential locker.
'01 XJ DD/All-Purpose Build
- Thread starter bzauche
- Start date
It's a significant improvement over stock/cruddy suspension components. 4Runner search has ended... found a nice, well taken 00 T4R with the factory rear differential locker.
bzauche
Observer
Very nice man! I saw your new thread, and you definitely found a clean one.
bzauche
Observer
Well, it's been a little bit since my last update, and a lot of progress has been made! Unfortunately, I don't have a lot of pictures, since a lot of the work involved time crunches and a whole lot of dirt, so my camera was the last thing on my mind.
I got my CB/PA system all set up. Since I have the Spectre intake, the stock air box location was perfect for the PA speaker.
I got my antenna mount from xjfirefighter on CherokeeForum, and used it in combination with the Firestik SS34AH Heavy Duty Spring and Stud combo mount, along with a 3' Firestik II and some Firestik coax.
I thought the typical transmission tunnel CB placement was a little intrusive for the passenger and just not an ideal spot, so I mounted my 520XL here:
It works absolutely perfect, and my leg has never even brushed the radio. The mic placement is ideal as well!
The big project that I didn't get any pictures of was my suspension. I got the OME leafs and coils in, extended brake lines, extended bump stops, etc...only took a few hours! I'll get pictures of the whole Jeep with the new stance soon!
I got my CB/PA system all set up. Since I have the Spectre intake, the stock air box location was perfect for the PA speaker.
I got my antenna mount from xjfirefighter on CherokeeForum, and used it in combination with the Firestik SS34AH Heavy Duty Spring and Stud combo mount, along with a 3' Firestik II and some Firestik coax.
I thought the typical transmission tunnel CB placement was a little intrusive for the passenger and just not an ideal spot, so I mounted my 520XL here:
It works absolutely perfect, and my leg has never even brushed the radio. The mic placement is ideal as well!
The big project that I didn't get any pictures of was my suspension. I got the OME leafs and coils in, extended brake lines, extended bump stops, etc...only took a few hours! I'll get pictures of the whole Jeep with the new stance soon!
bzauche
Observer
No way! I've been here since Fall 2009, so I'm just about done. No Corps for me though. It has made the official change to UNG, just a few weeks ago.
beardus supremous
Adventurer
Any troubles with the firestik hitting your body yet? Just a thought, when/ if it does stick a piece of rubber hose over the spring mount to stiffen it up. I have the same setup and had that trouble when bouncing around.
bzauche
Observer
Not at all. It's the heavy duty spring and it's only a 3' antenna, so it hardly moves around at all.
moparmansfield
New member
Nice XJ. My build plan is very similar to yours. Any updates?
bzauche
Observer
Good things come to those who wait! I'm waiting to do one big update instead of a ton of small ones. Nothing too major is happening in the life of the XJ, but I'm happy with the direction it's going. I should be able to post an update near the end of January after I get a couple more things ready!
mustangwarrior
Adventurer
nice xj, how do you like the bilsteins so far?
i've been debating on either paying off the loan on my WJ or getting a set of Bilsteins and a front sway bar, the doetsch shocks on it now ride super rough
i've been debating on either paying off the loan on my WJ or getting a set of Bilsteins and a front sway bar, the doetsch shocks on it now ride super rough
bzauche
Observer
I like them! I went from crappy white body shocks that the PO put on to the 5100's and I could definitely tell a difference. They're no Cadillac shocks, but they ride pretty nice.
Got it from a guy on CherokeeForum, here's his thread: http://www.cherokeeforum.com/f74/tail-light-mount-cb-antenna-155240/
Thank you! It's been a slow process. I just graduated college a few weeks ago and started a full time job, so I still haven't had much time to work on it. It's been out of commission for a few days due to a mysterious electrical problem that I'm trying to get sorted out, but I think it's going to end up getting towed to my 4x4 guy tomorrow for some diagnostics and a new heater core.
RiverRatXJ
New member
I really like your attention to detail. And your ability in photography. Great XJ and work. Keep it up.
bzauche
Observer
Well, it's been ages since I've done a real update to the build, so here goes nothing!
There was a long (probably 8 months or so) period where the XJ was serving as my DD (still is), and I didn't have much time to work on it because of school and work. I graduated college back in December, so I've had some time on the weekends to put some work in and starting getting it to the point where I want it. In the past 6 months or so I have:
- Installed new, longer Bilstein 5100's since the original ones I got ended up being a little short. I ran them for a little bit and then sold them.
- Replaced my Firestone Destination M/T's with Cooper Discoverer AT3 in the same size (245/75/16). This was probably one of the best decisions I've made other than putting Old Man Emu coils and leafs on. The Cooper's ride so smooth and quiet compared to the Firestone's. I would have kept the Firestone's if this was a weekend trail rig, but serving DD duty, I just wasn't using them how they are supposed to be used, so I sold them to a forum member here.
- Installed a new Kenwood head unit and Alpine speakers in all 4 corners. I wanted a USB hookup on the rear of the head unit so that I could run a cable for my iPhone down through the center console, with it ending underneath my e-brake handle. I'll get a pic of that later, but it makes for easy access to my music, etc...
- Relined my headliner
- Replaced brake master cylinder and brake booster
- Installed adjustable upper and lower control arms (still want long arms)
- Installed rubber Brown Dog motor mounts and a new OEM transmission mount
- Installed hack-n-tap SYE (I have the 242 t-case so it was really my only option)
- Installed IronMan4x4Fab shackle relocation brackets. My shackle angle was really bad, and these have helped tremendously.
- Installed IRO steering box spacer
- Installed JCR rear bumper with hitch receiver and integrated 1/4 panel armor
- Installed JCR PreRunner front bumper with hitch receiver
- Installed new OEM fender flares painted Satin Black to match the bumpers
- Repainted my roof rack
- Installed Olympus Offroad 50" HD (Cree bulbs) LED light bar with Inspired Engineering mounts. I found their mounts and had to have them simply because they are exactly like (if not actually) my JCR roof rack mounts, so the look flows a lot better. Beefy too!
- Installed TruckLite LED headlights (insanely good)
- Installed smoked corners and tail lights
- Installed DieHard Platinum battery
- Installed Kelley's Work in Progress 4AWG battery cables and ANL fuse kit
- Replaced rear main seal and oil pan gasket
Typing that list made me realize just how many hours I've spent on this thing recently. I took a little drive today and got some pictures before the sun went down:
Found a field on the way home after the FS road:
Of course, my to-do list is still a mile long, but I'm happy with the progress so far. I think about selling it every day, but I don't know if I can bring myself to do it.
Thanks for looking!
There was a long (probably 8 months or so) period where the XJ was serving as my DD (still is), and I didn't have much time to work on it because of school and work. I graduated college back in December, so I've had some time on the weekends to put some work in and starting getting it to the point where I want it. In the past 6 months or so I have:
- Installed new, longer Bilstein 5100's since the original ones I got ended up being a little short. I ran them for a little bit and then sold them.
- Replaced my Firestone Destination M/T's with Cooper Discoverer AT3 in the same size (245/75/16). This was probably one of the best decisions I've made other than putting Old Man Emu coils and leafs on. The Cooper's ride so smooth and quiet compared to the Firestone's. I would have kept the Firestone's if this was a weekend trail rig, but serving DD duty, I just wasn't using them how they are supposed to be used, so I sold them to a forum member here.
- Installed a new Kenwood head unit and Alpine speakers in all 4 corners. I wanted a USB hookup on the rear of the head unit so that I could run a cable for my iPhone down through the center console, with it ending underneath my e-brake handle. I'll get a pic of that later, but it makes for easy access to my music, etc...
- Relined my headliner
- Replaced brake master cylinder and brake booster
- Installed adjustable upper and lower control arms (still want long arms)
- Installed rubber Brown Dog motor mounts and a new OEM transmission mount
- Installed hack-n-tap SYE (I have the 242 t-case so it was really my only option)
- Installed IronMan4x4Fab shackle relocation brackets. My shackle angle was really bad, and these have helped tremendously.
- Installed IRO steering box spacer
- Installed JCR rear bumper with hitch receiver and integrated 1/4 panel armor
- Installed JCR PreRunner front bumper with hitch receiver
- Installed new OEM fender flares painted Satin Black to match the bumpers
- Repainted my roof rack
- Installed Olympus Offroad 50" HD (Cree bulbs) LED light bar with Inspired Engineering mounts. I found their mounts and had to have them simply because they are exactly like (if not actually) my JCR roof rack mounts, so the look flows a lot better. Beefy too!
- Installed TruckLite LED headlights (insanely good)
- Installed smoked corners and tail lights
- Installed DieHard Platinum battery
- Installed Kelley's Work in Progress 4AWG battery cables and ANL fuse kit
- Replaced rear main seal and oil pan gasket
Typing that list made me realize just how many hours I've spent on this thing recently. I took a little drive today and got some pictures before the sun went down:
Found a field on the way home after the FS road:
Of course, my to-do list is still a mile long, but I'm happy with the progress so far. I think about selling it every day, but I don't know if I can bring myself to do it.
Thanks for looking!