Joshrad's XJ Build Thread (slow) - Page 9

**Bane7962** · 08-03-2010, 11:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paraleyes

Besides, with ARB bumpers, you are paying for the name. -The people they hire to build it, and the middle-man company that sells them. Go with AJ's, JCR, or other small independent shops. Those guys are all forced to keep each other honest and competitive. Btw, I have only ever heard the highest praise for AJ's products.

Basically my ideal front end is my current grill guard with a winch. And maybe better clearance

If you can find something like that, let me know

**joshrad** · 08-03-2010, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paraleyes

I like your plan with the JCR bumper. If you go that route, I would order the bumper without the d-ring tabs and then just notch your brush guard to wrap around the front of the bumper and underneath. You may still have to cut a chunk out of the front like I mentioned so that it would wrap around the bottom and look like it was all designed together. Plus, you don't want it to hang down much at all. Or, just notch and cut it off flush with the bottom of the JCR bumper. Then for d-ring shackles, you could just drill your holes through the bottoms or fronts of your brush guard to insert the d-rings. You could always have them send out d-ring tabs separate and weld them on the frond of your brush guard. I think the main thing is to get that approach angle fixed by eliminated how far it hangs down. You can always order a standard JCR bumper and notch out the front to put a winch in so your approach angle is even better. That is why I didn't buy a winch bumper. The way I figure it is someone has always got a winch and 90% of the time, they just need a recovery strap to get people out.

Those JCR guys pissed me off(see my thread), but I still really like their stuff. Just be prepared to do a LOT of messing around with it to get it to fit how you want.

As for your parents, tell them "Too bad, it's my junk and my money!" Or am I wrong? Honestly, if you just told them your plan, I'm sure she'll go for it. I'd say, being part of the Jeep community is half about making something on your own that is different from everyone else's. She would respect your ambition in that regard.

As for the welding, buy one. It is a lifelong investment and you're obviously the type of guy to be using one for years to come. I would buy and build my own bumper before I spent more money and settled on something I didn't want as much as what I could make myself. Don't buy cheap; NO Harbor Freight! Miller or Lincoln. Even pick up a cheap used ARC welder if you have to. I actually prefer ARC welding, but I guess I'm just used to it. You could argue that's something someone would say when they don't own a MIG. haha Watch welding videos online and you'll figure it out. Just practice on some scrap for a couple hours and you'll be set. There's nothing wrong with grinding down your welds as long as you bevel your butt welds and you know how much weld is still there and you're certain you have good penetration.

So many options... It's just as fun to dream about what you can do as it is to do it.

Thanks for all your advice, I really appreciate it

I'm kinda stuck between the JCR winch bumper or the C4x4 winch bumper which is a little cheaper.

I've tried explaining to my parent's the things I want to do to my Jeep, my dad just says to make sure I have plenty of money saved up before I buy anything for it just in case something major accidentally happens but my mom doesn't seem to understand the "Jeep" thing. I mean I'm 20 years old, I saved up and bought it 3 years ago, and for the last two years paid the insurance, registration, and gas on my own as well.

I really want to get a welder and start learning but there's no room in our garage or the shed in our backyard for it. My dad used to have a TIG welder (I think, I know there's a couple different types but not sure what the differences are) but sold it years ago and regrets doing so.

Again thanks for the advice, and if this idea becomes reality I'll definitely keep you in mind for advice. I haven't read your entire build thread but I saw what you did with your rear bumper and how you made it wrap around to protect the lower 1/4 panels after you folded those up and it looked really really good when it was done.

**joshrad** · 08-03-2010, 11:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paraleyes

Besides, with ARB bumpers, you are paying for the name. -The people they hire to build it, and the middle-man company that sells them. Go with AJ's, JCR, or other small independent shops. Those guys are all forced to keep each other honest and competitive. Btw, I have only ever heard the highest praise for AJ's products.

Yeah, that's why I'm thinking of going in this direction with it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bane7962

Basically my ideal front end is my current grill guard with a winch. And maybe better clearance

If you can find something like that, let me know

Or you could custom make something like that

**Bane7962** · 08-03-2010, 11:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joshrad

Yeah, that's why I'm thinking of going in this direction with it.

Or you could custom make something like that

Wayyyyy out of my league. At least for now. Maybe once I'm back from basic.

connor0770 · 08-06-2010, 01:50 PM

i see you ordered a new battery harness thingy!

**joshrad** · 08-06-2010, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by connor0770

i see you ordered a new battery harness thingy!

Huh? How did you know, I didn't post anything about it yet b/c I've been too lazy to get a good pic of it.

connor0770 · 08-06-2010, 07:32 PM

i just know things..

**joshrad** · 08-06-2010, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by connor0770

i just know things..

woah man, that's a little creepy

connor0770 · 08-06-2010, 08:01 PM

ugh fine, ill show my secrets

http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f43/n...ml#post9727069

**joshrad** · 08-06-2010, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by connor0770

ugh fine, ill show my secrets

http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f43/n...ml#post9727069

Oh yeah, it's a pretty cool mount. I got one of the last Jeep logo tops since for some reason they stopped making them. They might still have them but I just know they stopped making them and I found out I could still get one when I PM'd the vendor.

**joshrad** · 08-15-2010, 06:12 PM

So I finally got the courage up to trim the front fenders today.

Before:

After:

It was a lot easier than I thought. Now I just gotta do the rear fenders. It really makes the 30" MT/Rs look tiny

KINGJB · 08-15-2010, 09:50 PM

that came out pretty good.

**joshrad** · 08-15-2010, 11:01 PM

Thanks, I made sure I took my time taping it off and cutting to make sure I didn't make any mistakes. I'm really glad with how it turned out. I want to finish painting the bottom part of the doors and the rock sliders with Krylon satin black once I do the rear fenders. I wanted to do it while I was painting that lip that's left, but I figured it would look out of place if the rear fenders weren't done yet, so once I do those I'll finish painting the rest of it.

Paraleyes · 08-16-2010, 01:34 PM

**joshrad** · 08-18-2010, 08:53 PM

Woke up this morning feeling pretty good today, went outside and found this.......

Luckily the only other thing they did was smash an egg on the roof, but was able to get it off without affecting the paint since it was under a tree in the shade. No other damage and nothing stolen but damn, it hurts to see this. I called insurance and was actually able to get it fixed today but there was glass everywhere including the top of the dash.