i dont get wtf it matters to you?

 

any pics of it?

 

Honestly, it really doesn't. Its your time, money, energy, and truck to waste away on.

However, this is an internet forum. You posted a thread, you should expect to get questions and answers you may not like.

So let me clarify why I asked. This is alot of work. I just want to know what purpose it all serves.

If you are doing this to learn, I can understand. If you have nothing better to do, and have parts just sitting around, I can understand.

But since you are being a dick about it, I now care even less.

I was just bringing up a simple point, and it is a very valid one.

 

I have a bunch of parts from my other jeeps laying around. the only reason i bought this one was because it was 1500$ for a 97 in mint condition with no rust. so i bought it and i was planning on doing a 4x4 swap but havnt decided. just want a lift for now but im not going to spen 300-700$ on something that wont be abused like it should, so since i have these parts laying around why not use them. sorry for being a dick but there are alot of ppl on here that just talk **** for no apparent reason

 

See, now that I can understand. If you've got the parts just sitting around and have nothing else to work on for a project, that makes sense.

I'm just the kind of guy who doesn't wanna do work unless its needed, especially if its gonna cost money.

I wasn't trying to talk trash, I was genuinely curious. But its really easy to lose tone/inflection via text, so I suppose it could have been taken wrong.

Won't you have to redo the entire front end if you do the 4x4 swap? Seems like you are creating more work for yourself.

 

ive got a bunch of friends with axles and crap layin around. id need a tcase,trans,2 driveshafts, front axle. work yes money yes. i may just lock the rear and see how far that gets me lol

 

What part of Chicago are you in?

 

right next to ohare air port

 

Dang, thats not far at all. Maybe 45 minutes.

 

Ya I grew up in round lake il so I know the area up there very well

 

check my thread. it's called project: cheap *** ride (budget build)

 

Sorry i dont have any pics of my cheap lift, I know there are several others around here running about the same set-up, just search

I converted my 2wd 2dr to 4x4. It wasnt hard at all and i bought a 2wd for similar reasons, no rust, ran great and a 5sp!!!! You have to swap trans, add a tcase and in my situation i had to swap both axles to get matching gear ratio's. If i had to do it again, i would do it the same

 

You wouldn't start with a 4wd truck?

 

$500 2wd + $300 parts jeep + ~$500 for replacement parts - ~$300 from selling parts of part jeep = ~$1000 jeep with new clutch, alt, battery, rad, water pump, front fascia etc. PLUS now i know the ins and outs of my jeep and its a 5sp XJ.

If you point me in a direction where i can find a 4x4 jeep with all those new parts, with no rust or major body damage and for $1k, I'll take my words back and would start over with a 4x4 XJ. Converting a 2wd can be cheaper if you can find the deals, I was lucky cause the PO didnt want to pay a shop $1500 to figure out his clutch problem so i bought it and fixed it in a weekend for the cost of beer and food for my buddies that helped me.

 

Thats the thing, finding the "deals."

But if you take the time to find the "deal" you should be able to find a "deal" on a good 4wd truck that you don't have to put as much work into.

I paid $900 for my truck, and it needed floors that came with the truck. Not to mention the ARB airlocker system in the rear that is worth what I paid for the entire truck. Oh, and the floors were the only rust/damage on the whole truck, save a few normal, expected surface rust spots that were taken care of with some light sanding.

I also got a 2nd complete set of rims with mud terrain tires, although they were pretty bald. American racing 15x8s in mint condition, not knock offs.

It took me just over an hour to fix the passanger side, it'll take less for the driver's side.

With all the time you put into selling and fixing and swapping, I'd think you brought that bill waaaaay over a grand...depending on how much you think your own work is worth, I guess.

I'm not trying to beat on you, I'm just saying it is indeed possible to have nice things without lots of work and lots of money.

I probably could have paid less for this truck, too, if I hadn't been so amped to get it, and if I'd taken the time to learn a bit more about XJs.