Measure Once, Cut Twice: A Story of Excitement and Impatience

In other news, Nephew blew a head gasket in his XJ. He had a shop clean and mill the head. We’ve been working on it after we both get off work for a couple days. Almost put back together. He lost the manifold bolts lol. New ones arrive tomorrow. I think he has 250-260k on this motor.

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Damnit @azjhonballer12 don’t lose the bolts ;)
 
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Got the nephew’s XJ back together. Started filling up the rad with coolant and started hearing a drip. Sure enough, it was dripping coolant at the back of the engine. Felt around and could feel it coming from the freeze plug on the back of the head.

SMH, as we were putting it back together, I remember coming across a thread where @Irun recommends replacing all the plugs when you have the head off. My nephew looked deflated that we have to tear it back down again to replace a $15 part.

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Also, started making the TJR I bought years ago road worthy. I’m still in a 3+years long legal battle over it, and it’s been sitting. Sold my truck so I need a get me an around town daily.

I replaced oil sending unit sensor, plugs, coil rail, and throttle position sensor. It needs a frame swap and needs windshield, tailgate and driver fender replaced eventually, but I patched the worst frame area for now.

Unsure of a build thread at this point because I’m not committed to it until I know I’m stuck with it. It’s 99% stock except for the front bumper and seats. Aside from the frame, it’s sound and mechanically strong with working driveline and lockers. To be frank, I would just keep it stock and do a complete run through like @Irun on his TJ if I did anything. I love how it handles as is.

Here are some pics. Don’t let how clean it looks in the pics fool you, the frame is toast.

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Also, started making the TJR I bought years ago road worthy. I’m still in a 3+years long legal battle over it, and it’s been sitting. Sold my truck so I need a get me around town daily.

I replaced oil sending unit sensor, plugs, coil rail, and throttle position sensor. It needs a frame swap and needs windshield, tailgate and driver fender replaced eventually, but I patched the worst frame area for now.

Unsure of a build thread at this point because I’m not committed to it until I know I’m stuck with it. It’s 99% stock except for the front bumper and seats. Aside from the frame, it’s sound and mechanically strong with working driveline and lockers. To be frank, I would just keep it stock and to a completed run through like @Irun on his TJ if I did anything. I love how it handles as is.

Here are some pics. Don’t let how clean it looks in the pics fool you, the frame is toast.

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guy up here in wadsworth (IIRC) making/bendin boxed frame rails if you needed to do large sections, he's on FB marketplace.
 
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Ohhhh... The mysterious Rubicon makes it's debut! Good luck finding a frame. Baseline 4x4 (near south bend) has em quite often, but they are $$$.

I'm go back and forth on fixing or replacing mine. I should probably have straighting quoted, cuz I can do the repairs myself... But the opportunity to start with a fresh frame and have it hot dip galvanized is knocking very loudly.
 
Ohhhh... The mysterious Rubicon makes it's debut! Good luck finding a frame. Baseline 4x4 (near south bend) has em quite often, but they are $$$.

I'm go back and forth on fixing or replacing mine. I should probably have straighting quoted, cuz I can do the repairs myself... But the opportunity to start with a fresh frame and have it hot dip galvanized is knocking very loudly.
I’ve looked at theirs. They are certainly very proud of them. I hear you on the starting fresh. Right now the frame is fairly solid after the patch and I could weld as needed, but starting fresh sounds so much better. Although with everything apart, I’ll end up doing what Rich did with his.
 
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last time i looked i thought a new TDK frame was in the 2600$ ballpark and you could then add custom mounts above that if desired.
was a southern frame in IN> but it's gone. a few in columbus that claim to be southern and rust free but you can see some rust so IDK who he's trying to fool there. 1200$.

if i see anything good local/in state or close......i'll post it your way.