Jake's XJ build.

[Jakeleverett]

Another early modification was the instal of a Maglight. I wanted it handy but out of the way. I chose the spot to the left of the driver's seat as it wouldn't interfere with anything and it is still easily accessible.

I also did not trust the hardware(4 tiny screws) included with the little Maglight brand clips nor did I trust the plastic trip piece as I tend to be rough with things. So I dug up some
real hardware, did some trimming and clearancing of the mounts, made a "base plate" type thing that goes behind the plastic trim to add some strength and voila!

Here is the mount uninstalled:

Here it is in its final resting place:

It's much more rigid now. I use the light on a regular basis and have yet to break it!

Also, you can see in the picture some floor mats that I picked up. I had intended to get some of the more expensive, form fitted Husky Liners with these as a temporary solution, but I have come to like these a lot and they have worked out perfectly.

 

[Jakeleverett]

@Recce01, O cool, what part? What do you drive? We may have to get together for something!

@eflosd, Good eye! Have you been down where all that construction parking is on the southeast corner of the mall by the river? When its in the dry season, theres a short dirt road that leads under the 163 bridge that's kind of cool to drive through, be careful though cuz it's muddy, it doesnt look like mud because its so flat and smooth but its there and its DEEP.
Ill get to the lift pictures soon!

 

[Recce01]

@Recce01, O cool, what part? What do you drive? We may have to get together for something!

I am in north county inland, right by Palomar Mountain. here is my rig http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/77201-98-Jeep-ZJ-quot-SHTFV-quot

 

[katuah]

Welcome! I have to say, it's also good to do as much of your own work as possible (lift, etc) because that way if you have trouble out on the trail, you will know more how to fix it yourself, which is very important for serious expeditioning. You WILL break something. Way out in the middle of nowhere, most likely. ;-) Have fun!

 

[Jakeleverett]

@Recce01, again... oh cool haha, Nice jeep as well as RCs! My girlfriend and I are taking a little trip up to the Palomar area campground to test out our new RTT. I have never been before though, any experiences there? I need to ease her into the whole camping/offroading for long periods and distances thing.

@katuah, those are exactly my thoughts on the matter! I enjoy knowing how it works as well as saving the money doing it myself!

@Everyone...

The first real big metal project done is my roof rack. The main reason that we decided to the roof rack first is because we had all of the materials so it would be free or very cheap! Now like I said my dad is a metal fabricator by profession and got his start building motorcycle frames, decorative gates and fences then moved into fuel cells, body work, custom hot rods, onto custom dune buggies and race trucks etc. Bottom line: he's good.

So we started drawing and coming up with ideas which led to taking measurements and eventually some yelling and arguing. We finally came to a conclusion of the planning phase and began building!

Here is the basic design and shape being measured for height and placement. I was too busy to get any shots during the building portion of the rack but here is the final general shape:

Our objectives:
Strength(I wanted it strong enough to hold people as well as other loads of various shapes and sizes)
Usability(not just for looks, plenty of utility, tiedowns, equipment, lights, etc.)
Looks(has to look good if I have to look at it every day as well as it can't look like everyone else's roof rack)
Satisfaction(lots!)
Expense(none!)

For strength we looked at many types and designs of mounting styles. My dad is very particular about cleanliness, flow and simplicity. We landed on a mounting style that utilized the rain gutters like most other mounting styles, but we created "feet" that slide into the gutters and bolt through the bottom of the rain gutters.

To get enough space to make them strong we needed to do some trimming, so out came the air tools...

After that came the fitting and welding...

And then the painting and finishing touches... I personally HATE this part as I am not a patient person, I am learning to be, but I still HATE PAINTING!!!

So impatient in fact that the rack got a few test runs before it was even painted!

I finally got it painted after avoiding it for a few months...

I will have to get some detail shots of the tie down points, secure light bar, mesh floor, mounting feet, etc. if anyone is interested?

 

[Jakeleverett]

I just got back from a little camping trip with our new RTT and I have to say, it was pretty awesome.
However, when my girlfriend and I test-slept in it one night in her driveway it wasn't the most comfortable so we had to use a mattress pad and that seemed to do the trick on the trip.
We went up to Palomar Mountain and stayed in the Doane Valley campgrounds which were cool, but fairly civilized(girlfriends choice).
I prefer and am used to camping where there are no other people around as I grew up backpacking for up to 3 weeks at a time where the only other people we saw were the people in our group.
I would recommend this campground for beginners.
We also visited the Palomar Mtn Observatory and checked out Boucher's Point which both were pretty cool.
I had never been to the observatory before and I have to say it was pretty impressive. Ill try to get some more pictures up soon!

 

[WKexpedition]

Jeep is looking good. Sound like a fun trip you had too! Can't wait to see pics of the RTT!!

 

[Recce01]

I just got back from a little camping trip with our new RTT and I have to say, it was pretty awesome.
However, when my girlfriend and I test-slept in it one night in her driveway it wasn't the most comfortable so we had to use a mattress pad and that seemed to do the trick on the trip.
We went up to Palomar Mountain and stayed in the Doane Valley campgrounds which were cool, but fairly civilized(girlfriends choice).
I prefer and am used to camping where there are no other people around as I grew up backpacking for up to 3 weeks at a time where the only other people we saw were the people in our group.
I would recommend this campground for beginners.
We also visited the Palomar Mtn Observatory and checked out Boucher's Point which both were pretty cool.
I had never been to the observatory before and I have to say it was pretty impressive. Ill try to get some more pictures up soon!

very cool! You should have hit me up! I live at the bottom of Palomar. I hope you drove up Nate Harrison to get there I too want to see what you did with the tent!!

 

[Jakeleverett]

Yes the trip was a good time, we were nervous about the fires though. While we were there we saw fires on three sides of us at one point on our hike. I am very glad we were able to go and enjoy ourselves. We got a tiny bit of rain and tons of thunder and lightning which I absolutely love. It got pretty hot during the day and there were bugs galore but it wasn't too bad with bug spray and cold drinks.

I will have to hit you up when we come back Mr Recce01, I definitely would like to explore some more in that area and visit the observatory again. I believe that was the way we drove up there. I had to pull over to let the poor thing cool (how I realized my radiator was bad...). That route was the closest and fastest for us.

With the tent, we temporarily mounted it to the top rails of my current rack which isn't ideal but it worked. My dad and I have been talking and doing some preliminary drawings of a new rack that will hold the rack much closer to the roof as well as have a little tray on the front for lights and fire wood. It currently is mounted so that it opens out over the back of the car but we will be making it so it can open out the side which I prefer because it will allow the tent to fit the smaller roof of the XJ better. It currently hangs over a couple inches on both sides (again temporary until the new rack is finished).

As far as my radiator goes, I noticed it running extremely hot while on the freeway and heading up the mountain. I had totally forgotten about the temp until this past Wednesday when the radiator started pissing coolant after getting smogged (luckily he still passed me). So I talked to Mr Kennedy and he had a new upgraded radiator in my hands within hours at cost as well as loaned me a tool to help with the process. Tomorrow I am going to tackle it after picking up an extra gallon of coolant and a lower radiator hose (my upper rad. hose blew and was replaced in Yosemite). Wish me luck...

Thanks for the interest guys btw!

Also picks of the lift will be coming in a few minutes!

 

[Jakeleverett]

So after a long 1.5 years of owning the little guy, he finally got a growth spirt... but not before a couple presents from the brown santa

My dad told me not to do the lift at our house because he didnt want to deal with it and didnt want me to break anything.

So what does that translate to? Start when he leaves for work and get it done before he comes home!

Unfortunately it didn't work out that way...

Here is what I started with:

Here is me finally getting started at like noon after having to help my mom with something:

And yes I got carried away with the swirlies...

My lovely assistant who volunteered to help:

here I am at 8pm finishing up the front...

I got pretty distracted most of the day and finally finished up the front at night.
Needless to say, my dad wasn't happy and didn't say a word when he walked by and in the house...

The next day I started on the rear:

Things to take from this experience:
-Do not let anyone tell you that you can't do something
-Do not offer to help your mom, it will probably take much longer than she says
-Do not think you can get away without using a spring compressor
-Get out the BIG tools
-Get it done early
-Rough Country's instructions are worthless
-Use the Rough Country youtube channel

Girlfriends are great for:
-Moral support
-Entertainment
-Bringing food/drink
-Telling you to calm down when you start hitting something really hard because it wont come out
-Small hands for tight places
-Something to look at

A big thanks to her for helping me!

All in all it was a great experience, I am glad I did this myself.
I learned a lot about the jeep and how the suspension works.
Also, now I have a better idea of how to fix something if it breaks down there!

Before:

After:

After After:

Going in for an alignment:

And that brings us closer to up to date!

 

[MCObray]

Full leaf pack or AAL?

 

[stioc]

Wow- looks really nice after all the upgrades, good job! :luxhello:

Are these pics in your second post from Anza Borrego? What part?

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/80472-Jake-s-XJ-build?p=1138430#post1138430

 

[Jakeleverett]

@MCObray, I opted for the AAL, but because I was interested in eventually getting heavier duty springs or possibly air bags of some sort.

@russellh, Thank you very much sir. They are specifically from Superstition Mountain near Plaster City and SouthEast of Ocotillo Wells. Its a cool little area that is fairly close.

 

[Jakeleverett]

Here are a couple shots of the RTT when we first got it and just had to mount it. It makes my jeep look fairly small.

It is definitely an awesome tent and piece of equipment.
We got it at a good price, it is plenty large enough for the two of us and more.
It can sleep 2-3 COMFORTABLY on top as well as a queen size air mattress in the "vestibule" and that still leaves plenty of room for bags and for changing.
So probably 5 comfortably but it will never see that many.
3 at the very most, two on top and a third on a cot down below.
Great job to Tepui Tents for having such amazing products and even more amazing customer service!
Thank you!

 

[jeepdreamer]

Is that another girlfriend taking pictures of the RTT??