drhoward1988

So after many nights of thinking about how I wanted to go about this build I think i have it down. First a little background on me and the Jeep.
I'm 25, engaged with one little girl and little boy on the way (mid march). My Jeep is a 1987 Laredo 4.0 Auto 236k. It had no-name front lift springs (2" from what I measured) and some worn 31x10.5's (three MT and one AT). Traded a 1993 Honda del sol and got $1000 cash in my hand for the jeep.
I was looking for something My family could enjoy with me, as we love the outdoors. The jeep seemed like the right direction. Anyways, onto the build.
So for now this is my DD so im more or less fixing whats broke and buying what i can find when its cheap. I dont really wheel very hard, mainly off road trails, very few rocks. I'm not really looking to build an all out rock crawler. I'll be posting pics as I complete different projects.

Things I have done,
-New Shocks (Pro Comp ES3000)
-New tie rod/drag link
-new steering stabilizer (pro comp ES2000)
-rear lift shackles (no name auto zone drop shackles)
-trans flush/fitler
-new tstat/system flush (mopar)
-replaced factory fogs with aftermarket (wallyworld special)
-new upper/lower ball joints
-97+ mirrors
-Complete brake flush
-New plugs/Wires
-4.5" RE Coils
-RE Adj. Track bar
-Longer LCA's
-F350 sway bar end links
-15x8 3.25BS With 32x11.5 Mastercraft Courser MXT's
-91+oil adapter swap

Right now im sitting at 4.5" up front and 2.5" in the rear. Still need to put my rear leafs on. Debating running relocation brackets.

Future Plans
-Complete motor/trans/TC swap (got a 347 stroker sitting in a corner)
-1 ton axles with 5.13's and Air Lockers
-Hydro steering
-half Interior cage
-custom bumpers w/ winch
-paint factory silver w/ bedliner rockers
-roof tack
-convert to full coilover setup with around 6.5" lift
-35" tires

At the point I start my full build the Jeep will become a trailer queen.

Here she is the day I got her:

drhoward1988

She had major death wobble over 35MPH So it was first on my list, also flushed the trans and did a new trans filter. I believe my death wobble came from a blown steering stabilzer and worn tie rod ends.

drhoward1988

Had A few blown shocks so time to replace, also did some rear lift shackles

drhoward1988

Got rid of the broken fog lights, only one pic but if anyone wants to know details let me know. They are wired into a separate Relay and tied into the factory switch. can be powered on anytime and will cut off with the vehicle. Also installed new mirrors as mine where kaput!! they are 97+ manual mirrors and had them sprayed with UV bed-liner spray

drhoward1988

First time flexing the jeep, im keeping my swaybars as saftey is first and formost to me.

noobxj

Looks good so far. I'm looking at buying my first xj soon (as soon as I find one I like) and from the sounds of it will be a very similar build to yours. Keep it up and keep us posted.

drhoward1988

thanks, its a slow work in progress. Im waiting for some parts now, trying to get all the leaks sorted. In the next few weeks Ill have posts/pics of replacing all the seals in the tc case, changing the oil filter house to a 91+, new front and rear crank seal and new oil pan gasket.

JeepaholicNinja

Nice start! I like that you have safety as a priority, especially with kids.

drhoward1988

Thanks and yes safety is a major factor with my build. Family first

drhoward1988

**UPDATE** Still waiting on a few parts to get here, hopfully i can get started this weekend. Here is a pic of a few goodies for the jeep

drhoward1988

So i have a question for the wise. I have a HO head from a 95 i plan on swapping in. im keeping the renix intake but i need to replace my renix manifold due to it being cracked. My question pertains to the fitment of a newer header (91+). Will it bolt in or will i need to modify anything in the exhaust? Thanks

drhoward1988

So a little progress today. Got the oil filter adapter done, dont know if i like it though, its somewhat of a pita to get a filter on/off due to lack of clearance. Also put the site stickers on, finally reppin CF. Wheels/tires/lift should be done by the end of next weekend if all goes to plan.

drhoward1988

A few more parts in today. Also got some lovely news from my mechanic. Apparently my timing chain was so loose it rubbed a whole in the cover and damaged the harmonic balancer. Dodged a bullet on it. Glad i decided to be lazy and outsource the pan gasket and front and rear crank seals. My tires will be installed friday. Hopfully the rest of my lift components will be in by the weeks end.

drhoward1988

New shoes today. Really need my track bar in so i can lift it. Wheels are 15x8 with 3.25 BS. Scrubs fenders near full lock up front.

drhoward1988

A few more pics