JeepXJ98

I've owned about 7 XJ's since I was 16. 4 stock slight mods etc, 1 with the Rustys 8.5 long arm witch I purchased that way. So now came the time I started to build my own. There is nothing better than saying you built that and not somebody else.

I started with a bone stock 98 Jeep cherokee xj sport. I purchased it from an auction because the vehicle was jumped and had bent the front axle. Vehicle cost was $900, and A new axle was $100 from A local junk yard. Once A buddy and I installed my axle and everything worked perfect, The build process was in full force! I ordered the Iron Rock Off Road 8 Inch long arm, upgraded Nitro shocks SYE kit and the Tom Woods drive shaft. It took about 3 weeks to receive my parts, so in the mean time I pulled my front/rear bumpers and painted them to color match like the newer XJs, Also during these three long weeks I ordered my 35" 12.5/15 BF Goodrich KM2's. When everything arrived I started that very day. Used A buddys garage because he has millions of tools and all air!

I started this process with NEVER lifting A Jeep and having no idea believing everything will be labeled and detailed directions. Zero directions in my boxes and all my hardware was mixed in separate bags and nothing was labeled. I did everything alone me and my tools, and believe me nothing went easy. I did the rear first because it was less work and came out great. Took a half day, I started on the front the next morning around noon and about 3 days later at the end of the night it was complete!! Since no hardware was labeled or organized I used most of my stock stuff unless I found something that looked correct using new hardware or it was a must. The only thing I was able to receive help on was bleeding my brakes.

All an all I should have paid the 600 to have it installed but im very happy how it turned out and proud of myself! Iron rock offroad has some great reviews and un believable prices, But their customer service is not the best shipping was a hassle and the quality of this lift just wasnt worth the money. I had to order upgraded steering even tho' their techs said I wouldn't. and my long arms bind against their mounts, And my transfer case bracket bolted to the long arm mounts makes it so I cannot add a front drive line at this point, And their kit should have came with a steering stabilizer. I Had got an alignment because death wobble was scary, and i could not get any wear close to the techs recommended specs.

After all the hardships this jeep looks awesome and I will be ordering another front long arm setup. And soon to have custom front bumper and some sort of recovery. 488 gears , custom rock sliders and over the knuckle steering. let me know what you guys think!!! thanks.

Picture:









Final result!



More pictures soon...

duncan807

sweet man lookes gr8
was it worth it?
and thanks for all the details in ur right up

kellan_musseau

Looks great man! And thats pretty awesome you did everything yourself for the first time. Any future plans? And what rear axle/gearing you running?

Excellent start

clayton3854

thing looks sweet man just like mine but bigger lift and tires. love them white xj's

rweaver138

Looks great.

Pehlke1985

Looks awesome man I just drove up to Iron Rocks shop and bought some 8 inch coils and the leafs Im gonna build my own long arms for them but how do they ride?

JeepXJ98

I upgraded to nitro shocks and there best for street driving and cursing around the setup is great drives better than a stock xj. But I'd stick with a hydro shock just because less resistance towards flex. Btw it has no sway bars and it's sturdy on the freeway overall there leafs and coils are great!

mcguyver_xj

and what happened to your "7" other xj's if you don't mind me asking and nice xj btw...except for the color not a fan of white

oldcolt75

im not tring to be a dick but i think your lower control arms are upside down that may be why they are binding but it does look sweet .. and i just bought the 6th cherokee since i was 19 that makes 1 cherokee per year

JeepXJ98

I bought and sold the other xj's making little if any profit! And I had a company called 4 wheel parts tech look over my jeep when they did my alignment and they said looks like their parts are not perfect in their dimensions. Painting the grill white also will take photos tomorrow!

Pehlke1985

Did you install the add-a-leaf or did they? It should be in the pack not on the bottom like that mine is like the 3rd down from the main.

JeepXJ98

The add a leaf i installed the tech from IRO said thats how it works like a over load spring but also gives me one inch. works fine no problems with it, it is bolted to the leaf pack and also secure by the U bolts. heres a pic with the white grill H4 headlight conversion.

kellan_musseau

i like the white grill..what paint did you use? im considering it for mine

JeepXJ98

I purchased it from oreily autoparts or schucks, its dupli color brand. Color match in A can were you match your paint code. the can looks like a 12oz soda can! pretty good stuff comes in flat, satin, gloss, and also has a clear coat and you cannot tell the diference from oem.

sandaddik2

looks clean.

you had me laughing at the pic with the lift and stock tires