Project Bruiser - My 2000 XJ Build - Page 4

XJ2000 · 08-13-2008, 10:41 AM

I'm sure that I'll end up figuring out a way to get the ABS to work I do miss it, and have never wheeled without it so I don't know the difference yet. "Where there's a will there's a way."

Sorry (everyone!) I'm still using the Icons. I won't be running the 33's on the street because it's killing me on fuel, and I do alot of driving for work (140 miles round trip, 5 days a week). Also, the BFG AT's that are on the Icons still look brand new, even after 30,000 miles on them, so there's not a shot I'm getting rid of them - I'd never make any of the money back, especially when they're a dime a dozen.

JeEpErWaNaBe · 08-13-2008, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dassc612

I'm sure that I'll end up figuring out a way to get the ABS to work I do miss it, and have never wheeled without it so I don't know the difference yet. "Where there's a will there's a way."

Sorry (everyone!) I'm still using the Icons. I won't be running the 33's on the street because it's killing me on fuel, and I do alot of driving for work (140 miles round trip, 5 days a week). Also, the BFG AT's that are on the Icons still look brand new, even after 30,000 miles on them, so there's not a shot I'm getting rid of them - I'd never make any of the money back, especially when they're a dime a dozen.

Very true "where there's a will there's a way"!

Ummm about the icons I was wondering cuz I've seen a few people give them up after lifting but I really like mine and don't see myself givin them up. And I was pretty much asking as far as back spacing if you can even run such a large tire on stock backspacing, without spacers. Well it seems your gonna be running 30" tires on 4.5 lift, how does that look?
Also what kina gas mileage are you gettin with the 33's?

XJ2000 · 08-13-2008, 11:13 AM

I've seen Icons used with 33's without spacers. I didn't get a chance to talk to the owner (saw him wheeling in PA), but it looked like it was alright. Just looked weird because everything was tucked under the rig too much.

With the 30's I was getting 20 MPG, with the 33's I'm getting 15 MPG. Also have to remember that not only does each tire/rim weigh almost 100 pounds, but the gearing is crappy (3.55's) so it takes a little more to get the rig moving as well.

aircruiser · 08-13-2008, 12:20 PM

yeah i plan on going to 33s and ill really feel it in the clutch until i go to 4.10s (3.07s right now :thumbsdown

so you run 30s for dding? how do they look on there? ill be on 30s until they wear out which may be a year or two so im curious to see how it looks.

XJ2000 · 08-13-2008, 12:58 PM

It looks pretty weird, but the Icons are nice, so it's not so bad.

JeEpErWaNaBe · 08-14-2008, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dassc612

I pulled the ABS fuse, so it doesn't work at all now. The ABS light is on in the dashboard, but I'll remove the lightbulb for inspection. It's not illegal to run without it. If I'm not mistaken, there is a company out there that has designed something to make the XJ D44 work with ABS, but it's pricey.

Btw just a suggestion being that I know how annoying the light on is, and for inspection. To pull the whole dash apart and take out the speedometer is a complete PITA so just avoid that by taking out the ABS relay then you also can just pop it right back in when you figure out how to get your ABS back. Just a suggestion.....

XJ2000 · 08-14-2008, 04:58 PM

Yea, I've pulled the dash apart before, I know how much of PITA it is unfortunately. But good suggestion because I didn't think of pulling the relay.

JeEpErWaNaBe · 08-14-2008, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dassc612

Yea, I've pulled the dash apart before, I know how much of PITA it is unfortunately. But good suggestion because I didn't think of pulling the relay.

Glad I can help you out and save you a few hours and the PITA of rippin apart.

XJLI · 08-14-2008, 05:30 PM

33s on stock gears are t3h suck. i hated 31s on stock gears, and the 33s are disgusting. i have 0 get up and go. only for another week or so though.

what kind of x-over setups have you been looking at? i'd look into wj knuckles with a tie rod flip- a ghetto hi-steer kinda...

TreddyoXJ · 08-14-2008, 05:48 PM

How's the no-slip treating you in the D44?

RckRdyXJ · 08-14-2008, 05:52 PM

I ran 35s and 3:55s for almost 2 years before regearing. Deff a priority in any build before expensive upgrades and such.

I like the jeep though, i personally likes the ZJ wheels better but the icons are nice too.

XJ2000 · 08-14-2008, 09:26 PM

Yea, the gearing sucks on the street, but like I said, I'll be using 30's on the street 95% of the time.

The no-slip is fine. I barely notice on the street unless I hammer it while I'm turning, then the tires bark. It's really seamless and quiet too.

My plan is to regear, ARB, and alloy shaft both axles by this time next year.

As for cross overs, my friend just did the JCR setup, and says he likes the improvement on the street alot. He's only had it on for a couple of days though. Said it tightened everything up. I'm not sure, haven't done enough of my own homework on this yet.

aircruiser · 08-14-2008, 09:53 PM

ya got pics of the 30s and 4.5"? thats what ill be on for like a year or so..just curious.

XJ2000 · 08-14-2008, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aircruiser

ya got pics of the 30s and 4.5"? thats what ill be on for like a year or so..just curious.

I'll get some when I put the 30's back on. Won't be until the last week of August though, sorry.

XJ2000 · 08-14-2008, 10:12 PM

OK, so I finally have some time, so I'll post up a summary of what went down the day I did all of this work on the rig. I had a few of my friends help me out.

Up she goes......

Once it was in the air we started to divide up the To-Do list.

Passenger side front U-joint replacement. I had done the driverside a few weeks earlier and just didn't have time to get to the passenger side. The Axle Shaft was removed because this makes changing out U-joints much easier.

A few of us started to tear out the Dana 35 because that would no longer be needed. We first started by taking the drums and all associated brake parts off because we needed to save the E-brake lines on each side for use on the Dana 44. Once we had those out and saved, the brake lines were all disconnected from the backing plates as well as from the driverside axle tube. They were tucked up, waiting for them to be used on the Dana 44.

Once the Dana 35 was all disconnected, we put the jack under the axle and unbolted it from the leaf springs, unbolted and pulled the rear driveshaft (wouldn't need it anymore because of the SYE and new driveshaft). The axle was now completely balanced on the jack (with one person on each side for some additional stability), and it was OUT OF THERE!

Nice Empty Space - Hungry for the D44:

While all that work was occuring on the rear of the rig, a friend of mine started to tear down the front end. We wanted to pull that axle as well because so my other friend could weld skids and box the control arm brackets, so this was easier with the axle off the XJ in order to attain the most accurate measurements, as well as provided alot of space to weld. All the control arms were removed (not needed anyway as the lift kit came with new adjustable uppers and lowers), as well as the brakes. The trackbar and steering linkages were also removed.

Part of the disassmbled Dana 30.

While most of us were working on the tear down, two of my friends who knew how to set gears and such took on the task of installing the Powertrax, and reassembling the Dana 44.

Backlash looks pretty good