Billy Bob the '96 XJ

Post pics and info of your current projects.
User avatar
tobyw
Posts: 1879
Joined: Wed Mar 14, 2007 10:00 am
Location: Under the hood...

Billy Bob the '96 XJ

Postby tobyw » Wed Mar 07, 2018 2:33 pm

This is Billy Bob, a homely little 1996 Cherokee that has seen many, many better days:

Image

Image

While Billy Bob is actually pretty mechanically sound, the body is rough. And as those of us that speak unitbody know, the body pretty much is the Jeep. So… why? Well, this one is for my boy; a strapping young lad of 12 years who has a taste for the outdoors and a knack for light tinkering. We had a whole different project vehicle lined up for him, but after several months along that path we realized it was just too much for him to really enjoy and get much out of, so we shifted gears and got something that he could both learn to wrench on and enjoy using at the same time. Don’t be surprised to find him on the trail behind you at some point in the (very) near future 8-)

After a trip to the pressure washer, I put the boy to work changing the engine oil and giving the entire thing a mechanical once-over:

Image

Image

Image

Image

With that out of the way, we assessed the overall situation with the body. Specifically, the rear fenders, as this is an area where several layers of sheetmetal are joined together to provide significant strength to the overall “chassis”, and also keep the outside out and the inside in. Unfortunately for Billy Bob, the previous owner had completely hacked the rear fenders apart in order to fit up some terrible Bushwacker fender flares. If one follows the instructions, these flares can be installed without detrimental damage; such was not this case with this particular installation:

Image

Image

Image

The only way to properly fix this was to completely replace the rear quarters, and section in new inner fender wells to seal things back up. To be honest, this is not something I’ve ever attempted before, and while I appreciate good natured ribbing as much as the next guy, I’ll punch you in the throat if you tell me how terrible this looks. :lol: I get it, I’m not a body guy, and will never claim to be. There is a reason this kind of work is expensive… :oops:

The first order of business was to find a suitable donor. As luck would have it, I happen to still own an old XJ hulk that used to belong to none other than our beloved Danny. A quick trip to the ranch ensued to load it up and drag it home:

Image

Once back at my place, I took a final look at the mess we had to start with, and went about ciphering on where to cut out the offending mess and be able to somewhat easily replicate those cuts on the donor vehicle:

Image

Image

A few minutes later, the mess got a lot bigger:

Image

Image

Some choice words and head scratching lead to a few minutes of grinding and fitup:

Image

Image

Tack tack tack:

Image

Grind grind grind:

Image

Image

One down, one to go…

Image

Image

:|
Yep, I've wheeled one of those, too...
Image

Casey
Posts: 202
Joined: Mon Jul 20, 2009 7:04 pm
Location: Burbank

Re: Billy Bob the '96 XJ

Postby Casey » Wed Mar 07, 2018 6:37 pm

Nice work!

User avatar
Grumpy
Peak Putters' Land-Use Coordinator
Peak Putters' Land-Use Coordinator
Posts: 6049
Joined: Wed Mar 14, 2007 8:38 am
Location: Kennewick, WA

Re: Billy Bob the '96 XJ

Postby Grumpy » Wed Mar 07, 2018 10:35 pm

:thu:
Dave
Have Scout, will wheel...Someday...Maybe


Quote:
Originally Posted by Oregon80
-By driving a Scout, you my friend have recycled, which is more than those pansy Prius owners can say.
-I love driving a piece of history that was nearly lost.

User avatar
Yrjan
Peak Putters Member
Peak Putters Member
Posts: 1100
Joined: Wed Jul 25, 2012 7:41 am
Location: Pasco, WA

Re: Billy Bob the '96 XJ

Postby Yrjan » Thu Mar 08, 2018 8:39 am

Awesome!

User avatar
TJDave
Peak Putters VP
Peak Putters VP
Posts: 2806
Joined: Sat Jan 12, 2008 11:47 am
Location: East Richland

Re: Billy Bob the '96 XJ

Postby TJDave » Thu Mar 08, 2018 5:54 pm

:thu: Very very cool.
2018 JLU Rubicon
Tow bar mount
Trailer hitch


Return to “Projects and Build-Ups”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: AhrefsBot and 9 guests