Xota build-up

This will probably make both Jeep guys and Toyota guys cringe. But, I
rolled my XJ and I have some bucks into the Detroit locker and true trac & 4.56 gears
in the differentials, and since the motor and trans. run real good. I
decided to do this project. I could of picked up another XJ body cheap
but it is hard to get big tires on an XJ and I find myself needing a truck
for hauling often.


Pic's of the Toyota.

So here's my project.

It is a 1987 Toyota. Prod. date 4/87. I am cutting off the front frame rails and getting rid of the IFS. I will build my own front frame rails. It did not come with the Toy. rear diff., engine, transmission or transfer, dash and wiring are gone also.
10/15/05
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/Xota/DSC02778.jpg


I have the rails built and positioned where I want them.
10/22/05
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/Xota/rtrailview.jpg

Engine is installed (hopefully for the last time) and frame work is all painted. Just need to do a little work on the spring seats (weld in some center tubes) and I'll put all the front suspension back together. Then I need to build a better transmission crossmember. And then... and then... and then...........
11/1/05
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/Xota/LTPAINTED.jpg

Suspension is all together except for mounting the steering gear.
When I was putting this frame together I basically just put everything in the same position as it was in the XJ and the XJ handled good. But after seeing the angle on those UCA's it was obvious that they need to be longer and repositioned like you see in the drawing. I'll do that later.
11/3/05
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/Xota/xota2edit.jpg

Cab is set on frame. It will look alot better with some bigger tires.
11/5/05
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/Xota/DSC00050.jpg

Primed and painted the interior floor and firewall and then installed the rest of my peel and stick sound deadener.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/Xota/DSC00100.jpg

Slight front end modification happening. There's been alot of flaming about this.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/Xota/DSC00110.jpg

Engine compartment
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/Xota/DSC00103.jpg

2/1/06
Front bumper in progress and bending main hoop.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/Xota/DSC00213.jpg
Main hoop test fit
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/Xota/DSC00224.jpg

That's were I'm at so far.

:bounce: Keep us updated. Looks interesting.

More pic's
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/Xota/DSC00118.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/Xota/railtackd.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/Xota/ltrailview.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/Xota/DSC00111.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/Xota/Dash.jpg

I think this is pretty cool. Too bad the axles are so tiny though. I am all for making 2 rigs into 1 (i'm kinda doin it)

I think this is pretty cool. Too bad the axles are so tiny though. I am all for making 2 rigs into 1 (i'm kinda doin it)

Yeah I'm sure they'll blow up soon and I'll upgrade.

That is pretty nutty, but i like it. The frame work looks good:smokin:

that is soooo wrong, but I like it, i'm ploting a simliar project just because it is available but it would be jeep and scout not toyota. good work and the funky front clip looks pretty cool dude, hey if it works then who gives a rats ass what everyone says.

this is so wrong but so right.

i like it

I like it... Keep us updated

Whackadelically cool

Screw em if they flame. I think it's awesome man, keep us up to date with the progress.

i like it.... good to see something different

holy jeepota batman ,thats cool

i dig it, or to borrow a phrase from a place i used to live... 'get on witcha own baaaad self' - - makes me feel much better about my comanchaneer.... but man, you are into pain for doing all that work to the front clip! nice work, for sure, but if i really cared what name was on the grille, that is why God made adhesives...... or maybe it was for us to come up with ideas like this.. i forget...

peace, Dave

Very unique! I like :D

this proves that if done right even the nuttiest ideas can be cool.

Definatly helps that you ar eopen to upgrading the axles in the future

ok, that is beautiful...maybe because i own a toyota and a cherokee or maybe just because its unique...well anyways its awesome to see someone go out of their way to be unique and if anyone flames it its just cuz their jealous of your transmografied cherota/xota/jeepota...post some wheeling pics of that manchild when you get 'em...

A few notes.

1. Dammit, that is cool. The XJ grill just adds so much "fawk you" flare to thost that flames.

2. Why didn't anyone else ever do that?! A toy cab with xj running gear?

3. Are you going to have a bed on it? or truggy it? If you put a bed or something on it, then that is what a lot of people do when they comanche out an XJ.

That is awesome! :laughing: Never seen anything like that before. It does beg the question....are you going to leave a TOYOTA stamped tailgate on the bed?

Heh cool idea.Interisting bender ya got there,anymore pics or info on it?

OlyWa

I like the Comanchota.

Thanks for the positive feedback!

It will have a flat bed framed with tube. It would look cool bobbed but I want the flatbed hauling space.

There won't be any Toyota emblems as it will be titled as a Jeep (maybe).

After all it's just a slightly modified Cherokee....... officer.

Heh cool idea.Interisting bender ya got there,anymore pics or info on it?

OlyWa

That's a "pro tools" radius & follower dies and roller and pin. Home made brackets to make it all work on a cheap HF 12 ton press.

That is awesome! :laughing: Never seen anything like that before. It does beg the question....are you going to leave a TOYOTA stamped tailgate on the bed?

Jeep emblem on the grill, toyota on the tailgate..:laughing: :laughing:


Nice work

Real jeeps are bilt... oh never mind. It's got to have major parts from at least 3 brands to be a real Jeep.

I've been working on a crossmember that the shocks mount to and helps stiffen the frame.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/Xota/DSC00239.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/Xota/DSC00240.jpg
The reason I cut out the original crossmember is so that I could store a spare under the flat bed. This is a 33" tire, plenty of room for my 35's.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/Xota/DSC00242.jpg
Should clear under the new bed that will be built off of the vertical pipe on the hoop
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/Xota/DSC00243.jpg
Rear driveshaft is in and I think the angles are good. Full droop position.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/Xota/DSC00238.jpg

Looks awesome :D Can't wait to see it finished. Make sure the front says Jeep and the rear says Yota ;)

The frame for the flat bed is built and tacked into place
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/Xota/DSC00252.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/Xota/DSC00253.jpg

that's a pretty fawkin' cool rig you got going. :beer:

I would run it. I like the body integration reguardless of what the toy punks say.:cool2:

That's a "pro tools" radius & follower dies and roller and pin. Home made brackets to make it all work on a cheap HF 12 ton press.


if you have any more pics or detailed info could you pm me.

if you have any more pics or detailed info could you pm me.
Quick Google Search would have yeilded these

http://favoriteprojects.com/how_to_build_a_tube_bender.htm

http://www.blindchickenracing.com/Tools/Tube%20Bender/Tubingbender.htm

http://www.toolsplus1.com/eztube.htm

It's really not that hard people

Keep the pics comin.... Originality is getting hard to find these days. Two thumbs up. BTW... If you ever get pulled.... I hope the cop is REALLY dumb, for your sake. I would hate to see you get busted for VIN switching.

Keep the pics comin.... Originality is getting hard to find these days. Two thumbs up. BTW... If you ever get pulled.... I hope the cop is REALLY dumb, for your sake. I would hate to see you get busted for VIN switching.

Well I've been thinking 'bout that. The legal way to do it is to get it titled as a homemade, and I've decided to do that. I have the titles for both vehicles and I'll just have to go through the process. I don't know what that will do to insurance costs since it will now be a 2006 Homemade instead of a 1987 Jeep.

The Pirate Gods may have to start anothe hardcore title for rigs that look or are registered as one make and built with more of another make? When it happens? I'll post my junk ......

The Pirate Gods may have to start anothe hardcore title for rigs that look or are registered as one make and built with more of another make? When it happens? I'll post my junk ......

That would include just about every CJ on the PBB! My flatty has parts from Chevy, Toyota, GM, International (going in), and I don't know what the rear 60 is out of!

That would include just about every CJ on the PBB! My flatty has parts from Chevy, Toyota, GM, International (going in), and I don't know what the rear 60 is out of!

I hear ya....My Willys (Title) Has alot of Toyota stuff and the only CJ/YJ/TJ part it has is the T/C (D300-STOCK GEARS) and NO Willys parts. Oops I forgot the speedometer...And it works.

Finished the frame fab. and cleaned it up and painted it. Added a couple more supports to the exo-cage.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/Xota/DSC00267.jpg

This is probably all of the cage I will build for now. I am going to move on to the body work and paint before the rest of the cage gets built.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/Xota/DSC00264.jpg

looks sweet, keep it up

I have started the bondo work on the fenders. Even though I run a body shop, body work is not something I have much experience in. But here is what I did. I first laid on a coat of fiberglass filler. This is better than plastic filler for filling large voids. I have some that will be about an 1/8" thick (unfortunately). I didn't photo that step but I spread it on in an area a little smaller than the plastic filler you see here, and then used a long flat board with 36 grit paper to begin leveling out the surface.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/Xota/DSC00269.jpg
After sanding with mostly the long board. Now it will get one more coat of plastic filler and I'll sand that with 80 grit. I probably should of welded the holes shut where the flares used to mount before now. But I'll definately do it before the next coat of plastic filler.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/Xota/DSC00271.jpg

One more coat of plastic filler
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/Xota/lfenderbondo.jpg
Now a coat of glaze compound spread to cover all the filler
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/Xota/lfenderglazed.jpg
Glaze coat is sanded and fender is ready for primer
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/Xota/lfendersanded.jpg
Fit the hood and it needs 1 1/2" narrowed on each side
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/Xota/lthoodtape.jpg
I will need to first cut out some of the understructure
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/Xota/Hoodunderside.jpg
After cutting out the inner structure
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/Xota/Hoodcut.jpg
I then fit and welded in some light gauge angle iron. Using a body hammer and holding the metal down firmly I folded the edge over onto the sheet metal.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/Xota/Hoodangleiron.jpg
Installed on the vehicle. Kind of wide gaps and a little uneven but good enough for the trail.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/Xota/Highhood.jpg

One more glaze coat on the rt. fender and it will be ready for primer
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/Xota/DSC00290.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/Xota/DSC00292.jpg

haha this thing is great..cant wait to see it finished

what rear diif. is that?

Very very sick setup, totally dig it! I saw this somewhere else, looks awesome! Should get a sticker saying "XOXOTA" :) Means something tasty in Portuguese ;)

It's a D35 that will blow up and be replaced soon.

Fenders and hood have been primed and then the fender edges and hood underside and Lt. door edges have been painted.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/Xota/DSC00302.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/Xota/DSC00300.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/Xota/DSC00301.jpg
I'm going to be test driving it so I have the lamps wired and mounted on a temporary bracket.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/Xota/DSC00303.jpg

Every time I look at that front end pic I get a headache. My brain can't comprehend it. It isn't right. But it's so cool.

Update:

I drove it around quite a bit yesterday (25 miles)and it drove real good. Seems to be lighter than the XJ was as I have more power now with 35's, than I did with 33's on the XJ. I still have a lot of details to finish and the rest of the exo-cage that will add weight but......

All and all I'm real happy, it was a little scary to start driving on the road after such an extensive build. Before I drove it I put it up on the hoist and checked every bolt and hose and wire from end to end (and I found a few loose ones).

All the things that were going thru my head like, are the welds strong enough, did I have the rear diff. lined up square, did I mess up the front suspension geometry and am I gonna suddenly have uncontrollable death wobble, etc...

But basically it drove just like it used to as an XJ, it just got a lot more people staring at it with confused looks on their faces.

So.... soon I'll do an easy trail run and see what happens. Wish me luck!

It's a D35 that will blow up and be replaced soon.

When that D35 blows up swap in one of these. This is the rear of my Jeepster/Toyota hybrid.232972:D

I like your rig, If it works...

to the untrained moron's eye it looks like a commanche with the bed off... im glad that everyone agrees that its a cool project. i was expecting people to say :rainbow: . i love custom stuff and your definately that.. good work so far!

WHY WOULD YOU DO SUCH A THING TO A TOYOTA WITH A VERY GAY JEEP GRILL:flipoff2:

Well, it's definitely unique!:cool2:

WHY WOULD YOU DO SUCH A THING TO A TOYOTA WITH A VERY GAY JEEP GRILL:flipoff2:

Ah, the GAY newbie flame. To each his own... biotch :flipoff2: :flipoff2:

yeah no shit, i may be considered a newb but im not one thats gonna spout my mouth off about shit that i dont know, for instance, this toyota/xj hybrid that is very unique and looks fawkin sick and is done right. its not like this guy just booger welded the front end of a xj onto a toy, this is a very extensive build up and it turned out awesome. look at the tube work he has done with a HARBOR FREIGHT tube bender, pretty fawkin good if you ask me, it would be good even if he had an expensive bender. why dont you read a whole right up before you flame a guy that has built a rig himself that your probly too stupid to even think up and pay someone to do. props 87xjco, looks sick!

yeah no shit, i may be considered a newb but im not one thats gonna spout my mouth off about shit that i dont know, for instance, this toyota/xj hybrid that is very unique and looks fawkin sick and is done right. its not like this guy just booger welded the front end of a xj onto a toy, this is a very extensive build up and it turned out awesome. look at the tube work he has done with a HARBOR FREIGHT tube bender, pretty fawkin good if you ask me, it would be good even if he had an expensive bender. why dont you read a whole right up before you flame a guy that has built a rig himself that your probly too stupid to even think up and pay someone to do. props 87xjco, looks sick!

Yo man calm down this :flipoff2: means that he is joking. Now if he had put one of these:shaking: or these:rolleyes: or these:barf: or this:rainbow: or maybe this one:flipoff: then you would have a point. Now I could be wrong but my boy from colo. didn't take it as a flame so cool your jets.

-Tom

All in good fun!:laughing:

Besides, it's not a Toyota with a gay Jeep grille stuck on it.

It's a Cherokee with a gay Toyota cab and highly modified frame stuck on it.:flipoff2:

Just wanted to say that is Very impressive. Makes my XJ look weak as hell! Great work.:smokin:

Body work on the left rocker is happening
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/Xota/DSC00307.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/Xota/DSC00305.jpg
Ready for bondo
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/Xota/DSC00306.jpg
First coat is fiberglass filler that I'm just starting to shape
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/Xota/DSC00308.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/Xota/DSC00309.jpg

Awhile ago I posted the 1st photo and said that I would be moving the UCA's and I would post pictures. Here they are as promised.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/Xota/ucaedit.jpg

What do you guys think of the position.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/Xota/DSC00313.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/Xota/DSC00312.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/Xota/DSC00310.jpg

More bracing.

This build is sweet. I want a damn MJ now... ass hole.

Rocker is primed
3/13/06
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/Xota/DSC00322.jpg
Rt. cab corner is repaired and primed and also welded the holes where the Toyota nameplates were mounted
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/Xota/DSC00323.jpg

This photo, Rt. door is pretty beat up and I'm running low on time for finding a good used one. So I decided to replace the outer panel.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/Xota/Beforeskin.jpg
After skin is installed.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/Xota/DSC00329.jpg
Jambs on the cab are masked up for paint.
3/15/06
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/Xota/Ljambtaped.jpg

I'm getting stoked. Now that the door edges and door jambs are painted, I don't have much to do to get ready to paint the outside. Just have to weld up the 20 screw holes that dumb a$$es have drilled in the cab back panel, then prep everything and it's ready to paint.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/Xota/DSC00328.jpg

Prep work is done, just need to mask it and get it into the booth.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/Xota/DSC00335.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/Xota/DSC00338.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/Xota/DSC00337.jpg

its starting to look pretty tight

I have to say i was a bit confused due to lack lack of me not being able to read.........but i think i got it figured out....LOOKS AWSOME!! looked fun to do.

Looking very good there.Hadn't looked at your thread in a while,but it looks like you're making real good progress...So who would feature that rig,JP or Toy Owner's Magazine :laughing: ?...Looking forward to seeing it finished.Don't let the Newbie Hater Wanabees talk shit.

Looking very good there.Hadn't looked at your thread in a while,but it looks like you're making real good progress...So who would feature that rig,JP or Toy Owner's Magazine :laughing: ?...Looking forward to seeing it finished.Don't let the Newbie Hater Wanabees talk shit.

Sweet rig! Haven't I seen it in a magazine somewhere? Or maybe it was here on Pirate. Do you think we are the only two to join Jeep and Toyota?

Its almost feels like adultry......


Sooooo, so wrong, yet so eerily satisfying. :smokin: I cant wait to see it painted.

3/21/06
It's finally in the booth, it's been ready since yesterday morn. but the painter has been busy with shop work. That was a long day yesterday and this morning.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/Xota/DSC00343.jpg
I left the windshield for the painter to mask since it takes some skill to mask the moulding edge. I would have preferred to have the windshield out or at least the moulding off, but on this Toy. cab the moulding clips fit under the glass, so they get installed together.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/Xota/DSC00345.jpg
Just a few hours and it will be white

I like it.:beer:

Sweet rig! Haven't I seen it in a magazine somewhere? Or maybe it was here on Pirate. Do you think we are the only two to join Jeep and Toyota?
It's not my rig,it belongs to some cat I met at The Rubicon,Really nice though.You probably remember it from Pirate,some idiot started a thread about "how wrong it is to mix Jeep and Toyotas" :shaking: .Either way your rig is coming along awesome!!!.Keep up the nice work.

Special thanks to Jamie Divos for the excellent painting.

A little wet sanding and polishing done. I'll get more photo's after I get some stuff put together

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/Xota/DSC00352.jpg

Looks fantastic, can't wait to see it assembled.

Are those your new tires on there?

Do you plan on building some kind of bed besides that tube thing you've got going on? Just curious... I was wheeln with a Yota truck a couple months ago. He had his bed removed too with the spare mounted kinda like you did.

He had NO rear end traction! There just wasnt enough weight on the rear end to get a decent grip, and he spun a ton of tire on the simplest of obsticles. I dont know how much a yota bed weighs, but I do know that it's significant enough to make a differance... 400lb maybe???? idk.

Just a thought

Props dude! Kick ass project!

Do you plan on building some kind of bed besides that tube thing you've got going on? Just curious... I was wheeln with a Yota truck a couple months ago. He had his bed removed too with the spare mounted kinda like you did.

He had NO rear end traction! There just wasnt enough weight on the rear end to get a decent grip, and he spun a ton of tire on the simplest of obsticles. I dont know how much a yota bed weighs, but I do know that it's significant enough to make a differance... 400lb maybe???? idk.

Just a thought

Props dude! Kick ass project!

I've been wondering about whether there would be a traction problem back there. This is the first time i've heard from someone who has some practical experience. There is going to be a oak floor that I've been working on and it's pretty heavy, and the tool compartment and tools will be added also, so I think I'll be pretty close to the weight of the stock bed. Might end up mounting a rear winch also.

But then one of my goals was to not have a real heavy rig so it's hard to decide what to do. I'll see what happens on the trails.

. . . somebody's a bodyman. Excellent body work. And good creativity and props for originality. And I suggest you bend some exo-cage tubing to protect all that sweet work if yer plannin on wheeling.

Again, nice!

. . . somebody's a bodyman. Excellent body work. And good creativity and props for originality. And I suggest you bend some exo-cage tubing to protect all that sweet work if yer plannin on wheeling.

Again, nice!


+1 would suck to see all that hard work, peeled open/crumbled/demolished

..unless you just have that much time on your hands that you don't mind making more panels.:flipoff2:

good luck and can't wait to see the finshed rig.:beer:

I like the idea of the oak bed with the tool compartment. Oak is heavy, and so are tools so I think it should work out fine. Another option is your tire selection. I dont know what tire height you plan on running, but if you want to keep it light and still have traction, go with the narrowest tire possible.

Wide tires are only helpful in 2 situations. Sand and Mud. A wide tire provides a larger contact area with the terrain, and can better distribute the weight of the vehicle. For the sake of argument, lets say for instance that your contact patch on a 12.50 width tire is 10"x4". This provides 40 square inches per tire x4 is 160 square inches of contact total. On a 2500 lb. truck, that's only 15.625 lbs of preasure per square inch of contact.

Same truck with a 10.50 width tire, lets say that the contact patch is 8"x3". This give us 24 square inches of contact per tire x4 is 96 square inches of total contact. This yeilds 26.04 lbs of preasure per square inch of contact.

Just to prove that a skinny tire provides more traction in most situations, even in mud on occation. you can get a swamper LTB in a 34x10.50 or 9.50 width, and they even make a Booger in a 35x10.50

Food for thought...

. . . somebody's a bodyman. Excellent body work. And good creativity and props for originality. And I suggest you bend some exo-cage tubing to protect all that sweet work if yer plannin on wheeling.

Again, nice!

Earlier in the thread there's a picture of the back half of the cage that is built, I have it off for painting. Now I will be able to build the rest of the exo-cage.

I like the idea of the oak bed with the tool compartment. Oak is heavy, and so are tools so I think it should work out fine. Another option is your tire selection. I dont know what tire height you plan on running, but if you want to keep it light and still have traction, go with the narrowest tire possible.

Wide tires are only helpful in 2 situations. Sand and Mud. A wide tire provides a larger contact area with the terrain, and can better distribute the weight of the vehicle. For the sake of argument, lets say for instance that your contact patch on a 12.50 width tire is 10"x4". This provides 40 square inches per tire x4 is 160 square inches of contact total. On a 2500 lb. truck, that's only 15.625 lbs of preasure per square inch of contact.

Same truck with a 10.50 width tire, lets say that the contact patch is 8"x3". This give us 24 square inches of contact per tire x4 is 96 square inches of total contact. This yeilds 26.04 lbs of preasure per square inch of contact.

Just to prove that a skinny tire provides more traction in most situations, even in mud on occation. you can get a swamper LTB in a 34x10.50 or 9.50 width, and they even make a Booger in a 35x10.50

Food for thought...

Well those are new 35x12.50x15 BFG M/T on there. But I get your point on skinnier tires?

Looks fantastic, can't wait to see it assembled.

Are those your new tires on there?
They just don't look new because of all the shop dust.

A little more put together now
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/Xota/DSC00353.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/Xota/DSC00354.jpg

really nice build up 87xjco.. very custom and creative.. it will be a great trail rig once you are done! :D

bad aine, man. gotta love creativity and talant. Can we label this as art?

are the headlights in alignment?

It's looking more and more like it came like that from the factory.Good job!!!!

are the headlights in alignment?

yeah, I didn't have no trouble bringing them up, there's still plenty of adjustment left.

I like the hood pins.:cool2:

maye I missed it but is this going to be a DD? Just thinking about why you chost the MTs.

I don't know what to say that's just BAD ASSSS, NICE WORK:smokin:

I like the hood pins.:cool2:

maye I missed it but is this going to be a DD? Just thinking about why you chost the MTs.

Not a daily driver but drives to the trails and in bad weather. I did decide after running S/S LTB's that I wanted a radial tire, they were great traction tires but NOISEY. BFG's weren't my first choice, but they're about $45 cheaper each than Goodyears.

holy body work batman! Totally original...good to see something new. Nice looking rig. I bet you get some weird looks from that grill haha. Killer body work. throw an exo on there...hate to see it get ruined.

Bed is on, the wooden flat bed will be hinged in the middle for spare access.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/Xota/Painted%20view/DSC00355.jpg

that thing is sick on sooo many levels... I have an uncle with a 79 FJ40 with bulletproof axles man... ARBs front and rear with 4.88 and the body is falling apart... I wanna put them under my XJ, but I don't know if it's possible or not... I guess we'll see after he's done with it.

That wooden bed makes me feel funny inside. That looks Kick ass!!!

On another note, Which Tag are you going to use or is this one of those, Pick whichever one wasn't speeding last time.:massey:

Shameless posing
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/Xota/Painted%20view/DSC00362.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/Xota/Painted%20view/DSC00363.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/Xota/Painted%20view/DSC00361.jpg

And it looks like you need to disco that front swaybar.:flipoff2:

Beautiful job! Peep that wear pattern on the tread out back.... Looks like that oak and spare didnt end up being as heavy as you were thinking.

That or youre running 90 psi. :D

Just messing with you man, the truck is absolutely killer. I almost dont want to see it get wheeled. *cringe*

you've really made a unique rig, the work and craftsmanship is awesome. its an amazingly good lookin hybrid

Thats an awesome lookin rig, not alot of flex but neverless very unique!!:flipoff2:

why do you have two plates?

I love the wood flat bed, very cool

And it looks like you need to disco that front swaybar.:flipoff2:

Sad thing is, there is no front sway bar on there yet. I used to get more flex with the same springs on the XJ. I haven't figured out why yet.

lack of weight, you might wan to try TJ springs, they are softer.

Great job man looks killer

I love how it looks factory

A little more put together now
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/Xota/DSC00353.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/Xota/DSC00354.jpg

Wow. That is so well done it takes a second and third look to figure out why it isn't looking like a normal Toyota.

Bravo! :beer:

This thing is gnarly. I absolutely love it.

Went with Naxja to Chinamans and had a great time

So like a dumba$$, I try to take this line on the ledge
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/Chinamans%204-15-6/9.jpg
Heard that loud bang noise and had this
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/Chinamans%204-15-6/91.jpg

The rest of the run went good
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/Chinamans%204-15-6/1.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/Chinamans%204-15-6/3.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/Chinamans%204-15-6/7.jpg
Digger walked right up the left line at whale rock. He's the only one that tried it and he has only 32"s .
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/Chinamans%204-15-6/8.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/Chinamans%204-15-6/5.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/Chinamans%204-15-6/4.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/Chinamans%204-15-6/6.jpg
Digger was also the only one to try the left line at the rock garden
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/Chinamans%204-15-6/92.jpg

Sounds like rear end traction wasnt a problem?

Wow! Great pics.. That looks like a really nice trail, and good to see the rig getting put to use.

-wayne

Sounds like rear end traction wasnt a problem?

Yeah so far I'm not having any problems. It walks right up obstacles that were hard before the rebuild. It was nice to get it out on a trail I've done several times before so I had a good comparison. There is still going to be probably another 50lbs of steel and accesories on the back and I feel like there is nothing to worry about for rear traction. The strength of the axles is the worry now. Hoping to get thru this season before I have to change axles.

nothing wrong with being real light in the rear... until you're going down a real steep ledge that is.

my MJ is very light in the rear and it still frequently amazes me with the stuff it can climb. partly because of the wheelbase, but also because once you start going up something all that front weight shifts back and you get pretty even pressure/traction on all 4 tires, whereas a vehicle that's 50/50 on flat ground will have very little traction on the front tires.

the problem you may run into though is building a leaf pack that is soft enough to flex with the very light rear but still stiff enough to control axle wrap. I fought this for a while and ended up just linking the rear so that spring-rate and axle wrap are controlled independently.

http://img517.imageshack.us/img517/4062/becca0183ty0qm.md.jpg

That's the first time I've seen your build Brett. Nice work and a cool rig!
Terry

Update;

The Xota has had a few trail runs so far and I am real happy with how it wheels. !st week I took it to CORE and I was a little bummed out. I didn't think I was getting near the articulation I had before the rebuild (when it was an XJ with 5" lift). But I now think that I was mis-leading myself, and that CORE was a lot harder to judge capability and articulation than I thought.

After 2 runs at Chinamans (a trail I'm real familar with) I now believe that it articulates just as well as ever and, with more body clearance, 8" longer wheel base and 35" tires, it wheels better than ever.

Couple of photo's of the articulation I'm getting. I never could have made it on this line before.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/Chinamans%204-22-06/DSC00422.jpg
This is the best photo I have on the rear, but it articulates better than this photo.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/Chinamans%204-22-06/RearArticulation.jpg

With the bigger tires, I have so far, broken one front axle u-joint and I damaged the inner stub. I put a used axle & hub assy in there. I had a minor wiring issue with the loom near the battery shorting out because it wasn't tied up and taped up good enough. But no other problems with it so far.

I'll be watching those axles closely to see how they hold up. I would like to make it next winter's project to do an axle swap. I hope it holds up till then.

Starting to build the rest of the exo
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/Xota/DSC00434.jpg

That is a sweet machine. Love what you have done with it. Looks like you need to let some air out of that back tire:)

What do you think of that Rustys wheel to wheel tierod conversion you have... I bought it a few months back and I've already had it to NTB twice and it's popping REALLY bad during left turns now.... I HATE IT

Check ur track bar bracket. i thought my steering was popping real bad and found out my trackbar bracket was loose and was shifting everytime I turned. Sketchy, I have seen two of Rusty's brackets that broke because they came loose.

Nice work. Its always cool to see something different. I like it.:smokin:

Still following your build man. I cant say enough good stuff about this thread!
I love oogling ultra-trick 80k buggies as much as the next guy, but I'm telling you the truth when I say I've enjoyed this thread and watching this build as much as any of those.

Hats off to ya bud. :smokin:

What do you think of that Rustys wheel to wheel tierod conversion you have... I bought it a few months back and I've already had it to NTB twice and it's popping REALLY bad during left turns now.... I HATE IT

So far no problems, about 750 miles on it and 2 trail runs.

Lower bars of the cage are on.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/Carnage%205-13-06/DSC00466.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/Carnage%205-13-06/Ob1.jpg
I also added some boat tub style skid plates that give the rockers alot of strength and protection and I already broke them in good.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/Carnage%205-13-06/DSC00487.jpg

Nice build, A+ for creativity but ya might wanna finish the exo before you destroy all that pretty body work :flipoff2:

Fed Ex dropped these off today. Dana 44, 4.88's and detroit lockers, front and rear. Should be a good upgrade for the Xota.


http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/Dana44/DSC00564.jpg

Ahh... watching with an eager eye...

Finally got some more of the exo-cage built

BIG[/size] thanks to Eric (EEJEEP)and Jim A. for the skilled cutting and my son Markes for the hard work. Couldn't have done it without you guys.

Here's Eric grinding away on the R. pillar tube.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/Xota/Exo/Dsc00570.jpg
That right pillar tube was a biatch. Eric did lot's of grinding, fitting, grinding, fitting, etc.... to get the gaps nice and close.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/Xota/Exo/Dsc00574.jpg
Here's Eric and Jim started getting into the grinding action also. Jim had to do lot's of grinding on the tubes because of my poor marking skills.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/Xota/Exo/Dsc00573.jpg
Eric fitting the right fender tube. It was real tricky too.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/Xota/Exo/Dsc00575.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/Xota/Exo/Dsc00577.jpg
Of course I did all the really hard work of bending and supervising.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/Xota/Exo/Dsc00578.jpg
Here's Markes helping with Eric.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/Xota/Exo/Dsc00580.jpg

The side tubes for the stinger.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/Xota/Exo/Dsc00581.jpg
Lt. pillar tube is in place
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/Xota/Exo/Dsc00576.jpg
Jim fitting the L. fender tube.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/Xota/Exo/Dsc00582.jpg
Here's where we're at so far.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/Xota/Exo/Dsc00583.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/Xota/Exo/Dsc00584.jpg

god that thing looks so trick. awsome job. looks factory

very nice, i like how its turning out, never been big on exo, but its lookin good.

Just saw your build up and wanted to throw my praises in. Love things that are different, instead of the same old cloned crap everyone else is building. Clean truck and like the exo too, good luck and keep up the good work.

A little more is done on the cage. Thanks Jim for your help on the "keystone" pieces.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/Xota/Exo/Dsc00602.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/Xota/Exo/Dsc00603.jpg

So I cut all the tack welds and removed the top section of the cage so I could weld all the junctions and paint all but the last couple of inches of each tube where it joins with the lower section.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/Xota/Exo/Dsc00615.jpg

Here it is installed and most of the painting done.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/Xota/Exo/L1.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/Xota/Exo/T1.jpg

I still need to add short tubes with some plates on each side of the doors, so I can make removable door tubes, and some corner gussets.

gotta protect that fancy sheetmetal :flipoff2:

Out with the D35 with 4.56 and Detroit, in with the D44 with 4.88 and Detroit

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/Xota/Dana%2044/Dsc00645.jpg

I still need to build some shock mount brackets and weld them on. And I think I will change the upper shock mount location more outboard.

Ahh, you should have dropped a Toy axle in.. :)

-Wayne

Front D44 is ready to go in.

Wow those brackets were a PITA to fab.

Guess I had myself fooled, thinking it would be fairly easy. It wasn't. 20 hours later i'm thinking I should have bought a bracket kit.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/Xota/Front%20Dana%2044/Dsc00661.jpg

The front diff. build link is here
http://www.rockfrogs.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=326&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

Just weighed the Xota today. Now that I have the D44's and the cage done I wanted to know.

I did have about a 100 lbs. of tools and recovery gear and a full size spare. No driver.

It weighed 4,160 lbs. I was hoping it would be a little lighter.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/Xota/Dsc00666.jpg

would have guessed it to be lighter

Took a run on Independence trail near Penrose, CO.

I think it's about an 8 rated trail and it's as hard as I want to do!


I had my normal kind of breakdown, right at the entrance I broke a heim joint when I came down hard on my right LCA.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/indy%2007-29-06/IMG_0424.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/indy%2007-29-06/Xentrance-1.jpg
I think the picture above is right where the heim broke. Buddy had a spare and it was a quick fix.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/indy%2007-29-06/IMG_0430.jpg
I keep having photo's of broken parts like this heim joint and last run, my old D35 axle shaft setting on the bed of my truck, not a good trend.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/indy%2007-29-06/heim.jpg


So I get thru the entrance thinking, wow! that's got to be the worst of it. Then I see this..
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/indy%2007-29-06/gregwfall1.jpg

Here's some shots of my junk coming down

At the first ledge
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/indy%2007-29-06/Xledge1.jpg

At the next ledge
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/indy%2007-29-06/xdropa.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/indy%2007-29-06/xdrop2.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/indy%2007-29-06/xdrop6.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/87xjco/indy%2007-29-06/xdropback2.jpg

New axles and lockers did great!

Looks like a nice trail.

I like my RE joints for just that reason. They take a beating, and cost less then a good heim.

-Wayne

I think it's about an 8 rated trail and it's as hard as I want to do!


Famous last words. Kinda like, "I got a 4x4, but I'm not going to take it out & smash it up like the folks in the magazines. Probably won't do any mods to it...well, maybe some 31's & a body lift. Maybe some lockers & gears..."

Kinda what I said.
Right along with, "Oh, I'm going to be careful. I'll never roll it." (1st time to Moab...turtle)

Looks GREAT!
Love the Hybrid.
-Chaz

Very nice build man. Sorry for bumpin such an old thread but id love to know what has been done with this rig. Its pretty sweet. Thinkin of doin the same thing with a Runner n JK 44s lol well give us some updates pimpin