SmthnD1ff Posted November 26, 2013 Author Share Posted November 26, 2013 Thanks I wasnt sure whether to do the grill pieces white or black but my gf insisted it would look better. I may go the plasti dip route in the future to see if I like it black and peel it off if I don't. wrz I really like your XJ my first jeep was an 89 and nowhere near as clean as yours- as for the bumper lights theyre actually projector housings I took out of a set of headlights at LKQ. I installed mine using a hole saw and some liquid steel. Unfortunately the cut off is upside down so I try not to use them on the road for fear of blinding oncoming drivers. Theyre great in the woods though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SmthnD1ff Posted November 26, 2013 Author Share Posted November 26, 2013 My 89 just before I traded it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rymanrph Posted November 27, 2013 Share Posted November 27, 2013 That is one sharp looking Cherokee. I've never been a big fan of those turbine wheels, but in that color with those tires on that rig, I totally dig it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SmthnD1ff Posted November 27, 2013 Author Share Posted November 27, 2013 Thanks! And yeah I was planning on ditching them until I saw a picture of them in graphite online. Took a hell of a lot of prep work but I was pleased at how they turned out. I'm not totally sold on my current rims but finances may not permit a new set so Ive been searching for color options and what not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
earl*t Posted November 27, 2013 Share Posted November 27, 2013 My 89 just before I traded it That is one sharp looking Cherokee. I've never been a big fan of those turbine wheels, but in that color with those tires on that rig, I totally dig it. :agree: Simple, yet very distinctive. Superb execution! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SmthnD1ff Posted November 28, 2013 Author Share Posted November 28, 2013 Thanks earl I absolutely love your 89 I use your build thread as leverage when trying to convince the old lady all the time I spend on it will pay off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AirborneDeth Posted November 28, 2013 Share Posted November 28, 2013 That is a nice XJ...and I like what youve done with the MJ. I love the name, considering I have a Star Wars themed tattoo sleeve going. lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Megadan Posted November 28, 2013 Share Posted November 28, 2013 That's some nice work on the truck. I wanted to chime in about your LED gauge lighting and the dimmer not working. What you need is a Pulse Width Modulator to create a true dimming effect on LED lights. Since LED's essentially operate in an on and off fashion, you are currently running at a 100% duty cycle, but to make them dim they have to be turned on and off. The lower the duty cycle, the dimmer it appears. Because they flash so fast, your eyes will never pick up the difference. Many factory LED tail lights work on this principle, with low pulse width for running lights, then high for brakes. In any case, nice project and good progress. Sharp looking truck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SmthnD1ff Posted November 28, 2013 Author Share Posted November 28, 2013 That's some nice work on the truck. I wanted to chime in about your LED gauge lighting and the dimmer not working. What you need is a Pulse Width Modulator to create a true dimming ffect on LED lights. Since LED's essentially operate in an on and off fashion, you are currently running at a 100% duty cycle, but to make them dim they have to be turned on and off. The lower the duty cycle, the dimmer it appears. Because they flash so fast, your eyes will never pick up the difference. Many factory LED tail lights work on this principle, with low pulse width for running lights, then high for brakes. In any case, nice project and good progress. Sharp looking truck. Thanks AirborneDeath and ImpulseRocketAs far as the LEDs go I am farmiliar with the modulator but it just hasnt bothered me enough for me to fix it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SmthnD1ff Posted December 15, 2013 Author Share Posted December 15, 2013 So... Ive got something in the works but, as usual Ive hit a creative roadblock. About a week and a half ago I came downstairs and found my drivers side door open, my head unit half ripped out, amp disconnected but still in the truck, glove box and center console rifled through and all my stuff everywhere. Looks like somebody was after my sound system but got spooked and bolted mid-heist. My first solution was to install the 120 decibel siren I had laying around but after giving it more thought I realized I had made myself a pretty easy target- aftermarket head unit with usb and headphone jack strung up to my windshield mount, amp and sub clearly visible between the seats, etc. While in some parts of the country it may be acceptable to show off your toys, around here it makes you a target. I picked up a stock alpine head unit from the JY and mocked it up along w some other things Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SmthnD1ff Posted December 15, 2013 Author Share Posted December 15, 2013 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SmthnD1ff Posted December 15, 2013 Author Share Posted December 15, 2013 Its the stock HU from an early to mid '00s Grand Cherokee. I chose it because its a Chrystler unit, it has the output for a 10 disc changer, its made by Alpine, it has a wireless rf transmitter for cordless headphones (that ill never use but still cool) and it was 15 bucks. Since mock up I have pulled the dash and cut it up and am in the process of reassembling it into something that looks stock but incorporates the fearures I want. Here is a teaser pic for those interested and I hope to have something solid by the end of the week Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SmthnD1ff Posted December 15, 2013 Author Share Posted December 15, 2013 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SmthnD1ff Posted December 19, 2013 Author Share Posted December 19, 2013 Unfortunately I may have bit off more than I can chew when deciding to build an entiely custom dash... It has been a week and this is where i sit... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SmthnD1ff Posted December 19, 2013 Author Share Posted December 19, 2013 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SmthnD1ff Posted December 19, 2013 Author Share Posted December 19, 2013 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrSimon Posted December 19, 2013 Share Posted December 19, 2013 I really like your MJ .... always loved white trucks with black accents and tires. I'm looking forward to seeing what you do with the dash. Its certainly a cool idea and looks good so far. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SmthnD1ff Posted December 19, 2013 Author Share Posted December 19, 2013 Thank you I love the truck but I'm kickin myself in the @ss for choppin up the dash... The wiring nightmare went all the way up through the firewall and the junction box has already turned black again since I cleaned the connections about a month and a half ago. There are more unused plugs and wires that go nowhere than there are functioning parts so Ive ripped all that out and all new wiring will go in with the dash. On a side note- for the headlights I have sourced a good length of heave gauge wire and want to run my own switch- do I need a specific one or can I use any old toggle switch for the headlights? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Megadan Posted December 20, 2013 Share Posted December 20, 2013 You could use the old switch or a toggle switch to trigger a relay for the headlights. Then they will be direct powered by the battery/alt and be a lot brighter, and you won't need super heavy gauge wire for the switch. I actually just did this to my truck with a few ft. of wire, H4 headlight sockets and 4/5 wire relays that I got for free from the local pick a part. Total investment was maybe $20 and a little bit of my Rosin core solder. Works great too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SmthnD1ff Posted December 21, 2013 Author Share Posted December 21, 2013 So... my "custom dash" was a bust. I just don't have the time or space to do it properly. Picked this up at the parts yard today- bonus points if you can name the Jeep it came out of Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SmthnD1ff Posted December 21, 2013 Author Share Posted December 21, 2013 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RockinMJ Posted December 21, 2013 Share Posted December 21, 2013 looking good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SmthnD1ff Posted December 23, 2013 Author Share Posted December 23, 2013 thanks its kind of coming along. still in the process of fabricating brackets and figuring out how i want everything wired. don't think I'm gonna be able to use the lower glove box. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SmthnD1ff Posted December 23, 2013 Author Share Posted December 23, 2013 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SmthnD1ff Posted December 26, 2013 Author Share Posted December 26, 2013 still a lot left but closer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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