87 Overland Build

[NorthwestMJ]

My buddy Larry came over with his Gladiator yesterday! He let me steal one of his wheels so that I could test fit 37’s. Initially I thought they’d be too big, but now I think they’re it! I’m going to go with the wheels as well.

[NorthwestMJ]

Been a little bit! Went down to the local annual 4x4 swap meet and picked up some treasures. Set of decent 37” Patagonias as well as some chromoly shafts for the rear axle. Got everything installed and the truck on its own tires for the first time in a while. 

[NorthwestMJ]

Still tying up loose ends on the truck. Made some shock mounts for the rear axle. 

[NorthwestMJ]

I’m also the proud new owner of a set of maxtrax. I heard they’re a requirement to be considered the owner of an overland rig? . Got the truck registered for the first time in 17 years as well! Got rear drive shaft, brake assembly and exhaust left and she’s “done”!

[fiatslug87]

10 hours ago, NorthwestMJ said:

I heard they’re a requirement to be considered the owner of an overland rig? .

Especially in high visibility orange.

[WranglerMangler]

Nice. So when are we going wheelin? Minche is ready for Naches or Evans or anywhere that’s not Elbe. Don’t forget rock sliders on the list too!!

[NorthwestMJ]

7 hours ago, WranglerMangler said:

Nice. So when are we going wheelin? Minche is ready for Naches or Evans or anywhere that’s not Elbe. Don’t forget rock sliders on the list too!!

I forgot to post those!!!! 

[WranglerMangler]

Oh damn! Those are nice. Good. Glad to see. Would hate to see any very preventable damage happen. I didn’t put sliders on my first MJ and almost immediately regretted it. 

[NorthwestMJ]

Dirtbound Offroad deluxe sliders. I feel like they could be heavier gauge, but overall, very nice. 

[NorthwestMJ]

7 hours ago, fiatslug87 said:

Especially in high visibility orange.

[NorthwestMJ]

7 hours ago, WranglerMangler said:

Nice. So when are we going wheelin? Minche is ready for Naches or Evans or anywhere that’s not Elbe. Don’t forget rock sliders on the list too!!

I’d love to go soon! Although Evans and Naches are both still heavily snowed in. I went up towards evans a week ago in the wife’s xj and it was a muddy mess and then BAM snow. Should have taken the JK…. lol

[fiatslug87]

This is also a must have 

https://vanlife.4x4tripping.com/2023/04/vanlife-ice-machine-overlanding.html?m=1

 

[Drahcir495]

Ice cream maker lol

 

You're a talented guy - very nice work. It's amazing how far it has come. I really enjoyed the pressure washing of the truck - very satisfying 

[NorthwestMJ]

6 hours ago, fiatslug87 said:

This is also a must have 

https://vanlife.4x4tripping.com/2023/04/vanlife-ice-machine-overlanding.html?m=1

 

Oh man!!!! The fact that someone said “This is Gonna be my claim to fame!” Is astonishing. I bet it works great in muddy and wet conditions!

[NorthwestMJ]

1 hour ago, Drahcir495 said:

Ice cream maker lol

 

You're a talented guy - very nice work. It's amazing how far it has come. I really enjoyed the pressure washing of the truck - very satisfying 

Thanks so much! Been a fun build! Pressure washing is oddly satisfying. I pressure washed it again when I got it from my buddy in the video. Here in Washington things that sit literally grow algae so it’s cool to see it come off.

[NorthwestMJ]

6 hours ago, fiatslug87 said:

This is also a must have 

https://vanlife.4x4tripping.com/2023/04/vanlife-ice-machine-overlanding.html?m=1

 

God dang it, I literally went in Amazon to see reviews and decide if people even buy that thing!!!!! APRIL FOOLS DAY. You got me LMAO!!!!!

[fiatslug87]

1 hour ago, NorthwestMJ said:

God dang it, I literally went in Amazon to see reviews and decide if people even buy that thing!!!!! APRIL FOOLS DAY. You got me LMAO!!!!!

 

you just made my day!

[NorthwestMJ]

2 hours ago, fiatslug87 said:

 

you just made my day!

LOL I’m glad! 

[Drahcir495]

Too good to be true! totally fell for it . . .

[NorthwestMJ]

Been a minute! I’ve had one hell of a busy April. Needless to say, the truck is getting close! Working out last minute kinks. One of which was suddenly inop gauges,blower and turn signals. Took me about 8 hours to figure out. When I did, I was using a push pin puller to pull a push pin in the dash right below the steering column when the dash flexed a tiny bit and the blower started. I hadn’t put the lower dash bolts in yet and noticed this…. 

 
got the bolt in now everything is back to normal…

 

[Pete M]

grounds are important  

[NorthwestMJ]

4 hours ago, Pete M said:

grounds are important  

Yessir! I used to think they were overrated. Not anymore! I’m a changed man!

[Pete M]

they are literally exactly as important as the power wire yet lots of guys neglect them.  out of sight, out of mind I guess 

[NorthwestMJ]

Been a minute once again! Been getting lots done on the truck lately! Found a weird 97+ XJ at a local wrecking yard and the rig had wood grain and infinity tweeters! Didn’t know either existed. The guy at the yard threw in the tweeters with the door panels, so I grabbed those along with the Center bezel for the dash along with the overhead console. 

[NorthwestMJ]

Got those installed and lots of loose ends buttoned up the last couple weeks. Dyed my visors to match the black headliner, those turned out good.

 

Also used two black interior hatch handles from junkyard XJ’s to make grab handles for getting in and out of the rig. My wife is 5’1” and thought it was too big. Hopefully these will help her out.

 

As for the truck itself, I got the interior done and finished out the exhaust. I did a shorty system. Still stock 2.25” but now terminates ahead of the rear axle with a turn down. Might change it later, just wanted to see how this worked.