[whiterhino]

When is the shakedown?

 

[xj4life]

When is the shakedown?

Still a bit to go but its getting there. Should have a better idea this summer. If I could get it out for a shakedown late summer early fall I'd be a happy man. Lots of camping trips and vehicles to fix this year so we'll see.

 

[xj4life]

Life the last month has been busy, overwhelming at times...raising young kids, co-parenting with an ex-wife, vehicle repairs, vacations...haven't spent much time on the buggy. When I do get time, I don't have the motivation. Need to take a few minutes to revisit the To Do list and find something I can do to keep forward progess going.

 

[SHARPMACHINE]

^^^ Preach. I know the feeling all to well.

 

[Plato2k5]

When I hit that wall, I got cardboard and wrote down 5 things I wanted to get done. Then when those were all crossed out, I wrote 5 more. That's what kept me going. Hard to not look at the overall project and mentally think of all that needs to be done along with $$. Overwhelming for sure!

 

[xj4life]

When I hit that wall, I got cardboard and wrote down 5 things I wanted to get done. Then when those were all crossed out, I wrote 5 more. That's what kept me going. Hard to not look at the overall project and mentally think of all that needs to be done along with $$. Overwhelming for sure!

I like that idea. I've got a white board with all the major stuff. I was breaking those down into smaller chunks like mentioned. And making those something I could get done in a week or two. Got away from doing that because I've been busy. So I'll try to start that up again. Even if it's giving myself even smaller goals. At least it's something.

 

[Lousypirate]

I like that idea. I've got a white board with all the major stuff. I was breaking those down into smaller chunks like mentioned. And making those something I could get done in a week or two. Got away from doing that because I've been busy. So I'll try to start that up again. Even if it's giving myself even smaller goals. At least it's something.

I do way better with smaller goals on whiteboard. In the midst of axle swaps right now. I can't just write axle swap on my to do list. I need to break it down into small manageable sub-projects to keep me motivated and crossing things off. Even if it looks dumb to essentially write down each step I need to do. Helps the wife understand what I'm doing out there a bit too

 

[Plato2k5]

I do way better with smaller goals on whiteboard. In the midst of axle swaps right now. I can't just write axle swap on my to do list. I need to break it down into small manageable sub-projects to keep me motivated and crossing things off. Even if it looks dumb to essentially write down each step I need to do. Helps the wife understand what I'm doing out there a bit too

Do you make sure to write down "look for damn tool I just had in my hand 1 min. ago?" When I hit that point, I know it's time to stop everything and pick up/organize.

 

[Lousypirate]

Do you make sure to write down "look for damn tool I just had in my hand 1 min. ago?" When I hit that point, I know it's time to stop everything and pick up/organize.

I did that 3 times today. But that was because I had a friend helping me in the shop the last time I was in there.

I have made it a point that once I finish what I consider a project, I clean up and put everything back away. Like right now, once I get the axle swap on the XJ done, I'll give the shop some good cleaning and organization.

 

[SHARPMACHINE]

I have gotten into that groove over the years also. Often times I will do it because I have had enough for the day and feel like it preps me to start better the next time I get to work on it....

 

[xj4life]

I do the same too, I try to clean up as best I can often so that I'm not surrounded by clutter.

 

[Plato2k5]

I do the same too, I try to clean up as best I can often so that I'm not surrounded by clutter.

shut up and get back to work! You got a buggy to finish!

 

[xj4life]

shut up and get back to work! You got a buggy to finish!

Annnnnd I f'd up my lower back yesterday Should be healed up in a few days.

Think I've decided I'm going to work on getting the motor/trans/tcase pulled so that I can start working on getting them all fixed/refreshed.

 

[xj4life]

Spent a few nights getting everything unhooked. It felt like I was stepping back in time because a lot of those things I had done year(s) ago. Sucks to be taking it all back apart, even though I knew I was going to have to do this. But then again it means I'm one step closer to finishing (still a ways off). I swear I'm going to cry like a baby when I drive it for the first time.

Should have engine/trans/tcase pulled in the next week. Get it cleaned up as best I can and start tearing into them.

 

[xj4life]

Quick update. Yesterday I got the engine on the stand, torn down a bit, and pulled the pan. Crank is shot. My guess is that at some point the thrust bearing wore out and proceeded to take a bunch of material off the crank. Next few days I'm going to give the motor the first of probably a couple cleanings as I contemplate what to do...throw in a new/used crank, new bearings, and send it....or some version of a stroker.

 

[SHARPMACHINE]

Grab a used motor, rinse, wash and repeat....

 

[xj4life]

I've got a spare motor in the garage but its got a broken piston skirt. I know the motor I just pulled runs good and has good compression, so at the very least I'll just throw a crank in it. I'd hate to spend money/time on another motor of unknown condition.

 

[xj4life]

I'm just going to put another 4.0 crank in it and stick with my plan to just refresh this thing. I'm sure I'll want more power but I have to many other things going on that need my money/time. Maybe a stroker build with my spare motor can be my next project once the buggy is up and going.

 

[SHARPMACHINE]

^^^^ Good plan. Once you get it done, the motivation level to fix it will probably increase immensely.

 

[xj4life]

Well after measuring the cylinders and realizing how many parts I was going to buy anyways...I decided to go with a 4.6 stroker. Should be around 9.3 CR and according to the interwebs I should be around 245hp and 300lbft.

While I was deciding what to do with the motor I got the AW4 cleaned, basic tear down, checked the pump, and going to put new seals. So that should be wrapped up soon.

Motor will go to the machine shop soon as the parts get here.