97 Bright Jade Re-Build
 

A couple months ago I bought an already built 97 XJ. It looks like a solid build so far but I would like to correct/change quite a few items. Here is what I know it has:

35" Tires
3.55 Gears
Core Long Arm Kit
Currie HD Steering
Lunchbox Lockers Front and Rear
Cut Fenders Front and Rear
Rubicon Express Springs and Shocks
Chrysler 8.25 Rear Axle
CB Radio
Custom Front and Rear Bumpers
No front swaybar...

What I'm not sure of:
-Type of Lockers Installed (Front looked like a lockright judging by the lettering on the locker) but not 100% certain
-Amount of lift (I was told 4.5 but when I measured it looks closer to 6")
-Possible Steering Box Upgrade ( I was told a PSC steering box was put in but I'm not sure how to verify this, it looks stock to me but I am wrong a lot, so hopefully someone can verify through my pics which are coming shortly)

What My Goal Is:
For now I have a kid on the way and my wife has a Honda civic, I live in between Portland OR and Mt Hood so we get a lot of rain and a little snow. I want my wife to be comfortable driving my Jeep when weather conditions are too much for a Honda civic. I also like to go to the mountains and play in the snow so I would like it to be snow ready. So...

-Sell 35's
-Buy 33's
-4.11 Gears
-Bye Bye lunchbox lockers
- Hello selectable locker(advise on front or rear first would be appreciated)
-SYE/Rear Driveshaft
- New interior that doesn't smell like its 20 years old
- Roof rack
- New Front Bumper w/winch

That's a good start to my current build and where I would like it to end up, I will upload pics in a little.

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...20c58d33ad.jpg

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...137a31f49a.jpg

Rear Axle

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...5821821276.jpg

Front End

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...cd01b3bf13.jpg

As you can see the sway bar mounts have been cut off, so that will be a fun fix...

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...b717f0f3a5.jpg

This is the steering box, can anyone tell if that is stock or aftermarket?...I dont know anything about steering boxes..but im sure I will learn about them real quick with this project.

How does it drive with the stock gearing and 35's with no front sway bar? Seems like a good start to turn it into your own. I could do without my rear but when I had no front I felt like I was going to flip every turn I took. Also, it's been a while since I balanced tires but that looks like way too many sticky weights on that wheel, however I may be wrong. Do you know if you have a transfer case drop or a true slip yoke eliminator?

Good luck and it looks nice! Some TLC and she'll be ready to go!

It’s pretty underpowered with stock gears and body rolls pretty drastically around corners. I don’t have a slip yoke eliminator or a transfer case drop. No vibrations at all though.