95 xj

[hoaxci5]

My new to me 95 XJ

https://theultimatejeep.com/notfound.png

RC 4.5" short arm lift with control arm drop brackets
33" MT's
SYE
4.56 gears, with lock-rites front and rear (unfortunately I have to remove the front one so I can flat tow it....)
Custom bumpers front and rear (winch needs repaired)
Rock Rails


Plans - needs armor, all it has is bumpers and rock rails so I need to protect the rest of the undercarriage.. and thats it for the short term. It runs great, so I'm hoping to break it in a RC soon.

[06JeepXKHEMI]

Saw this on FB, these are like mini XKs, always liked them looking forward to seeing this in action!!!

[hoaxci5]

Yea first thing I need to do is get it registered and out of Matt's back yard :p

[Matt]

Its an offroading beast for sure....

[valpacer]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Gold!!

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[Core XK]

Awesome XJ! can't wait to see it in person

[hoaxci5]

I guess I should post something just to keep it current :p

It's still sitting in Matt's yard.. I was hoping to be able to flat tow it, but from day one it didn't return to center and would go to full lock when turning while it was in tow. First we figured it was the front locker, so out it came.. still didn't work. With some research we figured it was that the caster was way off, so Matt made a spacer but apparently the angle is still off so it needs at least one more spacer. Hopefully that will allow me to flat tow, since the steering wheel will want to return to center if the caster is correct.

I also haven't been able to register it since we moved and haven't closed on a house yet, so I can't be a resident of anywhere to be able to get a plate. Hopefully soon we'll be closing on a house so I won't be scared towing it 2+ hrs with no plates..

Unrelated to all of that, I'm starting my wish list...
Diff covers - http://www.maxbilt.com/max-bilt-diff-cover.html

I still need to research and measure for some of the undercarriage protection, because I guess the transfer case cross member has 2 different lengths.

I'm hoping to run it at RC on the Oct 27th weekend, without any armor, so I guess I'll just figure out what needs to be the priority that way since I'll be running with all you daily drivers :p

[Matt]

I've been having fun telling everyone its mine. :)

[07JeepXK]

Check out american rebel diff covers. I just got mine in today and its amazing. Priced the same as the one you posted. I posted a pic of it in my garage thread

[Holaday07 4.7]

You can still flat tow with a luchbox locker up front. I have a spartan in the TJ and it flat tows fine.

Probably solinoids on the winch, $40.

Just a heads up on diff covers too, solids were cheap as hell

[Matt]

We found threads where people were having issues flat towing with front lock-rights... sort of the same reason Adam doesn't like the ratcheting sound of his aussie locker, the lock-right is a more aggressive lunchbox locker that tends to not want to let the wheels slip (hence the loud noises).

Didn't even think about the caster being the issue until that didn't work.... Though it did tow "better", it still would lock up on tighter turns.

[hoaxci5]

The american rebels look good, I was looking for ones with drains so thats why I wasn't going to go with solids. I figured for as few miles as this jeep will get a drain and fill should hopefully last quite some time and keep me cleaner while doing maintenance.

As far as the front locker goes, it's better that it's out anyways, I'd like to have this as a third vehicle for when one of our primaries is down, so that means the possibility of bad weather driving, and that just doesn't sound fun with a locked up front. Maybe someday if I hang on to it, I'll throw an eaton or an arb at it so I can at least control it.

[hoaxci5]

It's "home"

https://theultimatejeep.com/notfound.png

[Matt]

Can't wait to see it at Rausch!

[hoaxci5]

Oil, rear diff, and transfer case fluids all changed today in preparation for RC. Front driveshaft got rebuilt, tighten up the steering box, had the wheels balanced and an alignment. It's driving WAY better than it was. New radio waiting to be installed.. time for some fun!

Still need to get some more armor though.

[Matt]

Any idea what the before/after alignment specs were? Would love to know where we were on the caster :)

[hoaxci5]

Hrm it was awhile ago that I got it aligned, I'll look in there and see if I can find the paperwork, they did give me a print out but I don't remember. It was all kinds off bad overall but I can't remember where the caster was...

[Matt]

Have you flat towed it since?

[hoaxci5]

Nope we were(are) DDing it since ML's van was totalled, and now we traded in the XK so no more tow vehicle, at least for now..

[Matt]

Roger that. Was wondering if they took any of our caster shims out.

[hoaxci5]

BEFORE:

front
camber
-0.5 -1.3
caster
0.2 0.2
tow
2.05 -2.53

total toe
-0.48
steer ahead
2.29

rear
camber
-0.1 -0.3
tow
0.13 -0.18

total toe
-0.06
thrust angle
0.15

AFTER
front
-0.6 -1.3
caster
0.2 0.2
toe
0.02 0.06

total toe
0.08
steer ahead
-0.02

rear
camber
-0.1 -0.3
toe
0.14 -0.18

total toe
-0.04
thrust angle
0.16

So I paid for a lifetime alignment at firestone, is there something they can do to make it better? Right front camber is still red at -1.3, and caster on both fronts is red.

[Matt]

I wouldn't mess with the caster- it wont wear tires and you can screw up your flat towing (as we found out).

I'd have to look, I don't remember how camber is adjusted on those axles.... if at all.

[hoaxci5]

New MAP sensor, new radio installed, new power steering line (pressure side was leaking), Dually's mounted up, just need to clean up some stereo wiring and run my rear view camera.

[hoaxci5]

Bought 2 used duratracs so I can replace the shredded sidewall tire, and then have an actual fullsize spare.. Just need to get them mounted up. I'll be running mismatched fronts and rears for awhile..

[06JeepXKHEMI]

So this means youre in for next month?!!?!?!?

[hoaxci5]

I'm not not in.. but I don't know yet :p

[hoaxci5]

Got new wheels

1965

hopefully this will stop the rubbing on the lower control arm since it should move the tire out about an inch.. also got a set of MT/r's on order, 33's again.. In preparation of new wheels and tires, and since I lost a fender flair last weekend in RC I started cutting my fenders tonight, and while working noticed a little problem..

https://theultimatejeep.com/notfound.png

So yea... another project. There is a second hole closer to the seat also.. hopefully I'll get it patched up here in the next day or so..

[Matt]

Any pics from Rausch? I'm going through offroad withdrawal. :(

[hoaxci5]

Just this one.
https://theultimatejeep.com/notfound.png

Shredded another sidewall on the duratrac this time, hence the new tires. Ran a bunch of blues, Topless for Tatas and did some of the property across the road.

[Matt]

Sweet. How was it across the road.... worth the extra coin?

[hoaxci5]

There was a pretty nasty hill climb that I didn't make it up (raining), only one in our group did make it. It was nice just for something different. I don't think I did any trails this past trip that I had been on before except maybe powerline, and that was just to get out..

[Matt]

Cool. How do you think Adam and I would do on the route you went??

[hoaxci5]

You both would be fine, most likely just banging on skids. I hit my rockers a few times though so Adam might want/need rock rails. None of it was incredibly hard.

[Matt]

Awesome man. You'll have to sketch out the route you took for me.

[hoaxci5]

hah I was following so I didn't pay a whole lot of attention.

[06JeepXKHEMI]

I'm with you Matt I'm dying to get out there but obviously that isn't happening. I've got my eye on an XJ coupe 5 spd which is sweet, I'm thinking I may go that route when the time comes to keep it as close to my XK..

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[07JeepXK]

I've been across the road at RC when they first opened it. It was fun but still prefer the original trails.

[hoaxci5]

https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2013/05/979909_10200771531282804_499966093_o-1.jpg

New wheels and tires mounted up, along with cut and folded fenders..

[Matt]

Damn man looking good!!!!

Ever get that winch working?

[hoaxci5]

Nope I still haven't pulled the bumper to be able to remove the winch.. It's on the long list still, but since I don't wheel alone it hasn't been a huge priority. All the silver/chrome is going to eventually get painted black, so eventually I'll do it. I need to do new unit/wheel bearing first.. thats and the overheating issue are my first priorities.

[06JeepXKHEMI]

Looks sick man, Ive always loved the XJ.. I really want this XJ coupe it's clean to with lift and tires, 5spd

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[hoaxci5]

I finally pulled the bumper to remove the winch.. gears were seized up, so I lubed everything up and tried again, still nothing more electric diag and turns out the motor is toast, so no winch for me.

While the bumper was off I painted it, along with my hood louvers, and hopefully in the next day or two the fender flairs, rock rails, and rear bumper. I'm also working on a better way to mount the license plate since it currently resides in the hitch which is a pain and probably illegal when I tow since I have to remove my plate to do so..

I did finally get a new radiator and corrected the electrical nightmare that was the issue with the e-fan not working.. so I'm back to full cooling system operation with no more overheating.

[1USMC]

New wheels and tires mounted up, along with cut and folded fenders..

I like the way she looks with the new rolling parts !!!

[Matt]

Sounds like some good progress man. Going to get a new winch??

[hoaxci5]

I doubt I'll get a winch anytime soon, I don't wheel alone so it really isn't a huge priority.

[sean112280]

Have you gotten or made unibody stiffeners for this?

[hoaxci5]

Have you gotten or made unibody stiffeners for this?

You should see the setup the previous owner made for this thing it's ridiculous. 2x6 tube sliders, with 2" angle running the full length of the frame tied to the sliders with more 2x6 tubing.

Todays projects finished up, just need to mount the front bumper back on.. bedlined everything that was siliver and touched up a few other odds and ends that were showing some rust.. and built a spare tire license plate mount so I can use my hitch again.

https://theultimatejeep.com/notfound.png

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[Matt]

Looking GREAT!!! Definitely like the new color scheme better. And damn, that tire looks huge on here

[hoaxci5]

Thanks, yea I never liked the silver.

[stites-xk]

Nice!!

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[pjmjr508]

looking great!

[sean112280]

Good deal! I like it a lot better now as well.

[06JeepXKHEMI]

Looks sick! Love the MTRs man and new look

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[Core XK]

Wow it looks so much better now! And im glad you fixed the overheating issues

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[hoaxci5]

Parts ordered/in hand for..

front/rear diff fluid change - just finished the rear
front axle u-joints - waiting for another set to show up since I'm not totally sure which axle I have so I'll return the ones that aren't right. Hopefully this will quiet down my sharp turns other than my locker still clicking..
rear output transfer case seal - I think thats where its leaking from at least.

I still need to figure out which ball joint I need for the trackbar, the part number I found wasn't right. I'm hoping that is where my popping that occurs occasionally is coming from.

I should have most of it done before the Sept 7th RC trip.

[hoaxci5]

Oh yea I still have an AC condenser to install, and a "repaired" exhaust manifold.