HavenSOV Builds (Bertha & Kermit)

[havensov]

So we start with a '91 XJ.

We started on the 4.5 Rough Country Lift...

When we started!
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s265/havensov/My%20Jeep%20XJ/GEDC0234.jpg
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s265/havensov/My%20Jeep%20XJ/GEDC0233.jpg
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s265/havensov/My%20Jeep%20XJ/GEDC0237.jpg

Ran into a problem with the drivers side front leaf spring bolt. The nut broke off inside the frame assembly.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s265/havensov/My%20Jeep%20XJ/GEDC0261.jpg

fixed by cutting a hole from above in front of the seat.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s265/havensov/My%20Jeep%20XJ/GEDC0262.jpg

Got the offending nut out and replaced it with a new one.

Got the rear done.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s265/havensov/My%20Jeep%20XJ/GEDC0274.jpg

Lift and sliders done.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s265/havensov/My%20Jeep%20XJ/GEDC0321.jpg

[havensov]

TIRES!!!!

So I went with only 31's. I was going to go with Cooper STT's but after a bit of research I went with Dakota M/T's. They are made by Cooper for Pep Boys as a shop brand. I like the look of them. Let see how they hold up...

Oh, the other major selling point. Cooper STT: $155-$177 a piece. Dakota M/T: $111 a piece with a $111 rebate when you buy four so I get all five for the price of four.

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s265/havensov/My%20Jeep%20XJ/GEDC0644.jpg
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s265/havensov/My%20Jeep%20XJ/GEDC0645.jpg
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s265/havensov/My%20Jeep%20XJ/GEDC0646.jpg
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s265/havensov/My%20Jeep%20XJ/GEDC0650.jpg
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s265/havensov/My%20Jeep%20XJ/GEDC0652.jpg
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s265/havensov/My%20Jeep%20XJ/GEDC0653.jpg

Well got started on the rear bumper. The new one is all painted up and ready to go.

To start
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s265/havensov/My%20Jeep%20XJ/p_00342.jpg

Got the old one off... after all the welds broke on one side, arg...
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s265/havensov/My%20Jeep%20XJ/p_00345.jpg

Oh and for record, I got the old one off in one piece Arctic!

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s265/havensov/My%20Jeep%20XJ/p_00347.jpg

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s265/havensov/My%20Jeep%20XJ/p_00348.jpg

This weekend got around to getting new seals into the front axle. The drivers side one was leaking, again. After pulling the whole front apart found out why...

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s265/havensov/Wrenching%202009%2006%2014/GEDC0182.jpg

[havensov]

The drivers side is on the left...

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s265/havensov/Wrenching%202009%2006%2014/GEDC0176.jpg

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s265/havensov/Wrenching%202009%2006%2014/GEDC0187.jpg

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s265/havensov/Wrenching%202009%2006%2014/GEDC0194.jpg

Got the new seals in and it sealed around the grooved part unlike the old one, but I will be picking up new shafts soon since the groves are so bad.

Since the cover was off, decided to drain and pull the rear as well and clean them up. So PyrateGyrl cleaned them up and we painted them.

Found the drain plug in my rear was a redneck add on...

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s265/havensov/Wrenching%202009%2006%2014/GEDC0202.jpg

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s265/havensov/Wrenching%202009%2006%2014/GEDC0209.jpg

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s265/havensov/Wrenching%202009%2006%2014/GEDC0226.jpg

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s265/havensov/Wrenching%202009%2006%2014/GEDC0227.jpg

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s265/havensov/Wrenching%202009%2006%2014/GEDC0228.jpg

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s265/havensov/Wrenching%202009%2006%2014/GEDC0229.jpg

I think that they ended up looking good!

Well Bertha is on her last legs...

Found this this morning...
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s265/havensov/My%20Jeep%20XJ/p_00423.jpg
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s265/havensov/My%20Jeep%20XJ/p_00424.jpg

Drove down to JCR to see about getting it fixed, but the rust has won...

So...

Here comes Kermit!

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s265/havensov/Kermit%20Build/GEDC0001.jpg

Now the fun of transferring all the parts from Bertha to Kermit begins!

[skoalman269]

where did you get your tired at cause im looking for some new tired for muddin

[havensov]

Dakota M/T's from PepBoys (http://www.pepboys.com/tires_wheels/tires/light_trucks_suvs/)

[skoalman269]

oooh i remmeber seeing thoughs

[havensov]

And the fun begins...

Garage is all set for parts from Bertha, so this week I will be starting to pull parts. Going to pull anything that can be pulled, and then even cutting some of the good metal for future use.

Only problem I have ran into is my bottle jack broke at the end of last year, so it looks like I will have to pick one up before I can start really pulling things.

Let the stripping begin!

[havensov]

Berthas looking naked!

Sliders, rear bumper, skids, and front axle are all off...

Pic coming tomorrow...

[topthrilljoester]

Pic coming tomorrow...

Im anticipating this

:thumbup:

[havensov]

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s265/havensov/My%20Jeep%20XJ/GEDC0011.jpg

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s265/havensov/My%20Jeep%20XJ/GEDC0003.jpg

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s265/havensov/My%20Jeep%20XJ/GEDC0001.jpg

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s265/havensov/My%20Jeep%20XJ/GEDC0009.jpg

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s265/havensov/My%20Jeep%20XJ/GEDC0007.jpg

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s265/havensov/My%20Jeep%20XJ/GEDC0008.jpg

There ya go, now thats a gangster lean!

[chadsmeltzer]

How are you going to get rid of the old XJ?

[havensov]

Well when its down to just the frame and a few bits of body...

Winch and a flat bed trailer...

[havensov]

Front of lift is done!!!

Thanks to Skoalman and Erin... and Aaron for coming out to help!

Tomorrow, the rear!

Sorry no pics, damn camera batteries died...

[havensov]

Well at the close of day 3 of the lift...

Got all the old rear suspension... Got everything off easy, except for the shackle leaf spring bolt... Got the nut off, but the bloody hitch was in the way and I could not get the bolt out. Had to cut it, but I have spares.

Ended up putting up my rear bumper on since with the leafs out of the way, it was easier to get tot he bolts.

With luck (lots of it) I should be done tomorrow...

Old tires VS New
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s265/havensov/Kermit%20Build/GEDC0013.jpg

Rear mostly done
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s265/havensov/Kermit%20Build/GEDC0016.jpg

Like father...
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s265/havensov/Kermit%20Build/GEDC0027.jpg

Like daughter!
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s265/havensov/Kermit%20Build/GEDC0024.jpg

How youngest spent most of the day...
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s265/havensov/Kermit%20Build/GEDC0011.jpg

[havensov]

All done! Well with the lift...

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s265/havensov/Kermit%20Build/GEDC0028.jpg

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s265/havensov/Kermit%20Build/GEDC0029.jpg

All thats left is to do the alignment, mount the sliders, and clean up the rear bumper for paint.

I am off for a long shower...

[achipnachair]

Looking good. Makes me miss my XJ.

[thesherp]

Looks great.

[havensov]

Well the Jeep gods hate me...

Now my rear frame has rotted out. It happened while hauling a load that was way under the weight, but the damn rust just has done me in... I am really getting sick of frame rust. Now I have to see what I can do about repairing it, or looking for yet again, another XJ...

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s265/havensov/Kermit%20Build/Image10312010114011.jpg

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s265/havensov/Kermit%20Build/Image10312010113958.jpg

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s265/havensov/Kermit%20Build/Image10312010113937.jpg

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s265/havensov/Kermit%20Build/Image10312010113927.jpg

WHY ME!!! Maybe this time I will buy one from AZ...:censored::mad:

[chadsmeltzer]

Look for something that actually has a frame:noshenssign:

[ArcticCat843]

ever thing maybe your trying to tow a little to much?

[havensov]

Tow was well under what I could... 3200 pound load, 250 tongue. Well within my limits and a load that I have pulled many times.

The rust was from the inside of the frame so I couldn't see it. Plus the OP hid a munch of other problems...

[havensov]

Well Kermit just drove away... My brother is borrowing it for awhile until he can get a car of his own. So if you see it driving around, don't give him to much hassle.

[havensov]

So I just slapped in a new battery and couldn't find any problems... Guess I will have to wait and see if it drains the power again. Willing to bet that its in the damn stereo wiring. Oh well, but she runs and we will be at the M&G!

[cody08]

good to hear that will see ya there

[havensov]

Well, make that after I fix the damn NSS... At least I found a good write up (http://bc4x4.com/tech/2010/jeep-neutral-safety-switch-nss/)...

[skoalman269]

yeah im sorry i couldnt get him runnin for yeah

[havensov]

Well now that I have cleaned and reinstalled the NSS in the Meijers parking lot, in the snow, cold, with water dripping down the back of my coat...

And...

NOW THE FRACKING STARTER WENT OUT!!!

[cody08]

you have got to be kidding if its not one thing its another you still going to be at the m&g

[havensov]

Well turns out that the starter was fine, just the cable to the starter from the battery was lose. Well at least the Jeep gods were smiling on me today...

[achipnachair]

So all is good now?

[havensov]

Yup, all good now...

[Wildspear]

Hey, hows the jeep running? Mine's still down waiting on a new heart (engine).

[havensov]

Running great, just still need to repair the rear part of the frame soon...