I bought this 2000 XJ about 3 Months ago. Over that time I have been planing and slowly exicuting a mild build.

Heres where it gets diffrent then most builds. This wont be a rock crawling rig with a set up to crawl anything. I hav a few goals I must meet for this to be a worth rig for me.

Goals:

Ability to idle for extended periods of time with AC on in 120 Degree weather.

Ability to cruise on the freeway at 75-85 with out trying to kill me with death wobble or lack of power.

Be confortable on the free way for log distances.

Ability to carry the girl, two pit bulls and my self with out to much loss of cargo space.

Be a reasonble off road capable rig.

Most of all reliable...

I am sure I will think of more.

Set up when purchesed:

25K miles
Procomp 3" lift
Cruise control
BFG 31 AT's
cheesey Alumn Wheels



First round of mods...
30K miles
Old Man EMU lift 3"
Old Man EMU shocks
Black steel wheels
Fullsize spare (stock location for now)
Sway bar discos
Gas tank skid
front skid
HD steering
DVD, MP3, WMA 7" touch screen( need for long trips)
Removed rear seat bottom.











Hood vents are next...

Hood vent install was less them perfect but the job is done so I am happy.

No write up but I followed XJErics write up.

.





Finished pics coming...

nice... another freedom edition. welcome... nice looking xj there

listen i would start with the cooling system if you want to go on trips and run the ac in 120 degree weather get an aluminum rad make sure your fans are working correct and maybe change the thermostat to a 180 unit. other then that nice start should be a good rig when done. if you want to go on some trails with out some bigger tires and lift might want to do a rear locker

get a CFS 3 row radiator, i put mine in and love it

got it from dpgoffroad.com for 175

very clean

This is its first summer here in AZ so I will see how she works with the stock stuff right now but new cap and thermo is in already...

looks good!

Where did you purchase the OME lift? Local shop? I'm in AZ also. Looks awesome.

Very nice

I got lucky. I went Junkyarding while in Phx and found a rolled cherokee with brand new OME kit on it...

Paid 300 for the full kit. Talked to the guy who owned the jeep and he had put the lift on 2 weeks before he was hit...

nice vents... where did you get them?

vents are just Turbo LeBarron vents. I was unable to find any at junk yards around here so I got them off a guy on NAXJA.

I'm in Phoenix...

I'm running a CFS radiator, NAPA stock temp range replacement thermostat, NAPA replacement fan clutch, NAPA replacement water pump and factory electric fan.
I can sit in grid lock with the a/c on with no issues.
I can go wheeling in the desert with the a/c on and have no issues.
I do not have hood vents, but, will likely add some soon.

I would steer clear of the 160-180 thermostats.
You can spend a bunch on water pumps, fans and radiators if you wish, but it's not required.

For reasonable off-roading in the desert, you will be getting into rocks. There is no getting around it, that's just what the terrain is here.
I strongly suggest you start looking at quality armour to help keep the sheet metal nice.

I will definatly look in to a CFS radiator. Armor is next on the list I seriously try to avoid rock crawling type stuff but I understand what you mean. I am hoping that since the truck has low miles most the stock stuff should be fine.

I have a good lead on a cheap rear tire carrior bumper so that may be the next mod. Then its SYE time...