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Hello all, Here is the start of my XJ build. I have been meaning to do this for awhile and now on a snowy Sunday afternoon I have some time to put it together. I have owned the xj for 6 years now, I traded a guy for my 72 Ford bronco rockcrawler and some cash.
Needed a down payment on a house and wasn't using the Bronco enough to justify keeping it around. Growing up and taking responsibility. I had a lot into my bronco and very sad to see it go but it was time to move on. So the start of the black xj project.
The start:
98 Cherokee sport 4.0L, manual trans, stock as can be. This was after I installed the 3 1/2" RE lift.
I had a friend build me a roof rack which has been awesome for camping and hauling things.
The wife after a muddy camping trip.
Some of the small mods that I have done are:
Fog Lights
Headlight harness upgrade
LED interior light upgrade
Here was the most recent mod that I just got installed and running last week.
4.6L stroker build
4.2L crank balanced
4.0L rods
Keith black forged pistons
decked block
head rebuilt with chevy valves and dual springs
Complete balanced with dampner and flywheel
new clutch
68mm throttle body with bored out intake manifold
cold air intake
brown dog motor mounts
head rebuilt with chevy valves and dual springs
exhaust ugraded to 2.5"
Here is a good amount of photos in there.
Here are some pics of the headlight harness I built and it made a ton of difference. I didn't think it would do that much but it is like 100 times better. I recommend it to anyone with an xj. It is night and day difference. Photos of the headlight harness https://plus.google.com/photos/11107...49407409164977
Rear storage box built by Creepy Fabrication on the forum. Freaking awesome idea and very resonable for the price.
Bronco noooooooooooooooooo. That thing was sick man.
Really like that rear storage box
Yeah I was very sad to see it go, I had been building it and driving it for 7 years. It was a fun project and very fun to wheel. Just needed to move on to something more for camping and family.
Hey there, I must subscribe as I have a manual too. and I am kicking around going with 4.56 gears also. Do you have a c.8.25 or a Dana 35? I started out with a 35 but swapped in axles from a auto which helped with the gearing and gain the Chrysler 8.25 axle.
Welcome to the site.
I decided on the the 4.56 gears, will be installing them in a few weeks. Trying to get some funds together to get a selectable locker for the 8.25. Wish there were a few more options but it looks like an ARB is the only one. Not sure if it will happen this summer.
Did a bunch of work over the last week. Started trimming the fenders and installing a front bumper. The bumper i bought off of Craigslist for $80 but it only had the front 3 mounting bolts. So I made some plates to mount it down the frame with grade 8 bolts.
Folded over the front fenders and keep the lip.
I folded over the lip of the fender to help with sturdiness. I still need to flex it out and I hope i won't need to trim any more.
The KM2 are 33x10.50, I like the skinnier tires rather then the wider ones. I think it looks really good with them.
I have the inserted exteders from the RE kit but I will still need to flex it out and see where I'm at.
Last edited by cliffpenick; 03-31-2015 at 04:06 PM.
I agree with the 10.5 width especially if you have a DD. The other reason I want that size is it would be easier on the steering. I am tempted to check out the new BFG's. AT's when my 31's wear out. The Km2's are great off road tires but on the street not so much, especially on ice and snow.
I haven't had the tires in the snow yet but as of a few weeks on them they are great. Way quieter then my dynapro Hankooks. And what tire is good on ice. I think i will get the center lugs siped as many have said that has helped with snow and rain
Installed a fire extinguisher two weeks ago. I couldn't really find a great place for it in the back where it was quick access so I decided to install it on the drivers side door panel and has worked out pretty good. Have to be a little more careful getting out of the Jeep but haven't hit it yet.
Fits nicely right under the seat when the door is closed and seems very secure. I took the door panel off and put a metal plate on the back side for more structure. What do you think?
02-22-2015, 01:11 PM
98 XJ Build
