cliffdiver96

Think its about time to make a build thread-its a slow build because im in the process of building a turbo 2.3 foxbody and 98 Ls1 camaro.

Picked up this bone stock 96 XJ with 111,000 miles on it for $2,600 a couple years ago. 4.0, AW4, power everything, a/c, one of the 4 speakers worked, and i want to say the wheels are off a 97 wrangler sahara edition?



Plans for the XJ include
Rough Country 3in Series II lift
Low Cog set up
Winch
Skid plates
Kc/LED lights
33's
Tire carrier
Snorkel
Disc brakes on all corners
8.8 swap
etc etc

Drove it home and then found out the 4H didnt work at all-just needed a linkage adjusted thankfully.
Plasti-dipped the wheels black and got the windows tinted



From there it was time to address the stereo situation, I called up Crutchfield and ordered a JVC head unit, 4 kicker speakers, a 10in Kicker Comp sub, Sealed sub box, Sony 1,100watt amp, and wire kit...sounds a million times better-deffinately going to lose some hearing haha.

The tires that were on it had seen better days and had a bunch of broken belts, soo i bought some 235/75/15 Firestone Destination MTs-wanted to go bigger but didnt have money for a lift at the time...doh!!!

Took off the front fender flares and did a little trimming, now just need to find the guts to do the rears haha.

cliffdiver96

Picked up a Spectra cowl intake for a little more pep-link below

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/sp...view/make/jeep

Safety first!! (Yes there was alcohol involved)



Loved the intake but it was real loud inside the jeep-sounded like darth vader was sitting inside the glove box-no joke. I thought it sounded cool but most dates didn't appreciate it as much as i did Well it worked great up untill we had one of our new england snow storms and the cowl panel iced over-no airflow soo it choked the motor down-wouldnt rev passed 2k.

Came up with the idea of making it into a Hummer style snorkel, so I picked up a 90* 3in aluminum elbow, a 4in PVC cap, some screws, and an extension-so it would clear the windshield wiper.





Still needs to be trimmed down a bit but you get the idea





The mini snorkel drastically quieted down interior noise and fixed the icing problem.

Also scored a free pair of Flowmaster 40 mufflers from a buddy with a mustang upgrading to spintechs. One went on the jeep, nice and deep sounding now.

cliffdiver96

So i stumbled across a front and rear bumper on craigslist for $350 and couldn't pass them up, seeing how my rear bumper is rusting out and front one has a nice big dent in it.

The rear coming off was a little challenging-every bolt was misformed and rusted-no threads left either.





And shes finally off



New Bumper is bedlined, with some powder coated D-links and some grade 8 hardware to go with it,...disregard all the firewood





Here's a pic of the front but I already sold it-(still have my eyes set on a winch bumper)

cliffdiver96

Went wheeling at a buddies lake house-they drain the lake half way down soo we got to play in the sand/water







Well when i got hung up i bent the transfercase linkage again and decided it was finally time for that lift

This was also a little motivation-my buddies F350 lifted 10inches, on 37in tires haha


At last shes finally lifted and has the use of 4wd again



Now all i need is some 33's!!!

cliffdiver96

Found an awesome deal on some 35x12.5x15 Mickey Thompson Baja MTZ's on some Crager D-windows!! Going to post pics tomorrow

cliffdiver96

RC 3in lift on 35x12.5, 15x10in cragers with a 4in back spacing



Stock tires compared to the new ones



With alott more cutting and massaging with a 5lb sledge hammer them no longer rub

cliffdiver96

Tested out the new tires today, they are worth their weight in gold. Didnt get stuck once. Going to order up some shackles and relocation brackets, along with some quick disconnects for the front-almost rolled it because the front didnt flex haha.

jesse12296

Sick Jeep Dude..Kinda Looks like mine, without the intake thing

cliffdiver96

Thanks

Unfortunately it just just hit by a drunk driver last night, he was driving a bmw doing about 45mph. Hit it right on the drivers door, bent the sub frame in and pushed it up over the curb. A pillar is bent in and the windshield is cracked.

98xjred

What now? New jeep?

jesse12296

Dude sorry to hear about your jeep. Theres so many selling cheap jeeps in my area. I couldn't imagine what I'd do if my jeep got hot!

cleenrob

Awww man your build was just getting good to

94XjSport94

Dang sorry to hear. Part it out!

cliffdiver96

Thanks guys, Im looking for a clean rust free, low mile xj on craigslist now. Found a few possibilities but it really comes down to what insurance is going to give me for it.

Im taking off the new tires and wheels and putting the old ones back on before insurance takes it.

Ill keep you guys posted though

cleenrob

Take the lift too