I figured it was time I started a build thread since im starting to modify the jeep more and I have pictures of most everything ive done.

This is my first jeep and first 4x4, but my dad had 2 xjs, a zj and a wj. my first car was a ford expedition 2wd that was previously my moms I drove that for a few years then bought a bmw 540i.

I did a bit of work to it and it was a fun car, but the maintenance was getting to me. My good friend who also had a few bmw's got a 89 bronco and we started going off road and shooting all the time.

so I sold the bmw and my bike (sv650) to cut down on bills and got this

1996 4.0 aw4 np231 d30 8.25 101k miles 1 owner CA car and 110% stock purchased feb 2012

Here it is right after I left the owners house, getting gas before the 3 hour drive home


Heres my friends bronco another friends frontier and the jeep

I got a free hi-lift and found some u bolts laying around work, mounted it to the factory rails, its really strong and I still have it up there right now but it is a bit of a pain to take off

I took it out a few times on some mild trails to go shooting, it did pretty good stock


stock flex ha


I started doing maintenance right away, I dont have many pictures of that though

first thing I did was the serpentine belt, thermostat and heater control valve.

The jeep would always leave a drop or two of oil over night so I started tracking down that problem, first I did the valve cover gasket, changed the temp sensor for the gauge and changed the oil

I put in some rugged ridge slush mats


The next weekend my buddy and I changed the rear main seal and oil pan gasket, that was not a very fun job but we got it done

 

I wanted a lift from day one, and having to drive 20 miles one way to work I didnt want to go to big so I order a zone offroad 3" aal kit from Allen's offroad a vendor on here. He gave me a great deal. my friend and I put it on the next Saturday. It went pretty smooth we didnt break a single bolt and it only took about 5 hours. I also removed the rear sway bar

front done

after


got 31 10.5 15 falken wildpeaks the next day after work

scored on brand new in box jks quicker discos for $100

that bolt on the axle bracket was a pain to get out, it took some heat and a BFH.

I had some vibes so I put on a rustys tcase drop

my axle was shifted to the drivers side so I got a rubicon express adj track bar


flexed it out at work

 

got a cherokee forum sticker


my friend sold the bronco and got a cherokee!
2000 4.0 aw4 np231 d30 d35
2" rubicon express lift
235 75 15 firestone destination a/ts
full tnt customs frame stiffeners and rock sliders
factory skids
husky liners and seat covers
wheel spaces
gibson exhaust
cb and a few other things





we put a rubicon express 3.5 super ride bilstein 5100's on it and 31" general grabber at2's



now that I had a wheelin buddy we explored some local trails





I installed rubicon express superflex lca's I got from a forum member


also ORW brake lines, front rotots and pads

got some 15x8 4" bs aluminum wheels



put some hella 500ff's on the bumper


still wanting more I did a h4 conversion with IPF housings, eautoworks harness and hella 80/100w bulbs. this set up is extremely bright, its one of my favorite mods

 

got a spare bfg 31" from a forum member and mounted it on one of my old wheels

changed both front and rear diff fluids and added a solid cover to the rear




got tired of the red stripe trim so I pealed it off and used rustoleum spray on bed liner

 

over the summer the temp would creep up when wheeling.
I changed waterpump, thermostat, fan clutch with one from a zj v8 and flushed the coolant.

Changed the tcase fluid, trans fluid and filter and from sway bar bushings

polished the paint, I think this was the last time the paint looked good, I have way to many trail scratches now



got another friend to pick up a cherokee
2001 4.0 aw4 np231 d30 c8.25



went out to a meet up at the beach



went wheelin a few times



need sliders


went on a trip for work to salt lake city, stopped in st george and vegas on the way back


got a performance curve exhaust with flowmaster 40


put on rubicon express upper adj control arms i had sitting around for awhile


changed the oil filter adapter o-rings, that was another fun job.

got a cel for downstream 02 sensor and changed that

got a new bike: triumph street triple R


decided it was time to take off the front flares, I planned on relocating them or getting bushwackers but I actually like it flare less



started hearing a nasty knock from the bottom of the motor, took me a minute to realize it was probably the flex plate, I just hoped it wasnt cracked!

took off the inspection cover the next morning and 3/4 bolts were very loose
I removed all bolts added locktite and put them back in, problem solved!



time to cut and fold the rears
before
after

painted


it didnt come out all that great but i can live with it



poser pic at a construction site


put on a 1.5" spacer and shackle



room for 33's

 

put on a hayden aux trans cooler


changed the plugs, cap, rotor and wires

wired a switch so I could turn on the electric fan

rubicon express steering stabilizer


wheeled it more


trimmed the front fenders



33 12.5 15 BFG AT's!


put some door trim on the front fenders to clean it up


got a JCR front from a local member



painted some d rings red




and that brings us up to date. I have front and rear spartan lockers and 4.56 gears hopefully going on next week.
zj steering and sye this weekend or next.
short term plans are a roof rack and/ or JCR tire carrier. long arms. new lift components. sliders. and skids

I did this pretty fast but let me know what you think

 

Coming along really good. Pretty cool that you've peer pressured your friends into XJ's. Wish my friends would see the light.

 

i got a 96 2 door aswell i have a very similar build, 4.5 and 33's is perfect i can go anywhere i want and flex a lot i got 4.56s and a rockrite but mine is a manual

 

goddayum 2 doors EVERYWHERE FTW.

looks good man.

I have brand new 31's and want brand new 33's

 

wow this is the exact image of my dream cherokee I've built in my mind!!

 

thanks everyone, Im really starting to put more work into it now

both of my friends that bought cherokees have sold them.. one even has a 4runner now..

 

they couldnt hang, WIMPY SOB's

 

did a few things the past few days

got a zj transfer case skid from the junk yard


thats how dirty it was, ive never seen anything that bad before


bad picture but thats it mounted up

brought the xmas tree home


put on the zj tie rod, it makes the stock rod look tiny, id recommend this upgrade to anyone

 

finally got some rain down here



going on monday!

 

Really nice build there sir love the 2 doors!! just wish my friends would fall into the cherokee love like yours did keep up the work!!! subscribed!!