Project XJ

[REED]

those tires look a lot beefier with the new wheels, but i still liked the snowflakes

[Jeff]

The snowflakes were classy...but I am going in a sportier direction.

[V1GiLaNtE]

I approve... definitely improves the stance and look of the vehicle!!

[Steve85]

:thumbup:

[Jeff]

Got the side steps last night. They are not as HD as I was expecting but I can fix that! I plan to install them as they are meant first then look for ways to make them stronger.



The first part of "Making them stronger" is upgrading all the hardware. The rusty to the left is obviously the original hardware. The right is the new.

[Dave]

These are aftermarket steps marketed as "rock rails" They are not however "rock sliders." Rock rails are supposed to be heavy enough to take a hit from a rock if you come down on one unexpectedly. But they will be damaged if hit to hard. They are also designed to be a step. Now a "rock slider" is a 2x2 box tube that rides below the rocker panel and is designed as an aid for rock crawling as well as protection. You can actually use them to slide around on tall rocks that are above your break-over angle. They are much stronger built and do not stick out like steps. You can jack from them and they are designed to support the full weight of the vehicle regularly. They are not really the sort of thing I need. You "use" your rock sliders if that makes sense?

Whoa, I think I put miniature rock sliders on the Z...

[JustinG]

I'd beef up those mointing points with some steel plates, that metal looks thin.

[Jeff]

More fun pics and some more custom fabrication! I had to make up my own CB antenna mount because I wanted a certain look. I'm still noy 100% satisfied with it, I think it flexes to much. I'm going to see what Phil thinks on Monday. This bracket was made out of leftover parts from a Westin step board kit from a 1998 Dodge Ram. Most of the bolts and nuts to install my running boards came from that kit as well.

Shot of the bracket. Took about an hour to develop and execute. Black powder coat held up well. This is Alpha version.









Beta (final for now) version


Done shots! The FireStik FireRing is so low profile. It looks really clean. Antenna is FireStik FireFly.

[BLAIR]

looking good man. i wish i had half the motivation to do things to cars these days.

[V1GiLaNtE]

totally diggin' the CB whip... takes me back to hs and dickin' around on the power lines with friends.. Keep up the good work Jeff!! :thumbup:

[Jeff]

Managed to sell my old stock wheels. $25 was better then them sitting around, I doubt I would ever have gone back to them. I like the look but it just doesn't work with what I am going for...if I need to replace these ever I will likely go aftermarket. I would love a set of Mickey Thompson Classic II's.

[Mike]

don't get those... they look like they belong on a rapper's car. jeff don't rap.

[Jeff]

I wouldn't get 17s like those! 15in ones look nice.

here...15s on 31s (I think)

[Mike]

not bad. get em in black.

[Jeff]

If I was going to do that I would just get Cragar soft 8s for $40 each.

[Mike]

get em with the red lip. i dunno why, but i like the red lip.

[.RJ]

Black wheels are stupid.

[CaptainHenreh]

Black wheels are stupid.

[Jeff]

LOL

Seriously...WTF guys.

[balactm]

I just lol'd reading the last 2 posts