Stumptaco's has gone over to the darkside..XJ style.

[SWbySWesty]

Ok, I got the rear section done this morning, so the whole job took about 12 hours. I had already removed the old carpeting a few weeks back, so that will add another hour or so to the installation.

The rear section went in much easier than the front, as expected. It still is not perfect by any means, but I am over all satisfied. The molding and trimming could have been MUCH better from the factory, and they could have provided some sort of instructions or tips (they sent nothing). If I can give any advice with this stuff it would be to install it on the hottest day of the year, because heat is your friend with this product. I used a heat gun for some stubborn areas, and it helped tremendously, but the temp here is overcast and about 70 degrees (normally nothing to complain about).

I am very pleased with the actual material, and I think it will hold up nicely. In a scale of 1 to 10, I would rate the material at about 8-9. with the same scale, I would rate the ease of installation and quality of molding a very liberal "1". Enough babble, here are some pictures:

Starting to fit and trim the rear section:

In all honesty, the pictures dont quite do the finished product justice. I am actually overall happy with it, and will be very happy if the humps/bumps settle flat over the next couple of weeks. It was just a pain in the ******** to install, and very misleading on what I was getting.

Once I get the platform built and covered, I am sure it will clean up the rear section to look pretty decent.

~James

this is exactly what I have in my 1996. Once installed, you are going to LOVE it. It cleans with a rag and doesn't poke holes. It's really good stuff to have in something that you can get wet/muddy or whatever and just wipe it out! I'm glad I'm not alone in this stuff!

 

[StumpXJ]

Thanks, its been installed for about 10 months now, and I do love it. I will get a new front section in a few months to replace the one I have now, I screwed up and cut it a little too much around the shifter and it doesnt cover a small area around the center console. No big deal, but it bugs me.

A bottle of Simple Green and an old towel and the interior lokks brand new. I am also going to install two marine deck plates in each front floorboard to allow me to rinse it out without having standing water.

~James

 

[XJINAZ]

Hi James,

It looks like you may state side now days. Do you still have this vehicle? Have you found any problems with mounting your rack at six points? I'm wondering about stress points and maybe even tearing of the drip rail. I've completed my roof rack ( mounted like yours ) and now wonder about the unibody/beer can effect. I've had my XJ twisted enough to make it difficult to close the back door. Sorry if I've missed a post of yours about this.

Thanks,
Lloyd

 

[GlennA]

That is one outstanding XJ in my opinion. If I had only had your vision when I had mine back in the mid 90's.

 

[StumpXJ]

Wow... thanks for dragging this up from the dead. I need to do some updating for sure.

The rack has been working flawlessly, especially the mounting. I have wheeled the crap out of it, and had it flexed as much as it can physically flex with no issues to speak of. I have had over 500 pounds on the rack while stationary (camping/sleeping on the RTT) with no issues from the rails.

I am honestly getting ready to re-do the rack, but not because of the mounting or anything other than the fact I dont like my rack, and my RTT is about to go on my trailer.

Hope that helps....

Glenn, thanks for the kind words!

~James

 

[Funrover]

Sweet!!

 

[StumpXJ]

Just doing a little update since its been a while since I have posted anything in here lately.

I had to get a new transfer case since I broke my old NP231. I had a front driveshaft come loose from the tcase side on my jeep (pulling into my driveway no less..) and it got bound up between the body and yoke. Needless to say, something had to give as the jeep was still rolling forward. The tcase broke completely down the middle. I decided that since I needed to replace it, I might as well upgrade, so I put in a NV241OR (Roctrack) 4:1 tcase out of a 2006 Jeep TJ. The lower gears are sure nice on the rocks! It was basically a direct bolt in. No issues at all.

Here is the broken tcase:

This is the only picture I have of the 4:1 241OR that I put in. Its a cell phone pic

I also built a radio holder for my dash since I am using the normal radio spot for my TFT monitor for the cameras. I also added inside and outside temperature gauges I got from ebay.

Since I knew I was coming back to the states soon, I decided I needed a CB set-up, so I built an overhead console to house that. I also added MUCH better lighting in the console as I was going. Just a simple little Cobra radio, with WX. I am using a K40 48" fiberglass whip mounted on my front bumper. The radio works great!

I also installed the Roadless gear wireless winch controller onto my winch a couple days ago. I bought two of these controlers since I plan to use one for the front and rear winch. That wont happen until I rebuild the 8274 Warn for the front, and build a new bumper to house it. I will then put the Smittybilt XRC8 in the rear bumper.

The little controller works great so far.

On the list of things to install, and I already have the parts to do it:

1. Xantrex Dual Battery set-up with remote panel (courtesy of Sierra Expeditions)

2. New rear main seal

3. Oil filter Orings

4. Oil sending unit

5 Crank Position Sensor

6. Install Rock Krusher rear diff cover

7. Install sliders


On the list of things to do:

1. Install carpet on the rear storage are for the dogs. They currently have no traction which makes for stressful times for them while offroad.

2. Re-do roof rack. I am going to build a hybrid top-hat/roll cage set-up. I will also fabricate some sort of swing down light bar for the Hellas. My RTT is going on my trailer that I am currently working on, so no need anymore for the roof rack.

3. Re-do front bumper to accommodate new roll cage and Warn 8724 winch.

4. Build rear bumper with tire swingout.

5. Re-gear and add rear locker. I already have a front locker, but want to install an ARB in the rear. I have already paid the guy (a friend) to do the gear install, but have to buy the parts still.

That about covers it for now.

~James

Also, I need to trim the rear fender wells to match the front. I would like to get a little more flex out of the rear, the stock shackles are junk. This is a pic from this week in the Northern Georgia Mountains

 

[SWbySWesty]

looks like you have some good plans! I'm excited to get started on my build in mid-September.

 

[Hilldweller]

It's fun to watch that thing wheel, btw.
And it suits him. His overall personality, that is. I like when a truck "fits".

 

[OverlandZJ]

Looking good James!

I'd love to see what your up to with the trailer build..

 

[XXXpedition]

looks awesome!!!
man, i miss my xj - your color reminds me a bit of the one i had, but i think it's the one a little lighter...

great build-thread!:victory:

btw: how the hell did you get the front bumper hoop through TÜV?????

 

[Root Moose]

IIRC (it's been a while), U.S. and Canadian military personnel don't have to adhere to the local German regs.

 

[getlost4x4]

very nice set-up cherokee. i really like your portable kitchen. if i didn't have two kids taking up the back second row i would do the same.

 

[XXXpedition]

U.S. and Canadian military personnel don't have to adhere to the local German regs.

hmmmmmm, maybe i should try to go all-amerikan as well :elkgrin:

 

[StumpXJ]

very nice set-up cherokee. i really like your portable kitchen. if i didn't have two kids taking up the back second row i would do the same.

Thanks! I now have my two kids (2, 90 pound dogs) in the back, so I am building a trailer to hold all of my camping gear so they have a spot to hang out in the Jeep with us.

IIRC (it's been a while), U.S. and Canadian military personnel don't have to adhere to the local German regs.

Thats correct! We still had fairly strict requirements, but nothing compared to the TUV.

looks awesome!!!
man, i miss my xj - your color reminds me a bit of the one i had, but i think it's the one a little lighter...

great build-thread!:victory:

btw: how the hell did you get the front bumper hoop through TÜV?????

Thanks! I think there were a few shades of teal... I have seen several other now that I am stateside.

Looking good James!

I'd love to see what your up to with the trailer build..

Thanks John, I think most people will call me crazy when I post up my trailer build, but I found it better to work with what I had. :victory:

A trailer thread will be started soon, I have made a lot of progress in the preparation stages, but now the real work starts since I have a 'clean' slate.