rugidJEEP build.

[rugidone]

Weekend after weekend, my buddies were going wheeling with their rigs, while I tinkered with the much lower cars, finally enough was enough, I want a 4x4.

I came across this on the local classifieds for $500, took it home for $350CAD

A 1995 Jeep Cherokee Sport with lots of drain holes and 350,000km on the dash.

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j36/rugidone/XJ/979690f_20.jpg

Once we got it back to the shop after a very scary and noisy drive back (Rear was riding on the bumpstops all the way home)

Started checking this out, front end was tight, but again FILLED with aftermarket drain holes.

It appears the cargo area had been "repaired" once before.

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j36/rugidone/XJ/th_IMAG0044.jpg (http://s76.photobucket.com/albums/j36/rugidone/XJ/?action=view&current=IMAG0044.jpg)

I was able to lift the entire patch up and out in one piece out of the back.

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j36/rugidone/XJ/6369_122218233692_508043692_2506667_4154273_n.jpg

After the floor/rocker repairs, came bedliner, some bastard pack springs and 31s

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j36/rugidone/XJ/th_6449_123698618692_508043692_2525445_7259202_n.j pg (http://s76.photobucket.com/albums/j36/rugidone/XJ/?action=view&current=6449_123698618692_508043692_2525445_725920 2_n.jpg)

The 31s didn't last so long before I wanted bigger, so on go the 33s.

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j36/rugidone/th_DSC00894.jpg (http://s76.photobucket.com/albums/j36/rugidone/?action=view&current=DSC00894.jpg)

Wheeled like this for quite some time. Overheated, cut some fancy hoodvents and wired my fan to a separate circuit.

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j36/rugidone/XJ/jeep.jpg

And more recently started fabbing a bumper up front, got a deal on the winch for $199 on clearance, so didn't really have a choice.

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j36/rugidone/XJ/37483_411623968692_508043692_4797252_1067263_n.jpg

Will post more pictures of soon to come updates, TJ flares, bumper completion, suspension boost and FRESH PAINT!

[Mudderoy]

Weekend after weekend, my buddies were going wheeling with their rigs, while I tinkered with the much lower cars, finally enough was enough, I want a 4x4.

I came across this on the local classifieds for $500, took it home for $350CAD

A 1995 Jeep Cherokee Sport with lots of drain holes and 350,000km on the dash.

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j36/rugidone/XJ/979690f_20.jpg

Once we got it back to the shop after a very scary and noisy drive back (Rear was riding on the bumpstops all the way home)

Started checking this out, front end was tight, but again FILLED with aftermarket drain holes.

It appears the cargo area had been "repaired" once before.

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j36/rugidone/XJ/th_IMAG0044.jpg (http://s76.photobucket.com/albums/j36/rugidone/XJ/?action=view&current=IMAG0044.jpg)

I was able to lift the entire patch up and out in one piece out of the back.

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j36/rugidone/XJ/6369_122218233692_508043692_2506667_4154273_n.jpg

After the floor/rocker repairs, came bedliner, some bastard pack springs and 31s

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j36/rugidone/XJ/th_6449_123698618692_508043692_2525445_7259202_n.j pg (http://s76.photobucket.com/albums/j36/rugidone/XJ/?action=view&current=6449_123698618692_508043692_2525445_725920 2_n.jpg)

The 31s didn't last so long before I wanted bigger, so on go the 33s.

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j36/rugidone/th_DSC00894.jpg (http://s76.photobucket.com/albums/j36/rugidone/?action=view&current=DSC00894.jpg)

Wheeled like this for quite some time. Overheated, cut some fancy hoodvents and wired my fan to a separate circuit.

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j36/rugidone/XJ/jeep.jpg

And more recently started fabbing a bumper up front, got a deal on the winch for $199 on clearance, so didn't really have a choice.

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j36/rugidone/XJ/37483_411623968692_508043692_4797252_1067263_n.jpg

Will post more pictures of soon to come updates, TJ flares, bumper completion, suspension boost and FRESH PAINT!

$350 I love it! :patriot:

[PMacXJ]

Lookin good. Any idea what color you're going to paint it?

[rugidone]

Lookin good. Any idea what color you're going to paint it?

Its looking like a flat olive drab as of now or at least some variation of green. Mixing leftover paints at the shop to come up with something I like.

[rugidone]

Who knows when I will get around to painting it though, all the materials are there, full shop to work out of, but I can't drive it if its in the shop, daily driver.

[PMacXJ]

Awesome man, that should look good

[4.3LXJ]

Coming along nicely. All part of he fun

[rugidone]

Ya its coming along, but it seems to get lots of hoist time...but apparently thats the jeep thing?

70%/30% - 70 percent of the time your under it and 30 percent of the time your behind the wheel, at least thats what it seems like, whether your just under it doing maintenance and thinking of upgrades or doing repairs from the 30% of driving.

[4.3LXJ]

It can be. For the last year my 70% has been 100%. But now it gets wheeled and driven daily so that 30% is going up rapidly. But if you wheel, it has always been a situation of needing to do more repairs and maintenance than on your mother's new Lincoln.

[rugidone]

Ya, we seem to have an issue with our mud, once we are outta the swamps, the jeeps go up and given the 6 over, pressure washed, repaired and regreased. Luckily, theres lots of spare parts on property!

[rugidone]

This seems to be a recurring thing.

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j36/rugidone/34582_411388223692_508043692_4791504_2215872_n.jpg

[4x4Dalton]

What's wrong with it?

[rugidone]

As of today? My distributor is flopping around and I picked up a misfire :S, a tree ripped my ebrake cable and brackets off the floor, a whole lot of scrapes and bruises to the undercarriage and whos knows what else.

Lol, but on the plus side, I got to test out my new winch and mounting today!

[rugidone]

Took it on a run two weeks ago and put it through a thrashing on a trail dubbed "THE SHORT WHEELBASE"

Carnage from the weekend listed below, thank god I know a good mechanic/body man.


Damaged Exhaust, - repaired
Sheared Trackbar Bolt, - repaired
Pass Corner Lense, - not worried
CB Antenna Mount is now in backseat, - easy fix
Mangled Fender, - kicked back into place
Pass Front Door/door handle dented in, - straightened a bit
Rear Pass door has also been dented in(more than it was), - not too worried
Rear Hatch has some wounds on it. - will disappear when painted

Some Pictures from wheeling at 2am.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs251.snc4/39910_419780506430_524191430_5402265_5647086_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs271.snc4/39910_419780526430_524191430_5402269_1867865_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs251.snc4/39910_419780521430_524191430_5402268_7346629_n.jpg

And one more of our group enjoying some roasted wienies on an open fire on the pole line.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs132.ash2/39915_419780626430_524191430_5402281_386483_n.jpg

[rugidone]

Trimmed my front fenders and installed the rear tj flares I had kicking around the yard for a few months. Now I just gotta track down two more for the rear.

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j36/rugidone/XJ/DSC00944.jpg

[rugidone]

Did a little more work to my front bumper, needs to be skinned, capped, and hit with the grinder, but its getting there.

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j36/rugidone/XJ/bumper.jpg

[Mudderoy]

Did a little more work to my front bumper, needs to be skinned, capped, and hit with the grinder, but its getting there.

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j36/rugidone/XJ/bumper.jpg

Thanks for the picture. My second wish would be able to see the bumper. :rotfl2:

[rugidone]

why cant you see it? its the gloss black thing on the front.

[Mudderoy]

why cant you see it? its the gloss black thing on the front.

lol can you make it out? I can tell something this there. :smiley-laughing021:

[rugidone]

i can see every line on the damn thing without an issue. if its that bad I guess Ill pull the image down...

[cantab27]

Thanks for the picture. My second wish would be able to see the bumper. :rotfl2:

nice bumper work :thumbsup:..... didn't think of using just the rear flairs ,, looks good mate .....

[rugidone]

Threw my rice lights in the back window. short clip.

[IMG]http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j36/rugidone/th_HPIM8615.jpg[/IMG"]Image hosting, free photo sharing & video sharing at Photobucket

[xjpirate]

really liking the tj flares:thumbsup:

[rugidone]

They work well and dont look bad, sadly my pass flare has been bedazzled with hex screws and metal strapping to hold it together :D

Felt much better scrapping a cheap tj flare than a set of bushwhackers though.

[rugidone]

Started tearing out the HP30 to swap in a LP30 temporarily while i search for an R&P for the High pinion..

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j36/rugidone/DSC01055.jpg

[rugidone]

Last little bit the jeep has seen some hoist time again.

Got the LP30 swapped in and functional, changed the gear ratio to 3.73, not much of an upgrade.

Ended up shortening two driveshafts for the front end because the LP30 center section is much longer than the HP30 that was removed.
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j36/rugidone/XJ/DSC01058.jpg

Cutting sleeve for shaft.
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j36/rugidone/XJ/DSC01060.jpg

Assembed shaft before paint and greasing.
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j36/rugidone/XJ/DSC01062.jpg

Ran into some frame issues right at the front drivers leaf spring pocket, had cracked directly in front of it due to paperthin rails and years of rust. In front of and behind the rails were very solid, so I just plated the section 1 foot in either direction for now. Will try and get some photos of the repair.

Also, had buddy I was purchasing tires from call me sat "If you want those tires, we gotta change em NOW" so we did.

Eldorado MTZ 33x12.5x15.
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j36/rugidone/XJ/IMG_1578.jpg

Thats all for now, will snap some pictures of the frame stiffening/rock rails/faux beadlocks and 8.8 swap :D

[rugidone]

Got these back from the cutter today, not sure what happened with my drawing but apparently he couldn't get it to work so good. so, I guess I am going to get to operate the machine and cut it tomorrow night.

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j36/rugidone/XJ/DSC01063.jpg

[rugidone]

Stuck the sample on to see how it looked.
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j36/rugidone/XJ/p_00015.jpg

And a shot of the rubbers.
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j36/rugidone/XJ/p_00019.jpg

[rguignard]

Stuck the sample on to see how it looked.
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j36/rugidone/XJ/p_00015.jpg

And a shot of the rubbers.
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j36/rugidone/XJ/p_00019.jpg

i like it :thumbsup:

[Mudderoy]

Were you planning on painting them, or leaving as is?

[rugidone]

Rim will remain black, the rings will be olive drab(jeep will eventually be painted that way) and each bolt will be powdercoated black.

The rock ring is just sitting in the rim with a magnet holding it.

[cantab27]

very cool ,,,

[4.3LXJ]

Those are fancy rock rings ... don't scratch them :D

[BrianXJ]

Nice Build so far. I am watching for more.:popcorn::popcorn:

[rugidone]

Ya, the guy kinda screwed up my drawing royally, thank god I didn't get all 4 of them cut lol. Going to play with the plasmatable to do it myself tonight.

[rugidone]

^ i guess i shouldnt say he screwed it up royally, he has trouble with my file and attempted to recreate it.

[rugidone]

Another design lol.

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j36/rugidone/XJ/HPIM8618.jpg

[Moore825]

Looks good! :thumbsup:

[rugidone]

Hooked up my OBA to see if my compressor would build any pressure.

Still gota leak and gotta track down a cheap check valve and plumb my tank.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRQhKwbX-S0

[bluedragon436]

I like that rock ring you got.. I thought about getting some eventually... as I don't currently really need them (no real rock crawling going on right now)... but I think they set a vehicle off in a different more "hardcore wheeler" way!!

[rugidone]

The rock rings have changed yet again, same basic design, but somehow the drain slots have disappeared.

I didn't plan on getting them nor did I have a need until I made friends with the owner of a plasma table....

[rguignard]

shipped to 77306 :smiley-laughing021: no really see if he can do the real bead locks i can do the welding just need the parts :thumbsup:

[rugidone]

He can...I have drawings for simple beadlocks.

[rguignard]

He can...I have drawings for simple beadlocks.

how much ?

[rugidone]

W or W/O hardware?

[rguignard]

W or W/O hardware?

both :thumbsup:

[rugidone]

both :thumbsup:


Since your already in the US, its gunna be cheaper to buy there by a long shot.

Local Guy here is charging about $500 for a custom set without hardware, I can get them down to about $325-350 before shipping. (THEY ARENT LIGHT)

[rugidone]

Going to pick up a length of 2x2 this afternoon so I can start some rock rails this weekend, just gotta figure out how I am going to do it with no pinch-seam. Pictures to come.

Adjustable tracbar is coming in the morning.

Ordered this last night but I doubt it will arrive today, so I guess that won't be coming until Monday :(

http://www.solidaxle.com/ProductCart/pc/catalog/Diff-dana_30_large.jpg

[Mudderoy]

Going to pick up a length of 2x2 this afternoon so I can start some rock rails this weekend, just gotta figure out how I am going to do it with no pinch-seam. Pictures to come.

Adjustable tracbar is coming in the morning.

Ordered this last night but I doubt it will arrive today, so I guess that won't be coming until Monday :(

http://www.solidaxle.com/ProductCart/pc/catalog/Diff-dana_30_large.jpg

The problem with having a diff cover that says "solid" you know it will show up somewhere broken in several pieces on the Internet and everyone will laugh.

[rugidone]

Thats what warranty is for.

[Mudderoy]

Thats what warranty is for.

Yes but as a company that would be bad PR. :smiley-laughing021:

[rugidone]

you win. lol

[rugidone]

Laid out my switch panel for the little cubby below the ashtray, did some rough prewiring, next step is to put it back in the Jeep so I can put the shifter handle back on.

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j36/rugidone/DSCN0811.jpg

[rugidone]

Laid out my switch panel for the little cubby below the ashtray, did some rough prewiring, next step is to put it back in the Jeep so I can put the shifter handle back on.

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j36/rugidone/DSCN0811.jpg

Sorry if the photo is dark.

[4.3LXJ]

Where did you get the decals?

[bluedragon436]

Switch pnl came out looking awesome.. I think you should make some more...

[rugidone]

I printed the inlay at work today, stuck it to some extruded plastic and installed.

Its just a full color decal.

[rugidone]

Thanks guys, it was kinda a pita to do though, so I can't see myself making anymore, unless I can get them plasma'd outta stainless steel or something, getting the holes cut accurately in that plastic sucks.

[rugidone]

Got my mid sections stiffeners burned in finally.

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j36/rugidone/DSC01100.jpg

And started on my rock rails, you can see the 2x2 sitting on the hoist arm here.

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j36/rugidone/DSC01104.jpg

[rugidone]

Also, might just be the butt dyno telling me, but driving in the jeep with these makes it feel much more solid, no more twisting and creaking!

[Mudderoy]

Also, might just be the butt dyno telling me, but driving in the jeep with these makes it feel much more solid, no more twisting and creaking!

I'm looking forward to getting mine. I've heard it makes a big difference in the feel of the vehicle.

[rugidone]

I was surprised earlier, just got back from lunch and went over some rail road crossings, huge difference hitting those! Best $20 I have spent so far lol.

[rugidone]

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/228461_10150179123073693_508043692_7159307_4296414 _n.jpg

Forced to drive around with a bare behind.

Plated 3/4 of the rear section of my frame with some angle, should give me some meet to attach my bumper too lol.

[rugidone]

Also put a new skin on the lower part of my door.

http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/227486_10150179125243693_508043692_7159315_1473964 _n.jpg

[rugidone]

Threw some paint on my rock rails, since I won't be able to get the tops when they are welded in place. Now just to get them on.

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j36/rugidone/DSC01113.jpg

Hung my flag :D

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j36/rugidone/DSC01110.jpg

Also started bending up my rear bumper, since I have been cruising without.

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/228461_10150179123073693_508043692_7159307_4296414 _n.jpg

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j36/rugidone/DSC01116.jpg

[rugidone]

Well after our memorial run being called off last week due to government influence, our run was put back on in a different location which meant, I had to work on my jeep.

The run was last Saturday, we reinstated the run Friday night, so I spent the evening at the shop til about 4am hanging my rear bumper, tinkering with my OBA and changing my steering linkage. Gassed up across the border before I headed home for my $0.12/L difference in fuel price.

Woke up, tried to anyway, with welders flash at 7am, somehow managed to wheel all day and arrived home around 8pm.

Here's some shots of my hung bumper, far from finished just like the front one, buts its on there.

Will be bolted on with a total of 22 bolts, currently only fastened on with 16 as I haven't done the tie-ins.

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j36/rugidone/DSC01123.jpg

The sides of it are bent in to hug the slight curve in the back of the jeep.

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j36/rugidone/DSC01124.jpg

Plans are to taper the ends up to 2" and wrap around under the rear quarter which still needs to be cut and folded. box in under the tail light, dring tabs tied into the mounts and a receiver in the bottom. It will be plated to give it some nice angles. Possible tire carrier added in the future....roof for now.

Yes, I should have capped the ends and put some sealer on it before going wheeling, but I was exhausted, and its been raining ever since.

[4.3LXJ]

Sounds like a good plan. Man, you need some darker lenses or something?

[rugidone]

No I just need to learn to wear a shield lol.

[4.3LXJ]

Take care of those eyes man, they don't make replacements yet.

[rugidone]

Some Pictures. (facebook link, sorry guys)

Rough photoshop of where I am going with my rear for now.

http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/249789_10150197702578693_508043692_7327430_4371723 _n.jpg

Finished up the stiffeys, could use a few more stitch welds.

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/251532_10150196767753693_508043692_7319659_6350814 _n.jpg

Threw some paint on my rear bumper (after cleanup to keep it from rusting out.

http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/252387_10150196767833693_508043692_7319661_4849765 _n.jpg

Passenger side Rock Rail.

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/251474_10150196767918693_508043692_7319663_7398731 _n.jpg

And my favorite so far....no more hood prop.

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/250428_10150196767993693_508043692_7319665_3962047 _n.jpg

[cantab27]

nice bar work...rears come up sweet....

[rugidone]

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j36/rugidone/DSC01184.jpg

[rugidone]

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j36/rugidone/DSC01195.jpg

Added some tie-ins and a receiver tube to my rear bumper finally, so I can tow the camper after I lift it lol.

[Mudderoy]

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j36/rugidone/DSC01195.jpg

Added some tie-ins and a receiver tube to my rear bumper finally, so I can tow the camper after I lift it lol.

Yep now that's a tie in.

[rugidone]

Should be nice and tight back there now with the stiffeners in the back, plated the bottom and the inside of the rails from the seat belt plates back.

[XJ4IV]

All I gotta say is well executed as far as the frame tie in, I wish I had done this to mine years ago, now mine sags a little even AFTER the reinforcement through the frame!
as for your photoshop idea I really like the lower portion and the D-rings I say go for it... and post pictures of the process as I like it so much I wanna do the same design

[rugidone]

^Thanks for the compliment.

Sadly my design has changed a little bit, trying to eliminate such a drop hitch, by mounting the receiver tube below the main 2x4 bumper, I knocked 2" off the drop. As of now everything should stay the same with a little bit of extra steel to plate in the receiver so it looks like it should be there.

[rugidone]

So, my jeep has been tossed on the back burner as other projects occupy my free time.

First is the new girlfriends recently acquired TJ.

http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/208011_10150523845795214_647925213_17975741_590706 7_n.jpg

And my new OLD baby.

http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/528002_10150622754968693_508043692_9491332_7712211 92_n.jpg

[Mudderoy]

So, my jeep has been tossed on the back burner as other projects occupy my free time.

First is the new girlfriends recently acquired TJ.

http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/208011_10150523845795214_647925213_17975741_590706 7_n.jpg

And my new OLD baby.

http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/528002_10150622754968693_508043692_9491332_7712211 92_n.jpg

{cough!} WranglerTalk.com {cough!}

[MelloYello]

XJ's looking good. Keep the pics coming.