2000 Xj reBUILD Mater hybrid

[Showtime3492]

So since my other jeep is now no longer going to be built (by me) I figured i would start a thread for the new xj. Since it will be continued where my 98 xj- Mater, left off before i decided to throw in the towl for a more friendly less Owner hating non Nazi jeep. :D .... However im sure after i get all the work done to the new one i may just hate that one as well :out:

So shall we begin?

2000 xj with 190k- yep that bad head casting lasted up to 190 then CA-Put death to the xj
Has a low pinion 30-GONE for High pinion
Has an 8.25 with a LSD that works (sweet!)
2.5 inch exhaust all the way
new radiator
new heater core
Very clean interior

Then needs.. they are a bit steep at the moment but it can and will be done and i believe still be less work than mine has continually proved it need...:banghead: high maintenance jeeps dont equal a high maintenance woman i have learned the hard way....:rolleyes:
Needs
Front clip- header panel,grill, headlights, fenders, hood,bumper
Motor- So generously offered up from My 98
The low pinion swapped for the high pinion
Long arms and suspension installed.
And the 242 swapped for my 231... no rush on this one

http://i1127.photobucket.com/albums/l626/Showtime3492/294056_2208234610999_1401465462_32175937_332691727 _n.jpg

I saw this jeep on craigslist originally for 1500 with the original short arm lift on it... I didnt want or need that sitting around. So when i called and not recognizing the number a fellow jeeper i have met from the area answered the phone and since we knew each other the deal was struck that once at my house the jeeps pressent 4.5 inch short arm lift will be taken off and returned to the P/O...Good cuz its shortarms and add a leaf rear. The new adjusted sale price was $700.. the next day i went to look at it. Long story short new sale price $600 delivered to my house. :D

I hope to have it home on monday or tuesday then the fun will start cuz as soon as it gets here the fun begins!!!! :spongebob:

[4.3LXJ]

You have your work cut out for you. And you are right, Jeeps are cheaper than women

[Showtime3492]

It kinda fell into place nicely though I am on first shift for the next few weeks so ill be able to work on it throughout the week. If its home by Monday the goal is to have the front clip off. The gauge cluster inside swapped out for a different 98 clusters I have. And the motor and trans unbolted. I think that's reasonable... But the push is on for more cuz I haven't been this anxious about a jeep since..... Ever

[bluedragon436]

Looks like a good base to start building off of... I hope this one does work out way better than the last one.. Can't wait to see how this one goes.. Especially since it is already starting off better than the last one..

[Showtime3492]

Looks like a good base to start building off of... I hope this one does work out way better than the last one.. Can't wait to see how this one goes.. Especially since it is already starting off better than the last one..

Yeah that's how i feel about it but its being slowed at the moment the kid that used to own it is being short with me for no good reason but I have the keys and the title is transferred so I am just gonna find another way to trailer it and go get it one evening.

[4.3LXJ]

Yeah that's how i feel about it but its being slowed at the moment the kid that used to own it is being short with me for no good reason but I have the keys and the title is transferred so I am just gonna find another way to trailer it and go get it one evening.

Does he think he screwed up? I do:p

[Showtime3492]

Does he think he screwed up? I do:p

Lol i dont know if he does or not but after a FREAKIN INSANE TURN OF EVENTS and an incredible amount of patience IT IS HOME!!!

[Showtime3492]

Now i just gotta fugure out where the wires are for the after cat o2 sensor... Anyone know of the central location they lead too? also is there a conection other than the one for the o2 sensor itself further up the wire?? i see a wire with no point of connection hanging down above the axle on the passenger front with a small connection that is factory looking on it and i am not sure what it goes too or if its to the cat o2... Any thoughts???

[Showtime3492]

Did some demo work today got the hole front clip off and ready to start undoing the mass of connections to the engine and trans.

[Showtime3492]

Pulled the front clip the last little bit and radiator. Also saw that all the o2 sensors were removed.... Previous owner was a f#$%in idiot, no wonder the motor blew up.... jackass lol

[dagr8tim]

Can't wait to see more.

[4.3LXJ]

His loss, your gain.

[Showtime3492]

http://i1127.photobucket.com/albums/l626/Showtime3492/376496_2225830050874_1401465462_32193532_130584132 3_n.jpg
http://i1127.photobucket.com/albums/l626/Showtime3492/316974_2225830690890_1401465462_32193533_431574794 _n.jpg

Also gone but obviously not pictured driveshafts trans crossmember, radiator is undone but just sitting there for now. Sorry for the dark pics it was late... not really it was 630 lol but dark, but thats the best light my other xjs headlights could do....

[bluedragon436]

Poor looking XJ!! LOL.. It will all be worth it in the end though..

[4.3LXJ]

I'm waiting for it to go back together :popcorn:

[Showtime3492]

Well we hit a major snag today... It's complicated but to simplify it the California emissions caused me not to be able to swap the exhaust manifold over because there are 4 o2 sensors is the exhaust manifold along with two catalytic converters. So i can't swap my head and exhaust manifold over to my knowledge without throwing a CEL OR causing an issue. With the 2000 exhaust manifold it has smaller ports than the 98 and will restrict flow on a 98 head so the current plan is to look for a new head either from Alabama cylinders head or from the yard because the 0331 castings were improved in 03 the "tupy" casting and this will be used for a new head so I can keep the 2000 legal and get it running properly.

[bluedragon436]

Ouch, yeah that is a pretty big issue.. I was wondering about that.. just couldn't remember what year they went to the four O2 sensor setup.. Can you not convert the wiring over?? Like pull the O2 harness off the 98' and swap it to the 2000 to replace the four O2 sensor harness?? What all sensors do they have that would keep you from being able to use your 98' head with the 2000 exhaust manifold if you aren't able to replace the harness??

[Showtime3492]

Ouch, yeah that is a pretty big issue.. I was wondering about that.. just couldn't remember what year they went to the four O2 sensor setup.. Can you not convert the wiring over?? Like pull the O2 harness off the 98' and swap it to the 2000 to replace the four O2 sensor harness?? What all sensors do they have that would keep you from being able to use your 98' head with the 2000 exhaust manifold if you aren't able to replace the harness??

switching to an older harness is illegal. Not allowed to modify any of the systems function. I may be goin to a huge yard i know tomorrow to do some looking for a head and if not well then i will just order one next paycheck i get. it will only be an 1100 dollar 2000 jeep cherokee lol. this is the general thought for right now but i may possibly if the shit gets any deeper just rob the shit outta parts to turn the red one into a pristine jeep again since it will be a second vehicle there will be much more time to tinker and not worry about needing it to get to work. In 2000 there were some xjs that were cali emissions and some that werent it was an option.

[4.3LXJ]

Most people that do the intake upgrade have to match ports on the new manifold. I don't know what kind of testing you have there. If you don't get sniffed, then you can do it and have a good horsepower gain. But you will need a die grinder or lots of work with a dremel to match the ports. But if you are sniffed, I think it is the NOx that is the problem with using the HO head.

[Showtime3492]

It will be sniffed and I had contemplated using the 98 head and just working it down with a die grinder but then there is. Thin piece of metal there now that is more prone to cracking. Plus I don't know it there is enough material there on the 2000 exhaust manifold to grind Dow. That much there is a big difference in the head port size.

[4.3LXJ]

You might want to check the TV show done lately, eight episodes on Cheap Trucks, I think it was called. They did this mod with the intake and exhaust I think.

[Showtime3492]

You might want to check the TV show done lately, eight episodes on Cheap Trucks, I think it was called. They did this mod with the intake and exhaust I think.

Couldn't find it all I found was powerblocks episodes on cheap cherokee which they do the intake on but not the exhaust. So I'm at the point of question on this if I should continue or just do the reverse of what was originally planned and just use the 2000 to make the 98 complete and use the money from parts and stuff to finish the other one the way it should be.... Idk this is gonna require a lil thought...

[4.3LXJ]

I may have the wrong name for the tittle. There was a post on here about it I believe. I don't watch local programming so my memory of it is a little fuzzy. Maybe Tony remembers. They took an XJ from stock to well built for under $6,000 including the stroker build.

[Showtime3492]

Yes sir that's the same one I was talkin about. They do the intake but the exhaust isnt California emissions its one of the standard single upstream o2s.

[4.3LXJ]

If you find a header you like, you can always add a bung. Do you have to show CARB stickers?

[Showtime3492]

We have to stickers for the windshield and we get full emssions as far as i know and it cant have a cel on which it will throw one as soon as i put a different header on with that style factory one.
http://i1127.photobucket.com/albums/l626/Showtime3492/imagesCAAJW4W1.jpg

This being the issue with the pre cats and o2s

[bluedragon436]

Well if there is an option to have the non-cali emissions.. wouldn't that be still having the two O2 sensors instead of the 4 O2 sensors?? for the 2000 model years..

[4.3LXJ]

Here is my advice. I went through this in CA, which is tougher than any other state, except parts of AZ. Call your local State PoPo. Ask them to give you the low down on what you need to have and do. That will dictate what you can get away with. For instance, I had to have stock air box, which didn't fit. I had no hood and an air box flapping in the breeze when it got it passed. That of course has changed. So you need to do a little homework first.

[Showtime3492]

maybe found a saving grace on this found an adapter plate via naxja a guy on there sells them i am gonna do some more research on it and hopefully he will get me a quote back and i will be on my way again with this.

[Showtime3492]

Here is my advice. I went through this in CA, which is tougher than any other state, except parts of AZ. Call your local State PoPo. Ask them to give you the low down on what you need to have and do. That will dictate what you can get away with. For instance, I had to have stock air box, which didn't fit. I had no hood and an air box flapping in the breeze when it got it passed. That of course has changed. So you need to do a little homework first.

homework.. i have done tons of it lol its simple i cannot chang the factory emissions system by removing or relocating o2 sensors which means the exhaust manifold has to stay the same with the 4 o2s in the exhaust manifold because there is no down stream after cat o2.

[4.3LXJ]

That is all part of conversions nowadays.

[Showtime3492]

Yup its sad cuz most of these issues the federal govt imposed could have been solved in a variety of other ways...

[bluedragon436]

Hey just like most of the issues they have imposed elsewhere.. I think just about anything they do, has no real purpose..

[Showtime3492]

Yeah. So the plan is now that if this guy off naxja gets back to me on the adapter plate I will go that route possibly but think i wanna throw a new cylinder head on it a little more just cuz new is better in this case and it would be the correct solution to it

[bluedragon436]

Yeah can't go wrong with having a new cylinder head.. I think you will def. be better off with getting the 2000 back on the road, than swapping everything over to keep the 98 on the road..

[Showtime3492]

motor trans tcase all out of one.. one to go lol anyone want any driveline parts?? supposedly good trans and 242 tcase. all for dirt cheap!!! lol like come take it out of my driveway cheap! all i am takin is the intake and exhaust and cam sensor.

[bluedragon436]

Moving quickly on the tear down.. Too bad it wasn't a 231.. then again if it was.. you'd keep it as a spare.. LOL

[Showtime3492]

Moving quickly on the tear down.. Too bad it wasn't a 231.. then again if it was.. you'd keep it as a spare.. LOL

Lol yeahhh most likely and if not my one buddy here needs a 231 cuz he pretty much evaporated one lol

[Showtime3492]

Not doin anything on the jeeps tonight too beat to mess with them... maybe by friday ill have the 98 down to just motor and trans, tcase so they can be pulled on friday cuz im not workin friday with the hopes of getting my projects done.

[bluedragon436]

I hope you are able to get at least some good progress towards your goals on the projects Friday.. I know what it is like to want to get some projects done, and some how it always seems something else comes up to take away from the XJ's!!

[Showtime3492]

Motor is out if my daily driven jeep... :( it was a sad day I had to cut her apart. Also did some damage to the trans well see if its repairable pics later right now I'm playing the new mw3 lol

[4.3LXJ]

RIP

[bluedragon436]

Glad to hear that the motor swap is moving forward.. I know you can't wait to get the new XJ on the road.. Can't blame you on the MW3.. I think if I hadn't been TDY when BF3 came out.. I'd be neglecting the XJ for that one.. LOL..

[Showtime3492]

http://i1127.photobucket.com/albums/l626/Showtime3492/296774_2258471546891_1401465462_32214190_815332950 _n.jpg

:pray:

[Showtime3492]

Lord give me strength, cuz I'm about to loose my cool....

Not a good day in the automobile world for me. Jeep is coming together but needs new oil pan new trans pan new alternator new lotssss

[bluedragon436]

You don't have those pans that you can pull off of one of the two motors/trans you have??

[Showtime3492]

You don't have those pans that you can pull off of one of the two motors/trans you have??

Yes I do and will but the alternator is what pissed me off cuz it was brand new and it is a 136 amp upgrade. And that's about it I was mostly steamed cuz of that and some other junk LOL. I think I'm cooled down mostly now.... Mostly butvthere will be no jeep work done tonight just incase.... :mad0090:

[bluedragon436]

Yes I do and will but the alternator is what pissed me off cuz it was brand new and it is a 136 amp upgrade. And that's about it I was mostly steamed cuz of that and some other junk LOL. I think I'm cooled down mostly now.... Mostly butvthere will be no jeep work done tonight just incase.... :mad0090:

Can't say I can't blame you for being upset about it.. and I do the same thing.. if I'm too aggravated about something I won't touch it or proceed on the project unless I know I've cooled down.. otherwise, I will just create way more work taking out my frustration.. Out of curiosity.. what happened to your 136amp alt??

[Showtime3492]

Can't say I can't blame you for being upset about it.. and I do the same thing.. if I'm too aggravated about something I won't touch it or proceed on the project unless I know I've cooled down.. otherwise, I will just create way more work taking out my frustration.. Out of curiosity.. what happened to your 136amp alt??

The engine hoist chain broke and dropped it on the on the pan and alternator and broke the fins on the side off.

[4.3LXJ]

The engine hoist chain broke and dropped it on the on the pan and alternator and broke the fins on the side off.

Oops, I wondered what happened to the those pans but was afraid to ask.:sign0181: Tough break. A little vacation is in order.

[Showtime3492]

Oops, I wondered what happened to the those pans but was afraid to ask.:sign0181: Tough break. A little vacation is in order.

Yeaaahh it got ugly for a solid ten minutes the red jeep has a really badly damaged door now it was my therapist. But the good thing is the oil pan took the hit on the front corner and I'm pretty sure didn't hurt any internals.. hopefully I am kinda thinking hour putting a write up up on how to do the whole swap from distributor to coil and how to make all the odds and ends work. Cuz its really starting to come together for actually working and if anyone else does this swap it'll take the guess work out of it for them lol. Thoughts? This jeep is going to be bad ass when its done and all my old shit is swapped over.

[4.3LXJ]

Poor red Jeep. Insult to injury :D But as for my thoughts, I really don't have too many. I have never stopped to think about converting one over other than doing the wiring harness and all. I have to confess I have kind of morphed from a Dodge man to a Chevy man since I did my conversion.

[bluedragon436]

Honestly... I think a writeup might be nice for someone if they end up doing a similar conversion.. Sorry to hear about the alt... wonder would it still be useful though, just not as easily cooled??

[Showtime3492]

Head adapter plate has arrived there could be a running jeep by this weekend!!!!!

[bluedragon436]

I hope it all works out to get it up and running this weekend... Look forward to seeing it progress into the beast I know you'll get it too!!

[Showtime3492]

I'm really excited now I'm hoping to be able to go out tomorrow and just throw as much on it as possible I will consider tomorrow an accomplishment if I get the low pinion front out. The long armed high pinion in and the motor bolted down 100% and maybe get intake and exhaust on also..... Freakin Stolked I have a pic of it on my 33s in the rear and man it looks sexy I love silver jeeps.

[bluedragon436]

Yeah I would say that would be quite an accomplishment for the day.. and would def. put you quite a bit closer to getting her back on the road!!

[Showtime3492]

Yeah I would say that would be quite an accomplishment for the day.. and would def. put you quite a bit closer to getting her back on the road!!

well plans for today got iced... But i did just order the browndogoffroad motor mounts... Sweet cant wait... Its time for some pics coming in a sec

[Showtime3492]

:cry: goodbye :cry: .....
http://i1127.photobucket.com/albums/l626/Showtime3492/380065_2286938058536_1401465462_32226223_997848164 _n.jpg

Oh wait $10 dollars a hundred?? eh sure why not take her away. lol
http://i1127.photobucket.com/albums/l626/Showtime3492/377720_2286931538373_1401465462_32226219_400219271 _n.jpg

[Showtime3492]

:D

http://i1127.photobucket.com/albums/l626/Showtime3492/305887_2286935978484_1401465462_32226222_308124187 _n.jpg

http://i1127.photobucket.com/albums/l626/Showtime3492/305790_2286933618425_1401465462_32226221_942664313 _n.jpg

[dagr8tim]

How much did you end up getting for the red one?

[Showtime3492]

Idk yet they are mailing the check but it was 10 per hundred and I'm figuring it weighed about 2200 cuz it weighed 3800 with motor trans tcase, tires so I'm figuring about 900 for motor trans n tcase and a couple odd hundred pounds for the 33s that were on it. So I'm hoping for at least 230 out of it but I guess well see when the check gets here lol

[bluedragon436]

You did take your tires off the rear end before they took it right??

[Showtime3492]

Yeah lol The two rears are those and the ones like the front went on the red one for rollers cuz they are junk

http://i1127.photobucket.com/albums/l626/Showtime3492/305790_2286933618425_1401465462_32226221_942664313 _n-1.jpg

[bluedragon436]

ahh.. so it went to the JY with some craptacular stockers on there??

[Showtime3492]

ahh.. so it went to the JY with some craptacular stockers on there??

yeah bald as hell n rusted to crap wheels lol

[Showtime3492]

Today pulled the low pinion out for the long arms and high pinion. Install tomorrow then hoping to start to tie up the loose ends o. The motor n tranny

[bluedragon436]

Yeah the motor and tranny are semi useless loose ends that I guess you might want to tie up.. LOL

[Showtime3492]

wow sorry for fallin off the face of the planet for the last couple of weeks. i have been super busy gettin stuff done.. the jeep has been on the back burner for about a month but today i picked back up on it. Started to prep for the new leaf install.. I am using a s10 blzer full pack from eye to eye for a wheelbase stretch and lift. It will be a 1.5 inch rear wheel base stretch. Today i got the inside of the shackle boxes wire wheeled and cleaned then chassis savered since they take a beating from road salts here and were a little rusty already. Also chassis savered my relocation brackets for the leafs since rough country doesnt do the best powder coating and it was chipping off like no tomorrow. Got one leaf set up for install tomorrow woulda done it today but my chassis saver was still wet. Since last update though the front axle is bolted up long arms installed. Motor and trans still untouched.

[4.3LXJ]

That is progress. How much lift you going for?

[Showtime3492]

That is progress. How much lift you going for?

I want 6 ish but the problem is I have practically brand new 4.5 front coils so I may end up adding a small block to the front cuz it won't effect the front too much being long armed.also since this is a full s10 pack I figure ill get about 5 since I'm going to keep the overload in it for now till I source a thinned one. Plus my relocation brackets are going to add about an inch so I will probably end up around 6 but this is all estimated especially since I found a REALLY new low mileage set of leafs so this thing may go full blown big. I'm running factory shackles untill I see the height. Which will be tomorrow.

[4.3LXJ]

I only got about 4" with the full pack under an XZ main leaf. I have measured them at the wrecking yard with weight on them and they have about 4" free arch then. I used that combo with a 1" block for 5" of lift. But it is kind of stiff.

[Showtime3492]

I only got about 4" with the full pack under an XZ main leaf. I have measured them at the wrecking yard with weight on them and they have about 4" free arch then. I used that combo with a 1" block for 5" of lift. But it is kind of stiff.

Really? That's what I ran under my old xj minus the blazer overload in a bastard pack and I got around 4. And only two leafs from the blazer pack regardless I know 5 inch isn't hard to get cuz even if I only get 4 from the pack ill get an additional 1-1.5 from my relocation brackets.

[4.3LXJ]

My measurements were based on measuring from the hub to flare, not how much it lifted it with any sagging springs.

[Showtime3492]

Hopefully today well see just how much it will net me and how the stretch will look and any issues with it I'm hopeful to have the rear end back up in it.

[Showtime3492]

So I finished up one side of the leafs and relocation brackets but then got to the other side and was about to start and decided to pull the diff cover too fix the leak and low n behold the spiders are fubar to the point they seized up and made it a "welded" rear. So guess what... I'm making it a welded rear :) then when that grenades I'm putting my 8.8 in

[4.3LXJ]

How does one fubar spiders like that. C'mon, fess up

[Showtime3492]

How does one fubar spiders like that. C'mon, fess up

Idk considered I've never even driven this jeep lol ill post up a pic but its gonna be a welded rear till I put an 8.8 in

[bluedragon436]

Only thing I can think of is that the PO failed to replace or check the level of the diff fluid..

[Showtime3492]

Scraped the wheelbase stretched idea once it was sat on the leafs it didn't move the axle at all really just centered it like really well the bumpstops still lined up even. Plus I called rough country and scored 4.5 inch full packs for 242 shipped to my door they arrived two days ago and will be on tomorrow. Also will finally get some pics up of progress and whats left to be done also.

[bluedragon436]

Got to love RC and their deals... Can't wait to see the progress!!

[Showtime3492]

Heres a few pics as promised.

To start the leaf pack and relocation brackets for the shackles.

http://i1127.photobucket.com/albums/l626/Showtime3492/Mobile%20Uploads/1326144538.jpg

And the stance.

http://i1127.photobucket.com/albums/l626/Showtime3492/Mobile%20Uploads/1326144600.jpg

http://i1127.photobucket.com/albums/l626/Showtime3492/Mobile%20Uploads/1326144195.jpg

[Showtime3492]

Got a lot done today.. installed brown dog offroad motor mounts hooked up the track bar and steering. Tomorrow will be doing the trans pan and possible oil pan gaskets

[bluedragon436]

It is looking good.. Glad to see that it is coming along nicely..

[Showtime3492]

Yesterday I put a hurting on this thing I got the cam sensors swapped over I think its done right. I set the motor at TDC and did the toothpick method and the cam sensor slid right in facing the back of the motor. I got the coil pack on all the harness pretty much identified for connections throttle body swapped over to the new intake,new starter on, old alternator off (waiting for advance auto to open up this morning and swapping that out) today I will be finishing the harness installing alternator intake exhaust.

[bluedragon436]

Coming along nicely Anthony!! Looking forward to seeing some pics as it continues to progress!!

[Showtime3492]

Its been hit or miss for time to work on it or do anything with the weather,work, and life lol but the end is near for this swap then its time for fun stuff ;)

[bluedragon436]

Breaking it and upgrading what breaks?? LOL.. I hear you on the being able to work on your XJ.. I have been putting some projects off on mine for the same reasons, as well as helping a co-worker (as well as a fellow xjtalk member) get his XJ back on the road with doing an engine swap..

[Showtime3492]

Breaking it and upgrading what breaks?? LOL.. I hear you on the being able to work on your XJ.. I have been putting some projects off on mine for the same reasons, as well as helping a co-worker (as well as a fellow xjtalk member) get his XJ back on the road with doing an engine swap..

Exactly! The future plan is a front and rear axle swap but not set in any direction yet with that was going to do a 44 and 9 inch combo but that will likely change. Considering narrowed 60 rear and 44 front I have better access to a cheap 60 than I do a 9 inch only reason. Or if I just wanna wheel it for a while till I start busting stuff ill just 8.8 it and throw a set of lockers in it. This is looking like the most realistic option at the moment. But my biggest plans for this are yet to be seen like boatsides and some other ideas I've been toying with..
But today is turning into a bust saw a little surface rust I wanna address before putting the intake on since it will be inaccessible if I do and its only 40* today so I can't paint. Thinkin it may have to be postponed temporary.

[4.3LXJ]

The ford stuff is easy and a good way to go. 60s are just too big and heavy for an XJ unless you have a dedicated rock crawler.

[Showtime3492]

The ford stuff is easy and a good way to go. 60s are just too big and heavy for an XJ unless you have a dedicated rock crawler.

Yeah I know but I can pick up a 60 for dirt cheap so that's the conflicts and narrowing it isn't an issue really. My biggest goal is to get a 44 under the front be it from a tj or one from an older Ford. The rear I will address last since its much easier .

[bluedragon436]

Exactly! The future plan is a front and rear axle swap but not set in any direction yet with that was going to do a 44 and 9 inch combo but that will likely change. Considering narrowed 60 rear and 44 front I have better access to a cheap 60 than I do a 9 inch only reason. Or if I just wanna wheel it for a while till I start busting stuff ill just 8.8 it and throw a set of lockers in it. This is looking like the most realistic option at the moment. But my biggest plans for this are yet to be seen like boatsides and some other ideas I've been toying with..
But today is turning into a bust saw a little surface rust I wanna address before putting the intake on since it will be inaccessible if I do and its only 40* today so I can't paint. Thinkin it may have to be postponed temporary.

I think I would stick with a D30 and 8.8 myself... unless it was an offroad only rig.. But that is just my eventual plans.. Running that setup with a locker up front, and probably just the stock LSD in the rear.. Unless my XJ becomes a dedicated trail vehicle.. which I don't see happening for quite a while. You doing the 99+ IM swap??

[Showtime3492]

I think I would stick with a D30 and 8.8 myself... unless it was an offroad only rig.. But that is just my eventual plans.. Running that setup with a locker up front, and probably just the stock LSD in the rear.. Unless my XJ becomes a dedicated trail vehicle.. which I don't see happening for quite a while. You doing the 99+ IM swap??

Yes sir have to do the swap on mine cuz my xj is a 2000 but motor is 98. I could make did with a HP 30 but I love fabrication and I think that's the big reason I wanna do a 44 up front lol. But in due time I guess lol. The first goal is still to get this thing running its really close just need a solid two or so days n it'll be rolling on its own. At this point its killing me.!

[4.3LXJ]

You should already have the 29 spline 8.25,unless someone stuck you with a D35

[Showtime3492]

You should already have the 29 spline 8.25,unless someone stuck you with a D35

I do have the 29 spline 8 1/4 but the spiders are junk and its getting welded for temporary.

[4.3LXJ]

Lunchbox locker time?

[Showtime3492]

Lunchbox locker time?

Thinkin its welded 8.25 time and then axle swap later.

[4.3LXJ]

You gonna use a stick or MIG?

[Mudderoy]

You gonna use a stick or MIG?

:poke:

[Showtime3492]

Ideally pulsed mig from my job. If not ill throw the stick rod at it.

[4.3LXJ]

The reason I asked is that most people just attack welding spiders with anything at hand. And many of those people have them fail. The solution some go for is to put about a pound of metal in there to compensate. The real solution as you well know is to use the right electrode. Most MIG wire, unless otherwise specified is just a hard wire. But you need a wire that is made for something like 4340. I have used some rod called Alstate Super 275 on axle shafts and spring steel that will hold up and take a beating. There are equivalents in other brands of electrodes called Super Missile Weld and so forth. Well worth the money for 2 or 3 sticks.

[Showtime3492]

Agreed. The pulsed mig I run at work will hold up to it I believe if I do go the stick route o will be investing in some.of that.

[Showtime3492]

Also forgot to mention, we run ER-80s d2 wire and its pretty favorable.

[4.3LXJ]

OK, just checking

[Showtime3492]

Also off work tomorrow thru monday gonna use the time to knock this jeep out

[bluedragon436]

I hope the weather continues to be nice for you, so you can get all the work you hope to get done on it!!

[Showtime3492]

I hope the weather continues to be nice for you, so you can get all the work you hope to get done on it!!

Man i do too i need to get it done i have a four wheeling date for feb 25th for a buddies birthday at Rauschcreekoffroadpark.com

[Showtime3492]

About to start to work on re assembling this thing the past two days were delayed. This morning had an interview at a pretty big name company! Pretty excited about that and just now at 2 pm gonna work for a bit on the jeep.

[4.3LXJ]

About to start to work on re assembling this thing the past two days were delayed. This morning had an interview at a pretty big name company! Pretty excited about that and just now at 2 pm gonna work for a bit on the jeep.

Come n now man, where are your priorities? :sign0181:

[Showtime3492]

Come n now man, where are your priorities? :sign0181:

Oh don't worry they are in the right place, see this job pays a lotttttt more and is closer to home so that leaves a while lot more $$$ for "goodies" on the jeep!

[4.3LXJ]

OK, just checking. You are allowed a temporary hiatus as long as it provides us entertainment in the end. :D

[Showtime3492]

OK, just checking. You are allowed a temporary hiatus as long as it provides us entertainment in the end. :D

Entertainment will be Sunday when I (hopefully) post a video of my jeep running!

[4.3LXJ]

That would be a major milestone

[Showtime3492]

That would be a major milestone

Pretty confident it can happen. Lil worried about the cam sensor though I set the motor at TDC but the sensor is facing the firewall line it should but not quiet zero degrees more like 5*.

[4.3LXJ]

Mudderoy has an article on timing the distributor on here. There is a little hole in there to line up with a notch.

[Showtime3492]

Mudderoy has an article on timing the distributor on here. There is a little hole in there to line up with a notch.

Yeah, I did this step by step
Set TDC
Used toothpick method to line up holes
Insert cam sensor
Clamp down
Remove toothpick
Plug in connection

Just worried since I heard it should be almost perfectly parallel with engine.

[Showtime3492]

Ok so been quite a while since i last updated..

Had the engine 100% done reassembled and running and then KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK coming from the engine. Fearing the worst i shut it down and didnt touch it for a week or so. Ran a compression test and pulled almost 150 on every cylinder so the compression was great. Ended up pulling the oil pan again and fearing that i may have busted a piston skirt saw that everything was good in there. The head im pretty sure is fine also but instead i purchased a new one from clearwater cylinder heads which is the correct head for this jeeps emmsion set up 0331 instead of 0630. So that determined i figured it was a collapsed lifter so ....
New lifters
New push rods
New head
Now putting the rest of the motor back together again new gaskets everywhere and new hardware. As long as it fires up nice and runs fine should be good for another 176k!

[Mudderoy]

Ok so been quite a while since i last updated..

Had the engine 100% done reassembled and running and then KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK coming from the engine. Fearing the worst i shut it down and didnt touch it for a week or so. Ran a compression test and pulled almost 150 on every cylinder so the compression was great. Ended up pulling the oil pan again and fearing that i may have busted a piston skirt saw that everything was good in there. The head im pretty sure is fine also but instead i purchased a new one from clearwater cylinder heads which is the correct head for this jeeps emmsion set up 0331 instead of 0630. So that determined i figured it was a collapsed lifter so ....
New lifters
New push rods
New head
Now putting the rest of the motor back together again new gaskets everywhere and new hardware. As long as it fires up nice and runs fine should be good for another 176k!

Well please let us know what happens, and if the knock goes away. Especially if you can see any failure on the liters you pull.

[Showtime3492]

Well please let us know what happens, and if the knock goes away. Especially if you can see any failure on the liters you pull.

The new head is on lifters in new push rods and rocker arms installed. I'm installing the intake and exhaust right now. The lifters that came out were in perfect condition on the cam face no wear at all but that was the last thing to check since it was definitely not a bottom end sounding knock. Pretty sure one of the internal springs just failed in one of them. Should be running by tomorrow-ish..

[Showtime3492]

installed the following and final torqued the down.
New head
Rocker arms etc
Intake and exhaust

Tomorrow will be finishing up all the accesories and probably installing a new water pump also since i turned mine today and it was catching a little and had a small noise to it.

[Showtime3492]

Holy santa clause shit my xj is alive!! finished the assembly on everything and filled it with juices and started it up and oh my gosh did it ever sound clean.. easily the best sounding 4.0 i have ever heard!!! Literally almost shed a tear over this one since its been since halloween that i got this thing i have been workin for this moment lol

[bluedragon436]

Congrats on getting it up and running... I know it is def. a happy moment for ya!!

[4.3LXJ]

The sweet sound of success

[Showtime3492]

Today I kinda went all out... Started putting my unibody stiffeners on and was planning on using my little pos harbor freight gasless mig to tack them on and then finally weld them out with my stick welder once I could move it to the back of the house where my 220 outlet is... Well I got one side about 3/4 of the way tacked on and the welder was fighting me every step of the way. The gun is cheap I had to splice 2 inches of wire into all the connections so they would stop coming undone inside the gun also the duty cycle is retarded short and it has the most erratic arc ever... So in a furry from a fireball going up my sleeve and a tack not going I kicked it.....hard...but it still works its cursed it won't die.. I've thrown it approx ten feet into a truck bed after similar situation and it won't die...so I broke down and went to tractor supply. The first time I walked out with the floor model hobart 140 handler.. but got home and it had the wrong leads and would not work. There were no other 140s, the second time I walked out with a hobart handler 190... That runs on 230 and welds 3/8 thick material....bye bye income tax but muahaha at all the stuff ill be able to do now and how much faster it'll be... muahaha muahaha

[Mudderoy]

Holy santa clause shit my xj is alive!! finished the assembly on everything and filled it with juices and started it up and oh my gosh did it ever sound clean.. easily the best sounding 4.0 i have ever heard!!! Literally almost shed a tear over this one since its been since halloween that i got this thing i have been workin for this moment lol

Excellent! It's a lot of work and hope so your emotion is easy to understand.

[4.3LXJ]

Congrats on the welder. It is the pits working with junk. You never regret buying good tools. How long is your extension cord? I have a 50" cord for my MIG. Works well. I leave it hooked up that way all the time.

[Showtime3492]

Congrats on the welder. It is the pits working with junk. You never regret buying good tools. How long is your extension cord? I have a 50" cord for my MIG. Works well. I leave it hooked up that way all the time.

My 220 cord is probably in the 15-20 ft range needs a new plug so I haven't used it yet but will be today ;) . Thanks I am pretty happy with the purchase before if I had heavier stuff I had to do it all with stick which normally I wouldn't care but I do a lot of work for friends... Really clean work that takes twice as long as it should cuz of the added clean up from using stick. Definitely ready to knock the rest of this jeep out and start my tube rockers and some other fun stuff

[4.3LXJ]

My 220 cord is probably in the 15-20 ft range needs a new plug so I haven't used it yet but will be today ;) . Thanks I am pretty happy with the purchase before if I had heavier stuff I had to do it all with stick which normally I wouldn't care but I do a lot of work for friends... Really clean work that takes twice as long as it should cuz of the added clean up from using stick. Definitely ready to knock the rest of this jeep out and start my tube rockers and some other fun stuff

I have gotten spoiled. I have a 220 amp MIG and have not used my stick welder accept once since I got it. I looked at my 40" leads the other day thinking to use them for battery cables. The rubber is cracking from just sitting there coiled up. :rolleye0012: I think the only reason I would use it now is for nickel rod and some special super missile rod I use occasionally.

[Showtime3492]

I have gotten spoiled. I have a 220 amp MIG and have not used my stick welder accept once since I got it. I looked at my 40" leads the other day thinking to use them for battery cables. The rubber is cracking from just sitting there coiled up. :rolleye0012: I think the only reason I would use it now is for nickel rod and some special super missile rod I use occasionally.

any ideas where i can get a small box of super missle rod? only need like 4 or 5 but would buy a small box if i could find one?

[4.3LXJ]

I can buy it by the stick if need be at my local welding shop. Just have them weigh it and charge you by the pound

Hey. Whatcha welding with that stuff?

[Showtime3492]

I can buy it by the stick if need be at my local welding shop. Just have them weigh it and charge you by the pound

Hey. Whatcha welding with that stuff?

spider gears potentially... but i did a whole bunch of work on a friends yj and he is supposed to come through for me and buy me an 8.8 for repayment...but well see:rolleyes:

[4.3LXJ]

That would be cool. Trades are nice

[Showtime3492]

Wellllll a bad scenario turned worse.. motor was running well and then the knock officiallly started that killed it.. well not really but it will no longer be a 4.0 pulling it back out tomorrow and takin it to the machine shope to be decked and bored .030 over for a 4.6 stroker build.

Had a bad bearing in the bottom so its rebuild time overall i am pretty excited for the stroker build!

[cantab27]

walk away leave it for a day or two ,then back into it...find that helps me with its all turning to shit when working on them............

[prcjeep]

sounds like you have some of my luck with motors

[msmoorenburg]

sounds like you have some of my luck with motors

the minus touch :poke:

[bluedragon436]

Sorry to hear about the short lived life of the new XJ... But glad to hear about the 4.6L build and the beast that will be when it's done...

[Showtime3492]

Yeah its unfortunate but I actually am glad I am rebuilding since now I know I will get a lot more life out of it.

The stroker set up will be
Hot tank block
Bored .030
Line hone crank journals
Check deck flatness
All new bearings inside
258 crank
258 rods
Possibly new cam
-this setup has been dyno'd to somewhere around 265 HP.

[bluedragon436]

Very nice... I'll just have to stick with my budget stroker build once I find a block to rebuild...

[4.3LXJ]

I cringe when installing used engines

[msmoorenburg]

I cringe when installing used engines

its not so bad after you have heard them run :banghead:

[Showtime3492]

Very nice... I'll just have to stick with my budget stroker build once I find a block to rebuild...

This is a poor man's stroker setup and the cam if i do one is only an additional 185$ so it'll still be fairly cheap. Right now the best quote I got from a machine shop was 1500 for parts,labor, and machine work. But may just do it myself it depends on if I feel like looking at this jeep anymore hahaha

[Showtime3492]

http://i1127.photobucket.com/albums/l626/Showtime3492/ForumRunner_20120818_143314.jpg

http://i1127.photobucket.com/albums/l626/Showtime3492/268362_3711432230000_1891584041_n.jpg

4.6 stroker finally got it back.

[4.3LXJ]

Anthony, that is a long time since you posted here. Engine looks nice though

[Brasscatz]

Nice! I've got to say that orange valve cover looks amazing on black! What color is that?

[Showtime3492]

Nice! I've got to say that orange valve cover looks amazing on black! What color is that?

Not 100% sure its a high temp paint from advanced auto made by vht. I thought it looked sweet too! :thumbsup:

[bluedragon436]

I think that Orange will look good under the hood.. Where did you find the crank and rods at,as they are the rods/crank combo I will be looking to source for my rebuild once I find a spare block

[Showtime3492]

I think that Orange will look good under the hood.. Where did you find the crank and rods at,as they are the rods/crank combo I will be looking to source for my rebuild once I find a spare block

I got mine from a friend, but there are remanufactured ones on the napa web site that's for the cranks and the run like 250 but there is a whole 258 on jeep forum right now in pa for 150 . You can also use a 232 crank and you stock 4.0 rods and that will be a setup for a 4.2 stroker and you can run a ridiculous cam with those and they make good power. You have to be careful when picking a cam on the bigger displacment strokers there are some horror stories about cam failures. If I were doing it all over I would have built a 4.2 with a lunati cam and roller rockers.

[Brasscatz]

I got mine from a friend, but there are remanufactured ones on the napa web site that's for the cranks and the run like 250 but there is a whole 258 on jeep forum right now in pa for 150 . You can also use a 232 crank and you stock 4.0 rods and that will be a setup for a 4.2 stroker and you can run a ridiculous cam with those and they make good power. You have to be careful when picking a cam on the bigger displacment strokers there are some horror stories about cam failures. If I were doing it all over I would have built a 4.2 with a lunati cam and roller rockers.

Thanks for the memory! It may sound silly, but my '80 Trans Am had Lunati in it and I haven't heard anybody talk about Lunati cams in probably 10 years! Wish I never sold that car.

Sorry for the off-subject thread jack :D As you were :cool:

[Showtime3492]

Thanks for the memory! It may sound silly, but my '80 Trans Am had Lunati in it and I haven't heard anybody talk about Lunati cams in probably 10 years! Wish I never sold that car.

Sorry for the off-subject thread jack :D As you were :cool:

Not a problem! I wanted to run a lunati cam in mine but I wanted extra reliability and a heavy lunati cam wouldnt have helped ny cause... Although maybe someday ;) any pics of your trans am??

[Brasscatz]

Not a problem! I wanted to run a lunati cam in mine but I wanted extra reliability and a heavy lunati cam wouldnt have helped ny cause... Although maybe someday ;) any pics of your trans am??

Unfortunately, that was long before I had a digital camera or a cell phone. I don't have any pics of the finished product, but I have some old-school pictures of the restoration that I'll have to hunt down and scan them in sometime.

[Showtime3492]

Unfortunately, that was long before I had a digital camera or a cell phone. I don't have any pics of the finished product, but I have some old-school pictures of the restoration that I'll have to hunt down and scan them in sometime.

Cool that's somethin I'd be interested in seeing. :thumbsup:

[Showtime3492]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6D0HnQd0A_k

[Showtime3492]

This was the destruction of the pre stroker 4.0. The engine was warmed up and holding oil pressure.. it is on open headers here thats why it sounds so loud

EDIT nevermind video not posting

[Showtime3492]

http://i1127.photobucket.com/albums/l626/Showtime3492/244192_3925810389320_1918632868_o_zpsd559bdca.jpg
http://i1127.photobucket.com/albums/l626/Showtime3492/333784_3925810949334_1877895234_o_zpsf15d1520.jpg

[Showtime3492]

Its not perfect but its gonna be a pretty bad ass jeep.

[4.3LXJ]

It is getting there

[Showtime3492]

It is getting there

Slowly and gruelingly. :bang:

[4.3LXJ]

Slowly and gruelingly. :bang:

I know. That is the way my builds are too.

[Showtime3492]

Soo this has spiraled out of control so im gonna ride it on down like any good captain would do... Building a DIY tube bender sometime this week.. who can guess whats comin? Hint: not a roll cage....yet

[4.3LXJ]

Bumper and sliders

[Showtime3492]

Bumper and sliders

Nah too easy... Was thinking more like an integrated under hood cage that comes out through the wheel wells and is incorporated into tube fenders up front.

[bluedragon436]

Pics or it didn't... oh the hell with it, I know it'll happen... I just ant to see pics of the progress!!! lol... The XJ is coming along nicely!!

[Showtime3492]

Pics or it didn't... oh the hell with it, I know it'll happen... I just ant to see pics of the progress!!! lol... The XJ is coming along nicely!!

Hahaha I am going to start building my tube bender probably this weekend!

[Showtime3492]

http://i1127.photobucket.com/albums/l626/Showtime3492/404581_2610584989507_1401465462_32366368_131742198 7_n.jpg

this is the plan. yellow is all the hard parts. the peach circles are where it will be detatchable. the rear hoop will be run through the sheetmetal under the fenders and taken to the unibody. I dont want to do a full cage just yet. i want this because i want the unibody to be sturdy up front. The rear is going to eventually get its own treatment.

[4.3LXJ]

Sounds like a plan. Since you have it apart, now is the time to do it

[Showtime3492]

Sounds like a plan. Since you have it apart, now is the time to do it

Its mostly back together but I have it just broken down enough still to do it all. I just dont like the front of the unibody. seems like to me thats where all the problems start with cracking etc.

[4.3LXJ]

Yeah, commonly around the steering box

[bluedragon436]

Looks like a really kick a$$ design... very similar to how a lot of buggies become from XJ's or other full size builds!!! Can't wait to see how this thing continues on!!

[Showtime3492]

Yeah, commonly around the steering box

yup. I mean it can be plated in that area which helps but i figure keeping if "together" so that its not bending and twisting repeatedly is mroe effective than just plating it and hoping all the plated stuff stays atatched down the line.

[4.3LXJ]

OK But I use the plate in my winch bumper. I have trashed the track bar mounts on both ends, but the steering box area is just peachy

[Showtime3492]

OK But I use the plate in my winch bumper. I have trashed the track bar mounts on both ends, but the steering box area is just peachy

I'm not saying plating isn't good... It's actually great. I just mean the weakest point of a unibody is the twisting effect and if you can reduce the twist keeping the front rails parallel its only going to strengthen it more. I just plated the unibody from lower control ARM mount to rear leaf spring front hanger.

[Showtime3492]

http://i1127.photobucket.com/albums/l626/Showtime3492/52527_3940602119104_1085570271_o.jpg

crossmember welded to the unibody stiffeners

[Showtime3492]

For the record the link portion of the crossmember are from rough country. Those shitty ass welds arent from me.

[4.3LXJ]

I'm not saying plating isn't good... It's actually great. I just mean the weakest point of a unibody is the twisting effect and if you can reduce the twist keeping the front rails parallel its only going to strengthen it more. I just plated the unibody from lower control ARM mount to rear leaf spring front hanger.

I am not discounting your idea. But I think even with what you are doing, a plate is called for. The two together would be awesome

[Showtime3492]

I am not discounting your idea. But I think even with what you are doing, a plate is called for. The two together would be awesome

Indeed. I was just stating that in my thoughts plating alone is not a perfect fix.. but a unibody isnt perfect in any form. lol

Today i built the adjustable map sensor for it. Installing it tomorrow since im off work :beer:

[Showtime3492]

Installed the adjustable map sensor and it is working flawlessly!

[4.3LXJ]

Cool

[Showtime3492]

Cool

Jeep could be on a wheeling trip as soon as Oct 13.:pray:

[4.3LXJ]

That is even better. But don't be like me, make it a short one. Been on too many where I get finished at 3AM and take off on a long one. Did that a year ago on my three link and track bar. Good thing it worked OK

[Showtime3492]

Drove the jeep for about ten minutes and left it run for a solid 25 min it was operating at normal temperature about 205-210 then i shut it down and a few minutes later it blew the radiator cap off.. Any clues on what may have caused this????? The coolant resevoir was about 1/4 full at the start it was totally full after the cap blew off.

[Carves]

Drove the jeep for about ten minutes and left it run for a solid 25 min it was operating at normal temperature about 205-210 then i shut it down and a few minutes later it blew the radiator cap off.. Any clues on what may have caused this????? The coolant resevoir was about 1/4 full at the start it was totally full after the cap blew off.


A bit of heat soak after switch off is fairly normal and the overflow bottle will fill as the coolant temp gets hotter.

Without being familiar with your setup ... I'd guess at a weak spring in the rad cap and its not holding pressure ??

[Showtime3492]

A bit of heat soak after switch off is fairly normal and the overflow bottle will fill as the coolant temp gets hotter.

Without being familiar with your setup ... I'd guess at a weak spring in the rad cap and its not holding pressure ??

Thats kinda what i was leaning toward too. I was happy the stroker was staying cool and then that happened so kinda go under my skin a little.

[Showtime3492]

So typical me, I got into another project before one was complete. Not a problem other than i need help deciding on which set up. The potential options are as follows

Dana 44 rear out of Isuzu with 4.56 gears and a LSD
Dana 44 front out of Waggy 4.56 open diff

OR:

Ford 8.8 with 3.55 open diff
dana 30 front 3.55 open with a super 30 kit
3.55s will only be untill I can further upgrade to 4.56s

Both are about the same price for me since i have access to some stuff for dirt cheap and can build the rest. The only reason I am unsure of this is I may have difficulty finding a drivers drop waggy 44 they seem to be getting more difficult to find around here. only seen one in the past year in the salvage yard.

[4.3LXJ]

I would go with the first option. Love 44s. The aftermarket support is just great for them

[Showtime3492]

I would go with the first option. Love 44s. The aftermarket support is just great for them

thats what i was thinkin and i can get both 44s for 100 total. at the u pull it so i think that is what im planning. plus its hard to beat havin 4.56 and lsd already in there and only having to worry about the front as long as the gears look good.

[4.3LXJ]

Sounds like a plan to me. Whatever aftermarket thing you can think of for diffs, you can get them for a 44

[Showtime3492]

Sounds like a plan to me. Whatever aftermarket thing you can think of for diffs, you can get them for a 44

When I first picked up this 2000 xj I had no intention of swapping axles till I pulled the rear diff cover and saw junked spider gears. Then the more I thought about it I wanted to upgrade the steering and have manual hubs also so that spurred the 44search

[4.3LXJ]

I like manual hubs. Going old school myself

[XJ Wheeler]

I'm with Steve, go 44s. The way i think of it, everyone says axles like the 30/8.8/8.25/etc can be built to 44 strength but a 44 can be built to 60 strength. And as mentioned the 44 has the ultimate in aftermarket support.

[nickxj94]

Go 44s like my buddy's beast! 681682

[Showtime3492]

http://i1127.photobucket.com/albums/l626/Showtime3492/55354_4016909506741_1648155178_o.jpg
http://i1127.photobucket.com/albums/l626/Showtime3492/78022_4016911866800_1655139426_o.jpg
http://i1127.photobucket.com/albums/l626/Showtime3492/172725_4016908266710_784618143_o.jpg
http://i1127.photobucket.com/albums/l626/Showtime3492/201082_4016910746772_1632479996_o.jpg

My buddys zj. Did some Tube sliders/boatside(ish) work on it

[Showtime3492]

http://i1127.photobucket.com/albums/l626/Showtime3492/55403_4016387453690_274153741_o.jpg

Cutting his rockers out was a PITA! they were so mangled from his last wheeling trip that i had to beat the door frame back into shape for him . Finshed product looks good though Im gonna be adding a rail on the outside like a step to them later for him.

[Showtime3492]

been busy workin, goin to college and workin on the jeep. Finally got around to installing my wideband o2 and almost finished welding the pasenger floor in. Once that is done i just need to put the rear section of the exhaust back on and tighten a few bolts and im gonna go do some WOT pulls with this stroker to dial in the tuning (also for fun) and then if all is well probably start on some cosmetic work.

[Showtime3492]

Just sittin here thinkin and wanted to see just how long the list of things done to the jeep was compared to whats left... Warning its lengthy.

Towed it home through a busy part of town on Halloween of last year.
(might have been a sign it was goin to be a nightmare)
Pulled front end off donor jeep and this jeep
Pulled the Blown motor and smoked trans
Pulled driveline from donor jeep aka Mater
Motor,trans,tcase
Installed entire driveline into jeep
Swapped out the Low pinion 30 for a high pinion 30
Trashed 4.0 out of donor jeep (spun bearing)
Pulled engine back out and gutted block
bought a new head from clearwater cylinder heads to match the california emmisions
Drove to new york to buy parts for stroker (crank and rods)
Wrong rods but useable crank (sold)
Got correct rods and crank for free from buddy with a 88 wrangler he parted
Took everything to the machine shop
Crank ground
rods reconditions
arp rod bolts
bored .030 over
block decked .015
new pistons,rings,bearings seals, freeze plugs, oil pump
new cam
new oil pan
4 months later i got my engine back... wtf
Installed the engine,trans and tcase Again
Built a map sensor voltage adjuster for tuning purposes
Installed a wideband o2 (tuning)
Made rough country long arm cross memeber center section removeable
welded on frame stiffeners
welded on long arms
Installed shackle relocation brackets
cut out passenger floor and welding new in.
Put the fenders header panel and lights back on.
Removed carpet from front half of jeep

Wow...Thats just the stuff that was priority

[4.3LXJ]

It never ends, always more to do. My list gets bigger faster than I can get it done

[Showtime3492]

It never ends, always more to do. My list gets bigger faster than I can get it done

Yup.. Then i get an idea and impulse kicks in and ive already got the grinder in my hand cutting up or out stuff. :out: Lost my mind

[4.3LXJ]

I just need a bigger budget. Bear in mind this was the rig I wasn't going to modify .......

[Showtime3492]

I just need a bigger budget. Bear in mind this was the rig I wasn't going to modify .......

My first jeep started like that and spiraled out of control and now I wish I had a bigger budget for all the plans on this one!

[Showtime3492]

So today was highly unproductive and I did pretty much nothing on the jeep. That said I'm still planning on having it 100% driveable by next weekend.

[Showtime3492]

Just never a break on this jeep. Ended up spending 3 days chasing electrical gremlins.. Think that i got most of them ironed out. Jeep is pretty much driveable justhavent had the chance to do so yet.

[Showtime3492]

Ok today was a huge day. Gonna keep it short. Lots of rushing to finish loose ends. A parts store run and at 6pm I drove it for about 20 min. Was awesome, could feel a noticeable increase in torque. Need to regear it next for even more effect. Temps held good, no catastrophic failures. Only one issue and that was front driveshaft rubbing on new cross member. No problem though just cut a little off and re weld it in. It was a satisfying day. Now on to less practical mods.

[4.3LXJ]

Good to hear. It has been a long road. Keep us posted

[Showtime3492]

Good to hear. It has been a long road. Keep us posted

Absolutely. There is more to come. At one point I didn't touch the jeep for about 4 months I was so frustrated with it. Also the machine shop was frustrating me and there was zero desire to work on it. But now its all coming together. I am going to be doing a lot of wheeling related mods as this progresses. I'm still on the fence thou about a lot of things. I am going to keep the radius arm front though and work on making the rear compliment the front better

[XJ Wheeler]

Nicely done. I'm sure you already have it planned so i don't have to ask for a video.

[Showtime3492]

Nicely done. I'm sure you already have it planned so i don't have to ask for a video.

Lol, its coming tomorrow. It was too dark when I finally did get to drive it.

[XJ Wheeler]

Lol, its coming tomorrow. It was too dark when I finally did get to drive it.

I'll be waiting...

[Showtime3492]

I'll be waiting...

I'll have plenty of camera people here tomorrow to take a video. ;) gonna make family work a little for their turkey. Haha

[Showtime3492]

I'll be waiting...

did get an updated photo of at least!
http://i1127.photobucket.com/albums/l626/Showtime3492/252200_4175967203084_832712802_n.jpg

[4x4Dalton]

Sweet lookin XJ bro. Been readin the thread man it's been a bumpy road for ya up to this point. Great to see its ready for its close up :) Can't wait to see the vids


Sent from my bulletproof iPhone using the Flapmyjaws app :)

[Showtime3492]

Sweet lookin XJ bro. Been readin the thread man it's been a bumpy road for ya up to this point. Great to see its ready for its close up :) Can't wait to see the vids


Sent from my bulletproof iPhone using the Flapmyjaws app :)

It was to the point of possibly abandoning it. lol Thanks. The front half is getting monstalinered as soon as i feel like sanding it down. I have a thing for two tone black and silver.

[Showtime3492]

Some early morning four wheeling before dinner with my buddy. Gonna hit some trails in the other jeep I built hahaha. Pics later

[Brasscatz]

Shoot, gotta really nice motor in it and the front end turns red to reflect the awesomeness! That's a majestic transformation right there ;)

[4x4Dalton]

Oh come on Jim ain't ya heard white is the new AWESOME!!!!! Lol :p


Sent from my bulletproof iPhone using the Flapmyjaws app :)

[bluedragon436]

Look forward to seeing those pics of some Thanksgiving wheeling!!

[Showtime3492]

Shoot, gotta really nice motor in it and the front end turns red to reflect the awesomeness! That's a majestic transformation right there ;)

Can't contain the awesome. It's simply too much. ;)

[Showtime3492]

http://i1102.photobucket.com/albums/g447/liltes/trails%20rd/FILE0315.jpg

[Showtime3492]

http://i1102.photobucket.com/albums/g447/liltes/trails%20rd/FILE0328.jpg

[Showtime3492]

Ahhg pics not working from phone... Give me a min lol

[Showtime3492]

http://i1102.photobucket.com/albums/g447/liltes/trails%20rd/FILE0329.jpg

[Showtime3492]

http://i1102.photobucket.com/albums/g447/liltes/trails%20rd/FILE0318.jpg
http://i1102.photobucket.com/albums/g447/liltes/trails%20rd/FILE0326.jpg

[Showtime3492]

http://i1102.photobucket.com/albums/g447/liltes/trails%20rd/FILE0034-1.jpg

http://i1102.photobucket.com/albums/g447/liltes/trails%20rd/FILE0330.jpg

http://i1102.photobucket.com/albums/g447/liltes/trails%20rd/FILE0323.jpg

[Showtime3492]

http://i1102.photobucket.com/albums/g447/liltes/trails%20rd/FILE0322.jpg

[Showtime3492]

for a green jeep. Its pretty sweet.

[Showtime3492]

http://i1127.photobucket.com/albums/l626/Showtime3492/59013_4179073840748_467619872_n.jpg

http://i1127.photobucket.com/albums/l626/Showtime3492/178956_4179072880724_179270949_n.jpg

http://i1127.photobucket.com/albums/l626/Showtime3492/215955_4179074520765_1075516029_n.jpg

[Showtime3492]

short trip today but it was fun. That zj is locked front and Lsd rear clayton 4 link rear with no trac bar, Iron rock offroad front long arm. 2wd Low, and armour by me. and an ax15 with 231 tcase

[Brasscatz]

Looks pretty sweet!

[bluedragon436]

That ZJ def looks like fun wheeling rig...

[Showtime3492]

That ZJ def looks like fun wheeling rig...

That's "the boat" or I call it the turtle. Lol that thing doesn't look like much but its the most capable rig I know around here

[XJ Wheeler]

Now that looks like a fun thanksgiving!

[Showtime3492]

Still havent gotten that video... Should be able to this thursday or friday. But i did drive it again and the more those rings settle the more that engine is coming to life. We had about an inch of snow here and i couldnt resist driving it a little to test out the rear to see if it is worth rebuilding or just welding it and the Lsd works awesome in it so probably gonna rebuild it.

[Showtime3492]

Picked up some Wj knuckles and calipers and caliper brackets for a brake and steering swap. Going with one ton chevy tie rod ends. Who is interested in my Ironman4x4fab track bar since i cant use it anymore. lol

[Showtime3492]

For anyone who has seen my for sale add you know that i changed my total direction on where i originally intended to go with this jeep. Gonna keep my Hp 30 and just build it to last since i have never actually broken anything on it anyways. And i got a 4.10 carrier with new bearings on it from a buddy in trade for some welding time.

New plan is crossover steering off a wj with those awesome brakes
relocating the track bar- cuz well ya have to with crossover from a wj
trussing my 30-again.
gonna gusset the c's as well
The rear is still up in the air at the moment either an 8.8 or rebuild 8.25. maybe just weld the 8.25 and once it blows drop the 8.8 in later

[Showtime3492]

Been quite some time! Kinda happens working two jobs though. My xj Still not driveable lol Gettin closer every day though.
Since last time I finished
Wj Steering and brake conversion
Built a 4.10 8.8
Stretched the front 1.5
Bought km2s
Bought coilovers for the front which will be done in the next year its safe to say lololol
also started working at a new job a few months back at Down N Dirty Offroad
http://dndoffroad.3dcartstores.com/

[Showtime3492]

Ill get some pictures flowing here in a bit since im off work for the night and wide awake for a change!

[Showtime3492]

http://i1127.photobucket.com/albums/l626/Showtime3492/963855_10200245423643879_1150525982_o_zps8b27a704. jpg (http://s1127.photobucket.com/user/Showtime3492/media/963855_10200245423643879_1150525982_o_zps8b27a704. jpg.html)

3 inch intake tube to match the 62-65 mm taper bored throttle body

[Showtime3492]

http://i1127.photobucket.com/albums/l626/Showtime3492/1001068_10200308486140402_234011947_n_zpsf08ff377. jpg (http://s1127.photobucket.com/user/Showtime3492/media/1001068_10200308486140402_234011947_n_zpsf08ff377. jpg.html)
Finishing up the 8.8

[Showtime3492]

http://i1127.photobucket.com/albums/l626/Showtime3492/wjswap_zps899cbf07.png (http://s1127.photobucket.com/user/Showtime3492/media/wjswap_zps899cbf07.png.html)
Wj stuff

[Showtime3492]

http://i1127.photobucket.com/albums/l626/Showtime3492/945697_10200156090810614_1330158150_n_zps934670d4. jpg (http://s1127.photobucket.com/user/Showtime3492/media/945697_10200156090810614_1330158150_n_zps934670d4. jpg.html)
New track bar bracket for the wj set up and some front unibody bracing compliments of my job

[Showtime3492]

And one to really drool over. This is a car we just finished building at work.http://i1127.photobucket.com/albums/l626/Showtime3492/487783_10201023022476950_240949962_n_zps418b6e46.j pg (http://s1127.photobucket.com/user/Showtime3492/media/487783_10201023022476950_240949962_n_zps418b6e46.j pg.html)

[4.3LXJ]

All looking good Anthony

[Brasscatz]

Looking very good!

[Showtime3492]

Thanks guys. Its been busy like you have no idea! Its finally coming together though

[bluedragon436]

The XJ is looking good.... Wish I had the knowledge and shop to help with some of those parts/upgrades like that... Look foward to seeing what else your "free" time brings the XJ!!

[Showtime3492]

Installed my SYE yesterday.
http://i1127.photobucket.com/albums/l626/Showtime3492/1048002_10200378833779049_594062643_o_zps601c4155. jpg

[Showtime3492]

Finally going back on day shift july 1st. Have a whole week off this week too so the jeep will be done and inspected. Since my car is out in a month and needs like 600 $ in partd to pass pennsylvania inspection

[bluedragon436]

Looking good.. I'll be joining the SYE install club here shortly...

[Showtime3492]

Looking good.. I'll be joining the SYE install club here shortly...

Its really easy. Just do yourself a favor and get quality snap ring pliers not that junk from parts stores. Trust me it made the job tons easier

[ArmyGuy45]

Its really easy. Just do yourself a favor and get quality snap ring pliers not that junk from parts stores. Trust me it made the job tons easier

Do you have a write up on it?

[Showtime3492]

Do you have a write up on it?

Jeep New Process 231- NP231 SYE Install - Slip Yoke Eliminator - YouTube

This video is about as straight forward as it gets. You probably wont even need it is pretty simple. Just pull the case off the jeep pull the yokes the tail housing the oil pump the back half of the case and reverse. its all snap rings so it can be done pretty quickly.