Black Mistress

[Jeephead98]

So, I am kinda doing a post-ish type of build thread. Most of the big stuff is done, but as most of you know- you are never finished! I am going to post photos in order leading up to where it sits now. I did not get a lot of step by step photos. But you get the point. I paid 1k for this 1998, the guy could not keep it running. I found out that they had the totally wrong plugs in it, did a complete tune-up and it runs like a raped ape now!

This is shortly after I got it!
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w104/jeephead93/imagejpeg_25.jpg
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w104/jeephead93/imagejpeg_26.jpg

I pulled the valve cover because it was puking oil all over the driveway. It was actually pretty clean- no sludge!
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w104/jeephead93/imagejpeg_24.jpg

[Jeephead98]

When I started this build, I decided to address every little issue or problem I have ever encountered in the last four XJ's that I have built. So I just started at the front and worked my way back!

Pulled the front axle out-took me 20 minutes. New record for me!
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w104/jeephead93/imagejpeg_22.jpg

This is the new axle that is going under the front. HD Dana 44 out of a 1973 F-250.
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w104/jeephead93/imagejpeg_21.jpg

This is what is going under the rear. Dana 60 out of a 1976 F-250.
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w104/jeephead93/jeep6.jpg

Both of these axles came out of my previous XJ that I twisted the unibody on. I pulled anything that I needed and then sent it to the big scrapyard in the sky!

[Jeephead98]

Once I pulled the axle, I installed the the Scorpion inspired front bumper.
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w104/jeephead93/jeep3.jpg

After the bumper was on I then proceeded to install the TNT frame stiffeners. Sorry, no pic of that install. :( Had to get those on before installing the TNT belly pan.
Side note: Since there was no axle under the front end, I took advantage of easy access. I replaced the rear main seal, replaced the oil pan gasket, pulled the t-case and did a rebuild -including the SYE install, and replaced the seals on the tranny!
Once all that was done, the front axle slid into place fairly easy.
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w104/jeephead93/jeep8.jpg

[Jeephead98]

I was able to get the PSC power steering pump to fit with some other old brackets i had sitting around. Saved me a few bucks!
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w104/jeephead93/imagejpeg_2jeep.jpg

After that I got the winch and front tires on.
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w104/jeephead93/jeep5.jpg

At this stage, this is what it looked like.
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w104/jeephead93/jeep4.jpg

[cantab27]

now thas looking good steve.......nice work mate

[4.3LXJ]

Nice job. Sure helps to have stuff that has been in an XJ before eh?

[nickxj94]

Very nice!

[bluedragon436]

That is looking like it is going to be one beastly build once it's done..

[NW99XJ]

LOVING IT!!!
....of course I'm a little partial to the black XJ's.....
Jealous of the axles,
I frickin LOVE the looks of that bumper by the way!
Cant wait to see that 60 under this thing!

[XJ Wheeler]

Great work so far, nice beast of a build. That bumper does look sweet.

[07Negative]

I'd like to see a write up with images of doing the rear main seal. Mine is leaking as well, but so is everything else. I'm working on them one at a time.

[Jeephead98]

I did not take pics of the rear main replacement. BUT, I think I have a core motor that I can do a repair thread on!

[Jeephead98]

So, the next phase was to move to the rear. I got underneath the rear to assess what was ahead of me. I see this big black box just staring at me! I was like WTF is this. Figured out it is part of the emissions and purge system. So I decided to re-locate it up with the gas tank.
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w104/jeephead93/jeep7.jpg

Once the "black box" was removed, I removed the rear axle. Took me 45 minutes. Stupid shackle bolts were stubborn!
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w104/jeephead93/jeep9.jpg

[07Negative]

I broke both shackle bolts! Shit, I've broken damn near every bolt I've tried to extract from my Jeep. But those 2 I was pissed about. I had to order new ones from the dealer.
I questioned that same black box about 3 days ago. Wondered if that's how I'd be located if me and my passenger(s) here to ever crash.

[Jeephead98]

The next task I undertook was pulling the gas tank up into the cargo area. I want the clearance in the rear. the rocks are big here in Colorado! ;) I didn't get any pics of the cut in the cargo area. Sorry.
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w104/jeephead93/jeep10.jpg
You can see the emission canister in between the tank and the seat.

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w104/jeephead93/jeep11.jpg

[NW99XJ]

Once mine gets retired to toy only status, , I'll be doing the same mod.

[Jeephead98]

Just last week I made the rack to go over the fuel tank in the cargo area!

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w104/jeephead93/jeep%2013_zpsac7623eb.jpg

[Jeephead98]

Ok, so I finished up the rear D60 install! However, I did not remember to takes pics of the progress. Sorry, was too excited about how close I was getting to actually driving it. :} So here are some pics of the final product underneath it.

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w104/jeephead93/jeep%2012%20(1)_zps87713db0.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w104/jeephead93/17_zps0257de52.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w104/jeephead93/16_zps479c3553.jpg

Another pic of the front from underneath!

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w104/jeephead93/18_zpsfc3cd6fc.jpg

This is how she sits right now!

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w104/jeephead93/19_zpsda804887.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w104/jeephead93/jeep12.jpg

[XJ Wheeler]

Whoo! That thing has taken a quick turn toward awesome.

[4.3LXJ]

What did you use for rear coils?

[bluedragon436]

The Mistress looks amazing.. You can feel free to come up to DE and build me a LA setup!! Cant wait to see how it continues to progress..

[Jeephead98]

The rear coils are actually front factory XJ coils. :)

[07Negative]

Ok, so I finished up the rear D60 install! However, I did not remember to takes pics of the progress. Sorry, was too excited about how close I was getting to actually driving it. :} So here are some pics of the final product underneath it.

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w104/jeephead93/jeep%2012%20(1)_zps87713db0.jpg

So I have a question about the axle end shock location. I see that you've situated the shocks vertically. Shocks are more effective in this position opposed to at a angle, right?
I was going to relocate my axle end shock mount as well and was wondering if there is a desired location over stock? I have the JKS rear upper shock mount bar that allows different positioning. So if I relocate my axle end mount can I move it more in ward like how you've done? Or is ideal to keep it in the relatively similar location as how OEM has it, I'll just move it up and out of the way?
This is on a Chrysler 8.25 by the way. Leaf packs not linked.

[4.3LXJ]

The rear coils are actually front factory XJ coils. :)

Thanks. How much lift?

[bluedragon436]

Uh oh, Steve is coming closer to his plan of linking his rear axle!!! Maybe one day I'll make it to that level...

[4.3LXJ]

Uh oh, Steve is coming closer to his plan of linking his rear axle!!! Maybe one day I'll make it to that level...

I have had the plan for some time. Just haven't found what coils I want. Found some Ford variable rate coils off a mini van the other day that looked real promising

[Jeephead98]

The coils in the rear sit it about 8.5" lift normally. I raised the coil buckets about 3/4" to compensate for the weight of the gear that is gonna be back there. Right now it sits higher than that because the gas tank is pretty empty, no bumper on it yet, no tools, and the spare tire will bring it down to right around where I want it to be.

As far as the shock comment/question. Shocks are designed to do just that-absorb impact or shock. You don't want to mount your shocks at too much of a pitch, defeats the purpose. Look at the shocks on the front of your XJ. They don't control, direct, or limit the functionality of your suspension. They absorb excessive harsh up/down travel due to varying road conditions. They could cause an issue if you install shocks that limit the travel of your suspension on up and/or down travel. Ideally, shocks perform the best the closer they are to the wheel, which equals better absorption. On my rig it is not an issue, it's not a DD- she is a trailer queen! Although I do like to drive it around town every now and then, and it rides like my old 68' Caddy Sedan Deville. On a side note, my shocks mount to the factory shock mounts. :p Of course that all goes out the window when you start messing around with coil-overs.

[Jeephead98]

So I took her out this weekend to see what she will do. She climbed right up everything i Pointed her at with little effort. I flexed her up to measure for bump-stops too!
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w104/jeephead93/imagejpeg_27.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w104/jeephead93/jeeppppp.jpg

You can see that I need to add about 6" to the bumpstop mount and I should be good to go for the most part.
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w104/jeephead93/heep.jpg

[Jeephead98]

Here are a couple vids to watch. We were just testing things out a bit. Didn't get too crazy because I still need to do some more trimming and add bumpstops.

M2U00023.mp4 video by jeephead93 - Photobucket@@AMEPARAM@@file=http%3A%2F%2Fvid174.ph otobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fw104%2Fjeephead93%2FM2U00 023.mp4@@AMEPARAM@@file=http%3A%2F%2Fvid174.photob ucket.com%2Falbums%2Fw104%2Fjeephead93%2FM2U00023. mp4

M2U00025.mp4 video by jeephead93 - Photobucket@@AMEPARAM@@file=http%3A%2F%2Fvid174.ph otobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fw104%2Fjeephead93%2FM2U00 025.mp4@@AMEPARAM@@file=http%3A%2F%2Fvid174.photob ucket.com%2Falbums%2Fw104%2Fjeephead93%2FM2U00025. mp4

M2U00024.mp4 video by jeephead93 - Photobucket@@AMEPARAM@@file=http%3A%2F%2Fvid174.ph otobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fw104%2Fjeephead93%2FM2U00 024.mp4@@AMEPARAM@@file=http%3A%2F%2Fvid174.photob ucket.com%2Falbums%2Fw104%2Fjeephead93%2FM2U00024. mp4

[bluedragon436]

That flex looks very nice... Wish I could afford or had the knowledge to hook up links front and rear... then again we have nothing quite that nice to flex out on up in DE... Keep the pics coming!!

[rugidone]

Well done sir! Very sexy mistress ya got there!

[Mudderoy]

So I took her out this weekend to see what she will do. She climbed right up everything i Pointed her at with little effort. I flexed her up to measure for bump-stops too!
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w104/jeephead93/imagejpeg_27.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w104/jeephead93/jeeppppp.jpg

You can see that I need to add about 6" to the bumpstop mount and I should be good to go for the most part.
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w104/jeephead93/heep.jpg

Gee that's pretty! :popcorn:

[Hellraisingvtec]

looks like its a beast

[5-Speed XJ]

this things sick man

[Jeephead98]

Well, it has been a while since I last posted! Time flies and holidays happen!
So in early October I took her out to Moab for her first trail runs. The first day we did a really easy scenic run with a buddy. I don't think I ever put it in 4wd!
The second day we went to hit Poison Spider. Well, I got to screwing around on the big corner ledge on the switchbacks at the beginning of the trail and SNAP!!! I broke an axle shaft in the rear! I was soooo pissed at myself. Not because it broke, but because I didn't bring a spare! DOH!!!
So we just decided to go hit the Arches and call it a week! I was sooo sad! Gonna have to go back again!

This is what the rear Dana 60 shaft looked like after I got done with it!

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w104/jeephead93/2012-11-23221500.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w104/jeephead93/2012-11-23221512.jpg

[4.3LXJ]

Nice carnage Steve. Going after alloy shafts now?

[Jeephead98]

Gonna throw another stock shaft in it for now until the funds dictate that I can get some stronger shafts. This is the first axle shaft I have EVER broken!!!

[bluedragon436]

That is some nice carnage.... I hope I am lucky and don't grenade an axle shaft for a while...