The......"Rolling Felony" story.........

[DETOURS]

Some may find the content within this thread objectionable, if you're easilly offended, under 14, or don't have an open mind, please move on to a different build thread..........
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c242/Detoursusa/ROLLING_FELONY_2010006squash.jpg


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Alrighty, I've been asked.......I'll do my best, as this is an on-going 6 year build.......

Once upon a time.........no no......wait.......
There was once a black............no, thats no good either......

Lets try........and this is 100% a true...........
About 6 or 7 years ago, I got a call from a used car lot about a '94 Cherokee, it was black, it was hacked, abuised, semi lifted, & full of mud.......
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f136/corncrawler/used_car_salesman.jpg



Now, the used car dealer owner knew I was into XJ's........and I'd be most likely guy to buy this internet-forum mistake.....(sorry to some out there)....it was VERY evedent that "Daddy" had enough of jr's mudding and was towed for the last time, to this used car dealer....to be gone! I doubt it sat on the lot for 48hrs before I got the call....."Hey Mark........."
There I was....young, dumb, and full of..........'junk'?/??
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f136/corncrawler/gooky00178.jpg



Sooo, I obviously went over, cut the deal, bought it.........it was'nt good..

The wife rolled her eyes as I handed over the thousand bucks for this machine that sat on what looked like 3" of lift on stock tires, shifted like crap, and stunk like mud as she followed me back to the shop.......

I quickly turned the 3" lift into 5" with left over parts and ACO's up front, shocks included..........but, the previous owners damage was still evident,
the rear wheelwells were cut beyond the spot welds, & he/she liked mud....the interior wells SPEWED mud into the interior whenever it rained, like a gutter system........that sucked, the disco neon light pods had to go quick as well......"???????WTF????????".......I could'nt do much with the white faced insturment panel, did'nt bother me much until I found the switch which made it multible colors at night........Ummmm, is this an upgrade or further disco intervention??? The crappy shifting tranny turned out to be a shifter conversion which makes an automatic basically into a standard in some ways..........I have yet to use or need this....

So anyway.........ammong other upgrades, hurdles.... I got it to this stage:
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f136/corncrawler/100_2546RESIZED.jpg

[4.3LXJ]

Hey Mark, where is all the pics of the rig in trashed condition? Those rear wheel wells look pretty nice. Did you weld in some panels?

[DETOURS]

It was never photographed........:headshake:
The rear quaters were clamped back together & stitch welded...and if you look close, both the front & rear flares have been raised.

[4.3LXJ]

Good Job. Nice and neat.

[DETOURS]

More to come! Thanks!

[DETOURS]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

5" of lift, 33" Maxxis tires, I had fun with it as is, added a snorkle for only god knows why.........because the one night it did get stuck in rebelous wheeling, slept over night, talked to frogs in the am.......stuck, 36 hours later was 12 feet under water............Sheriff was checking on folks in a canoe I later learned.....I recovered the XJ with a Hi~Lift & 3 hrs of grunt, the Hi~Lift now remanes worthless......it's junk.

Ahhhhhh, those were the days.............Party on Garth.....


http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f136/corncrawler/1051b_006.jpg


....WHOOOPS.......wrong pic.......oh well........

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f136/corncrawler/100_2621.jpg
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Then it began, the morphous......the no return.......the dare to be different..........

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f136/corncrawler/suicide-missile.jpg

Well, not THAT different.........................but different...

And it started....

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c242/Detoursusa/100_2807-2.jpg

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c242/Detoursusa/benny20benassi20satisfaction20music.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f136/corncrawler/100_2817.jpg

[DETOURS]

Alrighty, obviously......the Round Headlight Conversion is'nt n everyday thing and gets some attention, it's been said I suffered flashbacks from post High School antics inwhich I was'nt found for days..............NOT TRUE!
It's this guys fault...............
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http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f136/corncrawler/fullxj.jpg


I don't know him, never spoke to him........but the day I saw the picture of his Cherokee, I knew what I needed to do..

I was'nt out to copy his conception.....

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f136/corncrawler/twins.jpg


But rather, create my own incorperating the round headlights.....a more street friendly version and so.......
It rolled of garage looking like this.......

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c242/Detoursusa/100_2823.jpg

[DETOURS]

The Conversion........

Most ALL of my old photo's of the fabrication have been lost, there were some in photobucket, but also lost......if I find somehow find some searching through old forum archives, I will edit & add them.

It's one thing to just install roundy rounds, but how do you make it all work? I decided I was going to introduce 1-1/4" (OD) tube at the same time, wrapping the nose & creating solid flares.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v649/Detours/100_2807.jpg

I removed the facia and removed the old headlight areas.....completely, the base of the facia was also removed.....
I whipped up a cardboard template, tracing the outter ring of the CJ light buckets....(gotta keep it Jeep!)....trim, hold them in place, trim....trim....I kept doing this until I found what I wanted....the pattern was then transfered to 1/8" steel, cut, smoothed, CJ buckets cut in, drilled, tapped....done..
Behind the facia is the steel (I say that lightly) header, after some light notching and a bend.....I found the sweet spot & tacked them in.
The tube was then introduced, it worked out really well, I sectioned it in and today.....6 or 7 years later, it's held up exceptionally.
The front fenders were trimmed WAY back to accept the tube, the front portion of the fender was actually rolled down and around the new headlight areas, welded & ground smooth.....

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v649/Detours/lights001.jpg

Having to stay legal, I needed side markers........I looked at my stock ones and decided I could work with them, I basically reshaped the light using a belt sander as much as possible, created a nest for them & mounted them up. The lower steel around the base & top of the lights is 5/16" stainless steel round rod welded in place.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v649/Detours/100_2817b.jpg

End results have again, held up very well.......6-7 years later.....

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v649/Detours/lights002.jpg

Once the fabrication was complete, I primed all the bare steel, then went to my local Tractor Supply store for some black impliment paint & hardener.
End result in finished paint.....

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c242/Detoursusa/100_2837.jpg


It came out great, just what I wanted, I was happier than a tornado in a trailer park!!

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f136/corncrawler/RollingFelony/indexclassic.jpg

Next.....the quicky bumpa'.....

[DETOURS]

The quicky front bumper........was pretty much that, I took a BackBone System, mounted it up, and built the around it........

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c242/Detoursusa/100_3399FRESHPAINT.jpg

Basically, I did'nt want to obstruct my tires, it's a stubby of sorts.
I incorperated Whalen LED's as turn signals, and just kept it to a minimum, coating is Duplicolor bedliner rattle can..........it's a crappy bedliner for a truck, but an excellent choice for bumpers, slyders and things of that nature......

From there.........I basically went wheeling again for the next year......

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f136/corncrawler/100_2919.jpg

Back then, the list of mods looked something like this.......

Neon Disco free interior
Cowl snorkle
1" throttlebody spacer
Unibody Stiffy System with Slyders (Detours)
Slimline Rear Bumper/Carrier (Detours)
5" short arm lift (mixed parts)
Grandprix louvers in hood
33" Maxxis BigHorns (Nice Tires!)
Custom nose job
Superwinch Ep9000
Battery relocated to rear of vehical........

Otherwise, stock axles, 3:73 gears, open diff's........

Truth be told, I was loosing intrest in the XJ...............I had another dirty little secret I was working on......... http://www.cherokeeforum.com/images/smilies/tt2.gif

[DETOURS]

If you're getting bored, or awaiting further updates..........watch this to tie you over..................

[IMG]http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f136/corncrawler/RollingFelony/th_DOWNDIRTYTEASER.jpg[/IMG"]Image hosting, free photo sharing & video sharing at Photobucket

[cantab27]

cheers mark ,, a build thread with humor ,,, will be watching for updates ....thanks mate

[DETOURS]

Life without humor................that would be horrible, Thanks and . . . . . it only gets better!! :love0055:

[4.3LXJ]

Hey Spank, nice build. I love it when people fab up original stuff.

[alwaysxj]

I love this.... man I read through this and think of my self, I love the outrages down right useless jokes.... I was laughing pretty good. thanks for the laugh. cannot wait for more.

[DETOURS]

As I said.................I was loosing intrest in the Cherokee, it was okay and all but I felt I was missing something my previous Jeeps offered, which was just the door free, raw, open air feel of "Jeep"..........My wife and I had the his & her YJ thing going on at one time, but fell into XJ's somehow, again...his & hers.....and hers was better than mine for sometime....

Anywho.........I bought a CJ for short money (8 bills) .......not many folks around me knew what I was up to..........it was a dirty little secret, and thats exactly what I named it.........again with a bunch of left over parts, some used parts.......it could easilly do this........
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c242/Detoursusa/100_3475CJ7PsmlDIRTYLITTLESECRET.jpg

I did'nt tell the wife I bought it at first, when she found out, she looked like this......
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f136/corncrawler/Untitled-1-copy-2.jpg

But........after a few beers.........
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f136/corncrawler/RollingFelony/beer_spill.jpg

And a little........you know...............s m o o t h i n g over..........
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f136/corncrawler/s10.jpg

She was kool with the new build.......

But then, HUH????
The new build all of a sudden became...............less than feasible..
Dead in the water.............
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f136/corncrawler/___a_dream_on_our_way_to_death_by_f.jpg

[DETOURS]

So, muddling through this..........my new Jeep intrest............

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c242/Detoursusa/100_3502sml.jpg

Suddenly became..............short lived..
I was having a ball with the build, picked up some perfect '72 Corvette seats for it, had the cage going, reinforced the frame, doing a custom exhaust, scored some narrowed locked n loaded 44's......etc...

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c242/Detoursusa/100_3499.jpg

Things were GREAT, on schedule, on track, looking good................until I went home one night and my wife said to me......."You're going to be a Daddy"........

Ummm, okay............what'ed you say??..............
Suddenly I found myself on a trail I've never traveled............
The trail I managed to avoid for decades..........
There I was, with no recovery, no CB, no cell service........
Bottles?
Diapers?
Crying?
Car seat?
I'd been avoiding growing up for years, now I had less than 9 months to do so....
My Jeep fund became the baby fund......even worse was the fact that my wife was going to loose her thin, stripper like body...........I was'nt sure if the new tax deduction was a fare trade.................it took about 72 hours.....but I finally came around to the situation, it was'nt easy, I ran away at first, and came up with the perfect disguise......
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But I was caught........
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f136/corncrawler/4fb0f511.jpg
The Warden understood my story, let me off for the cost of dry cleaning...
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The next day, I faced my fears.........on to fatherhood!!!
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f136/corncrawler/barbie2270906_700x385.jpg



Soooo.....The CJ had to go, too small, too drafty, too flexy....(too flexy?)....too everything a baby/toddler should'nt be subjected to.

It was time to focus back on the XJ, step it up.....but keep it safe, the game was on and we have'nt looked back since..........

The following, will be it's most recent rebuild and continue through as I continue reworking the XJ with upcoming, planned modifications......

As far as the baby goes......it all worked out fine, not quite a baby anymore.......(babies are quieter!)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v649/Detours/ROLLING_FELONY_2010030_SML.jpg

On with the build!

[DETOURS]

With the CJ now null and void, it was time to focus back on the XJ....

The wife and I lightly discussed what we wanted from the XJ once completed.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v649/Detours/iStock_000014525969Small.jpg

She wanted or was missing the open air feel of a Wrangler, I was as well......the search was on for some "open air feel",
what I found was a rag top I could install in the XJ from,

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v649/Detours/logo.jpg

Knowing a cage was needed as well, I felt this was a viable option, I contacted Streetbeat and ordered a custom sized
rag top, it took about 6 weeks, but sure enough, it showed up one afternoon via,

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v649/Detours/fedex.jpg

Installation of the rag top is straight forward, it's a pre-engineered, pretty much pre-assembled kit.

Basically, map out your cuts, get a right angle grinder with a .045 cutting wheel attached.......and go for it. I had no intention of retaining my headliner, so I left it it place while cutting, this way it caught all the sparks & mess while cutting.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c242/Detoursusa/100_3817THECUT.jpg

From there, basically drop it in, drill some 1/8" bolt holes, seal it, bolt it down and gooooooo!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v649/Detours/ROLLING_FELONY_2010025_SML.jpg

................Now you're ready to crank up some tunes & roll!.................

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http://youtu.be/Lb17Vaph3DI

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http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v649/Detours/FUNPLEX.jpg
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[DETOURS]

Rage......in the cage....

So roll cages are in alot of Cherokee's now a days, I'm going to hit on some high lights of mine and try not to over do it.........

The first thing I wanted to engineer, before any tube was even cut.....was entry room and knee room........I mean without knee room, forget about this ever happening.................
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f136/corncrawler/RollingFelony/42-20036415.jpg

With that in mind, instead of the A pillar tube going 'around' the dash, or thru the dash, I used bar stock and went along side the dash, similiar to what Poison Spider offered for their TJ cages, material is 1/4" thick.....

Top which would accept tubing:
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f136/corncrawler/RollingFelony/ShowLettertight3.jpg

Side:
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f136/corncrawler/RollingFelony/ShowLettertight2.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f136/corncrawler/RollingFelony/ShowLettertight.jpg

The 1/4" material allows the door to shut normally, with the door shut, the steel is sandwiched between the dash and the door

Finished:
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f136/corncrawler/RollingFelony/lights006.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f136/corncrawler/RollingFelony/lights005.jpg

Once the initial parts were fabricated, I moved on to the overhead portion of the cage..

Progress:
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f136/corncrawler/RollingFelony/22222.jpg

The top portion of the cage was fitted to the roof line, at the same time it was fitted to the A pillar supports, removed, fully welded, and reinstalled. From there I worked downward at the B, C, & D pillar areas.........tube was also added horizontally down along the inside rocker panel area.

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f136/corncrawler/ShowLetterbpill.jpg

More to come, but at this point I was feeling pretty good about it and considering a new product line........

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f136/corncrawler/1teemaree_in_cage_9-29-06_an1n.jpg

From there, I further studied the unibodies constuction.......

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f136/corncrawler/kidpeeking.jpg

Decided it needed a bit more than most as I was'nt going to sell or disguard this XJ anytime soon......

I welded in a set of speaker pods from a TJ application, positioning include uptight mode to party mode...
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f136/corncrawler/ShowLettercagedfun4.jpg

Get yer gitty on.......
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f136/corncrawler/ncc_niceass_07_02.jpg

Next we'll get into body stress & whats up with that.........

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f136/corncrawler/LifesTeachings.jpg

Stress...............

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v649/Detours/94-stress.jpg

Nobody likes stress........to minimize unibody stress as best as possible, the cage was attached/connected/welded to the XJ's roof line, B-C and D pillars.....
Up front I went left to right accross the dash area with 1-1/4" tube, I managed to keep the glove box operationable, I also created a new center console area from the same tube, this was then vertically covered with 12 gage metal, welded in position. The shifter was moved left & forward, this was to make room for the flipped Dana 300 T case planned, I eventually dropped that idea & went back to a stock T case......

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v649/Detours/ZZZZZZZZ001-1.jpg

If you look close at the pic above, I also added box tube accross the rear seating area....

more.....
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v649/Detours/ZZZZZZZZ002.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v649/Detours/ZZZZZZZZ001.jpg

The hole in the floor was for the Dana 300, this was repaired along with all the other bad sections of the floor with 12 gage steel...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v649/Detours/ZZZZZZZZ003.jpg

I dont care much for floor repair......it's never much fun...

Knowing the rear seat was not going to be reinstalled, I took advantage of the new space & added additional support....

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f136/corncrawler/RollingFelony/222221.jpg

During the fabrication, I also built in some conveniences.....

Secure area for Co2....
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f136/corncrawler/RollingFelony/3333.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f136/corncrawler/RollingFelony/33.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f136/corncrawler/RollingFelony/333.jpg

And bracketry to secure my relocated battery along with the ARB compessor...

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f136/corncrawler/RollingFelony/Snow007.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f136/corncrawler/RollingFelony/Snow010.jpg

Welding cable was used for the battery feed.
With the battery in the rear, I also wired a "HOT" connection up front, this way I was able to jump another vehical or be jumped from the front or rear of the Cherokee.......

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f136/corncrawler/RollingFelony/Snow011.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f136/corncrawler/RollingFelony/Snow012.jpg

With a Superwinch Ep9000 mounted up front, I've always thought it to best best to move some move-able weight to the rear....

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f136/corncrawler/Back20Seat20Driver.jpg

[DETOURS]

Sooooooooo.............Since I reorganized the center console, moved the auto shifter......went back to the orig. transfer case........I had to somehow figure out how to shift the T case..........

The solution was simple...........
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v649/Detours/ZZZZZZZZ005.jpg

That cheap~arse knife which we've all had for years!!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v649/Detours/ZZZZZZZZ006.jpg

Mmmm, free & easy..............thats always good!

Okay.......So with the T~Case shifter in place, it's time to try to wrap up the console & interior portion of the project..........

The top of the console is 14gage steel, it screws down to position, here are a couple progress/fitting pics.........note the twin brake levers.....

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v649/Detours/console003.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v649/Detours/console001.jpg

The brake levers operate independantly to each rear brake.......
The top of the console also houses the lockers switch's and few other electrical items.......(not shown.......)

The cage has been painted a battleship gray to match the interior, I was going to buy a new carpet kit, but did'nt care for the price.......

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v649/Detours/519221_f260.jpg

So, I figured I'd go see what Lowes had on the shelf........
I bought 2 commericial entry rugs, gray, rubber backed....$32.00 each
6 feet of gray hallway runner.......$2.10 a foot...
1 large roll of black rubber like shelf liner........12.00 bucks
1 can of contact cement......(man, talk about loopy.....)

It all came out amazing, I took my time and got the carpet laid front to rear, only tacking portions of it with the contact cement.......The sides of the console I covered with the runner material, secured it with contact cement......and portions of the top of the console I used the black shelf liner, again securing with the contact cement........for less than 100 bills, taking my time......I could'nt be happier with the results.....

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v649/Detours/OWENPICS006.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v649/Detours/ROLLING_FELONY_2010034.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v649/Detours/ROLLING_FELONY_2010032_SML-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v649/Detours/ROLLING_FELONY_2010036_SML-1.jpg

Couple things left undone I'll cover later, but this chapter is nearly complete!



Until then...........check THIS out!!.....

http://youtu.be/1hEU9zUvvyE

....................http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c242/Detoursusa/untitledBBAB-1.jpg......................

[DETOURS]

Alrighty then......still owe you one or two pictures up front, but what do we do about junior? I know I'm as concerned as you, cant just strap him accross the hood like an old buck....

Gotta seat junior......ebay had lots of 'Jr' racing seats but the shipping was stupid money.......blew the deal.....

And Jr racing seats........I mean as a dad, lets just think a minute, I mean they grow up soo fast..........
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f136/corncrawler/kid-crushes-can.jpg


Oh ya.....................fun times!

I was'nt sure how to seat him in the vehical correctly since there was no longer a rear seat until I stumbled on............."boat seats"!!!

So, unhappy with plan 'A'.......I went to plan 'C'........a folding boat seat with a 250lb limit for $72.00 shipped of ebay!

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f136/corncrawler/RollingFelony/10230339.jpg

A five pcs harness will be adapted to the seat along with arm rests, pics to follow on this one.......

Okaydokay..........full shot of console.....

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v649/Detours/Snow001.jpg

Getting on board.......(hehee....get it?)......heres the proposed area for the rear boat seat, it'll be centered and bolted in, most likely create some grab handles and such around the seat.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v649/Detours/Snow005.jpg

The dark green portions of the seat will be dyed gray......

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v649/Detours/Snow006.jpg

The seat folds, so thats an added benny......once in place, open areas around the seat will get decked & hinged to create compartments, unsure if I'll deck with aluminum diamond plate or cover with fabric just yet, the compartments will be lockable, this way if the worst happens, things wont be flying around......

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v649/Detours/Snow007.jpg

Back to work!

[cantab27]

very cool mark.... detailed write up , rag tops coolies..humor brilliant , keep posting spanky ........................

[LizardRunner]

Awesome build Mark, love the details you included to make it finished. I have seen a few ideas that I'll be including in my build of da lizard. Thanks for sharing your build. Looking forward to more as it comes along.

[XJ Wheeler]

B-E-A-UTIFUL cage work! Love how the bars match the dash lines. Does it hinder you from working on certain parts, like if you needed to replace the evap core?

[DETOURS]

A change of direction, rethinking the build and making it roll..........

During the build/rebuild......our house was on the market & sold, it was time to relocate 800 miles southwest.....to the land of KY.....

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f136/corncrawler/trailer004.jpg

Packed it all up, 3 trips later.......the move was complete, well almost.......I had to leave the XJ and a CJ8 behind, I was able to talk a good friend into renting the old shop, and he allowed me to store the 2 Jeeps inside until I could return...... (how kool was he!!)

A little over a year later........I sqeeeeezed out the time to fetch the XJ....
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f136/corncrawler/000_0266sml.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f136/corncrawler/myxjsml.jpg

Now, you might notice theres a old school, narrowed D44 under the front ......remember there was also a D300 t~case purchased that would make the 44 go roundy round......major front suspension changes had also been purchased.......a RK 3 link longarm set up, as well as FOA coil overs.....
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f136/corncrawler/RollingFelony/ShowLetterfoa.jpg

But between family......work......life.......I soon came to the understanding that..........

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f136/corncrawler/NOT_YOUR_FRIEND_by_Ver_the_Rhino.jpg

The project took a slight, downward turn as I came to realize........I no longer had free time to work on my own junk..........economy has been rough....so time, money, child....business all played a role in the next decision.........I went back to a stock '95 t~case......having axles sitting n my loft, went back to a 4:10 geared D30......."open"......

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c242/Detoursusa/792010b004.jpg

I say 'open' because of the 35.5" Super Swamper Q~78's......if it was locked, it would be very short lived when bound in rock/log/neighbors fence.....
But that being said.......the soil here is much, much different than New England.......'bone'......the soil here is bottomless 'dog~pile & slate in my immediate area, even on the ridge behind the house.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c242/Detoursusa/409740dogpile.jpg

Thats no excuse though.......I'll be watching for used alloy shafts along with a front axle upgrade on various forums.....for the right price....

So meanwhile, the coilovers were also sold.......the origanol plan was for them to project thru the hood about 4 inches on either side, again my time to fabricate was considered, but I also started considering I might be going just a'lil to far with the build with a child in the back seat......I do not consider myself an extreme wheeler........but we all know bigger, badder, better leads to............

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c242/Detoursusa/IMG_7793_filtered_sized.jpg

So.....there are now 7" coils under the nose & Skyjoker hydro's up front, which came up short......I'll later explain how I made up for this.......

I did stay with the RK 3 link........I trussed the D30, other than that, it's a stock unit.......

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v649/Detours/lmnop003.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v649/Detours/AAAA003.jpg

The RK 3 link long arm is extremely flexy.......but I found myself disappointed in numerous factors within the kit & install.........The 3 link is SOOOO FLEXY......I have to again consider a sway bar upfront, just my luck about the same time.........I got a call from Mr. Wheeler over at Hellwig Motorsports about a build, and they 'jist so happened' to be in the midst of developing a sway bar system for long armed Cherokees......BAM!, we'll now be testing their new sway bar system prior to it's release....(waiting.............waiting..........) Hellwig will also have a presence at the Moab Easter Jeep Safari with their new build, sway bar system, TailBone & BackBone system along with other goodies on their old school XJ........
The rest of my front end stuff is beefed up/altered name brand stuff left over from previous builds, personally with an additional bend here, a sleave there, and a better joint over up here......everything moves very freely & quite functional, pretty happy with it...................

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f136/corncrawler/michael_travolta.jpg
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Right about now, I could go for one of mom's cookies........
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f136/corncrawler/060807_6.jpg

[DETOURS]

I'm thinking I've neglected to mention the rear which is a narrowed full sized D44, ARB, 4:10's.....(for now).......but also consider I'll also be running different 'street' tire......sooooo, gear change is to be determaned........axle sits on 6" leafs, dont recall the vendor, shackles are aftermarket extended........rear shocks, repositioned on axle, RE TJ Nitro 2" lift............

So.........this about sums it up......
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f136/corncrawler/niceass4.jpg

30 up front..........44 in da rear.........for now.......

Upcoming work........

Finish up some undercarriage details....
Install Bad Apple diff guard....
Finish bedlining undecarriage......
Reinstall slyder/stiffy system....or consider rocker slyders....
Complete rear seating area......
Open rear wheel wells, reverse tub & tube flares....
Finish trimming & enclose front inner wheel wells.....
Hellwig Motorsports sway bar....possibly.....'bars'......
Rear quarter panel plating.....
Install factory mirrored glass.....
Check street worthy-ness.......

If you're anywhere near the Northeast area of Kentucky, I'm always looking for straight replacement doors....(all 4)....doors need to be factory black and clean.......interior panels are'nt important, nor is the glass. Referance zip ~ 41093

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v649/Detours/ROLLING_FELONY_2010001_SML-1.jpg

I like Jack Burton!

Sometimes, standing out.......causes some flack......

Gotta pm from someone stating I have an identity crises & I'm self centered.......not knowing how to you reply, I left it alone........I have no issues, I'm good with myself..........
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http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f136/corncrawler/clayface.jpg

That said.......I 'do' sometimes have issues finding my vehical leaving places such as Walmart........I needed it to stand out......
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f136/corncrawler/parking_lot.jpg

A better comparison might be my wifes stock '95 vs my '93.........

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f136/corncrawler/RollingFelony/bathtime002.jpg

Somehow..............I always seem to find it.

Amusing stuff on the back side!!....... ;)

[DETOURS]

I'll be damned.......you get a couple of 39 degree days around here, everybody goes nuts.........

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f136/corncrawler/01-01-03polarbear.jpg

While I did'nt go swimming, I did go quad riding with the boy up on the ridge line, it cut into my 'play with Jeep time' today.......but I sqeeezed in a few minutes of tinkering....

I've had a Bad Apple Fab diff. guard on my bench for 2 months now, I decided to do the quick & easy install, knowing my fluids were new, installing the guard is cake......simple bolt swap basically....

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f136/corncrawler/Snow004.jpg

Sean over at www.badapplefab.com cold forms the guard, they're similiar to the old Poison Spider guards, but at half the price, he's building me a custom one for the rear since I've altered the cover....

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f136/corncrawler/Snow005.jpg

You might notice the lower control arm axle skids.......I also converted my factory track bar into an adjustable, note the extra bend I put into it at the lower end, allowing more flex without binding.....

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f136/corncrawler/Snow006.jpg

Since I was under there, took a click of my altered transmission support, I need to finish the skid portions, but I made it vertically adjustable with 3 different adjustments......as it sits, it's in it's stock position & works fine, but who knows what the future will bring......

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f136/corncrawler/Snow007.jpg

More to follow on all above.........after all, this is an on going build....cant wait until this dang-dest 5th coldest winter on record is over.......

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f136/corncrawler/ColdBird.jpg

[DETOURS]

Well, believe it or not................

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v649/Detours/280401_full.gif

I actually got to work on the 'Felony for a couple hours today.......

I whipped up some lower rear shock mounts-

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v649/Detours/5711003.jpg

I got them installed, I'll be adding some skid gussets to their base....

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v649/Detours/5711008.jpg

Fabbed up some bar pin eliminater style STM's & installed.......
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v649/Detours/5711005.jpg

Then to top things off, I installed my Bad Apple Fab. diff. guard.......it's only been sitting around for 4 months now....
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v649/Detours/5711010.jpg

Sooo, while nothing crazy......it was good to put a small dent in the 'to-do' list.........

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v649/Detours/motivatorb1b0a8b15cf642d11f7f4984d289a5107a5844fc. jpg

[DETOURS]

Sooooo, my local UPS guy showed up yesterday.....

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v649/Detours/UPS-Guy.jpg

(He creeps me out......)

And what does he bring??
He brought the new rear, adjustable Hellwig Motorsports sway bar

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v649/Detours/HellwigRear001.jpg

Now, at 1st......I had no intrest in running a rear sway bar, but.....Dave over at Hellwig says flexing will be virtually unaffected as it has 3 settings and I'll be choosing the flexiest......

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v649/Detours/HellwigRear003.jpg

What the heck, I'll test it, offer some feedback and see how things work out.......Construction of the sway bar looks sweet, complete with silver/black speckel powder coat. Complete with adjustable, beefy end links.....

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v649/Detours/HellwigRear002.jpg

Looking forward to the install, since my rear axle is a narrowed 44, it wont be a direct bolt it, but I'm looking forward to fabricating a clean install!

Now......Can't wait to for the front sway bar to show!!

http://www.hellwigproducts.com/produ...t-performance/

[DETOURS]

I tried to put a new welder on a week ago.....she did okay..(yea, I said 'she')....but, production was lost due to the standards we must retain......so if you show up, bring on your best!!

Sway bar.......Ahhh.......errrrr..........lets just say I devoldged into a night of irresponseablty Saturday evening and the Felony was involved.....and.....well......the short version is everybody's OK, no kittens were harmed and leave it at that.
Sunday I gave it a bath and pulled it on he pad with intentions of installing, I crawled under......and after a quick nap......I was reminded of the remaining clean-up work there was remaining after replacing the floors and such......I'll be spending an afternoon under there soon doing final clean up and bedlining the under carriage........then install.
I am still waiting on the front system from Hellwig so I would'nt be able to document much other the the install anyway.....

Meanwhile......We'll just keep fabricating product!!

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f136/corncrawler/Hot_Rod_Girl_by_vivavanstory.jpg

Can't help but to feel a'bit.........................violated..
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http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c242/Detoursusa/violated002.jpg

I've been able to sqeak out a'lil progess in my free time.....(ya RIGHT).....

Since my frame stiffener/slyder system has been on since the Felony was running a short arm lift......I needed to convert the stiffener to long arm. This is sometimes common ammong our users, I provide the parts for the conversion.......but, I've been wanting to readdress this area for folks who order the system "Long Arm Version" from the start...... Long story short, with outstanding Long Arm Versions to fabricate, I finally took the time to create an adjustable/removeable connection.

Looking back, this is our short arm connection for the stiffener:
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c242/Detoursusa/Rollingfelony/LongArmChange007.jpg

Since you loose that connection going long arm, it now turns into this adjustable weld connection, yet still removeable:

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c242/Detoursusa/Rollingfelony/LongArmChange001.jpg

Rear connection remains a fork connection, reinforcing the spring pack mounting area:

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c242/Detoursusa/Rollingfelony/LongArmChange008.jpg

From there, I've decided to cut the out-riggers and dispose of the slyders, the only reason for that decision is because I can see I'm loosing my rockers to some rust, I'll be replacng the rockers with 2"x6" tube and creating slyders instead of rockers.

So I'll only be reusing the 'stiffener' section of the system:

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c242/Detoursusa/Rollingfelony/LongArmChange003.jpg

Keep in mind, this system is over 10 years old, I'll be sandblasting & repainting.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c242/Detoursusa/Rollingfelony/LongArmChange005.jpg

The full system looked like these prior:

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c242/Detoursusa/Rollingfelony/LongArmChange006.jpg

From that image, you can see what I'm keeping and what I'm not keeping.

All and all, a little progress for the Felony and a little progress for the product in it's Long Arm version..........

[DETOURS]

Little update,........My 35" Kevlars showed up today and I might have a hall pass for the next couple evenings...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v649/Detours/Kevlars001.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v649/Detours/Kevlars002.jpg

New shop kitty.........

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v649/Detours/AAAAAA002.jpg

Long time no chitty chat......it's been a brutal summer......

Happy Labor Day, it was 102* in the shade here two days ago,today.......62*......it's time to labor!!

The Felony's refurbished unibody stiffeners have been laying under it for more than a month, it's a good day to install. This system is over 10 years old, I removed the slyder portion as I'll be tubing out the rotted lower rockers instead.....I simply sandblasted and repainted them, they look great for their age.

Reinstall is simple, I redesigned the front connection for the long arms.
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c242/Detoursusa/Rollingfelony/SEPT5thStiifymisc020SML.jpg

I wont go into crazy detail, but heres the final install....
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c242/Detoursusa/Rollingfelony/SEPT5thStiifymisc028SML.jpg

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c242/Detoursusa/Rollingfelony/SEPT5thStiifymisc031SML.jpg

Still early, I'm going to attempt to finalize my dual e-brake set up next....

[DETOURS]

I was able to finish up the dual brake cable set up........she's now 100% and I've got one less item to address!!!

Kinda hard to photograph under there..........

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c242/Detoursusa/SEPT5thStiifymiscbrakes003.jpg

Hey..........................Can you guy's keep a secret??

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v649/Detours/shh.jpg

After about 7 or 8 hours of knocking steel around today................

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v649/Detours/blacksmith.jpg

I stole a couple of hours for myself & The Felony..............

Got a few things done..........to include the installation of Hellwig Motor Sports prototype 'rear' sway bar.........GIDDY UP!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v649/Detours/HELLWIGINSTALL002.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v649/Detours/HELLWIGINSTALL003.jpg

Pretty straight forward install which only took me 4 months to do.......
Why a rear sway bar??......Because I was asked, but besides that, with my 3 link front control arms....the things an animal on the street. Hellwig states they only lost "1 INCH" on the RTI ramp running the sway bar, I can give up an inch.......(Dad shorted me anyway).....The sway bar offers 3 different resistance settings, I have it at it's flexiest......it will also come with adjustable non-disconnects (nice) for fine tuning per your lift.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v649/Detours/HELLWIGINSTALL004.jpg

While not world changing progress........it is progress, I also got to restring my axle brake lines which is kool......almost ready to cut my rear wheel wells open to tube the rear......only a little more undercarriage work to go! Still waiting on Hellwigs front sway bar prototype but I'm told it has shipped...........We'll see!!

Lets Rock!-------> http://youtu.be/WGt-8adyabk

[DETOURS]

I learned '2' things yesterday.....................
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The 1st, the sweatshirt I wore yesterday was mighty flammable!!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v649/Detours/arm_fire.jpg
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The 2nd thing I learned was..................
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Hellwing Motor Sports is going to be producing one hell of a front sway bar for us Cherokee owners!!!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v649/Detours/HeLLwiG001.jpg

Yup, it showed up!!!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v649/Detours/HeLLwiG002.jpg

Complete with disconnects!!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v649/Detours/HeLLwiG003.jpg

And 3 position resistance settings!!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v649/Detours/HeLLwiG004.jpg

This thing is BEEFY!
A quick measurement shows 1-1/8" in diameter, our stock ones measure under an inch in diameter. I'll check in with Hellwig today, but what you see here should be exactly what they'll be putting on the market.

[bluedragon436]

Those sway bars look nice.. Was about to remove mine the other day when I had it up on the lift in the hobby shop on base.. but might keep em' both with ones like that out on the market..

[4.3LXJ]

I learned '2' things yesterday.....................
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The 1st, the sweatshirt I wore yesterday was mighty flammable!!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v649/Detours/arm_fire.jpg
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Ihad that same thing happen in a fire station with fire fighters standing around snickering

[bluedragon436]

Funny how that happens isn't it?? Standing in the middle of a firehouse on fire.. with all the firemen laughing about it..

[4.3LXJ]

Funny how that happens isn't it?? Standing in the middle of a firehouse on fire.. with all the firemen laughing about it..

Oh yeah. They were discussing calling in an alarm for a man fire at that address. I had fire coming up the front of me, a little smoky in the welding hood and they were wondering when I would notice.

[DETOURS]

Got all kinds of updates......but little time, wheres Matt?....lol..

[WyoXJ]

What does having two e brake levers do for you?

[DETOURS]

Locks a single rear wheel, allowing pivot or drag........

Also good for making people ask questions. :thumbsup:

[bluedragon436]

Locks a single rear wheel, allowing pivot or drag........

That is what I was figuring it was there for.. Like differential breaking to help make tighter turns, but still drive around that turn..

[Jesse-James]

What a great build thread, nicely done.

[88on38s]

Nicely done on the build breakdown as well as the build keep it coming

[DETOURS]

Rear Flares...................One of the NEXT mods!

I AM IN CHEROKEE LOVE AGAIN..................http://www.cherokeeforum.com/images/smilies/tt2.gif

So, I guess a couple have read about this on our fb page already, thats kool!

Past few nights, I've managed to install the full exhaust system complete with caddy-mini-skid........(kinda miss the open header..........oh well)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v649/Detours/Oct002.jpg

I also managed to slap the MTR's on and tighten as many bolts as possible to get the Felony up to my local trail head......

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v649/Detours/Oct006.jpg

Before I go further, the Hellwig Motor Sports front sway bar has also been installed.......as the rear.......this is why, I'm in CHEROKEE LOVE AGAIN! The rig is once again driveable on the street, body roll with the 3 link long arm is amaizingly almost non-existant at the medium setting on the front sway bar.....I can't say enough!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v649/Detours/Oct005.jpg

Off camber, on the trail, with the rear bar set to 'flexy please'.....the truck felt so much more secure, it was great!

I feel soooo go about this, I might just call Amanda Knox and ask her out on a date!

[DETOURS]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v649/Detours/FFFFFF005sml.jpg

Alrighty.......Back to the 'Felony...........

5pm finally arrived, this allowed me to have a beer and think about cutting......
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http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v649/Detours/beer.jpg
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Realizing I needed to match the front steel tube flares........if I just started cutting, it would be like........
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v649/Detours/horse-cart.jpg


Sooooo, I decided I should fab up the tube section of the flares first.....
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http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v649/Detours/REAR01014.jpg
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http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v649/Detours/REAR01013.jpg

The front section will weld to the tube rocker/slyders, the rear area needed to mimmick the front flares......and be about the same shape as the fronts........

The fronts extend out from the vehical 3.75".......this pic shows them at 3", perfect for the line transfer.....
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v649/Detours/REAR01015.jpg

[DETOURS]

Line transfer/cut lines.........inorder to duplicate one side to the other for cutting......a template needed to be created...
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http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v649/Detours/REAR01016.jpg

From here, I transfered the shape of the flare to the template, at the aprox. correct height for cutting....
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http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v649/Detours/REAR01017.jpg
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This template will serve itself well, I can now transfer it to the other side of the vehical for cutting, and it will also serve another purpose, yet to be discussed.......http://www.cherokeeforum.com/images/smilies/naughty.gif
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http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v649/Detours/REAR02001.jpg

'Til next time.............http://www.cherokeeforum.com/images/smilies/devil.gif

[4.3LXJ]

I'll be watching closely Mark. This is in my future too.

[bluedragon436]

Will def. be keeping an eye on this.. Might have to be taking some vacation time, and venturing down to see you for some tube flares.. I really love the look of them... and the usefulness of them, other than just covering the tires

[Mudderoy]

Will def. be keeping an eye on this.. Might have to be taking some vacation time, and venturing down to see you for some tube flares.. I really love the look of them... and the usefulness of them, other than just covering the tires

Don't just show up! He has to walk you through the claymores.

[XjMudder]

I gotta say that this is a rather funny and a great post in itself. GGood looking jeep ya got thur.

[weasel]

great post