My Indestructible New Toy

[TomCat]

A minor update.

I removed the rear bumper and reattached the front.




I didn't want to get rid of the rear bumper until I had a new steel tubed bumper to replace it, but I bought the wrong sized bolts for mounting the front, so I got lazy and stole the hardware off the rear.

You can see in this shot how rust-free the frame and floorboards are. Thank god for Arizona humidity.



The truck is pretty dirty still, haven't touched anything to clean it, so I'll probably scrub it down a little tonight after the sun goes down. I don't really care about it being clean, but it sucks trying to work on it and having chunks of dirt falling on you and getting in your eyes.

Here is the damaged leaf spring. Just another reason to buy the upgrades soon.



That's it for now. I'm taking a few days off work this week to take care of all the legal details. Hopefully this weekend I'll start ordering parts.

[BlaRo]

Holy shit, that is an awesome truck!

[Blind_Io]

Originally Posted by JipJopJones

I dunno, that's not what I have heard, did you have the 5 speed with the 4.0L I6 or did you have a different version? because the I6 is known for it's indestructability and Cherokees are known as pretty good rigs around here.

The engine is great - any motor that develops 80% of it's torque at idle is perfect for wheeling. The problem with the XJ is everything else. The dash is snap-together shit, the paint and final assembly is sloppy, the chassis isn't nearly stiff enough to handle any kind of torsion (don't open the doors when the suspension is torqued, either you won't be able to or you won't get them closed).

Here is a partial list of what went wrong on my XJ in just two and a half years:
Hood and roof had to be stripped and repainted - they put the paint on too thick at the factory and all the surfaces were covered in thousands of tiny enamel cracks
Snapped the rear anti-sway bar.
Taco'd a rear shock and broke a shock mount weld
Alignment would go out about once a month or so, much more than on the Land Cruiser (even when we weren't offroading in the Jeep)
Check Engine light came on about once ever 8 weeks or so - after many computer and pressurized vapor tests of the fuel system we still could not find the problem.
Multiple O2 sensors
Rear springs had to be replaced because they sagged from a nice shape until they looked like a "W"
The interior was falling apart- the whole car squeaked and rattled constantly
Steering felt vague and disconnected
Mushy brakes

There's probably more, but I can't remember all the trips to the shop. It all became a blur of paying for repairs and waiting in the waiting room.

Also, the XJ was not particularly good offroad compared to other vehicles I have driven, you had to really watch your wheel placement compared to the Land Cruiser. It was more capable than any of the "Soft Roaders" but it was no trail machine.

In Salt Lake City there is a Toyota offroad club for people with extreme trail rigs - they are called Wild Yotes. One of these days I want to build up my Dad's 'Cruiser with a lift, tires, better armor, snorkel, ARB bumpers, rear tire swing, onboard air compressor, and safari rack.

[TomCat]

Originally Posted by JipJopJones

Geez, you must get amazing aproach angles with 35s on that thing!

Yeah, it'll definitely make short work out some large obstacles.

Originally Posted by BlaRo

Holy shit, that is an awesome truck!

Thanks! I'm having fun with it already. It's great fun having a project.

Originally Posted by Blind_Io

In Salt Lake City there is a Toyota offroad club for people with extreme trail rigs - they are called Wild Yotes. One of these days I want to build up my Dad's 'Cruiser with a lift, tires, better armor, snorkel, ARB bumpers, rear tire swing, onboard air compressor, and safari rack.

Is your dad's LandCruiser a 40 series? Because those are very good rigs. But hella expensive.

[Blind_Io]

No, he has the FJ-80 - which has become one of the most sought-after offroaders around. He has standing offers to buy it from the shop guys at both local dealerships the car has been too. In Moab we have had people offer to buy it for cash on the spot.

The last FJ-80 that came into one of the local dealers on a trade was sold before the previous owner had finished the paperwork to trade it in! Apparently someone had offered a bounty to someone at the dealership to alert him when an 80 series came in - he called over the phone and bought it with his credit card, sight unseen.

[TomCat]

Originally Posted by Blind_Io

No, he has the FJ-80 - which has become one of the most sought-after offroaders around. He has standing offers to buy it from the shop guys at both local dealerships the car has been too. In Moab we have had people offer to buy it for cash on the spot.

The last FJ-80 that came into one of the local dealers on a trade was sold before the previous owner had finished the paperwork to trade it in! Apparently someone had offered a bounty to someone at the dealership to alert him when an 80 series came in - he called over the phone and bought it with his credit card, sight unseen.

Oh, one of the big-boy Cruisers. That's cool. They pretty much committed mass genocide against the almighty LandRover across the globe. It would definitely make a very capable and comfortable trail rig.

Got any pics?

[JipJopJones]

Originally Posted by Blind_Io

The engine is great - any motor that develops 80% of it's torque at idle is perfect for wheeling. The problem with the XJ is everything else. The dash is snap-together shit, the paint and final assembly is sloppy, the chassis isn't nearly stiff enough to handle any kind of torsion (don't open the doors when the suspension is torqued, either you won't be able to or you won't get them closed).

Here is a partial list of what went wrong on my XJ in just two and a half years:
Hood and roof had to be stripped and repainted - they put the paint on too thick at the factory and all the surfaces were covered in thousands of tiny enamel cracks
Snapped the rear anti-sway bar.
Taco'd a rear shock and broke a shock mount weld
Alignment would go out about once a month or so, much more than on the Land Cruiser (even when we weren't offroading in the Jeep)
Check Engine light came on about once ever 8 weeks or so - after many computer and pressurized vapor tests of the fuel system we still could not find the problem.
Multiple O2 sensors
Rear springs had to be replaced because they sagged from a nice shape until they looked like a "W"
The interior was falling apart- the whole car squeaked and rattled constantly
Steering felt vague and disconnected
Mushy brakes

There's probably more, but I can't remember all the trips to the shop. It all became a blur of paying for repairs and waiting in the waiting room.

I'll keep that in mind when I go to buy a truck. That's sorta unfortunate to hear, I've always loved XJ's. I supose I'll have to stray to my other love.... Chevy. Know anything about old short box Cheyennes and 1500s?

[TomCat]

Originally Posted by JipJopJones

I'll keep that in mind when I go to buy a truck. That's sorta unfortunate to hear, I've always loved XJ's. I supose I'll have to stray to my other love.... Chevy. Know anything about old short box Cheyennes and 1500s?

Most stock trucks have short-comings when it comes to off-road performance. It all depends on how serious you're going to want your truck to perform. A full cage would solve the Cherokee's chassis problems. But if you don't plan on doing serious off-roading, then it might not make a big difference. A 2 door Cherokee, rare, would probably be a good rig, as long as the electrical is all sorted.

[Blind_Io]

Yeah, I've got a few photos from our most recent Moab trips.

The two vehicles posing for a shot. Oh, and my brother.


The front diff on the Jeep was starting to make some strange noises. At first we thought it was the cover for the brake caliper. The Diff got so bad that we ended up cutting the trip short. Fuckin' Jeep.


That sand turns to slime when it gets wet. It's very fine grain so if you add water you end up sliding all over the place. Makes for an interesting climb.


Photos don't do this justice. We got pretty knocked around on this ascent. Not as hairy as some of the other stuff we have done in the 'Cruiser though.




It also makes a handy photography platform to reach those tricky angles.


Don't ever give my brother a 4 wheel drive when water is near by unless you need the stream emptied.



Just giving a sense of how big this landscape can get.


One of the few places on Earth that can make a Land Cruiser look small

[CyberMonkey]

Holy shit, fantastic scenery indeed

[Blind_Io]

Yeah, that's my playground. I can think of worse places to spend your vacation time. It was pretty stormy on that trip, we dodged thunder cells all four days. It sure make for some nice photos when we had good light. The desert just comes alive with a bit of water, everything turns green and wildflowers spring up out of nowhere. It truly is amazing to see the transformation. These photos are actually from a fairly easy trail called Chicken Corners Trail. It's not at all challenging. We've done some pretty hair raising stuff in that 'Cruiser (bone stock, I might add) - one of the more difficult is Elephant Hill. It's fun being on switchbacks so narrow you have to reverse down half the road, which is made of loose shale that is always shifting under your tires... with a sheer drop on one side and a cliff on the other.

Fun stuff!

[JipJopJones]

Amazing shots.... that is really one of the reasons I want a 4x4, to get to those amazing spots that you otherwise wouldn't beable to!

[TomCat]

Originally Posted by Blind_Io

Yeah, I've got a few photos from our most recent Moab trips.

The two vehicles posing for a shot. Oh, and my brother.
http://www.phyrefile.com/pic/2007/08/28/IMG0169.JPG

The front diff on the Jeep was starting to make some strange noises. At first we thought it was the cover for the brake caliper. The Diff got so bad that we ended up cutting the trip short. Fuckin' Jeep.
http://www.phyrefile.com/pic/2007/08/28/IMG0173.JPG


That sand turns to slime when it gets wet. It's very fine grain so if you add water you end up sliding all over the place. Makes for an interesting climb.
http://www.phyrefile.com/pic/2007/08/28/IMGP0928.JPG

Photos don't do this justice. We got pretty knocked around on this ascent. Not as hairy as some of the other stuff we have done in the 'Cruiser though.

http://www.phyrefile.com/pic/2007/08/28/IMGP0940.JPG


It also makes a handy photography platform to reach those tricky angles.
http://www.phyrefile.com/pic/2007/08/28/IMGP0953.JPG
Don't ever give my brother a 4 wheel drive when water is near by unless you need the stream emptied.

http://www.phyrefile.com/pic/2007/08/28/IMGP0978.JPG

Just giving a sense of how big this landscape can get.
http://www.phyrefile.com/pic/2007/08/28/IMGP1014.JPG

One of the few places on Earth that can make a Land Cruiser look small
http://www.phyrefile.com/pic/2007/08/28/IMGP1037.JPG

Incredible shots. I'll definitely have to see about planning a trek up north one of these days.

Your license plates seem a bit ironic in those shots though. Great snow.

[Blind_Io]

Utah has several plates, one is "Ski Utah! Greatest Snow on Earth." The other is a print of Delicate Arch. Any driver can choose which ever plate he wants.



We just chose the Ski Utah plates because we live in the north and are avid skiiers.

[BlaRo]

Blind, that looks like huge fun! I'm not a 4x4 expert like you, but I miss hooning my Xterra around the logging trails of Maine. Note to self: I gotta buy an old pickup (for my bike), presumably a Toyota because Top Gear's really gotten into my head and they're cheap, and fly down some dirt trails for the hell of it.

[avanti]

My god, america is beautiful! Please come get me, I'll do anything, be your maid, mow your lawn, anything!!!

[Blind_Io]

We really need to work out a FinalGear Exchange program - organize lodging and such for other members when they travel. Avanti, I would love to, but I don't own the Jeep anymore and I've moved out to California.

The few Europeans I met when I lived in Utah were astounded by the sheer size of the American west. I was talking to some Germans and recommended that they get down to see the Moab area. When they asked how far I said, "It's not bad, only about 6 hours by car." They were just blown away that you could drive for 6 hours and still be in the same state let alone the same country. The thing is that for us, 6 hours is a fairly short trip; driving from my house in California back home can be done in a day, but it's a long ass day and you're busting the limit the whole way.

I will make it a point to post some more photos of the Moab area when I have a chance. I don't really have that many digital ones because I mostly shoot film. Next time I am down there (maybe late spring if I'm lucky) I will take lots of photos for you guys.

EDIT:
Sorry for hijacking your thread, TomCat

[bone]

Originally Posted by Blind_Io

We really need to work out a FinalGear Exchange program - organize lodging and such for other members when they travel. Avanti, I would love to, but I don't own the Jeep anymore and I've moved out to California.

The few Europeans I met when I lived in Utah were astounded by the sheer size of the American west. I was talking to some Germans and recommended that they get down to see the Moab area. When they asked how far I said, "It's not bad, only about 6 hours by car." They were just blown away that you could drive for 6 hours and still be in the same state let alone the same country. The thing is that for us, 6 hours is a fairly short trip; driving from my house in California back home can be done in a day, but it's a long ass day and you're busting the limit the whole way.

if i leave early, i can get the evening boat from spain to marocco

i already complain if i have to drive an hour to get somewhere, way to far

i'd love to take my banshee through the trail you posted. must be heaven, i hardly ever leave the road, since i can't find any decent off road areas to ride

[TomCat]

Originally Posted by Blind_Io

EDIT:
Sorry for hijacking your thread, TomCat

No problem. I have no updates yet anyway.

[JipJopJones]

any new updates?