Project Old Yeller

[Pinkyman]

I would like to introduce "Old Yeller" AKA "Helga Hufflepuff" as my wife calls it. We went out to dinner Saturday night and met up with my good friend and his wife and daughter, and made it official! He also included a color coded 3 ring binder with everything in it, the stock stereo and speakers, and a box full of spare sensors, gears, diff covers etc.....

So here she is, along with the details on it, (as much as I know so far anyways...)

2001 Jeep Xj in Solar Yellow
Hasnt seen a winter in 9 years
One owner
152K miles
5.5" Rustys lift
SYE
Tom woods driveshafts front and rear (With a spare TW driveshaft)
Front and rear armored bumpers
HD steering with spare steering parts
Quick disconnects
Gas tank/trans/t-case skid plates
Rock sliders
All new AC system and heater core, water pump etc...
CB with magnetic roof antenna
New door hinges
Front and rear extended bumpstops


Stereo:
6.5" Infinity Kappa Perfect component speakers all around
Alpine stereo with Imprint module (uses laptop and an external mic to tune the sound)
Alpine PDX-V9 5-channel amplifier (100x4, and 500x1) with auxilary fan
JL 10W6 10" subwoofer in a stealthbox


The first order of business will be new tires this week, and possibly new black wheels. The tires on it are coming up on 10 years old, and its got a decent wobble at 50. I rotated the tires yesterday, and it went away, so im confident that its a bad tire, and it has a pretty decent tire pull as well. Im just debating on keeping the current wheels, or going with black... Either way, im super excited about this thing, and being able to use it as a wheeler, and also as a driver once in a while. Its a relief to not have any engine knock (normal or not), and to know how well its been taken care of since day 1.

Anyways, on to the pictures :thumbsup:


https://i.imgur.com/Zq0HeY3.jpg

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[4.3LXJ]

OK, I am properly blinded now. Donning the welding hood so I can look at it. What is up with that dull avatar now. I have to take the hood off to see it. AAUUGH, now I am blinded again :D

[Pinkyman]

Well ive driven it to work the last 2 days, and everything is going well (other than the tires). I also noticed that its got a misfire when its warm, after i drive it for a while, then shut it off and start it again. I believe this is due to the heat soak(?) issue, and i will be looking into heat wrapping the injector rails to hopefully resolve it.

Im also still debating tires. I was looking at the Toyo Open Country M/Ts last night, and those are looking pretty decent.

I also got prime jeep parking at the kiddos soccer game last night. I cant wait to see how well this thing drives with new shoes on it!

https://i.imgur.com/P9lG78u.jpg

​​​​​​​https://i.imgur.com/H5tHp1b.jpg

[4.3LXJ]

Those look like decent KM2s. How come you want new shoes?

[Pinkyman]

Those look like decent KM2s. How come you want new shoes?

These ones have lots of tread, but they are 10 years old, and weather checked pretty bad. Also, one had a mean wobble to it, I had to throw it on the rear for now, and now i have a nasty tire pull..... This one is going to be a driver (except in winter), so i need some good shoes on it for hauling the wife and little man around.

[4.3LXJ]

Gotcha. Been looking at the Toyos myself. Getting hard to find good load range C tires now that are very tall

[Pinkyman]

Well i got some new shoes mounted up yesterday. 33x12.5x15 Cooper STT Pros, and man they are nice! The road noise is minimal, and the ride is fantastic! I had a local company come out to my house and install them while the little man and I observed. Im excited to see how these do on a 3 hour road trip followed with trail rides at the end of the month :thumbsup:

https://i.imgur.com/pp2ctx9.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/rP0CL0Z.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/bPjfWyF.jpg

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https://i.imgur.com/w8BQHvg.jpg

[4.3LXJ]

Looks good. I wish they had those in larger sizes

[denverd1]

looks good!

you gonna stiffen the "frame"?

[Pinkyman]

looks good!

you gonna stiffen the "frame"?

Im not sure on that yet. Id like to get to that eventually. I also need to work on getting those bolt on rock sliders off and welding in some 2x6....

[Pookapotamus]

factory yellow!!!!!




Jelous!

[Pinkyman]

I had my first issue the other day. On my way to work i noticed a burning oil smell, and saw a small puff of smoke from the corner of the hood. I inspected it when I got home, and there was oil all over, so i cleaned it up, and took it for literally a 3 minute drive, and then I got under it and saw this... Looks like the oil pan gasket needs replacement. I tightened up the bolt (less than 1/4 turn) and it slowed it dramatically, so at least I can drive it now without the leaking/burning oil off the exhaust.

I also got my new badges :thumbsup:

https://i.imgur.com/S0sqm2t.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/sD8DsXk.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/zsKngKS.jpg

[4.3LXJ]

Love that badge

[Pinkyman]

Well tightening up the bolts obviously didnt help, since the leak is worse now...... I guess i know what im doing this weekend. Ugh.

https://i.imgur.com/I8BTWmd.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/ayb8dOr.jpg

[4.3LXJ]

Well, those things happen. It is after all a few years old. I will put my leak up against yours and see which is worse. :D

[Pinkyman]

Well upon further inspection on lunch, I found that i have a cracked front diff breather tube..... Its directly above the front driveshaft, and thats why it only leaks when its warm after shooting down the highway.

So i guess ill be looking at what size hose that is, and picking some up on my way home tonight.

https://i.imgur.com/AlULzJz.jpg

[4.3LXJ]

If that is it, sounds like an easy fix

[Pinkyman]

I just got done replacing that hose, and I’m not convinced that was the issue. It had a small cut in it, but I don’t think it went past the outer layer..... And it passed the blow test. I don’t know...... I guess I’ll keep an eye on it with the new hose and see what happens.

[4.3LXJ]

I was skeptical, but I kept my mouth shut on that. After all, I am not there. So you think it is a valve cover or pinion seal? If it is a pinion seal, I will give you the torque specs for the crush sleeve

[Pinkyman]

It might be a pinion seal, but its hard to say. It only seems to leak on longer trips, or when im going 75 down the highway. I did find that the SOLID brand diff covers have a fill plug that is like 2" higher than the factory one, so I may drain out a little fluid and see what happens...

https://i.imgur.com/5tprt5X.jpg




In other news, I got my new winch all mounted and set up yesterday. Its the Smittybilt 9500.

https://i.imgur.com/hUYGLWi.jpg

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[4.3LXJ]

Cool, that front end was looking a little naked without it :D

[Pinkyman]

Well I drained about 3/4 of a quart out of the front diff last night. I believe its still overfull slightly, but its closer to the factory fill hole height.

I drove it in to work today 34 miles on the highway and it didnt seem to leak at all. Fingers crossed!

[4.3LXJ]

Could have been it then I guess

[bluedragon436]

Hopefully that is it... I know mine is filled to just below the fill hole on the Solid cover, and as far as I remember the last time I looked it wasn't wet down there... but will defiantly have to take a look tonight when I get ready to head the gym...

[Pinkyman]

Well i have put on a few hundred miles since then without an issue, so Im calling that a win :-)

I also got the Jeep all loaded up last night for the Iron Rock Offroad Customer Appreciation Days this weekend in Northern MN. It should be a great time, and im really excited to see what this ol girl is capable of, since its the first time ill have it on the trails!

https://i.imgur.com/8L1x89l.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/QpzzYz0.jpg

[4.3LXJ]

O man, enclosed trailer, very fancy. Have a good time

[denverd1]

I didn't think the diff was the issue either, but if it's no longer leaking, that's a good sign! have fun

[Pinkyman]

Well we went out to the Iron Rock Customer Appreciation Event this weekend, and what a blast as always! The new jeep took everything like a champ! Its really a night and day difference between that and my old one. I ran into a slight issue, as I found out that the rock rails need to be wider, and i had a rock bite my passenger rear door. Other than that everything was great, and it made it a lot more fun being able to take it on trails that I would not even try to take my old one on.

So my next order of business is to figure out if i want to cut the rockers out, or just build some kickers off of the rock sliders that I currently have, and just angle the kickers up a little so that I can avoid having that happen again.

https://i.imgur.com/tYH9xgK.jpg

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[Pinkyman]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2dVGMRw0P4

[4.3LXJ]

Love that band aid. You are right, a little wider on the rock sliders. I have noticed that when they stick out they start hitting your leg when getting in the vehicle though

[Pinkyman]

Love that band aid. You are right, a little wider on the rock sliders. I have noticed that when they stick out they start hitting your leg when getting in the vehicle though

I think ill take hitting my leg on it over damaging my door hahahaha

[4.3LXJ]

I am thinking seriously of something bolt on for wheeling that I can remove

[cj4a nz]

Love the Bandaid, where did you get that one?
When I Put my sill protectors on I made them about the width of the doors as mentioned above your leg rubs on them everytime you get in or out, which is an issue for those shorter people or with your lift probably everyone, looking at the photo's would a wider slide made any difference? and not sure if you could build a " bolt on" extension to be fitted before you go out playing and removed for being your daily driver?

[Pinkyman]

Love the Bandaid, where did you get that one?
When I Put my sill protectors on I made them about the width of the doors as mentioned above your leg rubs on them everytime you get in or out, which is an issue for those shorter people or with your lift probably everyone, looking at the photo's would a wider slide made any difference? and not sure if you could build a " bolt on" extension to be fitted before you go out playing and removed for being your daily driver?

A wider one may have helped, but who knows.... Im just going to get some kickers to weld on, being that this only sees the road a couple times a month, and gets stored for the winter, im not too worried about hitting my legs on it.

[Pinkyman]

Not much new here. Took it out a few times with no more damage. Trying to prepare myself for storing it for the impending winter. Mom picked up a new JLU Rubicon yesterday, so ill probably get some small goodies for that, since as soon as shes sick of it, it will be mine lol!

https://i.imgur.com/b9MZ8FR.jpg

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[4.3LXJ]

Don't you just love those hand me downs?

[denverd1]

sweet ride. standard too!

[Pinkyman]

I got to drive the JLU for the first time the other day, and damn that thing is cool!! I have to say, it makes my Xj seem............ Well, its super nice hahahaha. The little man loves it too. I cant wait to get some delran door pins in it, and to get the new badges on it for her lol

https://i.imgur.com/mlmgib2.jpg

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[4.3LXJ]

They make stuff nicer every year. Jeeps have come a long way from when I started driving them

[cj4a nz]

an interesting looking locker switch.
might be me all the electric's look to low for waist dep water wading, Read getting stuck in ...

may be a slight bit jealous

[bluedragon436]

That's a pretty nice looking JLUR.... If I had the money.. I might would look into getting one.. Well I'd probably still look at a JKUR... But still pretty sweet looking ride...

[Pinkyman]

The temptation for some lunch time wheeling is real..........

https://i.imgur.com/Gv551U6.jpg

​​​​​​​https://i.imgur.com/XhQnfRh.jpg

[carloxj]

Nice looking XJ. You did an awesome job! Btw, the JLU looks really nice also.

[Pinkyman]

We ventured up to the MN/Canada border over the weekend with Moms new JLU Rubicon. It snowed a good 6" on Friday night into Saturday, and I was able to take the jeep out for some adventuring. I can say, man that thing does great in the deep stuff. Sure is more cushy than my Xj lol.

I only lost my drone in the trees once, but my nephew was able to retreive it. After that, I stuck to still photos lol.

https://i.imgur.com/le8bERt.jpg

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[4.3LXJ]

Fun times. Yes, the new stuff is nicer than our old stuff if you can afford it

[Pinkyman]

Not much new here. The XJ has been parked for most of the winter in an attempt to keep it clean. I caved last night though, and had to take it out to the store quick. The STT Pros did absolutely amazing! I may have to say screw it and just start driving it in the winter..... I only need it to last 5 more years lol.

Im going to be ordering some of the rock slider "kickers" to weld onto the current sliders, so i can hopefully avoid taking another boulder to the door. And i ordered up some Delran door pins for the JL.

https://i.imgur.com/6oIslBE.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/WalBP3w.jpg

[4.3LXJ]

Gotta show it some love when it is cold too ya know :D

[Pinkyman]

I also passed my HAM exam last weekend, and picked up some equipment thanks to Xj Jake to help me along the way. I installed it in the truck for now, but this should aid in some communication when out on the trails :thumbsup:

https://i.imgur.com/91u7omF.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/MU5tnRR.jpg

[Pinkyman]

Well I took the Xj out to an ice fishing tournament over the weekend. I sure miss driving this thing lol. I did notice that one of the front u-joints is letting go, and its clicking bad, so thats on my short list. It only does it in 4wd, and not in 2wd, and does it in a straight line at low speeds. Ill have to crawl under it and hope its not an axle joint. I have a spare Tom Woods front i can throw in if its just the driveshaft joint.

I also ordered up some of the weld on rock slider rails from AJs Offroad. They said they should be out today, and hopefully ill have them by the weekend, then i can get going on those as well.

Im also going to order up some black monstaliner, and do the bottom 1/4 of the doors, after i sand off the small surface rust that is starting to form. I want to eliminate it before it gets bad.

https://i.imgur.com/dNpZo8r.jpg

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[prcjeep]

Great looking Jeep, Enjoying the thread! Makes me miss my XJ

[Pinkyman]

I received my new rock slider kickers/steps last night. I couldnt help but mock them up right away... They look pretty good, and im glad I went with the 1.75" instead of the 1.25". Now i just need to order up some black monstaliner and get to welding!

https://i.imgur.com/zBpjFqL.jpg

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[4.3LXJ]

Looks nice. I need to put some on mine too

[Pinkyman]

I took the ol Xj out the other day to clean it up and knock the dust off of it. I figured while I had it out, Id snap some pictures.*

Im hoping to get those rock slider kickers welded on in the next few weeks.


https://i.imgur.com/ZWFID9U.jpg

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[Pinkyman]

Well i finally got some new headlights for the XJ. I opted to just go with the standard Sylvania Silverstars. I also picked up the headlight harness upgrade. Im hoping to install it this weekend, and hopefully it makes driving at night a little more tolerable.


https://i.imgur.com/Sfh0y7D.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/TPiS6km.jpg

[Pinkyman]

Well I finally got around to welding up my rock slider "kickers". They turned out pretty decent, and should work well, and hopefully save me from taking another rock to the door.


https://i.imgur.com/zBpjFqL.jpg

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[4.3LXJ]

That should do it. On my list of things to do too

[BlakeBeKickin]

Looks really good. [emoji1689]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[cj4a nz]

looking good

[Pookapotamus]

Anyone else notice that the two best build threads are of yellow XJ’s?





Tee hee


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Pinkyman]

Well we got to do the Crawl for a Cure over the weekend. I drove 4 hours there, did some amazing wheeling for 2 days, and drove 4 hours home without a single issue. The new rock sliders did their job perfectly well too :thumbsup:

Ill be up there again in 3 weeks for the Iron Rock Offroad customer appreciation days, so that should be fun.


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[Pinkyman]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9T0jYT1xuiQ&t=63s

[4.3LXJ]

Very nice. Looks like a good time was had by all.