Pete M

neat! using what process? plastic? fiberglass? what companies?

it's been decades now. who's to say those ones are still stock? If they were lowered, I'd love to see some sort of evidence.

that is a valid concern. the heavy things do indeed sink to the bottom.

correct. bone stock trucks with a trim package. unless you count any lowering due to the sheer weight of all that plastic.

huh. Bilstein's own website only list 4600s for rears of stock XJs, nothing for MJs or fronts of XJs. maybe they are discontinuing them?

My rocker guards are welded to the frame. maybe this sort of strategy will help hold the new rocker steel firmly in place? rust is still a concern though. getting paint to remain on the inside (underside?) of the sheetmetal after it's welded up tight to the new steel is a challenge.

what are the specs of your truck? what are your goals for the truck? welcome to the club!

turbos make everything better. it really looks factory in there. I remember when the Libby blew an air hose and I lost all my boost. felt like I lost half my horsepower

very nice! I don't have the funds to step up to an all-out tool backpack yet, but I'm learning how tough regular ones can be (I get them at resale shops). first was a schmuk kid's backpack that didn't last 2 junkyard trips before the seams started to come apart and the sharper tools poked through. Next was a "" kids backpack (jansport?) that lasted maybe a few months. Now I'm on a Swiss brand backpack that is doing quite well. If it ever dies I've got a military backpack that's next in line. I don't carry everything since it's just a junkyard bag not my main bag, but rather I throw in the likely things I'll need and leave the rest in the Jeep for if I need reinforcements. boy do I wish for individual tool pockets!

ick. honda rims. what a depressing way to go.

be careful about the steel that the 1/4" is welded to. they tend to re-rust and separate from the thick steel.

rear side windows if they are the vent kind

well, the Libby got there.

what are the plans for it if you do buy it?

gotta find that leak before you can think about putting it back.

or just slide the collar over, lock in place permanently and call it a day.

starting in like 95 Jeep switched to a larger Ujoint (plus older XJs that came with ABS). If I was going to all the effort of swapping shafts, I'd go for the upgrade too. TJ shafts work too. If you're wanting a whole new axle, now's the time to think about a gear ratio upgrade too.

I'll likely be there couple days prior but I really would love a good turnout on the weekend to help with some of the bigger chores on the property. Key ones I'm thinking of are extending the fence to the corner of the house (so the chickens can be let out in a bigger area to help control the grasshoppers and protect what's left of the grass) and tearing down and (maybe) hauling away an old camper trailer (I have a feeling it can't be towed out anymore but it's been a year since I saw it). after that I expect food and drinks and hanging out on the Colorado plains with terrific views of the mountains. It's very possible that Katie still has a bunch of Jim's old Jeep parts to buy if you want to help fund the winter's firewood purchase. I'll confirm what's left once I get there. There's plenty of property to pitch a tent or sleep in your rig, and I think she has a couple spare rooms. If we can find the time we can even do a day-trip on into the mountains (on roads, nothing needing 4wd) to some of Katie's favorite spots.

I found that rustolium Colonial Red was a pretty close match to the bed I just bought, but the bed got a repaint so I'm not sure how accurate it would be to virgin OEM paint.

don't pay that much attention to the exact route. it'll no doubt change many more times in the coming weeks.

Pete will be changing his route many times in the next few weeks. pay no mind to it.

that could make sense too, as I'm sensitive to various glues and crap too.

ok, so here's a small glimpse into what it's like to be me... I've forgotten who was in Jefferson City MO. It's clearly on the map, but I can't find the reason why. This is what I get for starting the thread before starting my excel spreadsheet that retains the info (because lord knows my brain won't retain a damn thing).

I've been down the Gauley! not looking for that level of excitement on this trip though.