expo xj on a budget

[IronRoberts73]

We are off barker cypress across from the big stadium close to west road.

Its funny you dont seem to notice a particular vehicle until you have one. I never really saw many built xj's and now there are 3 within our subdivision that are rigged out pretty well.

 

[drbandkgb]

Im digging your build man.. I like how you are making it all your own

 

[IronRoberts73]

I would like to be able to afford a whole list of things I have had to make myself but that money usually has to go towards bills lol. That and I am a rather cheap penny pincher, it may not have a brand name stamped on it but if I have to fab something its usually repurposed from somewhere else and is hella stout.

 

[88Xj]

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I would like to be able to afford a whole list of things I have had to make myself but that money usually has to go towards bills lol. That and I am a rather cheap penny pincher, it may not have a brand name stamped on it but if I have to fab something its usually repurposed from somewhere else and is hella stout.

I actually did my own stiffeners. Own shackle, rockers, axle trussed, building my axles, steering, track bar, crossmember. Actually quite a few things.
I used middle stiffeners from HD offroad since they are formed and did the rest myself. Rockers I did because the "sliders" serve a purpose but loose ground clearence..kinda gain 1 thing but loose another. Also didn't like that on hard hits they bend up and bend the rocker anyway...saw it multiple times. So I did 2x6, both are air tight , passenger sides set up for an air tank.
I'm a budget jeeper myself, although my rig seems higher dollar thank most, its been lot of bartering, trading labor for labor. Sometimes 3x the labor on my end to get something I really need done. Its not been easy but its getting really close now. Keep up the good work and the updates, I try to keep an eye on every xj build

 

[IronRoberts73]

Well I finally got a call saying my last few parts for the tranny and clutch are in so hopefully I can get some time to work on it this weekend. When I had to pull the trans I was in the process of being treated for a partially seperated shoulder and ruptured ligaments in my right hand. Now I have most of the strength and range of movement back but I'm still going to see if I can round up some help to stab the tranny. In my younger days I would just balance it on a floor jack and muscle it in to position, but its funny how you learn to be a lot more careful when you get older lol. Thanks for reading folks I'll update when I can.

Cheers!

 

[IronRoberts73]

Well again I'm waiting for a oil seal the phantom retainer seal strikes again ordered it 4 times now. So in the spare time today I finished up my budget snorkel and installed a small utility winch to the front. I'm not planning on using itfor recovery so much as work so I went with a 3k badlands the work great for stretching fence moving logs and setting gates and such. I know what everyone is thinking thats about half of what you need, but I have used one on our tractor for years its just the right size for what I need. And if it comes down to it I have 100' of recovery rope and 3 blocks so I could use it to give a little tug in a pinch.
My budget snorkle took the better part of 4 hours to plan build and install $25 in 3" S&D pipe and fittings and a can of bed armor.
Its not pretty but its functinal and should cut down on the dust and crap entering the air box.

 

[IronRoberts73]

Well the good news is I finally got the tranny back together. the bad news is while I was tearing down the rear diff to check on some slop in the pinion? I discovered that the inner bearing and race was about a mile from detonating the entire diff! I have no idea how it held together without howling and grinding. So three parts houses later and I'm still without parts but I have a entire drain pan full of really pretty glitter with just a few chunks. So I'm debating on should I rebuild it or wait and drop some cash on a explorer axle.

 

[bpb]

For 31's there is really no reason to upgrade to an 8.8. Your wiring looks amazing. I wish that I had the patience to do that!

 

[IronRoberts73]

Thanks! well after 4 hours and several tries I'm still waiting on the correct inner pinion bearing. I don't know what it is about this Jeep none of the numbers match existing part numbers. so all I can do for the next few hours while I wait for the bearing and the shop to press it on, is clean up the housing and twiddle my thumbsI have decided though since I have two full sheets of MDF left over from a job that I will be building a much more elaborate and clean storage system in the back. I need something that's a little more user-friendly for storing things and finding them again.

 

[taiden]

Glad to see your thread here. I'm looking around for storage ideas for my daily XJ. I might have to use some of your tricks.

Be well
Luke

 

[IronRoberts73]

Feel free!

Well I finally got the rear axle rebuilt all new bearings oil seals and races. I was extremely lucky the ring and pinion were not damaged just a pretty good scar on the carrier but nothing that will effect its strength or performance. Now back to the tranny for some reason 5th gear won't engage fully I'm thinking maybe there is some small grit or something hanging up the fork. Luckily I checked it before I got it back under the jeep. Just have tosplit the case again and re clean and pre lube everything and look for anything out of place.

Cheers!

 

[IronRoberts73]

battle scarred carrier


lovely glitter with free chunks


whats left of the inner pinion bearing

 

[IronRoberts73]

For the record I blame multiple head trauma for the large brain fart I experienced. The reason it would not engage 5th gear was someone *that would be me* forgot to reinstall the C clip on the lower shaft holding the 5th gear on. So after stripping it completely down scratching my head and using some colorful language I started cleaning up the workbench. When I moved the magnetic parts tray I used for all the fasteners I felt something on the bottom. It was laying on the bench with the other components and I guess I set the tray on it lol, being steel the tray snapped it up.

Best thing I've seen all day!

]

 

[88Xj]

Honestly now your already done the ford 8.8 could of been swapped in for under 400 with disks and possibly 3.73/4,10s if you searched a bit. Could of geared the front and called it done.

 

[IronRoberts73]

Honestly now your already done the ford 8.8 could of been swapped in for under 400 with disks and possibly 3.73/4,10s if you searched a bit. Could of geared the front and called it done.

Lol dont think I wasnt tempted! If this wasnt my DD I would certainly be waiting for the upgrade. But since it sees way more concrete than dirt I'll just have to keep a eye out for one to do future upgrades. Best thing is I just got her shined up after a shakedown run so far everything looks good to go.