My 2001 Jeep Xj Build- Rattletrap - Page 19

srmitchell · 11-12-2009, 10:07 AM

Thanks! The stiffeners were 200 installed. Pretty good for how much it will save the body over time.

srmitchell · 11-17-2009, 12:46 AM

Did some rust prevention on the stiffeners.

srmitchell · 11-22-2009, 08:24 PM

Did some great wheelin today. Im home in the bay for thanksgiving, so I went to hollister, with my friend, who is also named Sean. haha. He has a comanche, which is his DD while his xj is under the knife.

Went to hollister. Did some great flexin. The weather was perfect, and it rained on friday, so it wasn't dusty, but there was very little mud.

At the quarry

Near tuck hill.

And my favorite 3-

TYphoonXJ · 11-22-2009, 08:28 PM

Those are AWESOME!

jimbosz07 · 11-22-2009, 10:49 PM

Simply amazing dude. I talked to you once on NAXJA and I met your dad in a bagel shop. Let me know when you get back to the peninsula. I'd be down for a wheeling trip

srmitchell · 11-23-2009, 02:02 AM

Haha, he told me.

Yeah, maybe this winter break. My buddy's xj just blew up, so he's getting a zj, and I can get my other friend with the manch to go.

Like those flex shots? haha. Thanks!

justanotherjpr · 11-23-2009, 11:24 AM

Great pics and as always, nice clean rig.

srmitchell · 11-23-2009, 12:52 PM

Thanks man.

I'm hating the short arms right now. So the RC long arms need come soon.

jimbosz07 · 11-23-2009, 06:33 PM

Long arms??? Man that's just not fair. This is really one of the best builds I've seen. You havent overlooked anything at all. It looks like it just rolled off the lot like that

srmitchell · 11-24-2009, 01:32 AM

Thanks man. If you noticed, I ditched my old black cragers. It didn't look right. Never looked factory.

My goal is to make what jeep would have made in 2003, if they made a rubicon xj. It has to be clean, OEM looking, functional, and it needs to be able to handle heavy duty romping in rocks, sand, and the street.

And don't worry, I really do beat it around. Not a mall crawler at ALL. Hence the frame stiffeners, I hate bashing it when it's just not up to the task.

Next up, I need to do my zj disk swap. They're sitting in my garage, waiting for time, and patience. I have 4 new rotors, pads, e brake shoes, and hardware, so an entire brake job. Long arms will be the rough country ones. After that, my HP swap, I think a steering box brace, double sheer track bar, and maybe a custom tie rod, made with 1.5 OD- .250 wall DOM tubing, with dodge tie rod ends. I just can't wait for long arms. I hate bumps right now, while my dad's wj just glides over everything.

Thanks!

**Kevin108** · 11-24-2009, 06:27 AM

I don't know why but it makes me really happy to see the factory fender flares still on your rig. I think that's what makes me want to follow your build if (when?) I start building mine.

When did yours develop all the squeaks and rattles you've talked about?

srmitchell · 11-24-2009, 07:58 PM

Thanks man, very encouraging, cause Im simply not ready to hack up my clean 2001.

But seriously, the black bumpers and rockers are broken up well by the blue of the flares. And I love the way it looks. They aren't going anywhere soon. I plan to trim the insides as much as I can.

A lot of the squeaks started when I added weight, started flexing it a whole lot, and when I had 4 inches of lift on short arms.

**NATEHALSXJ** · 11-24-2009, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by srmitchell

Did some rust prevention on the stiffeners.

Great Jeep man.

Love the rims. I was wondering how much better your ride on the road now having the frame stiffeners. I just order my own from tnt (treks) hoping they will help with all those creaks that you speak of lol.

Ps. this thread so great, its making want to start my own.

**RockRodHooligan** · 11-24-2009, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NATEHALSXJ

Great Jeep man.

Love the rims. I was wondering how much better your ride on the road now having the frame stiffeners. I just order my own from tnt (treks) hoping they will help with all those creaks that you speak of lol.

Ps. this thread so great, its making want to start my own.

I just installed the TNT stiffeners, and LOVE them! Though you might want to drill some holes in them for plug welds/rosettes on the sides and bottoms, it will make it a lot easier to weld up.

srmitchell · 11-24-2009, 10:56 PM

Thanks natehal.

It's much much better. It's more composed over bumps, and much less creaky and rattley.

Thats part of the irony with the name rattletrap, it's starting to get quiet!