Hawk

rusty's baja fenders.

But...it's drivin me nuts...ARRRGH! I've got a neat little aftermarket wheel that I'll install on the new tilt column before I install it.

Note*When I build my bumper, it will only protect the headlights, there will be nothing behind the back tire.

I did this to my XJ because I like the high clearance look, and I heard that if you drop onto that corner too hard it can pop the rear window out. In that vein, I really don't see a reason to do this to your bed. If you come down on it and crunch it, then you could cut it off and rework the ends of your bumper, but I wouldn't mess with the bed just yet. I've been meaning to get around to making a bumper for it, but my MJ project has all my time consumed, and the XJ is my wife's DD.

Pics of my dash progress, as promised. I'll probably pull the gauges out and spraypaint the wood panel black, I don't care for it. Switches. One for the ected, and one for reverse lights. Looking for a dash bezel that matches this woodgrain. I tried to take a picture showing how much leg room is in this thing, but it's hard to show you. Guess it doesn't matter that much. Here's what mine looks like with no bed. edit*the green led lights blink with the blinkers, the red one is supposed to be for the e-brake, but I can't get it to work. Investigate later. Wiring up the gauges was very easy. The orange wire you see comes on with the headlights, and there were just enough for all the gauges that'll be in the truck when it's done.

Here's a pic I took of my daughter over the summer. Running and gunning. Here's a brush fire we had last Saturday at my dad's property. The tree to the left is 30+ feet tall. Then the fire dept showed up with 2 scrambers and a TJ all decked out with pumps, hoses, and tanks. Should've gotten more pics of those. Took all these pics with my blackberry, love this phone.

Not that I am prone to law breaking, but it would be hard to resist the drunken impulse to have that set of signs in my possesion They should sell those, like the Elvis Presley Blvd signs....

http://yhst-3381664086528.stores.yahoo.net/un4ki.html Tossing this here so I don't lose it.

I've seen plenty of kits. Problem being; it's around $900 for a couple hours of fabwork and a couple hundred bucks in parts. If I could find a kit that actually has a reasonable price tag, I could install it myself, I'm just not sure I could build one myself with what I want to do with the rear frame.

I've decided to get one of those wood grain dash bezel's, to match the door panels I have. I think that'll look good with the all black interior. I got the bed taken off today, so now I can see what I'm working with as far as the rear suspension, and the flatbed. Leaning towards a 4 link rear, so I can chop the back couple feet off the frame and have it nice and short. If anyone has links to a good 4 link setup that doesn't cost out the @$$, post it. I also may be doing some custom frame work back there, but not sure yet. Have I mentioned that this is a really fun project for me? :yes: Also, I accidentally dumped gas all over me, my coat, and my gloves.... :ack:

It's a CJ, they rusted off :D

Hey, I like threads like this. I'm a Union Drywall Finisher in the StL area. And here's what I look like. edit-I'm also awesome.

What ever happened to leaving a note? :idea:

Red-nosed Red pit? He's the exact same colors and size as our girl. [/hijack]

Could the radiator be shortened, in either direction, to incorporate a ram-air style scoop behind the grille? I'm guessing a hood scoop would cause too much drag, and violate the 'stock body panels' rule. You sound knowledgeable on all this, I may be hitting you up for info as I progress on my own project.

I just facepalmed myself for sending you an e-mail asking what was wrong....my bad.

I'm interested in what you'll be doing for the front suspension and steering. I've always wanted to see IFS on a 2wd MJ. You said something about it needing to run on just gasoline, right? What are the restrictions on what kind of gasoline? I'm guessing a methanol injection kit would be off limits? What kind of compression ratio do you have in mind for this beast? Do you have to run it with a bed on it?

Dash is in, I can get a pic before I pull it. I just don't think the woodgrain cluster is going to go with the rest of the interior, which will all be black.

I don't like the way the woodpanel dash looks, I'll be building something else now that I've had a nice few month break from the project.

Dash panel teaser! They all turned out the same shade, regardless of camera glare. From left to right will be as follows (but are not currently): Voltage with the switch for the Ected, fuel level, Tach, Speedo, Water temp, Oil pressure with switch for reverse lights.

I'm planning on building a flatbed on this. I have a buddy that wants my bed, but he'll probably want to sell his gate, I'll let you know first. Pics of the dash soon, with real oak. I'm going to get carpet tonight from a 98XJ, so that'll be in soon too. Have I mentioned that I'm a little excited about this project and it's progress? :brows: giggity giggity giggity goo!

2 and a half so far, I'm not done! Billybob, I saw that post and the headers, but I think I want a different style. I'm going to end up making my own (my fab guy will do the hard stuff) to get optimal* flow out of them. How much were those headers on yours? *Optimal, given the circumstances.

I'm going to spend a little time working on the interior now. My conscious starts getting to me when I start this thing, because it sounds like an obnoxious harley sitting next to another obnoxious harley at 2k rpm. Soon as I get my transmission mount and my driveshaft, I'll be taking it to the exhaust shop. For now I'm going to work on the guage cluster. I'm using a thin piece of oak to cut out the size of the original cluster and mount all my autometer gauges into. Once it's cut, I'll put a little stain on it, and finish it. Also, since I'm thinking of having a flat bed made, I may do a metal frame with oak planks in the middle, since it won't really be a haulin' truck. Also, I need to patch the original hole for the shifter, since it's closer to the driver now, behind where the t-case shifter would be. I have a 2001 XJ center console, but I don't know if the holes are in the right spot, I'll probably have to cut it up. I'll post pics if I get anything done.

Looking great, you have a really nice shop, too.

I've actually just cut the collector off the headman headers, there's really no room, we're probably going to make something custom. What did you go with?