95 2 Door 5 Speed aka "The Ol' Jeep"
 

Well here goes...
I've been on here for awhile but haven't ever posted so I figured I would start a build thread. Keep in mind I'm a broke college kid so this might be a long drawn out build. First things first a little introduction.

"The Ol' Jeep"
1995 2 Door XJ
4.0L HO with AX-15 five speed
Dana 30/Chrysler 8.25
2" Budget Boost
215/85R15 (30x8.50) TSL Swampers

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...29eb507f71.jpg

The Plan
2.5-3" lift with 32" or 33" tires
Dana 44 rear axle(in progress)
Frame Stiffeners
and whatever else I can think of during the build.

I am going to do my best to keep this updated with lots of pictures for my reference but we will see. I am not the best at documenting my progress.

Hey good morning and welcome to the club!! I see you want to run 2.5"-3" lift with 32 or 33" tires. If I can suggest one thing unless you have a certain purpose in mind like a LCOG look then I would say you should go 4.5" lift with 33" tires. Maybe even with the 32" tires. However; I do run 32"x11.50x15 on mine now and it is a Rancho 3" lift I suspect from previous owner. Fenders were cut slightly and has fender flares. Does not appear to rub but when I flex the suspension out and do some rock climbing even if it is smaller rocks I expect it will rub.

I know your on a budget but like many will tell you here that it is best to just go bigger than to spend money on that smaller one now but find yourself upgrading not long after. You will get sucked into the hype trust me and I would just say if you can wait a little longer and save a little more then to just go 4.5". You can always instead of doing it with a complete kit, piece it together with varied suspension parts from your local JY. Or find a used kit that is in your budget vice brand new.

You got options but again those are based on how fat your wallet is.

Aside from that your XJ looks great and I look forward to reading more about this build!

I say this because I was thinking of doing the same as you, I'm married with 4 kids and on one income in the house does not leave me much to play with. My pay in the Navy is decent but far from great! That and I have been putting together my Rubicon Express 4.5" lift over the past couple months. I'm almost done piecing it together so once I do I will be much happier with that than a 3" or existing lift and wishing I had more. I'm going to stick with 33" tires too and hope to put new sneakers on mine at the end of the month.

Thank you and a low COG is exactly what I am going for. Even though I am on a budget I do still plan to do everything right the first time which might take a little while. Fender trimming, proper bumpstops, shocks, etc are definitely in the plan.

History
 

Before I start adding stuff, I'll give a little background.

I bought the jeep in August of 2015 as my first vehicle, and when I bought it it had a 3" lift with spacers in the front and blocks in the back and worn out 31" Goodyear ATs. Boy did that thing death wobble!! (Sorry no pics of the day I brought it home) First thing I did was put a new set of shoes on it 235/75R15 Goodyear Wranglers, and that helped the DW a lot but it didn't get rid of it totally.

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...252b5f96c7.jpg

235s and a 3 inch lift after a long day scouting ducks.

Since then I have done a lot of piddly thing just to keep it going a long with some minor upgrades and mods.
These include:
V8 ZJ steering
fixed rusty floor pans
Carpet removal and monstaliner floor pans
Doorless mod
Interior fishing rod rack
auxilary electric fan switch
custom front bumper(still incomplete)
Magnaflow and 2 1/2 in exhaust
plus some other items I'm sure I'm forgetting.

I am currently in the process of rebuilding a XJ D44 out of a '87 wagoneer.
(Waiting to get it back from the sand blaster)
but once I get it back I'll post some pics then next on the list is a complete regear/rebuild of the front D30.

Well that's a nice history and thanks for sharing. Did you buy the XJ or family inheritance? Sorry didn't see if you mentioned that yet.

Well the axles are going to be what will cost ya so I guess getting those out the way now is better. You plan to put lockers in them?

I bought the the jeep with help from my dad(I payed him back periodically) off a mechanic at the local honda dealership. And yes the rear will have an Eaton Trutrac and I'm going to leave the front open just because I don't do a lot of hardcore off roading it is more of a hunting/camping rig and because it is not in the funds.

That's awesome and off to a great start!

Well I got some parts in the mail yesterday, a master install kit and a Trutrac for my D44 from East Coast Gear Supply. They really have some great customer service. I'm still waiting on my axle housing to get blasted so I am at a stand still with the project until I get it back. I decided to make some high clearance shock mounts while I am waiting(I'll post pics once they are done).

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...9c8b2c3de4.jpg

Eaton Trutrac

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...991a55638b.jpg

Master install kit with Koyo bearings

That's going to be nice having a D44 under that rig. Getting it sand blasted? Why not just wire brush it and repaint? Unless you got the hook up then I dont blame you.

I know a guy at one of the local machine shops so he is doing it for me cheap.

Just got word from the sand blaster that the axle housing is done and ready for pick up. I am going to get it this afternoon after I get out of class and prime it tonight. Then hopefully we'll get it to the mechanic so he can set up the gears and we will be off and rolling!!:head: I will make sure and post pics once I get it back and of the reassembly.

I got the axle back this afternoon with intentions of priming it then sending it off to get the gears set up but it got really cold and I was worried the primer would take forever to dry, but its supposed to be 60 tomorrow so I'll get 'er primed and ready to go.
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...8d91d4a2d1.jpg

Got it primed this afternoon.
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...0f6b218ddd.jpg

Off to a great start. East Coast is great to work with. I took the carrier from my 89 and my 99 down to them and had them swap the locker, and also picked up a set of lower control arm mounts. They are super nice. Luckily for me, they are right down the road from my shop. They even threw in a few stickers and a tshirt