Nate's crappy 93 XJ

N-Smooth · Jan 21, 2013

For sure, anyone is welcome to join us. We usually have 4 XJ's and a TJ

Tobyxj · Jan 21, 2013

Cool as it gets closer ill get in touch to firm it up

N-Smooth · Jan 22, 2013

Today:
-Figured out why my e-fan wasn't working- bad relay on my manual override switch. Fixed
-Got stuck in a snow drift up to my sliders and bumpers in the field by my house. Had to run home to get shovels and call a friend to pull me out. Dumb
-Made the rear door removable and weighed it: 43 pounds. So all 4 doors total 202 POUNDS!!! I'm very excited about that weight loss

sixstringsteve · Jan 22, 2013

looking really good.

N-Smooth · Jan 23, 2013

Thanks Steve!

Finished up some more wiring today to make 2 of the 4 doors have quick-disconnect wiring. Pretty happy about it. Also started work on the driver-rear door. It got pretty bashed last trip so even getting it open took a while

N-Smooth · Jan 24, 2013

Got the driver-rear door off FINALLY and took it out for a spin. I have always loved wheeling it with the driver door removed but didn't really think that removing the other doors would do all that much for visibility and everything but WOW it's a blast and I can see everything. As of right now I'm thinking they'll probably stay off forever and I'll just build some permanent hip-protector bars into the cage. I'm starting to get super excited for EJS and I know I'll need that excitement to push me through the frustrating, stressful time right before the trip.

N-Smooth · Jan 25, 2013

10:30 last night I decided I wanted to mess with the jeep a little more and decided to remove the factory roof rack w/three crossbars. I'm going to be building a "hybrid" cage anyways so it has to go. Weighed it all just for kicks and to keep up with the theme of this build and it weighs 18 pounds. That's equivalent to 10' of tube so I'm happy with that. It does look kinda weird without it but yeah

N-Smooth · Feb 3, 2013

Did this yesterday

Yes my brake lines are so long that I can easily sit the calipers on the ground. I love it.
I need to start working on my 3 link midarm build so I tore it all out. I was excited to see how trashed my LCA's were, enjoy.

Now I just need to cutoff a bunch of brackets, make new ones, make arms and it will be awesome. Shouldn't take me too long

dash · Feb 5, 2013

so you stuffed 33s in you wheel wells do they rub in the back bad or no?

N-Smooth · Feb 5, 2013

dash said:
so you stuffed 33s in you wheel wells do they rub in the back bad or no?

I did a cut and fold on the rear wheel-wells and they still rubbed some under full flex so I made some custom bumpstops. I have 3" of lift (probably less) though

dash · Feb 5, 2013

okay cool thanks for answering the question. i am planning on stuffing 331050s under my vj once the 31s become more useless.

N-Smooth · Feb 5, 2013

Mine are 12.50's too so depending on your back spacing they might fit even better

N-Smooth · Feb 11, 2013

Worked on it on saturday for a few hours and again today. I forgot how bad is SUCKS to cut off the old "frame"-side LCA brackets. It took a lot of time, made a big mess and used up a handful of cut-off wheels. Then there is the UCA mount that is very hard to reach. I broke my sawzall a couple years ago and ended up buying a new one today to be able to reach the bracket. I also found that the driverside LCA mount had some split welds on the inside support and back side... I was not shocked.

I've only done the driverside so far because I like to have the other side for reference.
I plated the bottom, outside and inside with some 3x3/16" and 2x1/8". The inside portion goes a few inches away from the motor mount and all the way back the the front of the transmission crossmember. Lots of welding there! I will be adding to it to take it further forward when that becomes the main priority.

93yj · Feb 17, 2013

xj_nate said:
I did a cut and fold on the rear wheel-wells and they still rubbed some under full flex so I made some custom bumpstops. I have 3" of lift (probably less) though

Great idea Nate!!! I put my new tires on this after noon. thanks for the help!!!!!!!

N-Smooth · Feb 17, 2013

Looks great!

93yj · Feb 17, 2013

xj_nate said:
Looks great!

its awsome man! i dont want to put another inch of lift on the 3" that is already on there.

zukijames · Feb 17, 2013

Those LCAs are pretty sweet

N-Smooth · Feb 17, 2013

zukijames said:
Those LCAs are pretty sweet

Yup, those things took a beating over 4 years and like 30 wheeling trips hahaha

zukijames · Feb 17, 2013

xj_nate said:
Yup, those things took a beating over 4 years and like 30 wheeling trips hahaha

Awesome i look forward to more pics of progress

ps looks pretty good with out doors can you feel the body flexing more with out it

N-Smooth · Feb 17, 2013

zukijames said:
Awesome i look forward to more pics of progress

ps looks pretty good with out doors can you feel the body flexing more with out it

I only took it for a spin before tearing out the front axle so I can't say for sure but I've never believed that the doors are structural. Some do, some don't.

I need to figure out if I am keeping them off forever or making skins out of them or whatever. My wife initially said "you have to put the doors back on" but we'll see if I can change her mind

Nate's crappy 93 XJ

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