XJ In Perpetual Progress
- Thread starter Emorphius
- Start date
Emorphius
Observer
Thanks Fanboy. That has been in waiting while I got some work done on the XJ.
Time for an update. Went with the 8.8 and the TrueTrac. While that was happening, went ahead and installed new ball joints, u-joints, tie rods, steering stabilizer, upper control arm bushings, new brake pads front and rear, extended brake lines, new track bar, sway bar discos, radiator hoses, changed all fluids and filters, banks monster exhaust, battery terminals, H4 headlight conversion and wiring harness, and 4.56 gears. Both axles also got new bearings and seals. Still have a Banks torque tube to install. Was going to tackle that Monday, but upper radiator hose split so had to deal with that. Decided to replace the lower while I was at it and deal with the broken stock negative battery terminal and the problematic IAC. I will try to get some pics posted tomorrow. Life is ridiculously busy right now. Need to get trailer and XJ ready to get out of town and off the grid for a few days.
Time for an update. Went with the 8.8 and the TrueTrac. While that was happening, went ahead and installed new ball joints, u-joints, tie rods, steering stabilizer, upper control arm bushings, new brake pads front and rear, extended brake lines, new track bar, sway bar discos, radiator hoses, changed all fluids and filters, banks monster exhaust, battery terminals, H4 headlight conversion and wiring harness, and 4.56 gears. Both axles also got new bearings and seals. Still have a Banks torque tube to install. Was going to tackle that Monday, but upper radiator hose split so had to deal with that. Decided to replace the lower while I was at it and deal with the broken stock negative battery terminal and the problematic IAC. I will try to get some pics posted tomorrow. Life is ridiculously busy right now. Need to get trailer and XJ ready to get out of town and off the grid for a few days.
Emorphius
Observer
Well, got side tracked again. Engine started throwing crank and cam position sensor codes and developed a tick and hesitation. So new timing set is going in. Throwing a new water pump and finally get the tongue tube in while I'm at it. Of course what should have taken a day has been drawn out because of little league, weather, and the 3 bolts that broke off in the block and the captured nut for the skid plate that broke loose. I love my XJ, but she is seriously pissing me off this week. Hopefully I will be able to get it done after work tonight or tomorrow. I need to get to work on the trailer. Never enough time.
Emorphius
Observer
Well...timing set, water pump, fan clutch, and torque tube installed. Also found the vacuum leak that was causing my HVAC to not function properly. Turns out that the "minor" fender bender I was in did more damage than I thought. The vacuum canister in the front bumper was cracked. Also turns out the damage to the bumper was more than cosmetic. Both mounts are bent pretty bad along with the recovery hook mounts. Now if I could only find a used ARB Bullbar...
Warn Industries
Supporting Vendor
What was your setup here? 31s and a 3"?
Both versions look great! Did you regaear?
- Andy
kayak15
Observer
Seeing how I am buying a 1999 XJ in two months, and planning to build it up very similarly to yours over the next two years, I am following along with this journey very closely. I am also curious how the Jeep tows the M101A3?? I have a full size Dodge with a camper shell and I have been thinking how sweet it would be to buy a M101 trailer and put my shell on it, then an RTT to use with the family and the XJ (3 girls that need there space and a Mom who is no diva, but enjoys come comfort!).
Keep up the good work and progress. Sometimes these vehicles of ours do piss us off, but in the end, it's all worth it!!
Kevin
Keep up the good work and progress. Sometimes these vehicles of ours do piss us off, but in the end, it's all worth it!!
Kevin
Emorphius
Observer
I'm in a similar boat with family camping. I haven't towed the trailer with the jeep since the regear and exhaust upgrades. It was slightly lacking on steep hills in Colorado when fully loaded with the topper on last time I towd it. I anticipate that it will handle it better now. Hopefully before the summer ends, the trailer will have new axle with electric brakes and lighter wheels and tires, which will help too. Funny your stage 2 has you going in the opposite direction as me. Planning on an outer banks/Wilmington trip with the trailer next year. Didn't have time this year, so flying in the end of July.
kayak15
Observer
Yeah, we did a Cape Lookout National Seashore trip in April with a night in Wilmington on Carolina Beach in Freeman Park. Was pretty awesome!! Hoping to have the Jeep squared away to be able to handle Black Bear and a few others before we get out to CO. I have family in Littleton, and I was out in May seeing them. Gonna move to CO one day, or at least buy some land and have a small cabin out there.
kayak15
Observer
Sorry, forgot to ask... How are the 4.56 gears treating you? I am planning to re-gear after the big lift and 33's are put on, just not sure which ratio. Doing a fair amount of highway driving fully loaded heading to various places on the east coast, then when coming to CO in the future, I still need the rig to perform well on the highway for that distance.
Emorphius
Observer
My wife has family in Wilmington. Heading there for a family reunion in July. Was hoping to have the trailer ready by then, but doesn't look like that will happen, so we will be flying.
I haven't run it much on the interstate since the regear, so can't speak to gas mileage. Hopefully this weekend we will get a day trip into the high country. Performance wise, the improvement is very noticeable. Only runs ~750 RPM higher than before, but the acceleration is dramatically improved. My speedo is reading 5 MPH higher than I'm actually going at 65 MPH. I wish I would have regeared sooner. Fully loaded in town, I think it was the perfect choice for ratio. Everyone I talked to here that went with 4:10 wished they had just done 4:56 to begin with.
I haven't run it much on the interstate since the regear, so can't speak to gas mileage. Hopefully this weekend we will get a day trip into the high country. Performance wise, the improvement is very noticeable. Only runs ~750 RPM higher than before, but the acceleration is dramatically improved. My speedo is reading 5 MPH higher than I'm actually going at 65 MPH. I wish I would have regeared sooner. Fully loaded in town, I think it was the perfect choice for ratio. Everyone I talked to here that went with 4:10 wished they had just done 4:56 to begin with.
Emorphius
Observer
Been stupid busy with work, family, and a honey-do list that is relentless. Dragged the trailer about 430 miles this past weekend to pick up two tanker desks for the honey-do list. All interstate driving and it pulled the trailer beautifully. Had no trouble keeping speed. Had to go to 3rd on the really steep hills to maintain 75 mph, but with a heavy trailer and 2 heavy desks in it, couldn't be happier. Turns out that even with the trailer, my jeep gets 2.5 MPG better than in town. Hope to get some updates for you all soon.
Emorphius
Observer
Sadly a back injury has prevented much for updates. I was able to pick up this ARB with a Smittybilt winch off CL.
Had to remove the spacers in front and install some JKS ACOS to compensate for the added weight. While I am not able to do much right now, next up is tracking an annoying rattle in the front end.
Had to remove the spacers in front and install some JKS ACOS to compensate for the added weight. While I am not able to do much right now, next up is tracking an annoying rattle in the front end.