Cherokee XJ Hardbody Class 1 Build

[Dustinf]

Originally Posted by spoo76

That's awesome. I would have taken the lazy way out and tried the RC4WD hinges, but I'm not sure if they would even work for this. RC4WD Chevrolet Blazer Functional Hood and Tailgate Hardware

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.....those are nice... and I could totally make those work... somehow in all my searching, those never came up. I even went onto rc4wd and searched "hinges". I would have happily paid that price, as it is very reasonable and I've already spent $30 on hinges that won't work.

You just made my life more complicated haha.

[spoo76]

Haha. The same Happened to me when I searched. I had to go to the page with the Blazer bodies and scroll down to the replacement parts list

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[Dustinf]

Hood hinges are a success... They work really well and do not bind or pop.

[spoo76]

Slick!

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[spoo76]

Going for a spring loaded hood latch and cable release? It seems like it's headed that direction haha

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[Dustinf]

Originally Posted by spoo76

Going for a spring loaded hood latch and cable release? It seems like it's headed that direction haha

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That's the plan!

I'm hoping to make the latch servo activated.. so I can pop the hood from my receiver.

[spoo76]

Originally Posted by Dustinf

That's the plan!

I'm hoping to make the latch servo activated.. so I can pop the hood from my receiver.

Well that's just showing off. Haha

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[Dustinf]

I'm not going in any specific order..

I do plan on making a working cable latch for the hood.

But for now I have painted the main colors of the dash and center console.

I still have to add gauges and fine details.







There is a ton of glazing putty on all these interior parts. I let them dry for weeks before painting.. so I am hoping that shrinkage won't be an issue.

I just really wanted them as smooth as possible.

[Dustinf]

Completely unreleated:

I preordered the Gmade Gr-01 gom



https://www.hobbytown.com/gr01-gom-1...a56000/p695498

I might see about doing another build thread when it eventually comes in.. not sure yet.

I have been really interested in this rig since I saw the preview.
It seems like a great build at a really good price.

[Dustinf]

Originally Posted by doubler

Your XJ is super impressive. I love all the detail you have poured into it. The hinges are fantastic!

Thanks. I hope to actually finish it someday.


Very small update.

I wired up the blutooth receiver/amp. It's connected to a receiver switch so I can turn it on/off from the remote.

I had to make a small box to contain it and keep it from water and dust.

It sits under the drivers seat and the speaker wires are attached to plugs that will connect the the body.






I have started cutting new windows out of .03 lexan. They look much better than the stock Windows, and being so thin helps with the interior.

[Dustinf]

Question for anyone here who is familiar with 94-95 cherokees... or those of you who own one of either of those years.

Where are the rear speakers located? I know my 2000 cherokee has the in the roof close to the hatch.. but I'm not sure about older models.

I think I will put my mini speakers in the hatch, as it has plenty of room and would look correct enough.. maybe a bit aftermarket.

Or would that be very wrong?

Thanks.. Any input is greatly appreciated. I looked through my reference pictures, but none of them show speaker location.

[Dustinf]

Another very small update.. none of the stuff I'm doing right now translates well into interesting posts. But I figured if share this step.

I got my mini speakers in. They look great and even sound nice, though not very loud.

I'm going to cut away the fake speakers in the 3d printed doors and install these in their place. Using some sort of fabric to cover them.





They are nearly the exact size that I need and should fit the door nicely. I may not even have to cover them.. as they look pretty scale.

Small update.. doing ten things at once.

[Dustinf]

Another small update.

I added gauges to the dashboard and cut a piece of .03 lexan to put over them.

I know jeeps generally have black gauges.. but I liked the look of the white ones.



Then I painted details onto the dash.



I've cut the doors for the speakers, but didn't take photos.
Hoping to continue working on the interior soon. Roof liner, dome lights, rear speakers.

[1fox2go]

Originally Posted by Dustinf

Question for anyone here who is familiar with 94-95 cherokees... or those of you who own one of either of those years.

Where are the rear speakers located? I know my 2000 cherokee has the in the roof close to the hatch.. but I'm not sure about older models.

I think I will put my mini speakers in the hatch, as it has plenty of room and would look correct enough.. maybe a bit aftermarket.

Or would that be very wrong?

Thanks.. Any input is greatly appreciated. I looked through my reference pictures, but none of them show speaker location.

They go there. Pretty sure. My 96 (same body style) had them there

Where did you get this body? I missed it

[spoo76]

My 96 had them on the roof bar but it was an option I didn't see in alot of others. There was also a spot in the hatch which IMO is a horrible useless spot for small speakers in a 1:1 XJ

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[Dustinf]

Originally Posted by 1fox2go

They go there. Pretty sure. My 96 (same body style) had them there

Where did you get this body? I missed it

Thanks for the input man. I'm still torn on location.

I got this body when it first popped on ebay... and overpaid.

Now you can find them most anywhere, under various brand names.

I believe "team raffee" sells it the cheapest.

[Dustinf]

Nothing major to say. But I have been working on the cherokee.

Finished painting the doors.






I also drilled and glued the Jsscale 3d printed roof bars that I got from shapeways. No pictures yet. They really look the part and are nicley made. They were a pain to install though.

[Dustinf]

Finally mounted the door speakers.

I think I'm going to keep them uncovered.. I wouldn't do that in my real jeep. But it seems like a shame to cover these up and they look better exposed.

[Dustinf]

I made some real progress on the hood latch. It's not servo activated yet, but it does work on a cable.

Just some aluminum, spring steel rod, styrene and springs.





This may give me problems someday and then I will simplify it. But right now it is pretty cool.

[Dustinf]

Servo activated hood latch is out.. for now. The micro linear servo that I intended to use doesn't have the power to pull the latch.. which is sad, because it's on a lever and doesn't take much.

I've put in a mechanical switch behind the front bumper. It works really well and should be reliable. It's protected pretty well, but if I find that it ever gets hit by something while running: I will make a shroud for it.

Not as cool as popping the hood from my transmitter, but simple and practical.