Comanche County Posted January 29, 2015 Posted January 29, 2015 Pretty sure its a 2012. Gogmorgo, yup he jumped it.
Pete M Posted January 29, 2015 Author Posted January 29, 2015 I've read some rumors about the early ones having material quality issues, but yeah, I doubt any year can be jumped. :doh:
gogmorgo Posted January 29, 2015 Posted January 29, 2015 Well, depends on the jump... I've had my MJ completely airborne (accidentally) and didn't even have alignment problems. I still wouldn't recommend it, though.
benjy_26 Posted January 31, 2015 Posted January 31, 2015 JK's are PIGS. I would NOT jump one. Earlier Jeeps...well, my ZJ has been airborne a few times. No ill effects. All I did was gusset the C's on the front beam and its held up fairly well.
Pete M Posted February 11, 2015 Author Posted February 11, 2015 holy cow. been searching for XJ frame strengthening ideas and it's just downright depressing how often that uniframe can tear apart on a wheeler. :(
benjy_26 Posted February 14, 2015 Posted February 14, 2015 Yep. XJ guys seem to just accept that an XJ that is wheeled hard and not caged/plated WILL tear.
Pete M Posted February 16, 2015 Author Posted February 16, 2015 I like the tire carrier designs on these 2. I think having dual pivot points and four points of contact will make for a much stronger design
Crash Posted February 16, 2015 Posted February 16, 2015 If you build an XJ, frame stiffeners are a MUST. ZJ/WJ would be better for comfort, and WJ's had a heated seat option. Not that you can't swap into an XJ, but that adds time and cost. All 3 can be had with a 4.0L, so there is a non-issue for reliability.
Pete M Posted February 16, 2015 Author Posted February 16, 2015 I'd love to build a fully linked rig :D but how many ZJ/WJs came with manual windows, manual trans and vinyl seats? one of his key requirements is simplicity.
Pete M Posted February 27, 2015 Author Posted February 27, 2015 looks like I can upgrade an np231 to 6 planetariums and a wide chain using all junkyard parts. sweet! that means I should only need a SYE kit and a bearings kit purchased new. :D I also hope that I can get identical tom woods front and rear shafts. I've seen others do it on XJs, but can't be sure til I get it all set up and have measurements. still debating going with 1310 joints or 1350. I'll be replacing every single yoke so I have the choice of making them strong or keeping them as a fuse. maybe I can keep the ones in the CVs as 1350s and the joints out by the axles as 1310s. :dunno:
neohic Posted February 27, 2015 Posted February 27, 2015 Pete... what about the XJ itself? Have you found a worthy candidate yet? Before doing all sorts of modifications and additions, I'd start with a known good vehicle by getting to know it for a while before putting it under the knife. :dunno:
Pete M Posted February 28, 2015 Author Posted February 28, 2015 yup, I totally intend to buy a bone-stock XJ and drive it for a bit. I need to be comfortable with the engine and trans before moving on to the fun stuff. :D I'm still a couple months from even being able to start anything so I've held off doing any window shopping. I'm driving back to Michigan this weekend and so will soon be talking with my uncle about it. need to show him all his options and see how far he wants to take it.
dasbulliwagen Posted February 28, 2015 Posted February 28, 2015 I'm sure you've already decided to start with a southern rust free XJ. There's no need to start with a rusty base from Michigan and have to fix rust before mods happen.
Pete M Posted February 28, 2015 Author Posted February 28, 2015 rule number one of this build: no rust. :D
Pete M Posted April 8, 2015 Author Posted April 8, 2015 well after talking with my uncle, I've modified the plan a bit. his needs include shooting from atop the jeep (not just storage up there), 2 spares, tires that are cut resistant and will handle 50+ mph across the plains of wyoming (rather than deep mud), and a bumper combo that will survive an impact with an antelope. so this means the exocage is a go. probably with a ladder built into the design of the rear pass side (gas tank is on the drivers). the roof rack will hold a spare tire to sit on and a steel mesh across it for walking. since he drives like it was the dakar rally, the axles will definitely be getting trusses. for tires I was thinking of the Cooper S/T Maxx. My buddy has them under his Superduty and they seem as tough as a big chuck of rubber could be. E-rated with triple sidewalls and the new cut resistant rubber for the tread. plus they come in a 32x10.5 which should work better than the 34x10.5s for stuffing while at speed.
neohic Posted April 9, 2015 Posted April 9, 2015 Pete, have you ever looked over at ERIC'S XJ?... assuming you have what with his book. Lots of good information on his exo cage before he went all out on it.
Pete M Posted April 9, 2015 Author Posted April 9, 2015 as it turns out, I had not checked out his site in years. good call! :thumbsup: that is some cleeeeean tube work! :bowdown:
Incommando Posted April 9, 2015 Posted April 9, 2015 Quick question: Why not a FSJ Waggy? It comes with dual 44's, has a ton more space than a XJ, can fit 34's with almost no lift, and if you get a 4.2 powered one, a 4.0 swap would be cake! In general a FSJ Waggy takes a ton of lift to fit a decent tire. The wide track Cherokees and J-turcks are more forgiving. Even so here are 285/75/16 ( 33x11.5) Swampers on my unlifted W/T Chief: You could not get those on a waggy without rubbing. The rear wheel opens are too small.
Pete M Posted April 21, 2015 Author Posted April 21, 2015 allllllllrighty then. here the rough list I've got going: 96+ XJ anything the 4.0 might need (water pump, radiator, tuneup, etc) 32x10.5 tires JK Rubicon axles brakes (which oddly enough don't come on the "complete" axles) longer brakelines TNT truss. or maybe build one myself. gotta wait til I have an axle under a Jeep before I make that call. heavy duty diff cover (for the front at least) that flexy aluminum tie rod flipped drag link JK 17" rims (16s won't accommodate the tie rod) SYE 6 planetary gearset wide chain swap tom woods driveshafts with 1350 joints RE drop brackets with my own supports WJ arms fabbed bumpstop extensions longer sway bar links longer trackbar 4.5" coils (not sure which yet) Dakota leafs Bilstein shocks long throw LEDs on the roof. wide throw LEDs on the bumper little wide spot LEDs all around for general use wide throw backup LEDs switches for the lights/lockers/etc closed cell battery bigger cables Warn VR 8000lb winch bedliner for the interior floor maybe a vinyl bench in place of the buckets? gotta build: front bumper with winch and grillguard rear that wraps around and protects the lights. rocker guards frame plating roof rack hitch rack interior storage stuff yet to be determined at this point in time I've eliminated the steel fenders and cage to shave off some cash to try and meet the budget. I have a feeling they will be there eventually. spreadsheets are great tools. :D helps me keep it all together.
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