The cosmetic cleanup of OverlandXJ

[Maximus Ram]

steering stabilizer is new too.....
steering problems rank up there with electrical in my book as a majorPITA to track down....

 

[OverlandZJ]

Bone stock rig? Oh wait, you mentioned RC and 31's. 3" lift?

Have you checked the unit bearings for play? How do the control arm bushings look? Are the stock control arms still straight?

Bent/dented wheel? Inspect the framerail where the steering box bolts up, they have been known to have issues albeit on lifted/wheeled XJ's.

Is it truely DW or a vibe of some kind? If it was DW you'd know why they call it that...

 

[Maximus Ram]

Oh no, it's DW.....no mistaking it.
Now the steering box is one thing I had not thought about.....I'll give that a look. Basically it has a 4.5" lift and I have put on new and upgraded parts to bring everything back into the correct geometry. So I will check that box...may have to(should) get the stiffener for it.
Thanks....

p.s. Sorry for the hijack

 

[OverlandZJ]

Yesterday i did some more front end work, adjust trackbar a bit and recheck alignment and changed the toe-in to 0* since i run a NP242 transfercase.

Greased the rig, and installed a new drivers wing window... after having to break it to gain access to my locked Jeep with keys in the column. Twice in a month... i must be getting old.

Today i decided to install the interior winch controller i bought 2 years ago...

I originally planned to install it in place of the factory cig lighter. While tearing into the dash i changed my mind and started putting it next to the radio and HVAC controls. Found that i needed to cut into the plastic dash housing behind the cover panel... thats when i realized i had cut a 2"x3" hole out of my AC ducting...

After some discussion with James (stumptaco) here i found a solution that should allow me to continue my install and retain most of my airflow through the vents. Thanks James... saved my bacon on this one.

It's installed loosely, i need to finish by running the wiring through firewall and to my winch. I'm glad i decided to put it here. Now i have to find a new home for my external CB speaker which sat in this location.

 

[IH8RDS]

Thay looks like a good spot.

How did those gears turn out?

 

[OverlandZJ]

Thanks Scott..

Axle is in but still havent installed the shafts to see if i get any noise, i wanted to finish up everything else first. Didnt want to confuse any tire humm for gear noise...

In the meantime i installed new ujoints in the axle and driveshafts.

I have a valve stem that needs replacing, i'll stop tuesday and get them all changed. Should have thought of it when i mounted the tires.

 

[OverlandZJ]

I got a better pic of the new tires. Cant emphasize enough how much better it's handling now, like gramma's Caddy.

I'm considering Currie's swaybar, awaiting elcoyote's report on his impressions once he gets the MJ completed.

 

[IH8RDS]

Painted the winch :victory:

The devils in the details

 

[stick]

Very nice John :26_7_2:

 

[OverlandZJ]

Yesterday i was working on the XJ some and decided to air out the Overland RTT. Took a few more photo's as i only had a few with it open. Weather here is getting nice and cool overnight and i'm feeling the bug to get out, thought about running in the house and grabbing a few pillows and sleeping bags. :jumping: Then i was reminded that it was my 22nd anniversary...


I started working on my rain/shade awning that will be deployed off the back of the Jeep. I'm utilizing some Milspec OD canvas that i bought off this site.. wish i could remember who it was. This should blend in well with the whole OD theme of the rig. I'll post a few pics of it when it's further along.

[/QUOTE]

 

[kcowyo]

^^^ - John, that's hot. :drool:

.

 

[BigAl]

Painted the winch :victory:

The devils in the details

I've never seen that done:clapsmile. How did you adjust the caster? Did you cut off the Cs and reweld?

 

[OverlandZJ]

Thanks Mr Hilton... when you going to share what you'v been up to with the LC?

Al, sorry if i mislead. I have been making small adjustments looking for the best compromise of handling and pinion angle by adjusting the control arm length. At the moment i have great handling, but i havent installed the front driveshaft yet to see if it induces any vibe. If it does, and i expect it to a bit, i'll adjust some more till i have a good compromise.

 

[OverlandZJ]

I kinda neglected this thread here. I have been back and forth to SC since Jan after my Dad had a bad stroke so things have moved extremely slow. At this point i had to choose between a sick parent and my employer.. it was an easy decision, back to SC i go. :smiley_drive:

Figured out a way to use the OD Canvas i picked up to use as a shade awning. It's a bit labor intensive but it'll work for now.

After another 6 weeks in SC i got home and was ready to spend some time in the woods, so a bud and i packed up and hit the Pa Canyon area for some much needed relaxation.

I have NAXJA's NAC-Fest event in 2 weeks so a bud loaned me his M416 since my project is so far behind. I'll mount the RTT on it this weekend and see how i like the RTT/Trailer combo. I have a feeling i'll be itching to get my project rolling as i dont like dealing with the RTT on a taller rig.

Thanks Erik, appreciate it bud.

Quite a few more things planned to get done before a Utah trip next spring. I'll update as i go along.

 

[jeepmedic46]

You did a great job. Looks awesome.:smiley_drive: