My Weekend Warrior build

[Verbalkint99]

Ok, been lurking for a while now and decided to post up some shots of my XJ.

Its not much now, but it will meet my current needs :) Though I am getting it ready for a camping trip across the Upper Peninsula of Michigan this fall :wings:

Its a 2000 Sport that I picked up in September of '09

This is about the only stock picture I have of my Jeep though it already has a set of 30's and ugly rims.

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g73/verbalkint_99/100_1504.jpg

First step was to apply a generous layer of truck bed liner to the rockers and rear quarter.

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g73/verbalkint_99/110_1335.jpg

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g73/verbalkint_99/110_1337.jpg

Yay for Rough Country

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g73/verbalkint_99/100_1591.jpg

[Verbalkint99]

Next up was getting rid of the crap rims and bald tires

MTR 31's and American Racing rims

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g73/verbalkint_99/112_0100.jpg

I prefer black rims, so the next day...

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g73/verbalkint_99/112_0085.jpg

Found this at a local junk yard

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g73/verbalkint_99/112_0087-1.jpg

Boredom = Mag-light mount

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g73/verbalkint_99/100_0328.jpg

[Verbalkint99]

This is how it sat this morning...after a full day of cutting, sealing, and painting its ready for new flares in the morning!

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g73/verbalkint_99/100_2069.jpg

[Canadian Moose]

Looks good! I like the rear paint job

[XXXpedition]

it's definately startin' to come along :-)))
great job!

i do like those rims in black.
how did you paint them?

(btw: be careful mounting too heavy load onto those stock rails. the rubber rivets will come out eventually...)

[nbleak21]

(btw: be careful mounting too heavy load onto those stock rails. the rubber rivets will come out eventually...)

Ah, I never thought of that! Looking to do a similar build on our 2000 Sport (silver as well) but with a full sized roof rack. So I guess we'll be going with gutter mounted.

I plan on making my own, any other tips you've got in that regard?

[SWbySWesty]

Looks good! They grow up so fast!

[Verbalkint99]

i do like those rims in black.
how did you paint them?

I hit them pretty good with a sanding pad and then used Rustoleum Pro spray paint - Midnight Metalic

Thanks for the advice in the roof rack too....later in the summer I plan on making a full size rack as well...just need to wait for this semester to end.

Just finished todays project, i will take pics and post in a little while if I have time before class.

[Verbalkint99]

Here is how it sits now :)

next up will prob be a no-slip rearend from Power Trax and a SYE.

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g73/verbalkint_99/100_2070.jpg

[1x1_Speed_Craig]

Very nice XJ!!! You should consider some JCR Offroad armor (http://www.jcroffroad.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=XJRUPGRD96&Category_Code=XJArmor). I have seen them in-person...VERY impressed with the quality/detail.

Craig

http://www.jcroffroad.com/Merchant2/graphics/00000001/UpperQuarterPanelGaurdsDesc.jpg

[XXXpedition]

So I guess we'll be going with gutter mounted.
I plan on making my own, any other tips you've got in that regard?
gutter mount is the way to go. if i were to do it over again i would run a full-length flat steel all along the gutter and then have 5 or 6 mounts for the rack. weight distribution is your friend here.
my rack was very heavy and with 1000s of miles of corrigated roads the rack broke through the roof.
if you build it yourself, it should be doable...

i'm looking forward to your progress!
sven

[DBH]

Very nice build so far!

[nbleak21]

Awesome, Thanks, Sven!



The XJ is coming along great! looking exactly like what I plan on having mine like (though i'm contemplating going with tube fenders rather than the bushwackers.) And probably a bumper/stinger/winch, as well.

[radar95zj]

i think i will be following this for a while very nice!!!

[Verbalkint99]

Well, had some shakes going on for a while and decided it was time for some tire balancing to be done. You always know its gonna be bad when they come get you with your car still up in the air. :(

Turns out what I thought was an out of balance tire was actually a bent rim. They got it spinning to show me and :Wow1:

So now I wait for these:

http://static.summitracing.com/global/images/prod/large/crr-397_w.jpg

Also picked up some hardware to drop my TC, and picking up a new engine skid and oil pan Monday :wings:

[SWbySWesty]

Cragar Soft 8's...I like those. I have them too. Classic look and FYI - you have to order the chrome center caps separately. I found that out when I got rims with no centercaps (which looked terrible).

[Verbalkint99]

lol, yeah...noticed that...after ordering :mad:


Oh well, i will see if the tire place has any cheep ones when i get them mounted.

[Krazors001]

Look around online. there's a writeup somewhere about someone using margarine containers sprayed black as center caps. Looked good in pictures at least

[kc0tma]

I've got Cragar Soft 8's in black also, and I really like them. They are classy and cheap. I've never had center caps on them but I'd like to buy\improvise some.

[comrad_zeelaagee]

looks very nice.

[Verbalkint99]

Well, I guess I will use this break in my studies to post a few updates.

Decided to have a tube bent at work and got it welded on to my stock bumper. Wanted to see how bad it would look, I kinda like it and its solid, so its gonna stay till I get a real bumper after I am done with school.

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g73/verbalkint_99/100_2322.jpg

Also in these pics is my stock skid that I cleaned up and repainted.

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g73/verbalkint_99/100_2324.jpg

The hoop will help keep the lights safe and allow my to hang my strap.

Also cleaned up my Rustys T-case skid though I might paint it blue as well.

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g73/verbalkint_99/100_2326.jpg

Next up are the hood vents I got from the JY a while back. I finally had a chance to refinish them and they are ready for me to have time to put them on. Not my XJ but the same vents in about the same place mine will go:

http://www.fototime.com/30B2612A0B65C69/standard.jpg

Mine will be black against the silver hood.

And lastly I am still trying to cleanup and paint the stock gas tank skid I picked up at the JY a while back for only $4.00!!

[Warhead]

just a little idea I found on the jeep forum for center cap options (I can`t stand chrome)
I think these are from a Jeep liberty with steel wheels
http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m53/airmanutz/Wheels/004.jpg

http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m53/airmanutz/Wheels/007.jpg

the wheels pictured are Crager V5 but the center caps will work on most aftermarket steel wheels.

you can get fancy with them if you would like
http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m53/airmanutz/Wheels/IMG_0919.jpg

http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m53/airmanutz/My%20Rubi%20Misc%20Pics/031-1.jpg

[Verbalkint99]

Thats a great idea! I will have to keep an eye for a set.

[Hill, Bill E.]

Nice XJ!

I ended up smacking my center caps on both my XJ and CJ, so i removed them.

Rocks are not nice to them:snorkel:

Been looking for a 'cheap' substitute, may have to try some margarine tubs and that paint for plastics.:coffeedrink:

[geesaw]

I found some matte black center caps in G.R. at Grand Sales, I think they've got a few sets left.

EDIT- Man I really do like those Liberty caps better every time I look at them....

[Verbalkint99]

Well, on break from classes so I have been hitting the rust spots. I have a few more to go but got the floors coated. Next up was the rock chips in the hood and all the little rust spots. Also got the vents on.

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g73/verbalkint_99/Blackhoodangle2.jpg

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g73/verbalkint_99/Blackhoodfront.jpg

Next step is to put a decal on either side of the hood. Just deciding what to put there. Here is the leading idea:

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g73/verbalkint_99/Overlandconcept.jpg

Other options are:
Cherokee
Zombie Outbreak Response Vehicle
Expedition XJ
and thats about it so far...lol

any suggestions?

[rg050308]

I like your XJ mine is also a work in progress. I especially like the hoop on your front bumper. Did you just attach those d-rings to the front tow hook brackets?

[Mr. D]

great job so far