Project Green Machine - 1 Year Review

Everything looks good when its new and shiny, well almost everything. Lets take a look at the custom and aftermarket parts on my Jeep after 1 year and 20,000 miles of real world use.
Panama City Jeep Beach Jam
May 15-20 2018. See you there!
www.jeepbeachj...
Rock and Road Performance - Loomis, CA.
Greg's email: [e-mail]
www.rockandroadperformance.com
www.ruffstuffspecialties.com
www.roughcountry.com
www.treadwright.com
Song used: Impala_Returns
If a BleepinJeep video has ever helped you consider returning the favor by:
• Supporting us on Patreon here: / bleepinjeep
•Buying a T-Shirt Here: www.bleepinjeep...
•Or Just leaving a kind comment on FB here: / bleepinjeep
This product is meant for entertainment purposes only. Your mileage may vary. Do not try this at home. Void where prohibited. Some assembly required. For off-road use only. Slippery when wet. Batteries not included. Do not use while operating a motor vehicle, heavy equipment, cherokee XJ, wrangler TJ, wrangler JK, or any Jeep vehicle, especially the newer Fiat ones. How-to videos may be too intense for some viewers and children under 30 years of age. Please remain seated until the 4x4 ride has come to a complete stop. Studies have shown viewing these videos causes increased cancer risks in laboratory test people. I am not a professional, I have no training, I'm not even particularly good at horse whispering. Don't believe everything that you know. Please keep your hands in the vehicle at all times. Do not tap on glass. Do not eat anything that has been on the floor for more than 3 days. Keep your hands to yourself. Not to be taken internally. Reproduction strictly prohibited. Driver does not carry cash. Objects in Bleepinjeep mirrors may be farther than they appear.
09521

[@turbos2k]

I have learned to ignore reviews online. People only leave reviews when it's a bad, one off situation. People that have had good experiences with something hardly ever go back to leave a review.

[@bleepinjeep]

I agree!

[@XloMotion]

A year later and I'm still just looking at videos instead of working on my XJ 😂😂😂😂

[@bleepinjeep]

Get after it!!!

[@pferris3591]

Same here. Lol! Now that the good weather is here, I just need some good health days and it's off to the races! ☺

[@diegofontes7220]

A year later and I'm still just looking at videos instead of buying an XJ!!!!!

[@CodyVsTheInternet]

Hahaha same

[@2S1L3NT]

Haha, and I'm just ordering and piling parts in the middle of my garage 🤦‍♂️

[@JoeGarofaloII]

Your undercarriage is so clean! Must be a nice benefit of living out west. Over here, what I can do in less than 30 seconds in the mud will take DAYS to clean!!

[@seanrichardson6022]

Love the jeep and the scenery. Wish I had that kind of land in my back yard.

[@zoexj4872]

I appreciate your feedback. Guess I'll drop by R&R soon and talk with Greg about an upgrade. Take care and thanks.

[@richarddoire2872]

You did a great job on this green machine.

[@scubbarookie]

That XJ is great! I would probably look into upgrading the shocks for tunable ones, but other than that, it's just right! Thank you!👍

[@anibalbabilonia1867]

She sure is a beauty! I had one of those back in 98! I regret ever getting rid of it!👌😎👍

[@MrDudeCZ]

Hey Tim, I like all of you guys' work but your XJ is really probably closest to my heart. It is very offroad capable but still street legal which is a must for me. Unfortunately street legal in my country means a lot of restrictions and many things you guys consider normal and do on daily basis are off limits here. My MOT is already expired, I've planned it for this wednesday so we'll see what they will think of my mods :) Still, I have used your XJ as bit of a guide/template in working on my Cherokee, fabricating stuff to have fun and also save money. Anyways, those rear bumb stops kind of caught my eye now. I will have a look into those, maybe make them adjustable 2 inches or so or put airbags there. Thanks for the video, Martin

[@dakota.zimmerman]

Ive had the same experience with my Rough Country springs. Ive had them for 2 years and they still haven't sagged and Id be happy to buy them again. Ive learned to ignore most of what the internet says.

[@TheAmericanUhate]

People doesn't seem to realize the purpose of cores being returned to the part places like autozone and others. You return your core, an OEM part and they remanufacture said OEM part and sale it back to the public. With that said, sometimes reman'd parts can be better than their store brand that's new.

[@francisbrackney2061]

Hey Tim.. Nice job on your XJ. I really like your slider bars, and the cargo rack on the roof. 👍

[@freeworldroamer3801]

Saw you today man headed to the car wash. Jeep looks great in person man. I tried getting your attention but you were looking dead ahead.

[@runningoverland7656]

Love your XJ. Also your other videos covering the Green Machine have been awesome to follow along with!

[@FX4_outdoors]

Damn that rear bump stop/shock mount is BAD @$$

[@Garth2011]

Great overview of the project. You did mention in an earlier video that you changed the Caster on the front Dana 44 during the retube process. Maybe a little description of that idea could be helpful for the audience as to why you did that and why you choose the degree of Caster you wanted. Some of us know why that was done but likely not all know what it does or why a certain change of degrees does something to the drivability of the vehicle. Thanks for the video review.

[@jackdooley8732]

Wow, your welds look top notch on your roof rack an those bottom protector things(or whatever you call them). Hats off.

[@christianb5110]

Man I need to get into a Cherokee lol

[@arnoldcars8227]

Those two xj are getting super rare..nice bro

[@thatJustinUknow]

Yea, me too, I think the Rough Country lift and other products I slapped on my 95, 93, and 88 YJ's are a great price and great quality, been performing for years now. I think it might be that "gear-head" mentality: "must be over-engineered or else it's not worthwhile"... but most people who do customizations to their vehicles aren't running them in the extreme.

[@georgeeads8689]

Real nice roof rack. You did a great job on that.

[@Khorsathedark]

I've always liked how you kept your jeep kiss simple.

[@bleepinjeep]

Simple is good. Thank you!

[@DrHavok1]

Glad to see this year review looks like everything is holding up great Tim I really do like this jeep too and I'm a zj guy lol

[@jessebellis478]

RESPECT !! TWO thumbs up !!

[@lol123321123321]

With a hp 44 and 9" rear your safe to run up to 40" tires. It blows my mind you'd make the effort to make the axle swap to run re-tread 33s you can't even air down. Great build but there is so much more potential behind this jeep. I just got a hp 44 and 9" with 5.38 gears and Detroit lockers front and rear. 35 spline chromolys as well.

[@ryanleebork]

Nice jeep. Hello from Pendleton Oregon. I received a 97 jeep cherokee. And am looking to upgrade it. Thanks for the video

[@kylebrazell6575]

I am glad to hear that your treadwrights are working out for you. I have had 3 fail on me in the last four months and 2000 miles.

[@bleepinjeep]

How do they "fail"? What issue are you having and have you contacted TreadWright about it? I can't seem to kill my set.

[@SprintingSheep]

That's strange, I've had 2 sets of the guard dogs and I've beat the crap out of mine, and I've never had an issue with them. Only reason I replaced my last set was because the side walls were cracked from letting them sit for 2 years when the jeep was dicked.

[@kylebrazell6575]

The tread is separated from the belt. I have contacted treadwrights and they are replacing them but I really don't trust them to hold up. Also there customer service is pretty poor. We the first two failed I never received any communication from them just the shipping notification and the third one has taken a month to get replaced.

[@kylebrazell6575]

m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1892114637479313&id=100000423850747

[@bleepinjeep]

I saw your pictures there. That's interesting! I feel like with my tires being slashed to the belt and running them at low PSI I certainly would have had this issue happen to me if it was a problem with their adhesion process. I haven't experienced any separation at all!

[@Wooskii1]

Nice to see an update on my favorite Jeep on the channel! What I would do to be able to copy yours lol(exact same axles/ truss/ discs/ 3 linked). maybe one day in the far far future 😖, and only if all the stars align 🙏🙏🙏...

[@mac4life55]

I bought some Treadwrights (Claws) based on your video, no problem so far.

[@ddcraun]

Dude. I want the bump stop/shock mount for my xj!

[@bleepinjeep]

It works great! Email Greg at R&R. His contact info is in the video description.

[@ddcraun]

I just used the contact feature on their web page! Thanks for sharing an innovative part!

[@selfbuiltrods]

Do you remember if that JK rear driveshaft is for the 07-11 or the 12-18. I love this build man. I have a vast background in custom fab but never in the 4x4 world. I bought my first XJ over the weekend. Already had my setup planned, found green machine, and it verified my vision!

[@GoatBastard]

sweet video and good Jeep ...nice job my friend!👍🏻

[@adamspitzer5113]

Your Jeep is my Dream Jeep

[@DjRapnytech]

Great video 5 years later! I took a shot every time you said Moab… I’m done. 😅

[@Leo-lr4eq]

Nice jeep! I want a 2 door now

[@thecherokeechannel688]

Really love this build and this channel. It sucks that the Green Machine disnt get a whole lot of camera time. Regardless I am happy with what you did here. One day i might get to build one like it.

[@moparerrnocar]

Pretty sure your calipers are on backwards. I love your jeep so clean

[@gittyupalice96]

A lot of what you read online is the experience of those who have no experience, doing it wrong lol. So the best way to learn if something works without trying it yourself, is to watch a video like this. 10 points (although I don't have a xj..) But thats ok.. Cuz I finished my lift early, its only 2 am here SO JEEP VIDEOS why not

[@DanielCole]

The bumpstop/shock tower is trick. Your buddy should mass produce them cause I'd totally buy one.

[@klauserat8534]

this is one awesome rig !

[@robertdavis6708]

NICE jeep build Sir. Now a LS and 5 spd. auto for desert.

[@meagnificentmusic1169]

Thank you!

[@TheBeardedJeeper]

Nice looking rig! I need to build up my Cherokee now. Gotta get a welder and Learn how to weld.

[@lucky5wonder]

Nice jeep brotha, Good job, thanks for the info.

[@MrGunPilot]

great video, nice build, clean and effective.

[@tonydrummond3709]

Looks like a solid build. Would like to get those rear bump stop mounts

[@Haloskippy]

Those damn zinc screws rusting, when i build my overlanding xj for my florida -> colorado trip imma use all stainless when i build my rack :D awesome build bro

[@theaztecsun]

5 out of 12 bolts installed he said oh well whatever!! 🤣🤣nice though

[@randyanderson6110]

The upper passenger heim is loose because the axle rotates as it flexes. Metalcloack.com has what's called a lock-n-load that replaces the upper control arm on the passenger side. Unfortunately it won't work with your setup.

[@laaaaaaaalaaaaaaaa]

Considering all the other welding-based mods, I'm surprised to see no frame plating.

[@wyattoneable]

Cool update, thanks.

[@Nothingtoya]

2 bolts and 2 studs holding the cross member on? Every once in a while, people get lucky with Rough Country, I know I sure didnt. My old RC leaf springs were all kids of messed up. Maybe they hand out some better ones to certain people?

[@bleepinjeep]

Yep that's it. Two studs and two bolts holding the crossmember on and all three of the links to the front axle. Somehow it works fine! As far as Rough Country handing out certain things to certain people I don't buy that at all. Continuously changing manufacturer or changing products all together is more likely.

[@Nothingtoya]

Isnt that kind of the problem with RC? You never really know what youre going to get? I dont know, I personally had a horrible experience with RC, enough so that i wont buy anything they make.

[@specops1903]

Josh B agreed man... They aren't consistent with their products and you're more likely than not, at least with my luck, to get a lemon of a product. A year is a decent amount of time but Should be expected when investing in products like these. I'll be impressed around 3-5 years. Until then I'll stick with Rubicon Express or Synergy for my XJ.

[@dirkdig0500]

Great video 👍👍👍👍👍👍 im thinking about doing similar roof rails . Thanks for sharing👍

[@dylanholzman8840]

I think the fairlead actually looks kind of cool

[@larrylollar7648]

Hi from Roseburg Ore.

[@itsarock101]

Just passed this thing on a trailer with two others on i-80 out side of DesMoines

[@lilnapsak]

LII xj slider boxes! I love mine.

[@bleepinjeep]

Thanks

[@MJ-ld2ox]

Nice Jeep, nice job!

[@williamclawson2600]

It looks great! My favorite Jeep on the channel! Couldn't help but notice the lack of a rear bumper in this video and that you were rocking a stock bumper in the Moab clips, what happened to the Affordable Off-Road one?

[@bleepinjeep]

I ended up selling some time ago to fund the materials to build a custom tire carrier bumper. Don't remember what happened but the money went elsewhere. I'm hoping to use a bunch of RuffStuff's bumper fab parts to finally build one this summer. I took the oem bumper off to measure some stuff.

[@coreywilliams5357]

I'm from Douglas County, OR and the scenery here looks close to home. Klamath County? It's beautiful, I want to visit on my next trip to OR

[@bleepinjeep]

Jackson County

[@peeyoobikhunter2312]

Hi from 🇦🇺🇦🇺👍. Pity you couldn't do the same shock set up to the rear ones like the front. I'm watching this at 9.26 so if you have done something then I stand corrected. All the best.

[@bobhunt3197]

A buddy of mine took his dog for a run behind his truck one day, it dropped dead of a heart attack, no joke.

[@tylernutter7738]

come to Minnesota! place in red wing is having an event end of the month!

[@gelandewagen4376]

excellent SUVs of the old model Grand Cherokee and Cherokee than the new model which are full of electronics and beauty and quality and safety do not even smell

[@jedimindtricks5880]

I feel really behind on my XJ I've had it for about 2 or 3 months and I've installed a whole new max flow exhaust system and new Cadillac converter aswell as a 4.5" lift but that's it! I'm getting 33" tires on next! money money money

[@Letsgettoit362]

It's fun, spending money lol. If you love your jeep, you won't mind too much about spending money on it. At least the parts for them aren't expensive & you know the engine will last as long as you take care of it! I really have no say so, but from xj to xj owner, please take care of it. I'm sick of seeing fked up xjs on road. Long live XJs. Btw, how does that exhaust sound? Im planning on getting dual exhaust

[@jedimindtricks5880]

@@Letsgettoit362 the exhaust sounds really good it sounds very aggressive but not to loud if you know what I mean!

[@tektao]

hi. thank you for your videos.. what colour is this XJ. emerald green?

[@mcguireskaratetheartofsurv1942]

Lol Just do it I’m working on three jeeps now

[@enricomegachiesa9203]

Hey Tim! Awesome xj and really nice upgrades. I would like to know how it's the ride quality with those 3 link long arm. I'm thinking of upgrading mine also to get some smooth ride along bumps. Thks

[@stevefellers9349]

I like your vids, I was watching this one and you were talking about the brakes in the rear, I looked thru several comments and I did not see any yet about you having the calipers on the wrongs side.... the bleeder should be at the highest point to allow all of the air out during bleeding. I assume all is good for you and that is all that matters, if it has already been addressed please excuse my comment.

[@MrTR0uBL3]

Looked at the rock and road site and couldn't find the cross member really like the look of it

[@bleepinjeep]

Email Greg at Rock and Road if you're interested in one. His info is in the video description.

[@MrTR0uBL3]

BleepinJeep awesome thanks

[@bjr2379]

Looks good Tim 👍. I installed a Rough Country 3 1/2 inch lift on my sons 1988 XJ and it works great. I just got one for my 1978 Bronco and it too looks like quality parts. No salt on the roads in Oregon? Everything looks rust free...

[@bleepinjeep]

Thanks! Yep. No salt.

[@bleek6504]

😮 i need some of those bars ontop of my jeep for my jon boat

[@JonnyDIY]

looks great! any problems with cooling? with the big winch blocking some of radiator?

[@bleepinjeep]

Non whatsoever. I've never had cooling problems with this Jeep before or after lifting it, or after blocking the radiator with a winch. I did replace the original radiator two years ago with another OEM one because it cracked but its never run hot. Good question.

[@JonnyDIY]

awesome Thanks! thinking of putting one on my toyota

[@gregarena153]

So jealous of the no rust. My cherokee is rotting right away. There is like nothing left of the unibody to build off of

[@freqeist]

getting one today in England 2.5 sport 1998 £600

[@MrTR0uBL3]

Never had a problem with my rough country springs but the bushings were crummy

[@richtyler1353]

Ok it’s been almost 4 years now can you please do another review

[@andrewpetty9079]

Yay

[@sector783]

BAD ASS XJ…

[@fjnagle2nd]

don't they make a winch cover? Someone should, seems like it would be worth it. Love the videos and information.

[@bleepinjeep]

yes infact rough country has one

[@flyingtomato747]

OPEN DIFFS

[@bleepinjeep]

Buy some lockers for me and I'll fix that problem!

[@brianhunt6943]

Link: a.co/aLv3ZdB Tell the BleepinJeep your views are worth it. 300$ is worth the game changer this will be for your rig. It was cringeworthy to watch your portions of Utah trip because your rig looks so much more capable but just kept falling short with one tire. Love your rig, and it's yours to ride as you like but lift before lockers for me at least seems like throwing money away.

[@MrMrsregor]

www.amazon.com/USA-Standard-Gear-F9-28-31-differential/dp/B00E0EO41I/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1525785762&sr=8-2&keywords=ford+9+locker&dpID=41jQDS1jgHL&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch

[@zoexj4872]

Hey Tim, Green Machine has come a long way. I'm thinking tons might be in my future, too. I don't know if you remember, but my 96 cherokee has RE control arm drop brackets and also the new style trans crossmember from R&R. Greg welded on my frame stiffeners and the crossmember fits great. However, since returning from Moab, the whole front end creaks and groans and pops. I'm thinking of going long arms like you. Anything you'd do differently? Thanks for the great videos.

[@bleepinjeep]

Hey Randy, I remember your Jeep and the drop brackets. I've seen several XJ's with mysterious popping and clicking noises from the front. Often times it seems to be around the steering box. Honestly I wouldn't do anything differently. I should add unibody stiffeners like you already have but I'm super happy with my 3 link set up and the R&R cross member. There's still a list of things I'd like to do but as far as the major stuff I've done so far.... I wouldn't do it differently.

[@pferris3591]

Randy Beronia Hi Randy! Sounds like you have a really nice Jeep. Are you getting the noises more when your suspension is worked over bumps? Or do they happen more when you turn the steering wheel? I had some popping in my old 99 XJ when the wheel was moving, which turned out to be the upper joint on the track bar. Another area that can make funny noises is when the steering box spacer is coming apart, although you'd likely feel a difference in how the Jeep is handling. As a side question, what sort of differences did you notice after you got the stiffeners? I've always wondered what getting a set on my Jeep would feel like. ☺

[@zoexj4872]

P Ferris Thanks for the comment. I get weird noises all the time when turning and also crossed up offroad. The steering box spacer is custom 3/16 plate, and I run the Rubicon express HD track bar. I should check the joint and also the steering box bolts. I recently noticed I sheared off the horse shoe adjusting bolts on both lower control arms. My coil springs are angled forward instead of being straight vertical, so maybe caster is off. I'm hoping long arms and OTK steering will solve some problems. Im thinking the drop brackets are putting stress on all the wrong components. Thanks for the feedback.

[@pferris3591]

Randy Beronia Here's hoping you track it down quickly and it's an easy fix! 😊

[@scubbarookie]

Rough Country has been problematic in the past... I refuse to buy anything from them as I have very gentle balls. I love the XJ's! 👍

[@gentilejoshsaved1646]

Great vid. Do you think axles are totally nescarry? 33 tires are what we are gonna run.

[@tannerskalla8920]

Where did you get the "cure" for the tie rod at both ends? Is that a new ruffstuff product made for the knuckles specifically? Great videos. Keep it up.

[@bleepinjeep]

Yeah it is. If it's not on their website yet it will be soon.

[@ClaytonSensiba]

I had no issues with my rough country 3 inch lift springs. Then my Jeep got totaled (rear ended) the rear shocks sucked though, I’ve gone through 2 sets on 2 different jeeps. They keep leaking.

[@bleepinjeep]

Sorry to hear about the Jeep. No leaks on my shocks yet.

[@jagray85]

Question. I see it's a Ford Dana 44 with the 3 link on the passenger side. Everything is super smooth. And I want mine to come out the same way. What brackets did you use on your axle? More importantly, did you center the spring pad on the axle vs offset like the Jeep came factory? See I will be running high steer knuckles on mine so an OTK trackbar bracket In the same spot, directly In front of the spring would be epic.

[@morganwells567]

Does tim do bleepinjeep anymore? Or does he have his own channel now?

[@xXThePointXx]

Thing used to be so nice. Now it looks like any other beater XJ. Still my fav Jeep on this channel though.

[@bleepinjeep]

How so? Because its lifted and has different color fenders?

[@xXThePointXx]

I think I'm just tired of BJ being about white trash beater jeeps and this was the nicest Jeep on here. They don't have to look like crap to be capable. I think that's why I liked the Zombie build more than any other on here. At least it had a couple real world mods for everyday use. Maybe it was the fact that it was being made for Matt's dad that he took some extra care with it? Just not someone who likes to drive around in something I need to keep my tetanus shot updated in? I have no opinions on how this Jeep has been outfitted. It could be that it's just the Oregon light? Lol My 2 door was my pride and joy and miss it.

[@nonadooglas2153]

It's a jeep man, if it's shiny it's a pavement princess

[@xXThePointXx]

Not everyone's Jeeps are trash or want them to be. Mine do Johnson Valley to the Rubicon and everything in between well. Some have pride in their rides I guess?

[@nonadooglas2153]

You take your shiny Jeep to car shows and spend all that money to keep it looking like a Barbie jeep while I get the ladies and the thumbs up around town for having some mud and battle scars from the trail

[@xozindustries7451]

The reason you only read negative feedback on comments is that it's only human nature to complain about something that doesn't work but nobody comments when things work good. They probably sell a thousand of each part, maybe 20 people will comment online that they don't work, but the other 980 people just enjoy the stuff and don't waste time on forums

[@bleepinjeep]

I agree

[@Userqwerty-ky8bf]

What mods have you done to the engine / trans / transfer case? 4 banger or straight 6? Great vid! Thank you!

[@Tanner731]

cant decide between napier cutouts or bushwhacker flat flares for my 2 door :/ I wish one was way cheaper than the other

[@tannerwilcox8942]

You forgot to talk about the air intake conversion you did. Now would be a good time to tell people you ended up not liking it

[@bleepinjeep]

I tried to focus on the parts that have been on there for a year. The THOR Cowl Induction intake was added after the initial "build" of this Jeep.

[@peaceofmind4757]

i have a 86 2dr and i have no idea where to buy the back side window seals...yours look great and im jealous

[@6spdkeg]

do they just say 1/4" should do it here, 3/8" there, and call it good engineering wise?

[@BradleyBeeksAdventures]

You ever have problems with the clutch acting up not going into gear( not grinding) mines a 92 just had a clutch installed and new slave but now have this problem

[@matthewhowell3]

I had nothing but bad experiences with treadwright tires. They kept sending me tires with with bulges from the git go.

[@seananon4893]

Ever hear or see anything that might be Bigfoot up around that spot?

[@mikep95133]

Hey Tim ! Although your rear limited slip is toasted, did it do it's job before it was worn out? Or are lockers the only way to go in the first place.

[@bleepinjeep]

Definitely lockers are better. It was toasted to begin with, after all these axles were pulled from a 1978 truck and I'm sure the truck was well used. It seems to work when I'm really spinning the tires hard but its basically useless for crawling.

[@mikep95133]

Thanks so much TIm !!

[@Garth2011]

Tim: Not surprise the rear clutches were burned up or worn out. I noticed the condition of the gear oil draining out as you removed the pumpkin in another video and it was silvery black muck. Was really surprised you didn't service the front stub axle's and/or bearings too. Likely that will get done at some point when the front ring and pinion are replaced as they are mostly running on the "toe" side of the teeth. In the end, much saved dollars for those great front & rear housing parts no matter how worn they were.

[@Rich9143]

So you used a JK front double cardan driveshaft as your rear correct? What were the extended/collapsed lengthes?