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TCapps
05-19-2017, 06:50 AM
I'm starting this post to chronicle my progression.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170519/bb6cb34a1efee1a687adb63e8ec0fcc4.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170519/5211a57b7cb68492b6674b88e50fb0a2.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170519/6db0c3985d681e4f719827ecbf6b6b11.jpg

Here's my start point. I can't wait to look back at this and see what she's become.

Currently mostly stock. The only thing I know for now is that the head has been replace so I don't have to worry about the 0331. I've got the 7120. (Just need exhaust adapter)

Looking forward to the people I meet on the journey!


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bluedragon436
05-19-2017, 07:34 AM
That is a pretty nice and clean looking XJ to start any kind of build off of.. or even just to drive daily as is... Look forward to seeing it as she progresses to whatever it is you want of her!! Always fun to be able to look back and see all the progression and changes!!

OrangeXJ
05-19-2017, 09:04 AM
Clean XJ. I live in Kemah and have driven by Select Jeeps lot many times and have never seen a XJ there. I hope you did not get raped there jeeps seem to be a bit over priced to me. Don't get me wrong they sell some really nice jeeps and have never heard any complaints about them.

TCapps
05-19-2017, 09:33 AM
Clean XJ. I live in Kemah and have driven by Select Jeeps lot many times and have never seen a XJ there. I hope you did not get raped there jeeps seem to be a bit over priced to me. Don't get me wrong they sell some really nice jeeps and have never heard any complaints about them.



Awesome I've been trying to find some ppl in my area.

Didn't get raped to bad but yeah it was the only one on the lot. I'd been looking for a month to find one that didn't need real major work right off the bat. Glad they had it.


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4.3LXJ
05-19-2017, 11:17 AM
I agree, very nice and clean. It always helps to start with one that is all there and looks good

TCapps
05-19-2017, 11:25 AM
I'm pretty stoked to get started but I've got this stupid thing called work in my way right now.


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4.3LXJ
05-19-2017, 11:26 AM
So like, where are your priorities anyway man? :D

TCapps
05-19-2017, 01:36 PM
Right now get her purring nice, keeping her cool, and adding some power. Down the road 2 or 4", bigger tires, all that. It's still a rough draft. I'm not sure. once I get more and more into it I'll figure out what I want her to do.


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MattybPDX
05-19-2017, 03:04 PM
Right now get her purring nice, keeping her cool, and adding some power. Down the road 2 or 4", bigger tires, all that. It's still a rough draft. I'm not sure. once I get more and more into it I'll figure out what I want her to do.


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There's always more to to do! Get a bigger lift than what you want so when it settles you end up with what you wanted originally.

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TCapps
05-20-2017, 02:58 PM
First step getting a new cooling system. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170520/1f2ad1dfeab5052087925286f45563b0.jpg




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TCapps
06-04-2017, 11:53 PM
Nothing feels better that taking a hot gojo shower after being shoulder deep in my girl.

Had a great weekend searching pull-a-parts for odds and ends.

After that spent the days tuning her up. New spark plugs, coil pack, alternator, oil pump, oil pickup, and oil pan gasket. Also nice tall glass of beer for me and 6 quarts of oil for the lady.

She's running like a dream!

Now to wait for next weekends adventure [emoji41][emoji41]


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TCapps
06-09-2017, 01:11 PM
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170609/99fcee90fbd9a293d177cb7e848de276.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170609/104c83aad0bc39f1173699b041624d35.jpg

Here's a Visual update.


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4.3LXJ
06-09-2017, 01:31 PM
Very clean looking

TCapps
06-09-2017, 01:40 PM
Thanks. Just have to buff out the dirt built up from where the badges used to be. Instilling a cowl intake tomorrow.


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TCapps
06-09-2017, 03:04 PM
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170609/19724018ef13e92537cd7bf60393dcde.jpg


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MattybPDX
06-09-2017, 05:41 PM
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170609/19724018ef13e92537cd7bf60393dcde.jpg


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Sweeeeet. I'm thinking of doing a cowl intake.

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TCapps
06-09-2017, 06:04 PM
From my research this was the better option because Itll pull air from outside the engine compartment. Some ppl didn't like the way it sounds but I think I'll be just fine. Installing it tomorrow. Can't wait [emoji4]


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TCapps
06-10-2017, 02:17 PM
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170610/9f8566a28dacf5363b0f837ad416a2a8.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170610/bbc2ca4dd227d5fc6fe468ba18952ab2.jpg


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MattybPDX
06-10-2017, 07:42 PM
From my research this was the better option because Itll pull air from outside the engine compartment. Some ppl didn't like the way it sounds but I think I'll be just fine. Installing it tomorrow. Can't wait [emoji4]


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In theory couldn't you just put some dynamat in there and that would block the sound from getting in the cab?


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TCapps
06-10-2017, 07:49 PM
I'm not sure, the noise its not bad I just have a high whistle when I'm at a high throttle. I'm thinking it's the little bit of over cut I did or from the space in the bracket that holds the the pipe. I'll have to do some trial and error


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TCapps
07-25-2017, 06:37 AM
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170725/40dbc3cf293a7daf5cd7d18c960e252b.jpg

Had some fun yesterday.


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Pinkyman
07-25-2017, 09:31 AM
Nothing feels better that taking a hot gojo shower after being shoulder deep in my girl.

Quoted for reference. :rolleye0012:

Nice looking Xj!

XJ Wheeler
07-26-2017, 08:57 PM
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170725/40dbc3cf293a7daf5cd7d18c960e252b.jpg

Had some fun yesterday.


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[emoji106]

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bluedragon436
07-28-2017, 11:07 AM
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170609/19724018ef13e92537cd7bf60393dcde.jpg


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Curious how long you had to wait for your cowl intake, and did you order it directly from THOR??

TCapps
07-28-2017, 11:11 AM
Curious how long you had to wait for your cowl intake, and did you order it directly from THOR??



I ordered it direct from THOR. it came in like a week or so.

The only thing I wasn't happy about was I thought it was going to black and green like the their web site pictures showed. Mine came chrome.


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bluedragon436
07-30-2017, 06:43 PM
I ordered it direct from THOR. it came in like a week or so.

The only thing I wasn't happy about was I thought it was going to black and green like the their web site pictures showed. Mine came chrome.


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I've been hearing some mixed reviews on ordering them... so that is why I was wondering if you had ordered it direct and how long it took to get... I'll have to look into it once I get some money coming in again... I too wish it was a black tube.. as I'm not a huge fan of shiny things like that.. Maybe I'll have to hit up my powder coating guy and see how much it'd run to get it powder coated.. along with valve cover... figure got to do a new cover gasket.. might as well pick one up from the JY and have it powder coated up..

TCapps
07-30-2017, 06:47 PM
I need to get a powder coating guy.


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bluedragon436
07-30-2017, 06:51 PM
I need to get a powder coating guy.


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I've got two of them, one of them, I'm not sure if I'll go back to or not.. Had him powder coat my rock rails with a textured black, and less than two weeks after getting them back and installing them, had surface rust coming through... drives me nuts... But the other guy I used to work with in the AF, and he said I could bring him the rails, along with the bumpers I was going to have him coat... and he'll strip them all and reshoot them all for me.. Thinking about having him coat the factory rims off of my Ram, when I go to replace the tires on it.. I can't wait until I get a place of my own... and maybe then I'll look into picking up a decent size oven, and start doing powder coating myself.. but for now.. I'll continue to support local folks that do good deals..

TCapps
07-30-2017, 06:57 PM
I feel you on that. I just want my own place so I don't have to go over to my buddy's house just to do work. Like right now I need a new power steering pump but I'd have to go there because we can't work on cars in the park lot.


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denverd1
07-31-2017, 04:29 PM
looks good!

cantab27
07-31-2017, 05:02 PM
chrome /black maybe a heat thing ??

TCapps
07-31-2017, 05:08 PM
Could be. Ether way it's works like a dream didn't have to worry about water last week when I was playing in the mud.


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denverd1
08-01-2017, 08:48 AM
Could be. Ether way it's works like a dream didn't have to worry about water last week when I was playing in the mud.


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It is nice to not have to watch another rig or 2 go through a little water to make sure you're not gonna do serious damage. Have had water over the hood a few times since I put mine on, she just keeps purring right on through it.

on paint/powdercoat - I'd just rough up that chrome and shoot it with high temp primer then paint it. especially if powdercoat guy is putting out shoddy work.

cantab27
08-01-2017, 03:27 PM
if its not over the hood ya doing it wrong ......^^^^^^^

denverd1
08-01-2017, 04:12 PM
haha!!! Wayne, what's your count? 1 engine and 2 trannies??

cantab27
08-01-2017, 04:22 PM
haha!!! Wayne, what's your count? 1 engine and 2 trannies??

one trans..............................:D......heat killed other two funny enough :smiley-laughing021:

denverd1
08-05-2017, 12:40 AM
one trans..............................:D......heat killed other two funny enough :smiley-laughing021:All that high speed tricky stuff[emoji2]

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TCapps
08-07-2017, 07:21 PM
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170808/f03fc6fa5a5220cd879db2ffd091bf0d.jpg

Changed out my power steering pump today. Got a bad leak after my off road adventures last week.

TCapps
10-14-2017, 10:20 PM
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171015/f861ce491dcc25ad4d4fc6ea438834bf.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171015/75d6996915888c270aa0d0d819169691.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171015/9e1cdbfb9dc2d74aeee063379c752389.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171015/6e89dfce96ca7a70c598ffc0126a2abb.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171015/63eff0c9ec281544fa1bd13b6545b329.jpg

In the middle of installing a new head, lifters, push rods, rocker arms, and a hi-flow water pump.

The cylinders were BAD! I put a before and after of it. Took me over an hour to get all the crap off it.

I’ll be finishing it all up tomorrow. Broke a couple of bolts to have to mess with that in the morning.


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bluedragon436
10-14-2017, 10:34 PM
Those are some nice and clean looking pistons and head.. Can't wait until I can afford to rebuild my 4.0.. or at least the spare one I have.. lol

TCapps
11-03-2017, 06:52 PM
Anyone know why I can only find RHD Dana 30 3.55? I need a new front axle. Maybe. This is what I opened up the other day
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171103/b16ccdba602278babaa62c069b15a102.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171103/8e7efbab42959885653e9ced89037196.jpg

I can lift up on my pinion and walk it around so it’s shot.

How hard is it to replace the bearings and seals? My skill level is about a 4.


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XJ Wheeler
11-03-2017, 07:14 PM
I don't know the answer to this but I pose another question for more knowledgeable folks that may help you. Can you use a low pinion driver's side diff (standard rotation) from a tj, yj, zj, wj, on your high pinion passenger diff? Just thinking you may be able to pick up a used grand cherokee axle pretty cheap and if it fits swap the internals over. That is, if it damaged parts and not just bearings.

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4.3LXJ
11-03-2017, 07:50 PM
I would say that is not quite enough for a diff rebuild. But I can tell you that if you truly have found right hand drop D30s cheap, pick one up and get a left had drop too. You will have the best of both worlds after you combine the two and get rid of those unit bearings in the front. Old school hubs are much stronger and more reilable

TCapps
11-03-2017, 07:54 PM
What? I’m so confused


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4.3LXJ
11-03-2017, 07:57 PM
The left hand drop D30s were all like our XJ, YJ, TJ and ZJs, left hand drop with unit bearing hubs. The right had drop axle all had free wheeling hubs as far as I know, which are stronger. It makes a slick upgrade for the D30 to put the old school knuckles and hubs on the newer D30

TCapps
11-03-2017, 08:53 PM
So what I figured out is the carrier bearing is shot. Anyone with experience in this replacement


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4.3LXJ
11-03-2017, 09:18 PM
Yes. You need a dial indicator to start with, and considering your pinion yoke is moving around, I think you would need to start over to have something that would last. Rebuilding from something like this is harder than starting from scratch. You would be much better off and save a lot of time if you found a good used XJ or ZJ front end

TCapps
11-03-2017, 09:19 PM
Okay. Good to know.


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4.3LXJ
11-03-2017, 09:47 PM
I know it is not what you might like to hear, but it is an involved process. And considering the price of bearings and an install kit, you can probably get a used front end for about the same price

TCapps
11-03-2017, 09:50 PM
Yeah wanted to do new but it almost seems impossible to get a new front axle. Plus the price is crazy.


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89limited_hero
11-04-2017, 12:05 AM
You never stated the year of your xj but since you talk about the 0331 head had been replaced. My guess is a 00 or 01. Look for a high pinion dana 30 95 or newer it swap in. Bit more stronger then the low pinion. And will bolt up.

TCapps
11-04-2017, 12:18 AM
It’s 00


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TCapps
11-28-2017, 06:37 AM
Well she’s gone.

If anyone’s in the area and needs new injectors, coil pack, or head let me know.


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