98' XJ Sport.. Another XJ Thread

[V1GiLaNtE]

Why yes, yes there are..

Got the 3" coils on up front and stripped the lower door molding to clean her up some. Pick up the roof rack from Rexy and we're getting closer.




Fabbed up an overhead CB mount too. Need to run power and coax cable through the headliner. I'll try and snap a photo tomorrow.

[V1GiLaNtE]

So my "to-do" list still stands as

-Discos
-SYE
-Wheel spacers ( I'm still quite partial to the ecco's.)
- Build a rear cargo shelf( similiar to Dirtbound offroads)

[Jake]

+1 to Eccos. They're my favrit.

Let me know if you have CB radio questions. My buddy Mike (not from MM) is a big radio guy and has a CB setup in his XJ. He has to take the antenna down for the parking garage at work, so I think he just runs it out the door, versus drilling a hole anywhere.

[V1GiLaNtE]

+1 to Eccos. They're my favrit.

Let me know if you have CB radio questions. My buddy Mike (not from MM) is a big radio guy and has a CB setup in his XJ. He has to take the antenna down for the parking garage at work, so I think he just runs it out the door, versus drilling a hole anywhere.

Jake, an interesting factoid about the XJ is that there is actually an access hole by the driver side taillight which you can then run the coax into and up the trim and then down to the CB. I have some bailing wire to keep my antenna pulled down because of the parking garage too.. First time I drove into work with it all the way up you could hear me coming 3 levels down with every smack of the antenna on the overhead pipes and shit. :thumbup:

[V1GiLaNtE]

Hookay,

Time for the XJ's first shake down. And this was quite an adventure. Harrisonburg for the weekend and a few buddies and I piled into the XJ to go beat it up on the usual local trail. Flagpole/Reddish knob run. Called for some flurries for the day but otherwise we saw nothing the whole way up to trail head.





Until some magic switch was flipped...



Most of the way up we were riding in others tracks. However right before the first big meadow and the entire ride to the second meadow we were treading in virgin snow. This trail is the not the most difficult or challenging trail but when you add ankle deep snow to the mix..Makes for an interesting ride. Lots of sliding and with some of the more rocky sections some-what ice covered the XJ performed admirably! 4high most of the time to keep from sliding and 4low only a few times with the appropriate skinny pedal on really steep rock sections and the jeep pulled herself all the way up. We ran about 15psi on the tires.




Buddy Samer checking out the view from the first meadow



Virgin snow the rest of the way



Little flex test. Rear packs had A LOT more way to go, but mind you the front was still connected. Those discos are going to really set this thing up properly.




We ended up finishing the day with a stunning view of the valley from Reddish knob. All untouched snow all the way to top..Except for what appeared to be the tracks from somebody taking their pedal bike up there.. :bow:









Overall I'm pleased with the XJ's first shakedown.

Some thoughts and impressions to take away.

- Damn, even with +-1/4 tread at 15 psi those BFG's could hook up on anything. Even packed full with snow
- Armor, she's going to need more of it. Gas tank and diff covers are next
- Discos, Still need to order those up
- Suspension performed wonderfully. No rubbing on all four corners. Even with 3 guys, all my usual gear, and the full size tire in the cargo area.

I grabbed Justin's old roof rack off Rexy and threw that on this weekend. Jeep is pretty much set up to how I want it for DD. Looking forward to my next trip/adventure.

[Kaan]

nice! i guess you missed the jeepers thread where they had to pull 100 offroaders off there due to snow and ice.

start hustling money and order your parts! gas tank skid = pain in the ass btw

[V1GiLaNtE]

Oh we ran into a bunch of Valley 4wd club guys. Somebodies XJ broke down and they ended up towing it through the woods back down to union mills. Must have been 11+ rigs running.

Knowing this 3" open/open/wore down AT's XJ was getting through sections Mr.FancyRubiconTJwithWinch had to lock up for was quite validating.. :twisted:

[JPolen01]

Jeep is looking good man. Awesome work in the snow!

[premiershine9]

JKS discos had a set of the RC discos and wish I had spent the extra cash on the JKS

[V1GiLaNtE]

JKS discos had a set of the RC discos and wish I had spent the extra cash on the JKS

Yea that's the plan. I have a line on getting them new at a great price and shipped free. I wish there was a cheaper alternative but the quality won't be there.

[ibjeepin95]

Get some sliders! :mrgreen:

[V1GiLaNtE]

Need discos and SYE first!

[ibjeepin95]

Need discos and SYE first!

SYE works. I don't run swaybars so... :mrgreen:

[V1GiLaNtE]

Need discos and SYE first!

SYE works. I don't run swaybars so... :mrgreen:

Yea well 3" and 35's you're pretty planted...That B ain't gonna roll itself.. I need to get the t-case tucked back up under this thing so I can gain my belly clearance back. And hopefully drive a lifted XJ without vibes.. :roll:

Biggest spring time plans are likely HnT with front drive shaft, the discos, Solid diff covers, and spacers. Anything else will be upgraded as it wears out/breaks. :thumbup:

[V1GiLaNtE]

Oh I guess for updates..

So this thing leaks.. Like any amount of rain,snow, moisture in the air and my carpets get wet. It's a couple of things I need to decipher. Could be a windshield leak, cowl drain leak, firewall leak, or the blower/heater box leak. I need to take advantage of this potential warm weather Sunday and pull the carpet and check these areas.. Otherwise this thing is going to rust from the inside out.

Justin's old roof rack is on.. Pics to hold you guys over.

[JustinG]

Rack looks good....i had planned on doing the front wind deflector out of aluminum diamond plate. But yea, that never happened. Also, not sure if rex took the rear tire mount thingy off. But I made it where you can use the OEM spare tire mount stud and nut from the spare tire mount in the rear of the jeep, if you wanted to throw the spare up top.

[JPolen01]

I like your rack

[V1GiLaNtE]

Rack looks good....i had planned on doing the front wind deflector out of aluminum diamond plate. But yea, that never happened. Also, not sure if rex took the rear tire mount thingy off. But I made it where you can use the OEM spare tire mount stud and nut from the spare tire mount in the rear of the jeep, if you wanted to throw the spare up top.

Yup still there! I actually plan on building a shelf to keep the spare in the cabin, out of the elements, and keep SOME level of MPGs from being lost.

[V1GiLaNtE]

High pressure power steering line was leaking. $20 for a brand new one? Yes please.



Replaced the line on Saturday, went to remove the return line from the power steering reservoir to flush the system and cracked the power steering reservoir nipple. FML. Jeep is currently undriveable until new reservoir and return line get here. Hoping to get her back up and running before the weekend as I may be doing to wheelin.

[V1GiLaNtE]

So I know I said I'm REALLY partial to the Ecco's BUT:







These were too stupid of a deal to pass up on. I got 4 75% tread 31x10.5 BFG's mounted on steel wheels and a 5 steel spare for a great price. I did not realize just how worn down my old 31's were. Jeep looks TOUGH now and with the 4.5" backspacing on the wheel should help with rubbing at full lock and flex. Best part is I already have a 5th BFG sitting in the garage with ~80% tread that I will get mounted and balanced to the 5th spare. Should be able to sell my old 31s and 5 Eccos and almost break even on this purchase. :thumbup:

That is all