Hey all! I've been a lurker for like literally the last 10 years on researching and getting ideas of XJ stuff to do, but I've owned my first and probably not last XJ for about a year now and figured I might as well introduce it to y'all! It started out as a STUPID clean rust free 2wd XJ that I got for cheap from a family friend that has owned it since new here in NC. It had "overheating" problems and after my dad diagnosed the jeep, who has 30 years of mechanic trade knowledge under his belt, he replaced the thermostat and the jeep ran great! The previous owner had the radiator replaced and other stuff done to it and nothing fixed it and just didn't want to put more money into it especially since his youngest was planning to get rid of it for a newer car in the following year or so.

Its been a great jeep for me and I've learned so much from it doing basically everything to it from a simple LED upgrade for basically every single light to completely converting it to 4wd! I originally wanted to do a small lift and tires and get a feel for it offroad and then once I saved up enough money, take the plunge and convert to long arms with 35s, but everytime I take it offroad, I get more compliments on it than I could even imagine from a "stock" XJ. It currently sits on factory suspension with a 1.75" spacer with factory spring isolator removed, adjustable track bar, sway bar quick disconnects and factory control arms in the front and original and "worn out" leafs and shackles in the rear with a shackle relocation kit. That's all that I've done lift wise, and I went with a set of 235X75R15 Thunderer Trac Grip M/T for when I take it offroad and a set of 225X75R16 GT Radial Savero HT2 on the factory Freedom rims for daily driving. I have also tracked down a set of factory gas tank skid plate, tow hitch and transfer case skid plate. I absolutely demolished my factory crossmember the second time I took it "rock crawling" and needed to find another one to reinforce so that it doesn't happen again and that's how I came across the tcase skid at the local Pull-A-Part. I also have a spartan locker in the Chrysler 8.25 in the rear and plan to add an OX Locker or something that's selectable for the front. And last, but my MOST favorite modification is making a trailer hitch flag pole mount and I almost never go anywhere without it on now haha!

This jeep amazes me everytime I take it out and I love how clean it still looks, but I keep tossing the idea of selling it and getting a TJ or something so that I don't have to worry about taking it through something too crazy and end up turning it into a real sh*tbox that doesn't look nice and clean anymore. But then everytime I think about how much farther this jeep can go than you expect it to, it makes me want to keep it forever and ever! Currently on the plans to do for this jeep is to get a selectable locker installed as there are no selectable hubs that were available for this Dana 30 from factory and to fab into the rockers a set of boat sides, probably go with like a set of 2x6 steel so that it sticks out some to offer additional protection for the doors and help stiffen up the body some as well. Thanks to all those that have provided info on this forum and other jeep forums that have given me some great knowledge and info about XJs and anything to look out for!

 

Here's also a picture of the original advertisement photo of the 60th Anniversary XJs and another shot of my jeep flexing out.

 

Beautiful jeep! Silver and an anniversary edition, great combo. Can't wait to see what you have planned.

 

Nice! I had an '01 Sport Edition in Chilli Pepper Red and wanted the 60th Anniversary Edition for the body color trim and silver paint... which led me to my 5.9 ZJ. I like the two sets of wheels, it looks good with both.

 

Welcome, This is a fantastic XJ. Can't wait to see what else you do with it.