Sal-XK's Garage

[Sal-XK]

Saw Don, post his list so I took a screen shot of my list as well.

[Sal-XK]

I it was a pleasant 70 degrees today so I went home early so I could get this mod started. Here are some pics so you can see whats behind there




Ok so got the panel off like most the stuff on the XK it pops off with a little force. Next I decided to use the actual outlet from the inverter it self instead of putting another one in and connecting them some how. So I had to take the inverter apart to accomplish this.


Then I figured out the wires were not long enough to reach the panel and mount the outlet so I needed to extend them and of course I'm out of wire so to the store I go.
Extended Wiring, The blue wire you see is the wire I added. Not the best solder job but it will hold anyway.



Next I traced out the outlet on the panel and used my dremel to cut the shape out.


I screwed the outlet into the panel and mounted the inverter with velcro to the panel. This stuff is strong its actually ridiculous to try and pull apart.


Now the finished product



I ran the wires up the side of the center counsel tucking all the wires inside the counsel. I left the wires inside my dash for now it got late so I'll tie them in on the next nice day we have. It will have full time power regardless if the jeep is on or not.

[LWM]

Very nice, thanks for sharing the project with us.

[Adondo]

I like your inverter installation. And... it looks like if you have the heater fan on, it'll get good forced cooling air too.

The backup lights on a roof rack are a ''must have'' for off-roading. The first time you back up while off road you'll discover the OEM backup lights just shine off into oblivion. They're only good for seeing another car in a parking lot, or the picnic table you're about to hit. They won't show the hole or rut you're about to drop into. You gotta' see the ground you're about to drive onto, and high mounted floods work great.

What are those, by the way? They look like LED floods.

Oh yeah, your spoke wheels... did you paint the spokes gray? They look great, much better than stock.

[Sal-XK]

I agree with the need for lights on the back of your rack it should be the first lights you put on IMO. The lights are $20 walmart lights nothing special. My wheels are stock I like them too I was going to replace them but I really like the look of them. Which puts me in a difficult decision making situation, I need and would like a much wider stance but don't want to run spacers because I'm thinking of coming out 2".

[Adondo]

That's one of the reasons I went with the Ultrasport wheels. There were a few.

A) Eliminate the ''soccer mom" look.

B) Eliminate the "guillotine effect" of having the spokes on the very outer edge of the rim. They pick up rocks etc. I was forever hearing the screech of yet another rock stuck in my brakes.

C) Eliminate the ice collection problem. (Related to problem B)

D) Widen the stance. The stance is over 4" wider now. (About 2" per side... the tires are slightly past the fender well edges now)

[Sal-XK]

As some of you may know I have been planing to make my own intake out of the stock one making it more water resistant. So I spent last night modifying my XK I put my recovery hooks in as well.

So I pulled the intake out and sure enough my filter once again has mud on it


This is what I'm talking about the stock system is just junk. Well after some thinking and fitting and I decided my plan won't work the way I wanted it to. The open space is perfect for a spare battery which is more important to me. So I came up with plan B. Not my best idea but it will get me by until I can get some pipe bent to put the filter where I want it some where in the back along the fire wall.



I know it will be sucking in hot air but as long as its dry air I don't care at this point. I'm guessing a little hot air is better then hydro locking the engine. That was my third filter since May 2010 and I avoid mud as much as possible thats what kills me.

OK so I also got around to installing the front hooks Don sent me.






I used all Grade 8 hard ware and lock tight on the threads. The bolt closest to the front had to be drilled there was no hole.

So you have to take the grill and bumper off to do these little things no big deal. But I really liked the way my XK looked with out that giant plastic bumper. chop the fenders and your good.


So that got me thinking so I decided to trim the front bumper to better match the style of the XK and my own taste.


This is the direction I'm headed in at present the wheel can approach a 15" rock after the cutting I should be able to approach a 25" rock

So far this is where we stopped cutting and like were it's at for now until we get out of the garage and get a good look at how it looks.


I'm not done my friend is coming back this morning to help me finish up but we think we have what were looking for. We still might cut more not sure won't be able to tell untill both sides are done and I can get a good look at it.

more pictures and stuff are here in this threa

[jay in nb]

Nice rig Sal, what size is your roof basket, i saw 3 different size by Rage on the web site, also in one of the pics on the passenger side you have a awning or is it a tarp? Summer, fishing and camping is around the corner and i need more space to haul and shade for a cold drink.

[Sal-XK]

I have a running review and write up of my basket CLICK HERE If what you need is not in there let me know and I'll help you out.

[jay in nb]

62.5 x 45, thanks for the quick reply, in the pic do you have a awning set up or just a normal tarp