My first XJ is no more. I feel bad that I was unable to finish it after all the time and effort I put into fixing the rust it had but the project stopped being enjoyable and I had to be realistic with myself that it was not going to be finished in a timely manner.

Why I Called It Quits

Like mentioned above, the project just stopped being enjoyable to work on. Over the past few years I was able to fix up:

• All four doors
• Inner / outer rockers + 2x6 rocker mod
• The A, B, and C pillars
• Both front fenders
• Both rear quarters

But even after all that it’d still need:

• Floor pans
• Center frame rails
• Full reconstruction of the rear inner wheel well on the driver side
• Mistakes from earlier rust repair on the roof fixed
• Extensive patching on the firewall and windshield area
• Paths on the front inner fenders and frame rails
• A new hood or rust repair
• Rust repair on the hatch

And that’s just to get the chassis to the point where I could start the bodywork. In a best case scenario I could probably get all of that work done in about 1 year if I really pushed but the passion was gone.

It was also taking up too much space in my shop and was preventing me from working on other vehicles like my other XJ so I was falling behind on other things. Plus I just couldn’t use my shop how I’d like to.

What Happened To It

Everything of value was stripped from the chassis and set aside. The chassis itself was scrapped since it was missing too much sheet metal and it was unlikely that I’d be able to find someone else interested in finishing it.

Most of the parts will be transferred to my other XJ so they can live on. My other XJ is in need of doors, and will also be getting the LS + transmission that was originally planned for this XJ.

I also still have the Chrysler 8.25 axle + Dana 30 from this XJ so I’ll plan on rebuilding them and eventually installing them into my other XJ.

What’s Next

As of right now I have no major plans. I need to get caught up on the backlog of maintenance / projects that I haven’t been able to do due to a lack of space in the shop and once that’s all finished up I’ll figure out my next plans.

I’d like to spend more time doing fabrication / machining with my future projects but it’s too early to say what.