where to start. Im michael and this is my first XJ. ive always wanted one and finally got this 88 5 speed with 180k when i got it on a 3" rancho lift. traded a traded a 02 crf450 for a 97 cadillac sts with damage and then traded that for this.
i got it in march and just started building on it. found out the 4wd doesnt engage. the vacuum line is missing and i dont even know if the vacuum disconnect works.


what she looked like when i first got it

 

Currents mods and upgrades ive down or in the process of.

blacked out the turn signals
BEFORE:


AFTER:


WITH LIGHTS ON:


Then i decided to add a center console since mine didnt have one, so i went to the local u-pull and got one out of an 87 donor xj
Before:


console before i touched it up:


AFTER:

 

Like the build so far!

 

had to touch up the fenders, bumper, axles, and replace the hatch struts since they didnt work before












struts from a late 90's ford expedition hatch

 

thanks! it will be a slow but steady one! currently building a custom roof rack. and gonna be doing the dana 44 axle swap

 

I like lift/tire combo! Have you taken it wheeling yet? How do you like the lift so far?

 

yeah ive taken it, but with the 4wd not working it cant go to many places, and it doesnt have much flex to it. needs longer LCA's.

 

looks really clean! i like it

 

Fixed the 4 wheel drive yesterday, must of came loose from the previous owners. because they hooked the vacuum lines to the axle up wrong. when i took a look at it i flipped it around and got everything working again. it's SO nice to have 4wd again! 2wd is junk haha

 

Decided i needed a roof rack, But didnt want to pay 350-450 for a nice big one. so i came up with the blueprints and set out on the build. its 50" wide X 60" long X 6 1/2" tall. constructed of 1" pvc pipe with 1 1/4" sleeves to give it a nice clean look. has over 300 rivets in it. (all by hand) with over 150 cuts. (wasn't until halfway thru i realized i could cut faster with a skil saw instead of the hacksaw ) for the floor of the the rack i added 3/8" expanded metal to strengthen it up. It's nice and solid up there, i can easily stand or jump on the rack and it wont budge!