Project - XJ Resurrection

[lornix]

So the time of year has come to look ahead at this winter's projects, and I have come to the conclusion that the XJ is going under some heavy re and re.

Here is the list ...

Swap front and rear diffs - 8.8 and matching Dana 30
Swap out phuquered t-case - rebuild new one and parts-rape old one.
Front lift replace - starting to sag now - going 5" total - RE CAs
Rear leaf replace - eliminate blocks and use RE leafs - 5.5" total
Rebuild winch & respool
Replace cooling system - 3 core rad, hoses, etc.
Lock Dana 30
Sliders
Gas tank Skid
Rock Lights
Some wiring etc.
33" Rubber

That should take me to about mid-late spring to gather all the parts (and the money) and do the work.

I started on the 8.8 yesterday. Got the old mounts cut off and the center section welded with the first pass. Got another to do, possibly 2. Slow going, but working. I also have the RE mounts and perches ready to weld on.

Another Jeep Club member is gonna weld the mounts as my welding skills are still a tad lacking for the critical stuff. I figure I could at least weld the tubes though.

Anyway, I will post up now and then with my progress. My insurance is up this week so I'm gonna cancel it for the winter and just dive in and have at it.


Here's is the 8.8 ready for the mounts to come off ...




And with the mounts cut off and ready for tube/pumpkin welding...




And the first row of welds done. Ran out of daylight so had to call it quits for now...

[Kyle]

Looks like some fun is coming, looking forward to seeing your project.

[TassieXJ]

Sounds good, looking forward to more

[TrueBlueXJ]

Sounds like a pretty sweet to-do list. Can't wait to see the progress.

[2drx4]

Are you going to change the closed cooling system to open?

And what gear ratio are you playing with? What locker are you planning for the 30?

[filippinojeeper]

By the way it sounds it's going to look sweet...

Can't wait to see it whaen it is done...

[lornix]

Originally Posted by 2drx4

Are you going to change the closed cooling system to open?

And what gear ratio are you playing with? What locker are you planning for the 30?

Sorry, just saw your post.

Yes, open cooling system. I have had a belly full of trouble shooting the closed system and burping it every time it has an issue.

For gear ratio I am going from 3.07 to 3.55. Future plans will be 4.10, but for the next year or 2 I will stay with the 3.55s

The D30 locker will be either a lockrite or a full Detroit. Depends on what's available and how the cash flow is going when the time comes.

[Kyle]

Why did you rule out selectable?

[lornix]

Originally Posted by Kyle

Why did you rule out selectable?

Mainly the price point. ARBs are uber expensive up here and would require additional OBA to be installed bringing the cost to around $1500 before the install. I did consider an OX but the guys here who have run them said that over time the cable and fasteners slack out and you end up having to mess around with it all the time.

An auto locker or a lunch box will get me waht I need at a much lower price. Once I am done with the build then I can save up some cash and go with the dual ARBs which is the long term goal.

[Kyle]

Originally Posted by lornix

Mainly the price point. ARBs are uber expensive up here and would require additional OBA to be installed bringing the cost to around $1500 before the install. I did consider an OX but the guys here who have run them said that over time the cable and fasteners slack out and you end up having to mess around with it all the time.

An auto locker or a lunch box will get me waht I need at a much lower price. Once I am done with the build then I can save up some cash and go with the dual ARBs which is the long term goal.

IMO I would put just one auto locker in there and use the extra cash towards ARB's, at least thats what im going to do.