My '97 ZJ

[Silverfoot]

I'll start with a little background on my Jeep. I've owned it since fall of 2008. My grandfather owned it before me and when he was ready to move on to a newer model he "sold" it to me for $1. Best purchase I ever made haha. Since I've owned it I've put just over 38k miles on it and currently sit a bit over 243k. For a long time I didn't mess with any mods aside from completely replacing the stereo system, because I didn't want to mess with anything that wasn't broken and I was a poor college student. Anyway, I've just recently started working on upgrading my Jeep and I'm pleased with the way it's going so far (I just need to make sure I tighten all the nuts down haha). So here goes:

I'll start off with some pics of it completely stock:

gave it a bath right after I got it
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7177/6937002239_429c53bc8d_z.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7177/6790883454_06015e1f9d_z.jpg

stuck on a soft hillside with my street tires
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7196/6790823604_1c620b17bc_z.jpg


Pre-wheel spacer install
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7046/6936942599_fddf235985_z.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7200/6936942751_f9dd805c0f_z.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7178/6790824326_75692cba10_z.jpg


Post wheel spacer install
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7041/6936944343_2a827f2181_z.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7046/6790825928_9db4bea232_z.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7202/6790823906_56157699f2_z.jpg


Coil swap (front: standard front v8 ZJ coils + 2" coil spacers, rear: xj rear coils)
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7038/6936958479_bb2daf8d34_z.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7203/6790839202_12d0286839_z.jpg

Bought some lightly used tires (Hankook 30 x 9.5 x 15) for a great price from a friend looking to upgrade:
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7210/6949891213_b45f693aff_z.jpg


I noticed at one place in turning the wheel, the fronts were rubbing on the lower corner of the front bumper so I had to do a little trimming:
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7188/6803781582_84c6271137_z.jpg


Testing out my flex at a friend's house (front sway bar still connected here
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7057/6963991415_65e6689819_z.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7180/6817867700_3c7797c395_z.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7208/6817867580_47f40fcee4_z.jpg

to be continued...

[Silverfoot]

After that I started ordering some more parts in preparation for a trip to Uwharrie, NC.

Rear extended bump stops next to the stock ones:
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7081/7251897940_34865d0bf5_b.jpg

Front extended bump stops (haven't installed these yet because the first time I tried, the coil compressor broke on me):
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7081/7251940586_6b489d1832_b.jpg

Kevins Offroad reinforced radiator support with recovery points:
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8150/7251899862_ecfec5618f_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7093/7251900138_277b4e66e2_b.jpg

After some modification to beef it up, suggested by a friend:
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7211/7251901874_f7aee98c64_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7223/7251902158_95f502af28_b.jpg

Skid Row transfer case skid:
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8003/7251897622_34af2acffb_b.jpg

And finally for now, the Skid Row Engine/Trans skid plate:
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8150/7251906430_44bdd62490_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7234/7251906152_23483ab5da_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7220/7251905834_8371e67e6e_b.jpg


Installation of the radiator support/recovery points:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8165/7274668460_0970dd8bc7_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7087/7274668058_e85221b70c_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7219/7274667304_9e449b45ea_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7095/7274667736_8d91aa155c_b.jpg


sliders the day I got them:
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8011/7331915900_6556b15222_b.jpg

After painting:
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7216/7331915052_7b7e3637ca_b.jpg

Skidplates = installed:
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7213/7331914208_f669b21a3e_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7217/7331913602_d4bd2e092a_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7214/7331911374_da98f1a993_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7214/7331911374_da98f1a993_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7214/7331911374_da98f1a993_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7075/7331902524_80cbe4b48b_b.jpg

And here's a few shots of the sliders installed:

messing around on a hill behind my parents house:
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8017/7180376723_b333e8df64_b.jpg

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5156/7365604450_dc2d030881_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7243/7365604092_0213812dc0_b.jpg

[Mudderoy]

Nice build, thanks for sharing the pictures. I'm really glad to see you went with some recovery points early on. Seems people don't think about those until a bumper gets pulled off. :D

[Silverfoot]

This pretty much brings it to its present state. Took a weekend trip down to Uwharrie, NC this past weekend with my dad and a couple of friends:
Some post-Uwharrie, pre-wash shots:

(this one is actually from Uwharrie, but w/e)
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5118/7396355232_a49e23cfc2_b.jpg

fog lights removed and charcoal canister (?) relocated to the engine bay for the trip to prevent damage
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5464/7396379702_15d3cac342_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7080/7396379160_c11309bf22_b.jpg

smacked my differential on a rock I couldn't see ( sadly this was just on the trail and not even on a real obstacle :oops: )
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5035/7396378604_6bcba407ca_b.jpg

engine/trans skid saw a little action
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7085/7396377530_bdc0b86e98_b.jpg

driver's side slider (definitely got my money's worth out of the sliders ;D )
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5155/7396376938_cf669ac298_b.jpg

Hit both ends of the trans crossmember at some point
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7227/7396376220_32cc9f592e_b.jpg

Beat the hell out of the t-case skid, actually ended up with pretty much the entire weight of the Jeep resting on it and had to get tugged off the rock
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5194/7396375710_614820e383_b.jpg

and so it's not flat across the bottom and rattles against the t-case at certain engine rpms
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7228/7396374896_df9d726dbd_b.jpg

passenger side of trans crossmember
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7083/7396373548_740347efa8_b.jpg

more of the t-case skid
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7081/7396372834_bfa629d444_b.jpg

passenger slider
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7222/7396371370_bb7ac8b815_b.jpg


Only change between these pics and now is that it's been washed and the sliders and t-case skid have a new coat of primer and paint to cover all the scars :)

I'm looking at picking up SOLID dif covers for front and rear some time soon as well.

[Silverfoot]

Nice build, thanks for sharing the pictures. I'm really glad to see you went with some recovery points early on. Seems people don't think about those until a bumper gets pulled off. :D

Yeah I knew it was going to be a must really before I even started building at all. There's a pic in my first post of me stuck on a muddy hillside. This was at my grandfather's farm and we ended up having to go get his tractor to help pull me out with a strap around the front axle. Not the best way to do it I know but we didn't have much choice at that point and I didn't need to be tugged hard, just a little help where my tires couldn't get traction. Then once I increased the offroad-ability of my Jeep I knew I'd get into a spot sooner or later where I had to get pulled out, and sure enough I used them at Uwharrie this past weekend when I got high-centered on my t-case skid :D

[oderdene]

very nice build and photos say million. Thanks for sharing.

yes, good purchase :D and you invested right and they helped a lot.

[4.3LXJ]

Sounds like a great start and I do like the way those skids ended up. Nice and smooth under there. Thanks for sharing :thumbsup:

[Silverfoot]

Thanks guys!

[Silverfoot]

A few updates:
My alternator died about 3 weeks ago, took me about 2 weeks to pick up a replacement from a friend for $25 and get it installed. I was very happy to get back up and running again!

Realized last weekend that the issue I'd been having with my steering wheel not being centered MIGHT have had a little something to do with this...:
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7126/7621755838_a4783e47cc_c.jpg

I don't think it's quite straight anymore haha. I apparently smacked it on a rock when I went to Uwharrie a little over a month ago.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8168/7621755322_7a4f384d52_c.jpg

Luckily, I had already picked up a V8 ZJ tie rod and a friend of mine swapped them out for me and we did a front yard alignment on it. The steering wheel was close enough back to center that we didn't even bother adjusting it.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7109/7621754850_93da927bbc_c.jpg

Steering feels a good bit firmer with that bad boy in there!




Also relocated my trailer electrical plug receptacle. Posted about it here:
http://www.xjtalk.com/showpost.php?p=121302&postcount=3764

[Silverfoot]

Went to a local trail called Shoe Creek this weekend with a few friends. The first time I rode it back in February I was still completely stock and my 4-lo didn't work so I was in 4-hi the entire ride. It was cool seeing how much more capable my Jeep has become in just a few months.

First some scenic shots:

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7124/7629535562_ee01fe2b21_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7133/7629535974_278fe66891_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7263/7629536392_264c516578_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7130/7629536704_3fcf6a7fae_b.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8026/7629538182_ce77682996_b.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8165/7629538520_4762e8ac11_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7268/7629535324_3ac88355d5_b.jpg

A couple of my friends posing:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8284/7629537770_67a4fbda8d_b.jpg

And me on the same rock:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8017/7629525502_6b85e4cce9_b.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8024/7629526362_44cdf2a280_b.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8282/7629526774_64c739376a_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7129/7629527058_4812162907_b.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8147/7629527440_f98f1e0d99_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7113/7629527788_9e1e23eea8_b.jpg

Scuffed my wheel pretty good at some point (also didn't not one, but both of my sliders in the same section of trail):
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8284/7629528122_e74a94de9e_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7124/7629528414_1a681f822c_b.jpg

[BigC79]

good looking ZJ

[Silverfoot]

Thanks!

[Mudderoy]

A few updates:
My alternator died about 3 weeks ago, took me about 2 weeks to pick up a replacement from a friend for $25 and get it installed. I was very happy to get back up and running again!

Realized last weekend that the issue I'd been having with my steering wheel not being centered MIGHT have had a little something to do with this...:
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7126/7621755838_a4783e47cc_c.jpg

I don't think it's quite straight anymore haha. I apparently smacked it on a rock when I went to Uwharrie a little over a month ago.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8168/7621755322_7a4f384d52_c.jpg

Luckily, I had already picked up a V8 ZJ tie rod and a friend of mine swapped them out for me and we did a front yard alignment on it. The steering wheel was close enough back to center that we didn't even bother adjusting it.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7109/7621754850_93da927bbc_c.jpg

Steering feels a good bit firmer with that bad boy in there!




Also relocated my trailer electrical plug receptacle. Posted about it here:
http://www.xjtalk.com/showpost.php?p=121302&postcount=3764

Check out IronMan4x4Fab.com for a heavy duty replacement.

http://ironman4x4fab.com/Products/images/STD-FTR.jpg

:link: (http://ironman4x4fab.com/Products/TR.html)

[Silverfoot]

Check out IronMan4x4Fab.com for a heavy duty replacement.

http://ironman4x4fab.com/Products/images/STD-FTR.jpg

:link: (http://ironman4x4fab.com/Products/TR.html)

That looks pretty dang solid but it's kinda hard to beat the $10 I paid for the stock V8 ZJ tie rod at the Pick n Save ;)

[Mudderoy]

That looks pretty dang solid but it's kinda hard to beat the $10 I paid for the stock V8 ZJ tie rod at the Pick n Save ;)

Well when you bend that one Andy will still have these. :D

[Silverfoot]

So here's an update for the old Jeep.

A few weeks ago I picked up a '99+ Cherokee intake manifold to put in the Jeep for a little smoother airflow, haven't installed it yet though. I need to get it cleaned up and buy the o-ring kit for the thunderbird injectors I got from PnS months ago so I can do those at the same time.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8050/8090255791_c5e6ba504f_b.jpg

I finally bought a cb radio a couple weeks ago and with lot of help from a friend got it installed last week. This weekend I spent some time dressing the wires, installing the external cb speaker.

The 5 foot whip (the tip sits at about 9'3"):
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8334/8090256585_4c4a1f02b3_b.jpg

Mounted the mic bracket:
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8049/8090260016_57bbb47bb7_b.jpg

Finished mounting position for the radio:
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8323/8090260447_a1a9057b90_b.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8050/8090259649_c9f428d59f_b.jpg

I dressed the wires through and under the carpet:
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8334/8090263888_c614ec933e_b.jpg

Overhead console where I mounted the external speaker (in the garage opener slot), before modification:
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8045/8090260824_2c9fc8b367_b.jpg

Had to do some trimming to allow the speaker to fit. It's pretty rough because it was my first time using a Dremel tool. All the rough edges got covered up once the speaker was in:
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8047/8090257473_8d3c0dfbe3_b.jpg

Got the speaker bracket in. Had to cut slotted holes so that I could adjust the backet to line up with the speaker when I put it in.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8325/8090257891_ec95333ef2_b.jpg

How it looked from the back. I had to cut out the front wall of the slot to get the speaker bracket in the right position
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8190/8090262404_abe5044815_b.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8193/8090259229_6529dbd014_b.jpg

Finished look with the speaker installed:
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8475/8090258243_b4c8f7a060_b.jpg

Overhead console installed back in the Jeep (aren't my drapery ceilings lovely?) I ran the wire across the ceiling to the passenger a-pillar then down and under the carpet to the radio
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8054/8090260935_d735229fb5_b.jpg

Just a cool view of how everything looks at night:
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8048/8090264846_065ea11f9f_b.jpg


Then I got to work on the bumper trimming. Initially I just cut off the lip on the very bottom of the bumper to figure out what tools worked best for cutting. I had read that sheet metal shears work GREAT for this but personally they didn't work for me past about the first 2 inches. The blades were too thick and the bumper plastic too inflexible to continue cutting. So I switched over to the dremel tool and after trying a few different blades, found one that worked. I did have to stop about halfway through for about 30 minutes to let the dremel cool down because it was getting really hot. Here's a pic of the first cut, installed on the Jeep:
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8332/8090261587_f39707493d_b.jpg

Here's a pic of the final cut before install (waiting for it to be light and not rainy outside so I can get a good installed pic, I'll update when I've got one)
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8332/8090265716_a6f7879f16_b.jpg

I did the rough cut with the dremel and then went back and used my box cutter to smooth all the cuts out and clean everything up.


I also got the 136 amp alternator installed this weekend and was surprised and happy to find that I didn't have to modify the bracket at all for it to fit. Everything just bolted right up.

[XJ Wheeler]

Great progress Seth, Silverfoot is lookin good. That CB you have has caught my eye... until it catches the price. Love the face on that thing, blue glow and all.

[Silverfoot]

Great progress Seth, Silverfoot is lookin good. That CB you have has caught my eye... until it catches the price. Love the face on that thing, blue glow and all.

Thanks man, I really appreciate it! The price on the cb wasn't too terrible considering that I could've gotten it locally for $150, but found it for $100 on Amazon. I ended up paying a little more for the one I got, about $130, from a guy who does a couple of mods on them and sells them on ebay.

[XJ Wheeler]

Thanks man, I really appreciate it! The price on the cb wasn't too terrible considering that I could've gotten it locally for $150, but found it for $100 on Amazon. I ended up paying a little more for the one I got, about $130, from a guy who does a couple of mods on them and sells them on ebay.

That's better than i was thinking, i was going off the $150 that I've seen them for.

Also, sorry if i got the name wrong. I was assuming "Silverfoot" was the name of your jeep. I just caught it that i apparently made that assumption earlier... Give me a keyboard and no telling what'll come out.:rolleye0012::D

[Silverfoot]

That's better than i was thinking, i was going off the $150 that I've seen them for.

Also, sorry if i got the name wrong. I was assuming "Silverfoot" was the name of your jeep. I just caught it that i apparently made that assumption earlier... Give me a keyboard and no telling what'll come out.:rolleye0012::D

Yeah I'm sure I could've gone with a much cheaper radio but I've read and heard good things about cobra and having the weatherband will be really nice when I'm out in areas with no cell reception.

Silverfoot is actually one of my nicknames but I suppose it could apply to my Jeep as well lol.

[Mudderoy]

Yeah I'm sure I could've gone with a much cheaper radio but I've read and heard good things about cobra and having the weatherband will be really nice when I'm out in areas with no cell reception.

Silverfoot is actually one of my nicknames but I suppose it could apply to my Jeep as well lol.

I heard Cobra was much better before they were purchased by Uniden.

[Silverfoot]

Small update, I forgot to post the pics of the bumper after it was done:
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8190/8090886338_7e8ecd1cb1_b.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8474/8090885792_a4887b1999_b.jpg

I posted these a while back in the 'What did you do today?' thread, but I picked up a set of 5 almost brand new 32" BFG Mud Terrains for a steal and I'm hoping that come tax return time I'm hoping to buy the Iron Rock Offroad long arm kit so I can fit these bad boys.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8224/8262250992_7536346ffd_b.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8077/8262245996_e5e22422a7_b.jpg




I heard Cobra was much better before they were purchased by Uniden.

I'm not sure one way or the other tbh but I've had no problems whatsoever with my radio so far. The night I installed it I was able to talk to a friend who was just over 2 miles away as the crow flies. And the quality at that range was just as good as the times I've used it on the trail since then, when I'm 100 feet or so from the person I'm talking to, so I'm pretty pleased with it.

[Silverfoot]

I also have not swapped the intake manifold yet. I started cleaning it and left it sitting in my parents' basement for a couple months and completely forgot about it. I'm hoping to have the money for buying the miscellaneous parts I'll need for the swap here soon.

[4.3LXJ]

definitely going to need some altitude for those tires

[Silverfoot]

definitely going to need some altitude for those tires

Yeah I'm planning on the 5.5" long arm kit (I've got about 2-2.5" now), and planning on doing some trimming as well just to make sure everything clears.

[4.3LXJ]

Sounds like a plan to me

[XJ Wheeler]

I absolutely love it when zjs have their bumpers cut like that, old school method that is just awesome. :thumbsup:

[Silverfoot]

I absolutely love it when zjs have their bumpers cut like that, old school method that is just awesome. :thumbsup:

Thanks! I was really nervous at first because it is my original bumper and I didn't wanna screw it up and have to go find another one to put on. That's why I started by cutting off the lower lip first, to get a feel for which tools, methods, etc. worked best on that plastic. It took a little time and I almost burned up the dremel that I borrowed from my dad, but I'm really happy with how it turned out :)

[XJ Wheeler]

Thanks! I was really nervous at first because it is my original bumper and I didn't wanna screw it up and have to go find another one to put on. That's why I started by cutting off the lower lip first, to get a feel for which tools, methods, etc. worked best on that plastic. It took a little time and I almost burned up the dremel that I borrowed from my dad, but I'm really happy with how it turned out :)

Ya did good!

I've burned up a few dremels like that, not all were mine.:rolleye0012:

[Silverfoot]

Little update:
A few months ago my Jeep started running a little rough and after talking to a technician at a dealership where a friend of mine works, I replaced the IAC valve and the issue went right away!

New next to old IAC:
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8235/8361909508_1d7d5fcd37_c.jpg

Recently picked up a set of 4.56 gears and a locker for a HP Dana 30, which I will hopefully be picking up soon:
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8109/8525842593_b3de49b1c8_c.jpg
(I plan on replacing the D35 in the rear with a Ford 8.8 once I have a little more money after the lift I now need in order to do much wheeling)

Also finally decided to change out my spark plugs, wires, cap and rotor since I've had the Jeep for about 40,000 miles and they haven't been done in that period of time and man did they need it:
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8378/8525847399_0a53a7a2b3_c.jpg
(Gap was around .055" when it should be closer to ~.035 but otherwise they didn't look too bad.)

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8096/8525844725_57dc298f87_c.jpg

Got the new tires I picked up back in November installed and found that even before lifting there was almost no trimming necessary to DD it. Wheeling will be another story lol
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8532/8547201526_2e678c9d56_c.jpg

Very close but doesn't rub unless the suspension compresses almost all the way
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8371/8547160362_5c963fe779_c.jpg

Also FINALLY got my broken driver's door hinge bolt fixed:
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8232/8546085473_d6629665ca_c.jpg
(It was the reason I originally joined the forum back in June at a friend's suggestion to get advice on how to fix it)

[4.3LXJ]

Coming along just fine. Looks like it is ready to go wheeling :thumbsup:

[NW99XJ]

Great progress so far!
Cant wait to see how this thing comes along!

[Silverfoot]

Haha thanks guys. It needs a little more work before I get back in the rocks too seriously but that's already in the works ;)

[4x4Dalton]

Haha thanks guys. It needs a little more work before I get back in the rocks too seriously but that's already in the works ;)

You ever run up at ShoeCreek?

[Silverfoot]

You ever run up at ShoeCreek?

Oh yeah I've been up Shoe Creek several times. My first wheeling trip was to Shoe Creek early last year when my Jeep was still stock. I've also been up to Crozet and am currently a member there. I'm good friends with OverEasy from this forum and some of the other guys from teamdohc.org

[4x4Dalton]

I was in TeamDOHC when I lived up there a few yrs ago. I've ran at Shoe Creek and at Yorks place. Ask Jeremy about Bear :D

[Silverfoot]

I was in TeamDOHC when I lived up there a few yrs ago. I've ran at Shoe Creek and at Yorks place. Ask Jeremy about Bear :D

Oh yeah I think I remember him mentioning you at some point lol. Jeremy is a good dude. York's place is a ton of fun too, it's been a while since I've been out there though.

[4x4Dalton]

Oh yeah I think I remember him mentioning you at some point lol. Jeremy is a good dude. York's place is a ton of fun too, it's been a while since I've been out there though.

Yea Yorks is a cool place. Him and his dad did alot out there. Jeremy is good people that's for sure.

[Silverfoot]

Haven't posted in a while so I thought I'd update my thread. Took a wheeling trip back in June with some friends to Uwharrie, NC. Had to take the 32" tires back off and put the 30"s on so I could actually wheel since I still haven't gotten the lift installed that I bought back in April :( Anyway, here are some of the pics I took

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7447/9124645645_cd190851f1_c.jpg

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2874/9126862972_6d249da0a3_c.jpg

The group (plus a random pickup) about to head out Saturday afternoon
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7356/9124656515_5e94df611e_c.jpg

Doors off
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3696/9126873516_0d5d474c0b_c.jpg

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3690/9126872270_64d0b91a84_c.jpg

My dad took a few of me on the ramp
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2843/9124653203_ce1b929c88_c.jpg

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5458/9124652099_ffdf47d836_c.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7301/9126868766_06c8e59beb_c.jpg

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2813/9124650195_abc8e714f4_c.jpg

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3749/9124649047_3f55bb637d_c.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7298/9124647915_9851e51811_c.jpg

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5448/9126864484_c702266fd4_c.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7282/9126862532_6a7ba94c0f_c.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7419/9124860845_278163352b_c.jpg

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2814/9124861039_86f870566e_c.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7416/9124861191_140e9bbc3c_c.jpg

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2843/9124887167_db6c754bff_c.jpg

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2875/9124887367_8cb6c47dbf_c.jpg

More to follow...

[Silverfoot]

...Continued

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2813/9124887679_5d63922b97_c.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7335/9124887863_bf465b1802_c.jpg

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3698/9124888035_bd82e9de72_c.jpg

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2893/9124888231_6d09c20f0a_c.jpg

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5507/9127139180_2f3487f760_c.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7311/9127139444_0fabeb6b0f_c.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7358/9127139600_2f8d3d59c9_c.jpg

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5473/9127139774_69094770e6_c.jpg

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5510/9127139958_1bbf862f7d_c.jpg

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5512/9125303277_59219005df_c.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7377/9128719216_f6d1985969_c.jpg

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3813/9128719522_2d8084d2e4_c.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7382/9128719874_b631285931_c.jpg

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3744/9128720082_d514506c22_c.jpg

Hitting the first ledge on Daniel
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2893/9128832378_b24e6a8c2a_c.jpg

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3773/9128832628_a39b21488c_c.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7439/9128832800_5296c50b8d_c.jpg

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5447/9128832950_1d9a1dc158_c.jpg

Coming up the hill from the first ledge
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3816/9128833148_136fd45efa_c.jpg

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2881/9126642905_f083772520_c.jpg

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2816/9126643105_e16b0ef675_c.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7392/9126643289_df679c73d8_c.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7352/9126643583_535c8f2607_c.jpg

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3819/9126643789_581ed5170c_c.jpg

Shot of the view from the second ledge
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3714/9126661403_610451d35f_c.jpg

Another shot of the view
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5513/9126661579_fae4cdaae1_c.jpg

Just a few more to go...

[Silverfoot]

... Continued again...

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7296/9126661807_f728fe160f_c.jpg

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3729/9126662031_41a958dc44_c.jpg

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3685/9126662205_04a60031c8_c.jpg

View from near the top of the rock slide on Daniel
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3823/9126662347_7b9c09c484_c.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7296/9128900514_65e0f1bf32_c.jpg

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3772/9128900872_68261c44dc_c.jpg

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2830/9128901182_18000e4b81_c.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7301/9128901436_fc92c9c04e_c.jpg

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2891/9128901534_961ce3ca55_c.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7334/9128901786_5a895fc3d7_c.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7326/9128909424_fd985a566d_c.jpg

View from the top of the rock slide
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7326/9128909626_a3405f9961_c.jpg

Made it back to camp for the night
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5518/9128909916_98df7cf2ec_c.jpg


And a few videos others took:

Dickey Bell
seth dickey bell

DSCF0158

2nd Ledge on Daniel
Seth on Daniel

[Silverfoot]

And then about a week or so ago I bought some steel wheels to replace the stock aluminum ones I beat the heck out of at Uwharrie. Got the 32"s mounted on them yesterday and put them on the Jeep

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7325/9557529773_5d96c89e4a_c.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7444/9560325428_f918e461a0_c.jpg

I'm hoping to have my LA lift installed soon, just waiting to hear back from the guy who's hopefully installing it for me as to when he can fit me in. Also, SOLID dif covers for front and rear should arrive today and I'll get those on after the lift is installed.

[4.3LXJ]

Looks like you had lots of fun there. Get that lift on and get back to it :D

[Silverfoot]

Looks like you had lots of fun there. Get that lift on and get back to it :D

We had a blast lol. And that's definitely the plan. We've got a trip to a local, fairly easy trail called Shoe Creek planned in about a month and I'm hoping to have it done by then so I can get a feel for it before a trip up to Rausch Creek in PA in late October.

[4.3LXJ]

Once you go up, you will never go down :D

[Silverfoot]

So the lift finally got installed a few weeks ago after sitting in my living room since the beginning of April thanks to a friend of a friend. We didn't end up making the Rausch Creek trip due to a whole lot of shit hitting the fan at the last minute but it's probably all for the best. Getting the alignment done today bc it's waaay off lol.

Next on the list is to get an apparent exhaust leak checked out and fixed as it is constantly drawing the fumes into the cabin through the defrost vents (whether I have the air on or not) so I have to drive with the windows down all the time. Following that I'll be looking at how to re-mount my skid plates to the new transmission crossmember and whether I can actually do it myself or if I'll have to have some extra material welded to the crossmember in order to drill mounting holes. I also picked up a factory gas tank skid a couple months ago that I'll eventually get around to installing.

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3756/10741732864_d8d61ca794_c.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7323/10741732894_03004aea18_c.jpg

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3667/10741733244_47f379df2c_c.jpg

Edit: Oh and I'm currently dealing with a pretty serious battery drain issue. My temporary solution was to install a cheap set of quick release battery terminals and just disconnect them basically any time it's sitting for more than an hour. It was drained completely dead over night. Been doing some looking around at various causes of battery drain issues and I'm gonna do some poking around this weekend to try and solve it.

[SkillsHunte]

Haaa Your build is getting really nice man,Love your Zj,darn you guys have epic places where you live....theres no place like those in canada haha Anyways keep it up, ill folow your build,seems like an epic project

[XJ Wheeler]

Now that looks good! Great stance now. :D

Sent via messenger pigeon - i talk, he types.