rockhardzj Posted July 4, 2007 Share Posted July 4, 2007 Here's what I want to do with the next XJ I bring home: I'd move the axle forward about 8 inches to make it more balanced, seal off the rear doors, leave all the trim in place insides, including the dash, but the dash will be modified make it one continuous flat floor, and work a decent mattress inside of it. The front would essentially be cut off right in front of the cowl, and build in some sort of AC/Heat thing, possibly using the stock stuff under the dash. The tunnel for the driveshaft and transmission would be come completely flat with the floorpan, and then a floor added above that, so when the front doors are opened, there is some space under the floor to store more stuff (tents, food, tools, parts). Use a stock D35 axle, but take the spiders out, leaving only the side Gears for the C clips to seat to. No ring or pinion either, and just fill it with some fluid to keep everything lubed. Add in a roof rack, and paint the trailer to match the MJ. What are your ideas? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whowey Posted July 5, 2007 Share Posted July 5, 2007 There is a company that operates an airport shuttle in Kansas City, that has the back half of a Dodge Mini-van turned into a trailer to pull behind the Dodge mini-van they cart people in. Its all painted the same color, and done very well. The rear hatch is still used to load it. In a wierd sick way its pretty good looking. I followed a guy one time down the interstate about 40 miles that had an old Escort wagon turned into a trailer pulled behind his VW Vanagon. Very bizarre, and strange. Not good looking.... From reading your plan, I'd be concerned with moving the axle forward. You would be shifting the useful center of gravity for the trailer. When you load stuff into the back, you would need to get it further up into the trailer to keep from getting the 'wag the dog' syndrome from the trailer. If you kept it light, as in a bare bones camper it wouldn't be bad. How about get an early D35, no C-clips/no side gears? I always wanted to add some PVC sewer pipe inside the rear roof of my trail jeep to carry spare drive/axle shafts. Another thought, you could add a provision for a battery/inverter in the front cowl area. You could have 12v power inside for some camper lights, or a 12v heater. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeepcoMJ Posted July 5, 2007 Share Posted July 5, 2007 I posted up something about this before...i forget the title, it wasn't that long ago. but it shows a nice conversion...that doesn't require a widnshield (I don't like the idea of a contoured glass on a trailer...too easy to get f*d up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockhardzj Posted July 5, 2007 Author Share Posted July 5, 2007 I have 15+ XJ's to choose from at the JY, most with straight bodies, several had that dinky 4cyl, and blown engines or other mechanical problems, I think 3 or so had front end damage. I think 3 are diesels, but they are rusty pancakes. (not crushed, it just sounded funny). 2 actually run and move under their own power, but just really rough. When I go back in a few days to get some cab corners for me and 1999MJ, I'm going to do another run through of them all, and pick one I like, and have it set aside, when nobody can pick anything from it. The best part is I can get any of them for free. The axle would be moved forward to put the weight ratio closer to the 60 front, 40 rear. It wouldn't be too heavy, and the load would be fairly distributed evenly. The hatch wouldn't really have too much besides maybe something behind each of the wheel wells on either side. The mattress would run probably the length of the inside, with the dash essentially being the "bed header". Maybe swap the gauge cluster out for an alarm clock or something, keep a radio in the stock location, on board battery, hidden in the driver or passenger foot well. Possibly use the idea from the NAXJA trailer thread, and put a water tank in the old fuel tank's place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockhardzj Posted July 5, 2007 Author Share Posted July 5, 2007 I posted up something about this before...i forget the title, it wasn't that long ago. but it shows a nice conversion...that doesn't require a windshield (I don't like the idea of a contoured glass on a trailer...too easy to get f*d up.it could easily get replaced with a piece of steel, or Lexan or something... EDIT: Oh, and this would not actually go on the trails, just to the camp sites, or trail heads, and then parked. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeepcoMJ Posted July 5, 2007 Share Posted July 5, 2007 I have 15+ XJ's to choose from at the JY, most with straight bodies, several had that dinky 4cyl, and blown engines or other mechanical problems, I think 3 or so had front end damage. I think 3 are diesels, but they are rusty pancakes. (not crushed, it just sounded funny). 2 actually run and move under their own power, but just really rough. When I go back in a few days to get some cab corners for me and 1999MJ, I'm going to do another run through of them all, and pick one I like, and have it set aside, when nobody can pick anything from it. The best part is I can get any of them for free. The axle would be moved forward to put the weight ratio closer to the 60 front, 40 rear. It wouldn't be too heavy, and the load would be fairly distributed evenly. The hatch wouldn't really have too much besides maybe something behind each of the wheel wells on either side. The mattress would run probably the length of the inside, with the dash essentially being the "bed header". Maybe swap the gauge cluster out for an alarm clock or something, keep a radio in the stock location, on board battery, hidden in the driver or passenger foot well. Possibly use the idea from the NAXJA trailer thread, and put a water tank in the old fuel tank's place. get me a line on the diesels. pronto. phone number, info, anything...I OWN one and would like parts for it, and to build another one. oh, and please Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockhardzj Posted July 5, 2007 Author Share Posted July 5, 2007 I should have mentioned, the one has a hole in the block, the others, I'm not sure... I will definitely try to see if the other two runs or if theres any salvageable parts that I can get for you. The diesel XJ's never really interested me, thats why I didn't know much about them. Oh, need a midget race chassis? theres 2 of them, one even has a fuel cell, which I'm going to pick up, good for making toys out of, although, they could easily be adapted to a buggy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeepcoMJ Posted July 5, 2007 Share Posted July 5, 2007 IDC if there's a hole in the block... What I really need is 1 good head, a turbo, intake, exhaust manifold, and a transmission, flywheel, and starter. I have a good block, but the engines require a specific transmission input shaft (i need one for a ax5 tranny. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockhardzj Posted July 5, 2007 Author Share Posted July 5, 2007 Noted. If there isn't anything good from my top JY, I do know of another local JY with several locations that might have something as they more or less specialize in jeeps. The guy at that place is just a fool to deal with though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeepcoMJ Posted July 5, 2007 Share Posted July 5, 2007 Noted.If there isn't anything good from my top JY, I do know of another local JY with several locations that might have something as they more or less specialize in jeeps. The guy at that place is just a fool to deal with though. yea, if it costs an arm and a leg it won't be happening... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tracker Posted July 5, 2007 Share Posted July 5, 2007 Here's what I want to do with the next XJ I bring home: My $.02 : 1. This is going to be one heavy trailer. 2. It's going to be a little tricky attaching the tongue and having it be strong enough- without looking like something from a Jeff Foxworthy routine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pingpong Posted July 5, 2007 Share Posted July 5, 2007 I was going to say something about the weight too. Also you have to think a lil about the areo on it.. if it has a shape of a wall, it will tow like poo poo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockhardzj Posted July 5, 2007 Author Share Posted July 5, 2007 Here's what I want to do with the next XJ I bring home: My $.02 : 1. This is going to be one heavy trailer. 2. It's going to be a little tricky attaching the tongue and having it be strong enough- without looking like something from a Jeff Foxworthy routine. Not all that heavy, I don't think... It would probably be a good 700lbs lighter than a complete Cherokee. As for the tongue, it would essentially be flipped on it's side, the old uniframe cut off, and a new, thicker, more rugged frame built, upon which the body would bolt onto. I was going to say something about the weight too. Also you have to think a lil about the areo on it.. if it has a shape of a wall, it will tow like poo pooAerodynamics??? Psh... Why do you think I would be leaving that windshield area in tact? Bricks don't work too well. But that windshield is roughly a 45* angle back, so it will improve things drastically. A triangular box on the tongue could also help by splitting air to the sides, not to mention, add more storage, better yet, build it fully insulated up front, and lockable, and theres a beer cooler. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skimore11 Posted July 5, 2007 Share Posted July 5, 2007 I was just looking at this the other day You can read all about it here http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=914369 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockhardzj Posted July 5, 2007 Author Share Posted July 5, 2007 I know about that one, but he is towing a brick. The front is flat as can be, so his fuel mileage will go to the outhouse when he is towing that trailer. I would be having a little more interior storage space, and not so much of a brick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tracker Posted July 5, 2007 Share Posted July 5, 2007 I was just looking at this the other day... Now this one looks do-able. I think trying to keep the basic XJ up to the firewall would be extremely tough for any advantage it might have over this shorter one. I don't want to sound like I'm just speculating to be negative. I'm in the process of chopping up an MJ to make a trailer right now. Much, much simpler than an XJ chop, but I've had to work through similar some problems associated with the Uni-body construction, or should I say, destruction. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockhardzj Posted July 5, 2007 Author Share Posted July 5, 2007 I see keeping up to the firewall a benefit. More space, more aerodynamics as well. Aesthetically, it carrys better looks leaving the front doors and windshield in place. If you look at these pictures, and look at the fronts of the trailers the big "blank" space on the white one is boring, and in my opinion, a bit ugly, as the windows are non-existent and break up the design too much. My design carries the XJ lines, continuously around the entire trailer, and the windows being present, keep it "good looking" as well as less brick like. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tracker Posted July 5, 2007 Share Posted July 5, 2007 No doubt it would be an interesting project. I can't tell from the pics of the white one how it's made. Did he make an XJ into a trailer or did he put half an XJ on a small trailer frame? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeepcoMJ Posted July 5, 2007 Share Posted July 5, 2007 xj into a trailer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JOMJ87 Posted July 6, 2007 Share Posted July 6, 2007 Well Here is the one I'm going for or maybe going to build a replica one for the fun of it. Perfect for my trucks color scheme. This is a pic of a miniture one for a diarama but you get the idea Cole Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockhardzj Posted July 6, 2007 Author Share Posted July 6, 2007 Noted.If there isn't anything good from my top JY, I do know of another local JY with several locations that might have something as they more or less specialize in jeeps. The guy at that place is just a fool to deal with though. yea, if it costs an arm and a leg it won't be happening... Well, the only one that I found out is for fact a diesel is missing everything except the block, which has a crack coming up from where the oil pan would seat, about 2 inches. Beyond that, I found out the other 2 XJs were plain old gas ones, so no luck. I can get you the info for the other JY, and then you could see what he has, and for how much. I know hes a fool most of the time though, so I don't know what your chances would be... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeepcoMJ Posted July 7, 2007 Share Posted July 7, 2007 *shrug* not gonna happen, I don't need to bother with it anymore...I will be fixing up and probably driving my dad's 2.1 as a DD cause he likes the 89 alot. he agreed that I can do what I want to the diesel as long as he gets to drive the 89 until he buys a new cummins. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockhardzj Posted July 7, 2007 Author Share Posted July 7, 2007 *shrug* not gonna happen, I don't need to bother with it anymore...I will be fixing up and probably driving my dad's 2.1 as a DD cause he likes the 89 alot. he agreed that I can do what I want to the diesel as long as he gets to drive the 89 until he buys a new cummins. Truck with a cummins, or a cummins for the jeep? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeepcoMJ Posted July 7, 2007 Share Posted July 7, 2007 no, his 86 is a 2.1 Renault Turbo Diesel, which is factory. it needs a new floor pan, new right bedside, alot of cleaning, a new motor (got one for $75. when I say new, I mean NEW as in never run new) due to the cracked head (can't repair, have tried 3 times), new tranny, and a lift. it's stock dark blue and will be getting the same color with silver-metalic mixed into it, along with the old light blue interior out of the 3800. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akamcbird Posted July 20, 2007 Share Posted July 20, 2007 mate a 2door xj w\ an mj just splice about half way thhough the doors and create a liftgate on eiter side...a combo of these pics Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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