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View Full Version : Project Mass.Build 92 XJ 4.5" RC LA!



vwfoolwhy
03-31-2011, 03:02 PM
As I said in the introductions I own a 92 4 Door Sport w/ 4.0 - AX15 - 231.

I bought this XJ 4 years ago for $300.00. It was a donation vehicle being sold for charity.

I watched the XJ sit on the car lot for over a month with the price slowly dropping from $1,800.00. I finally decided to stop in and talk to some one about it.

It came in as a non runner and there mechanic could not figure out why. I gave it the basic checks and found it to have no spark. Pulling the newly installed cap and rotor I discovered the cam sensor pick up was damaged.

I offered $300.00 and told them I would have it off the lot that day. They agreed but wanted the set of 10 holes off it it in return for another set of stock steels they had.

Went to the local U Pull it spot and grabbed a complete distributor for $35.00. After installation the 4.0 came to life and sounded great especially for having 300k Miles. Drove it home.

Now the body was straight and with out any rust. Interior was a little worn but still a good deal for a $335.00 driving XJ.

A year later I installed a Rough Country 3" ad a leaf kit I bought off CL for $150.00 Never installed. Along with a set of nearly new 31" Generals for another $100.00.

After three years and the toll of stock control arms and trac bar the front Ball Joints let go and wore the front tires out.

So I ordered all new ball joints $40.00.

Front Joints $23.00

RC 4.5" Long Arm Spring Kit along with RC Shackles. $1500.00

SYE and rear DS $350.00

Dyna star front Extended Front Bump Stops and a set of 1 3/4" Spacers $42.00

I also just scored a set of 15x8 - TJ Canyon wheels with 5.5" of BS. $200.00 (Have a good set of 30" wranglers Mounted)

So the search for a good set of 33" is on.

I'll be taking photos of all the parts along with a video of the installation.

Hope every one enjoys this.

vwfoolwhy
03-31-2011, 03:03 PM
Here are a few PICs of the RC 4.5" Long Arm.

Trans Cross Member. "Very Well Built" One of the best I have seen.
http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn267/vwfoolwhy/Jeep%20XJ-Rough%20Country%204%205%20Long%20Arm/DSC04897.jpg

http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn267/vwfoolwhy/Jeep%20XJ-Rough%20Country%204%205%20Long%20Arm/DSC04898.jpg

http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn267/vwfoolwhy/Jeep%20XJ-Rough%20Country%204%205%20Long%20Arm/DSC04899.jpg

http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn267/vwfoolwhy/Jeep%20XJ-Rough%20Country%204%205%20Long%20Arm/DSC04900.jpg

TC Skid Plate. This as well is very built but the attachment points are a little questionable. We'll have to see about this over time.
http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn267/vwfoolwhy/Jeep%20XJ-Rough%20Country%204%205%20Long%20Arm/DSC04901.jpg

Adj. Trac Bar w/ Drop Bracket: The bar it's self is not the beefy est I've seen but not the worst. The Bracket is very well made and should stand the test of time.
http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn267/vwfoolwhy/Jeep%20XJ-Rough%20Country%204%205%20Long%20Arm/DSC04903.jpg

http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn267/vwfoolwhy/Jeep%20XJ-Rough%20Country%204%205%20Long%20Arm/DSC04904.jpg

Lower Long Are: Very well built The Joint is not one of the best I have seen But RC has been working on these and always stands by them so we'll just see how they go.
http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn267/vwfoolwhy/Jeep%20XJ-Rough%20Country%204%205%20Long%20Arm/DSC04908.jpg

If all else fails I'll replace with Ballistics's.
http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn267/vwfoolwhy/Jeep%20XJ-Rough%20Country%204%205%20Long%20Arm/DSC04909.jpg

Upper Adj. Arm. The arm is well built but feelings are the same on the joint.
http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn267/vwfoolwhy/Jeep%20XJ-Rough%20Country%204%205%20Long%20Arm/DSC04910.jpg

http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn267/vwfoolwhy/Jeep%20XJ-Rough%20Country%204%205%20Long%20Arm/DSC04911.jpg

Front Coil: What can I say about them RC Has not let me down in the past in this department.
http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn267/vwfoolwhy/Jeep%20XJ-Rough%20Country%204%205%20Long%20Arm/DSC04905.jpg

Rear Shackles: This will give me about 1" of lift more in the rear and are Adj. up to 2.5" I plan to run the rear a little higher due to towing and the rate of sag.
http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn267/vwfoolwhy/Jeep%20XJ-Rough%20Country%204%205%20Long%20Arm/DSC04907.jpg

Rear springs: Not to impressed, not well packed with isolators. Might break down and install Teflon isolators for wear and flex improvement.
http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn267/vwfoolwhy/Jeep%20XJ-Rough%20Country%204%205%20Long%20Arm/DSC04906.jpg

These are the main parts to the kit. If any one wants more detailed pics or dimensions feel free to ask. As well as pics of the other parts and hardware.

vwfoolwhy
03-31-2011, 03:04 PM
Drop Pitman Arm: Very well Built
http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn267/vwfoolwhy/Jeep%20XJ-Rough%20Country%204%205%20Long%20Arm/DSC04913.jpg

F/R RC2.2 Shocks: Always ran the cheaper RC shocks and had no problems so we'll see how these do.
http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn267/vwfoolwhy/Jeep%20XJ-Rough%20Country%204%205%20Long%20Arm/DSC04918.jpg

Quick Discos: Only ever ran ones I made so we'll see about these ones.
http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn267/vwfoolwhy/Jeep%20XJ-Rough%20Country%204%205%20Long%20Arm/DSC04916.jpg

http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn267/vwfoolwhy/Jeep%20XJ-Rough%20Country%204%205%20Long%20Arm/DSC04917.jpg

Front SS Brake Line: Look really nice.
http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn267/vwfoolwhy/Jeep%20XJ-Rough%20Country%204%205%20Long%20Arm/DSC04915.jpg

Rear:
http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn267/vwfoolwhy/Jeep%20XJ-Rough%20Country%204%205%20Long%20Arm/DSC04914.jpg

bigjim350
03-31-2011, 03:10 PM
Wow lots of great pics. You will fit in Great on this site, LOL.

4.3LXJ
03-31-2011, 03:26 PM
Yup, we like pics

vwfoolwhy
03-31-2011, 04:03 PM
I'm Glad you like PIC's because I a PIC Whore.

I also do a lot of video production so there will be a video of the lift installation.

This project has been a long time coming with plans stemming from many XJ & MJ builds over the years.

I don't want to spill to much, but the biggest part of this project is going to be a VW TDI 1.9l Diesel installation. It's already mounted to a AX15 Trans and running on the ground. This has been sitting for over a year waiting to go in, but I've wanted to see how many miles I can put on the 4.0L before it lets go.

I'm at 350K now on the original Head Gasket. and it still runs like new.

OrangeXJ
04-01-2011, 12:25 AM
You will like it. I had a regular 4.5 RC lift and added the long arm conversion.

vwfoolwhy
05-01-2011, 02:07 PM
Finally had a free weekend with good weather to work on the jeep.

Installed all 4 Balljoints and F/Axle Joints. Mounted a set of 31" I p/u on the Canyon Wheels and put them on the XJ.

Next week will be brakes all the way around and an Inspection Sticker. Then I'll be ready to install the long arm kit.

vwfoolwhy
05-03-2011, 05:21 PM
Here is how it sits for now!

Still looks good for 350K miles.
http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn267/vwfoolwhy/Jeep%20XJ-Rough%20Country%204%205%20Long%20Arm/DSC05037.jpg

http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn267/vwfoolwhy/Jeep%20XJ-Rough%20Country%204%205%20Long%20Arm/DSC05036.jpg

http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn267/vwfoolwhy/Jeep%20XJ-Rough%20Country%204%205%20Long%20Arm/DSC05035.jpg

Not bad for $200.00.
http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn267/vwfoolwhy/Jeep%20XJ-Rough%20Country%204%205%20Long%20Arm/DSC05038.jpg

DETOURS
05-03-2011, 05:30 PM
Man you're up in that little nitch of Mass aye.......who you wheeling with?

Oh, build looking good!

vwfoolwhy
05-03-2011, 05:36 PM
Not wheeling with anyone right now. The jeep is far from being what I consider "Rough Trail Ready". However I do enjoy the light trails as of now.

I've killed a many good vehicles by just wheeling them. I like this one enough to do it right once.

I'm in a good part of Mass. 30min. from all the good things New England has to offer.

Haverhill is located on the Merrimack river so boat goes in and 20 min down river I'm in the Ocean. I love it around here.

DETOURS
05-03-2011, 05:41 PM
Thats kool, I'm from CT, have inlaws on the Cape........been up in your area meeting with numerous Jeepers......
Check out www.NEJEEP.org if you want to get hooked with a club, they have members in Boston & just south of you.......they do weekend'ers over in N. Adams MA....great place to wheel & camp. All levels of rigs, family (for the most part) orientated........

modestmar00xj
05-04-2011, 11:03 AM
nice build man!

Needmesome2
05-05-2011, 09:21 PM
Good start Big bro.......I miss the old time mudding

vwfoolwhy
05-06-2011, 10:30 PM
Thanks Bro

Took Mom out for lunch today. Should have seen her getting in and out.

I'll have to carry a small step ladder for her when it goes up 3" more. LOL

5-Speed XJ
06-13-2011, 09:14 PM
Thats kool, I'm from CT, have inlaws on the Cape........been up in your area meeting with numerous Jeepers......
Check out www.NEJEEP.org if you want to get hooked with a club, they have members in Boston & just south of you.......they do weekend'ers over in N. Adams MA....great place to wheel & camp. All levels of rigs, family (for the most part) orientated........

:dito:

cantab27
06-25-2011, 05:06 AM
update please............................................ ....

vwfoolwhy
06-26-2011, 06:32 PM
No updates so far lots of other things getting in the way of the XJ right now.

Waiting on some back ordered parts to come in so I can get this going.

Plans are to have it done for the 14th of July for when I go to the New England Forest Rally.

alwaysxj
06-26-2011, 10:03 PM
looks like a great start. keep that 4.0 tell 450k just to see how long it will go.

vwfoolwhy
10-04-2011, 12:10 AM
"I'm A Bad XJ Owner"

It's been a very busy summer and the XJ was more than neglected. It's been more of a shed for my tools, all the lift parts, and boat parts. Now that the kids are back in school and the last weekend of camping is this long weekend I should be able to give the attention she needs. Lucky if 10 miles was put on all summer.

cantab27
10-04-2011, 12:33 AM
we are patience here..we can wait...nice to see log on mate

Mudderoy
10-04-2011, 02:24 PM
"I'm A Bad XJ Owner"

It's been a very busy summer and the XJ was more than neglected. It's been more of a shed for my tools, all the lift parts, and boat parts. Now that the kids are back in school and the last weekend of camping is this long weekend I should be able to give the attention she needs. Lucky if 10 miles was put on all summer.

Sounds like it had a nice rest. :D

steph74
10-04-2011, 02:42 PM
it is good, hink about all that gas money that you saved !!!!