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ddr · 05-17-2010, 12:49 AM

Nice!!!

**2000XJ** · 05-17-2010, 11:05 AM

Thanks everyone! I don't like the D-windows as much as the American Racing Mojaves but I needed new rims and the price was very right. I do, however, feel much less guilty about banging these up than I did with the Mojaves.

Doobie · 05-20-2010, 11:40 PM

Weld it. many people frown upon welding on to the unit body jeep XJ and for good reason.
In your case, you should be able to get away with it. The whole "frame" is made of pressed and folded 3/16 CRS (cold rolled steel) That's some pretty hefty stuff. Many skid plates are made out of the same material as you may know.
Get some one with a good MIG welder who knows their stuff and let em have at it. Never worry about it again.

JeeperMatt · 05-21-2010, 07:45 PM

Welded on my unibody stiffeners without any issues... I'd imagine you should be fine. Personally I'd replace with through-bolts and nuts, then weld for overkill strength

**2000XJ** · 05-23-2010, 05:09 PM

That's the solution I'm going to use. I'll try to replace the bolts, then also weld it all on there for strength, and to remove that headache entirely.

This will let me fully examine the rest of my steering and see where exactly it's becoming so loose. My money is that the box is probably shot, but chances are that after all the abuse I could probably replace more.

davesjeep · 06-10-2010, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2000XJ

That's the solution I'm going to use. I'll try to replace the bolts, then also weld it all on there for strength, and to remove that headache entirely.

This will let me fully examine the rest of my steering and see where exactly it's becoming so loose. My money is that the box is probably shot, but chances are that after all the abuse I could probably replace more.

I see you are in Morris County...nice job on the jeep...I am in Hopatcong...

looking to get involved with a club...any recommendations? Thanks

BrutalExJ · 06-10-2010, 03:45 PM

Ya scratching up some D windows isn't near as bad. Nice build too

**2000XJ** · 06-10-2010, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davesjeep

I see you are in Morris County...nice job on the jeep...I am in Hopatcong...

looking to get involved with a club...any recommendations? Thanks

Thanks! As for clubs, check out the North Jersey Jeep Club. We're actually having our monthly meeting this Tuesday @ 7PM in East Hanover. We meet at Warnock Chrysler/Jeep on the third floor in their conference room. Members start gathering sometimes as early as 6PM. This month will be my last meeting sitting on the Board - a new VP and Secretary will be voted in. You should stop by, register, and jump right in. After the meeting we head over to Chili's across the street, eat, and chit chat.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrutalExJ

Ya scratching up some D windows isn't near as bad. Nice build too

Thanks!! Scraping up D-Windows is not nearly as painful

**2000XJ** · 08-12-2010, 11:43 AM

Wow, so it's been a while since I've updated. And no new pictures

I ended up not welding the trackbar mount at the framerail. I installed all new Grade 8 hardware with lock washers, and so far they've pretty much fixed that problem. The bracket is on nice and tight.

I also replaced the joint at the framerail mount with a new one from Rubicon Express. It's AMAZING how the TINIEST bit of play in a bad johhny-joint/superflex joint can cause sooo much wobbling.

The other thing that I discovered is that the bushing at the axle bracket for the trackbar is a bit worn, and that will be replaced after next weekend when I get back from my second (

) wheeling trip this year.

**2000XJ** · 09-16-2010, 11:25 PM

Started to tear into this rig. The carpet in the frontseat footwells was constantly getting wet, and staying wet. After trail rides, after rain, etc. So I decided to pull out the seats and remove the front half of the carpet to see what damage I would be dealing with... here's what I found.

This is just a picture of the driverside. The Blue area is the area that is affected by rust. The Green area is where it's rusted through. The Brown area seems to be mostly surface rust.

Solution: buy replacement panels, cut out affected areas, weld in replacement panels, herculine everything.

Hopefully I can get this done over the winter... we'll see.

aircruiser · 09-17-2010, 04:51 PM

looks identical to what i was dealing with. i just stitch welded the holes shut (holes werent big on mine) and herculined everything.

side note, do NOT drive the jeep for awhile after herculining it. i did mine at 9:00pm the night before and went to school at 6:30am the next day. i had all the windows up cause it was freezing and man oh man, i was walking into lockers all day and it was bad.

**2000XJ** · 09-19-2010, 06:26 PM

The holes are going to be too big for me to just stitch weld them closed, unfortunately.

I definitely won't be driving it right after I herc it. It's not a daily driver, so that won't be an issue.

If I can't get this repair done before winter, I may just buy some sheetmetal, and screw it into the floor and then RTV around the edges so that I can wheel through the winter (hopefully).

**ZackXJ** · 09-22-2010, 10:30 AM

owwy lol. makes me scared to look under my carpet....

**2000XJ** · 09-22-2010, 09:21 PM

Don't be scared!! Check it out SOONER than later. Remember, it's easier to sand off surface rust, prime, and paint it than to have to cut your floor out and reweld new panels in. Wish I had done thing years ago, when I first noticed that the carpet would get damp from time to time.

OverlandXJ · 09-23-2010, 12:21 PM

Gotta love the rust belt...

My XJ has some floor issues as well.. damn i hate rust.