96CheepXJ

Alright so here it goes. My friends mom had this 96 xj sitting in her drive for about a year. In her mind she figured it was totaled due to some front end damage. She also said that someone came by and looked at it for her. He said the front axle was bent, spider gears broken, and was only worth scrap price. She then decided to scrap it. I couldnt let this happen and picked it up for $150. Jumped it and drove it home. Needless to say who ever looked at it for her was either crazy or tryin to cheat her.

As I bought it.


Found a fender at the salvage yard for $50

Header panel was cracked. A buddy gave me access to anything I wanted from his parts xj so i got a new one, along with a different bumper.

Lower control arm and mount were toast


New mount fabed up and spaced.

Out with the old and in with the new.


RC 3" lift with ES1000 shocks (i know not the best setup, but all i can afford.)


Rear aal

upper shock bolts broke off in the threads so we just made a new one.


Finally we mounted some 31's. We did this right where it sat with a hi-lift, 2x4, lube, and a 73 bronco. Took less than 2 hours.




Let me know what you think or if you have any suggestions or questions.

xjmuddigger

looks good

black_771

I'm really glad you cheated her instead of that other guy.

JK,...

Looks like you got a nice deal and appear to have good fab skills. Gotta love a fun hobby with such a cheap entry point.

96CheepXJ

Well she was dead set on the scrap yard. I actually offered her more, but she wouldn't let me give any more than $150.

MiNi

thats a badass bronco! more pics!

black_771

I'd play all "high and mighty" but if lucky enough to be in the same situation, I probably do the same. Congrats.

96CheepXJ

Here ya go

xjmuddigger

nice bronco!

KotaKid287

Lovin the Bronc! And sweet deal on the XJ too! I like the creative fix for the rear shock problem also, I'm gonna have to do something just like that to mine.

96CheepXJ

Thanks. On the other side we soaked it in kb88 just like the other, but then i hit it with the propane torch for a few seconds and both of them came out without breaking.

96CheepXJ

That is my buddy's. Its his pride and joy. Just so you have some perspective of how far its come this is what it started out as.

SGT ABN XJ

Niiiiiiiice deal and I second the great fab skills..Bronco is done up very nice too..

KotaKid287

Yea, I'm swapping my rear end right now and all 4 of mine snapped off even with a little heat. Oh well, I got a welder, I can fix it lol.

96CheepXJ

that shock mount took all of 15 min to make. MUCH easier to swap shocks as well

96CheepXJ

Finally got to take it out to see how it flexed. Found a nice creek bed at a friends to play in.





Not too bad. Actually didnt rub much at all at full flex. Also since i dont plan on using it as a dd i have taken both the front and rear sway bars off.