TECHNICAL FORUMS => Project Builds => Topic started by: smichaelR22 on November 03, 2010, 09:26:17 AM
Title: project XJ wonderland (winter)
Post by: smichaelR22 on November 03, 2010, 09:26:17 AM
I picked up a 96\' 2dr 4.0 5 speed XJ down in Harrisburg this weekend on the way to the race. Its originally from NC and has only one blister spot of rust under the passenger floor board that I have found so far. The outside and inside was pretty rough and it will need some work and cleaning. has 35\" micky baja claws and some type of bolt on short arm lift with coils, blocks and spacers o my.
I knew it had unknown mechanical drivetrain problems, but committed to picking it up if it would drive onto mikes trailer.
got there, gave it a jump and drove it on the trailer. seemed to make noises in reverse. After the race Saturday (down in PA) we rolled it of the trailer, swapped in a battery and came to the conclusion reverse was blown and low range 4wd was not working properly. We adjusted the radio and took her out for a firewood collecting mission in 4wd HI. ran out of gas on the way back to camp but all was well.
Sunday I pulled out all the junk and bonus items that came with the truck out and filled a city garbage can. Last night I pulled the case and trans out. Plan is just get some used parts and fix what\'s broken. get the drivetrain back, then get her on the road as a winter streetable wheeler.
so, this is how you fix a driveshaft when you put a lift in? :/
Title: Re: project XJ wonderland (winter)
Post by: smichaelR22 on November 03, 2010, 08:21:11 PM
pieced together a trans that was kicking around in ryans shop from cracker, looks to be ready to go in. Cant find anything wrong with the TCase so as soon as i can cross ref a pilot bushing, i should be back in business.
Title: Re: project XJ wonderland (winter)
Post by: ollllllo on November 03, 2010, 11:12:25 PM
cant wait... BTW NICE SHAFT, WTF
Title: Re: project XJ wonderland (winter)
Post by: smichaelR22 on November 04, 2010, 08:27:37 AM
i know, should i leave it or maybe keep it as a spare and build a real one? lol
i cracked up when i saw someone scabbed in 3\" of tube to lenghthen the shaft for the lift.
Title: Re: project XJ wonderland (winter)
Post by: etk300ex on November 04, 2010, 09:19:05 AM
Is that hanging shock in the back broke? I got those ones you sold me a year or so ago if you want them.
Title: Re: project XJ wonderland (winter)
Post by: smichaelR22 on November 04, 2010, 11:52:37 AM
you got all 4 still? if so ill take them back for your 20$ back :)
not sure if they are long enough though.
Title: Re: project XJ wonderland (winter)
Post by: etk300ex on November 04, 2010, 12:23:03 PM
Yep. I think I owe ya. There 10\".
Title: Re: project XJ wonderland (winter)
Post by: smichaelR22 on November 06, 2010, 10:41:50 PM
trans and case back in.
scored a ton of xj stuff at J&J today!
Title: Re: project XJ wonderland (winter)
Post by: smichaelR22 on November 08, 2010, 08:37:45 AM
trans, case, tail lights in, filled fluilds under the hood, fixed/ replaced some leaking vac hoses.
Tcase still bad in 4low, it will have to come out again.
probably getting plates for it tomorrow.
Title: Re: project XJ wonderland (winter)
Post by: MrMindless on November 09, 2010, 08:06:48 AM
What\'s it do in low? Still bind and seem like front high rear low.?
You know where my parts are if you want to dig while I\'m oot of town. Bring a friend to help move the topper...
Title: Re: project XJ wonderland (winter)
Post by: smichaelR22 on November 09, 2010, 09:02:18 AM
the rear passenger tire is either dragging or spining as i go straight. in my loose gravel driveway its not bucking anymore like it was, and i can hear the low range wine
Title: Re: project XJ wonderland (winter)
Post by: smichaelR22 on November 09, 2010, 09:14:00 AM
again, works fine in 4Whigh or 2wd, so its gota be the case.
i have reverse now though!
Title: Re: project XJ wonderland (winter)
Post by: smichaelR22 on November 09, 2010, 07:38:14 PM
put insurance and plates on the XJ today.
gear oil, bulbs and some spray adhesive for a saging head liner
first road test pass. replacement suspect trans seems good, case slips in Hi range too on the road when hard in the gas.
Title: Re: project XJ wonderland (winter)
Post by: smichaelR22 on November 10, 2010, 08:09:45 AM
this baby was born for the road :-o
the dodge sits its first day home from work.
Title: Re: project XJ wonderland (winter)
Post by: Ryan_25 on November 10, 2010, 08:53:02 AM
That is a awesome machine.
Title: Re: project XJ wonderland (winter)
Post by: Wingman on November 10, 2010, 08:54:35 AM
Who wouldn\'t be proud of that!
Title: Re: project XJ wonderland (winter)
Post by: JCJ on November 10, 2010, 06:04:48 PM
That is a pretty awesome ride, especially considering how little you have into it.. Nice job.
Title: Re: project XJ wonderland (winter)
Post by: smichaelR22 on November 10, 2010, 06:52:23 PM
still needs a tcase, its slipping in high and low range i think, or something else is binding up serous in the drive line under power, cruising its fine.
death wobble galore above 30mph, have to tend to that sooner or later.
always a joy bringing a trail rig back to streetable after its been beaten.
Title: Re: project XJ wonderland (winter)
Post by: smichaelR22 on November 11, 2010, 08:30:01 AM
check engine light cleared its self.
front sway bar didnt help the death wobble above 3rd gear
Title: Re: project XJ wonderland (winter)
Post by: Wingman on November 11, 2010, 08:46:12 AM
3 things: tire chop/imbalance, track bar bushing, front shocks.
Or just drive in 3rd all the time!
Title: Re: project XJ wonderland (winter)
Post by: smichaelR22 on November 11, 2010, 09:10:19 AM
ya, i havent really put any effort into it yet finding whats loose. i was hoping not to have to replace the tires yet.
Title: Re: project XJ wonderland (winter)
Post by: Wingman on November 11, 2010, 09:24:31 AM
Rotate them and see if it changes. Made a world of difference on my junk. Front tires were chopped pretty good due to bent tie rod.
Title: Re: project XJ wonderland (winter)
Post by: smichaelR22 on November 11, 2010, 10:33:10 AM
the fronts are bald and worn on the inside evenly both sides. i guess i can try to rotate them today.
Title: Re: project XJ wonderland (winter)
Post by: smichaelR22 on November 12, 2010, 01:02:51 PM
hope these grooves arent important
Title: Re: project XJ wonderland (winter)
Post by: etk300ex on November 12, 2010, 03:32:53 PM
they don\'t look that important :-D
Title: Re: project XJ wonderland (winter)
Post by: smichaelR22 on November 12, 2010, 04:02:41 PM
swapped my output to a 231HD that might fix my case issues. also stole a clocking ring from mike, turns out the trans was for a yj and the holes are clocked differently than XJs like ryan said.
Title: Re: project XJ wonderland (winter)
Post by: smichaelR22 on November 13, 2010, 09:33:19 AM
dam thing has 3.07 gears in the rear and 3.73 gears in the front...
Title: Re: project XJ wonderland (winter)
Post by: smichaelR22 on November 14, 2010, 02:45:35 PM
3.07 HP dana30 swap in progress....
Title: Re: project XJ wonderland (winter)
Post by: smichaelR22 on November 14, 2010, 08:38:28 PM
axle swap complete. dam rain!
Title: Re: project XJ wonderland (winter)
Post by: etk300ex on November 15, 2010, 09:35:56 AM
that must of been the rodeo edition!
Title: Re: project XJ wonderland (winter)
Post by: smichaelR22 on November 28, 2010, 06:14:51 PM
this baby has new rear shocks, a front sway bar, and some toe adjustments she can hit about 50 now before wobble sets in.
closer.
Title: Re: project XJ wonderland (winter)
Post by: MrMindless on November 29, 2010, 04:12:29 PM
tighten up that track bar and you\'ll be on the interstate with her!
Title: Re: project XJ wonderland (winter)
Post by: ollllllo on November 29, 2010, 08:59:59 PM
Crazy about the different gears in the axles.
Whispering Pines trip?
Title: Re: project XJ wonderland (winter)
Post by: smichaelR22 on November 30, 2010, 08:18:53 AM
lets do it!
troy said he is ready this weekend with the MJ.
Title: Re: project XJ wonderland (winter)
Post by: ollllllo on November 30, 2010, 01:26:39 PM
I can\'t this weekend, but maybe next weekend.
Title: Re: project XJ wonderland (winter)
Post by: gCracker on November 30, 2010, 02:03:29 PM
WP is probably not open for the rest of the year due to hunting season...
Title: Re: project XJ wonderland (winter)
Post by: smichaelR22 on December 07, 2010, 08:29:04 PM
new 35\" shoes for the Wonder!
Title: Re: project XJ wonderland (winter)
Post by: smichaelR22 on December 12, 2010, 03:38:10 PM
new tires on - had a blast at Whispering Pines today!
Have a cooling issue, the E fan isnt coming on. it over heated, puked a little, so we had to fill it back up and let it sit for a while. jumped the relay and was good to go for the rest of the day.
Thruway speed to and from no issues!
Title: Re: project XJ wonderland (winter)
Post by: ollllllo on December 12, 2010, 09:33:14 PM
T-case shifter linkage adjustment??? :-P
Title: Re: project XJ wonderland (winter)
Post by: smichaelR22 on December 14, 2010, 06:49:57 PM
Tcase actually behaved pretty good, popped out a few times under hard loading, but ill accept that.
New tires are sweet in the snow. it stops and goes awesome!
Picked up some hood pins tonight at lowes. she is ready for a sticker!
Title: Re: project XJ wonderland (winter)
Post by: ollllllo on December 14, 2010, 09:36:07 PM
My favorite mod on the new project! Check this out! Smike\'s custom Windshield Washers (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FpH7SsTRwA8)
Title: Re: project XJ wonderland (winter)
Post by: smichaelR22 on December 14, 2010, 10:31:25 PM
LOL
Title: Re: project XJ wonderland (winter)
Post by: Wingman on December 15, 2010, 08:54:14 AM
That\'s great! Where do you buy one of those? Harbor Freight? LOL
Title: Re: project XJ wonderland (winter)
Post by: smichaelR22 on December 15, 2010, 09:05:21 AM
custom modification, came stock
Title: Re: project XJ wonderland (winter)
Post by: smichaelR22 on December 19, 2010, 12:26:31 PM
picked up 210lbs of steel this week for bumbers and sliders.
Front bumber started yesterday and finished up this morning.
Title: Re: project XJ wonderland (winter)
Post by: ollllllo on December 19, 2010, 02:42:57 PM
thats a really nice looking bumper! :rockstar:
Id say your about to get a dozen emails from guys wanting one for their XJ!
Title: Re: project XJ wonderland (winter)
Post by: etk300ex on December 20, 2010, 07:57:01 AM
looks great!
Title: Re: project XJ wonderland (winter)
Post by: smichaelR22 on December 21, 2010, 12:58:14 AM
rear bumper started, ran out of mig gas though tonight.
Title: Re: project XJ wonderland (winter)
Post by: smichaelR22 on December 23, 2010, 12:57:24 AM
finished up the rear bumper tonight
Title: Re: project XJ wonderland (winter)
Post by: smichaelR22 on December 28, 2010, 09:23:24 AM
rear bumper finished and bolted on last night. it was cold! I dont like the rear bumper, it didnt come out as nice as the front. i might change it up a little and cut out the rear when the fender work begins...
Title: Re: project XJ wonderland (winter)
Post by: smichaelR22 on December 30, 2010, 08:14:42 AM
they wanted 17$ at the zone for a universal squirter kit. HA! i guess its time for a J&J run again. i need the bezel thing around the wipers too.
Title: Re: project XJ wonderland (winter)
Post by: smichaelR22 on February 25, 2011, 08:39:53 AM
Squirters and cowel replaced
Gas piston mount on rear hatch fixed
Rockers fabd
Rockers welded in
Title: Re: project XJ wonderland (winter)
Post by: smichaelR22 on May 04, 2011, 10:57:12 AM
man this pile is killing me
no brake lights no flashers no signals blower motor is kicking out sometimes the roof leaks the rear wheel cylinders leak ignition switch is intermittent ignition kicks out sometimes above 3K rpm?
still being driven to work daily EVERY DAY!
Title: Re: project XJ wonderland (winter)
Post by: smichaelR22 on May 04, 2011, 10:57:53 AM
i replaced the rear hatch though and she is good to go!
Title: Re: project XJ wonderland (winter)
Post by: smichaelR22 on July 05, 2011, 10:18:58 AM
started working on the tube fenders, got the front and rear done on the passenger side yesterday. still needs some finishing but looking good.
also replaced the spark plugs which did wonders to the ignition system and cutting out is gone!
