The parts are coming in thick and fast. CB radios, antenna's, engine watchdogs, rear disc brake parts etc... I am going to have my work cut out for me when i jump back on this project.
There are some relatively large jobs like rebuilding the transfer case that i will be undertaking as well as some fiddly ones like getting the new larger alternator to fit.
But you also have to have some fun projects as well. I was looking on Go Jeeps website about fitting a factory clock. While doing some research, i came across the amazing (for its time) Systems Sentry. Its what the original blank space in our XJ's was supposed to have. Pic below of the 1985 Wagoneer limited fitted with the optional System Sentry...
I decided i would go retro, and rather than just have the clock, i would fit the whole System Sentry. This can be as easy or as hard as you want to make it. The original system, that by the way caused all sorts of headaches for dealers, has a bunch of sensors and a computer connected to it to read all the various fluid levels (even diffs and transfer cases).
I have opted to fit the system without the sensors as the 85-86 XJ that they came out in had different engines and components anyway, so it would be a major feat to adapt everything to work. Pic below of the System Sentry panel.
What i have decided to do, is get the clock and all the lights working as a fun retro conversation piece. The radio is easy following Go-Jeeps tutorial. The lights on the Sentry took a bit more thought.
The Sentry has about 12 check lights. Most are red fault lights and one is a green "All Systems Normal" light.
I am using two programmable delay relays to wire up the lights. All the red check lights will come on with the ignition for 10 seconds and then go out. The green all systems normal light will then come on and remain lit. The clock will also come on at ignition on (it is wired so that the clock display is off, but memory is on while ignition is off).
Below is a pic of the cheap programmable relays..
The whole job will take a bit of mucking around, but it was a factory option and a factory fit (for LHD cars), so will need a bit of modding. Should also be a fun little project and still add a functional clock and some blinging lights.
The System Sentry was a factory option that is quite rare and would of cost a fortune. It even has sensors in the brake pads. The panel is not easy to come by, so i had to email a few large wrecking yards in America to find one.. and even then it wasnt cheap. It will probably work out to be the most expensive XJ clock in Oz... and perhaps the rarest.
Cheers,
