Hey guys, new to the site here. I recently moved to Portland, OR. I've had a 1997 2 door XJ for about 4 years, and just bought a 97 4 door XJ. My 4 door is my daily driver and I want to build up my 2 door. It needs a ton of work and I'm wondering what shops around here are good for it. I live in an apartment and don't have a garage or many tools so I'm limited in what I can do myself. I want to make it into a good mountain/overlanding rig. I don't wheel but I do want the capabilities to go just about anywhere. Right now at a minimum it needs a new exhaust manifold and the whole exhaust system redone, my lift (no idea the brand it was there when I got it) needs to be replaced I think. Mechanic looked it and said it's missing some pieces. There's a knock in the motor so I'd like to eventually rebuild the engine, and then put some extras on it like a winch, brush guards, safari rack, lights, etc. I've been kicking around the idea of chopping the back off and making it into a pickup bed but I don't even know where to start with that. Any and all ideas and suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Newbie
There's a jeep place in northeast Portland where you can find a lot of parts, possibly a motor. Can't remember the name off the top of my head. I'm sure they would have some leads as to a "jeep shop"
Junior Member
Hey bro, My family and I are moving out there in March, I've got a 99XJ. You should make contact with Brandon Collins, goes by the screen name "odgreen" on this forum, heard a lot of good things. I also heard that it's some pretty awesome 4 wheeling too, can't wait!
CF Veteran
I'm the guy he is talking about. Lol I'm down in Salem. Currently building my 89. It's on tons and 40s.
Junior Member
just finishing swapping in an 8.8 w 410s & LSD, rebuilt the front 30HP, installed all new bearings & G2 411s, Bilstien 5100s all 4 corners, RC LACAs, RE 4.5" coils w/ 4.5" leafs in rear, MJ shackles in the rear give an extra 3/4", got a warn 9000xDi w quick disconnect for front or rear (not sure if I just want to mount it permanently to the front, or add a receiver to the front for both front & rear usage)
Junior Member
The front axle must be a PITA to weld up! I can't wait to move out there, your gonna have to show us some of the cool spots to go, just hope my rig can hang!
CF Veteran
We will go to browns camp. We go big when we go. If you accepted my friends request on fb look at my photo album's. Plenty of wheeling pics. And welding is what I do. It's all fun to me