Just finished a 2" lift on my formerly bone stock 97 2WD SE. I have owned the car for 20 years and now has 180k on it and rarely drive anymore it but its always been a great spare vehicle. Decide to do some upgrades even though everything was still in very good shape. Zero rust on this Florida XJ made disassembly pretty easy. It now has a Rustys 2" add a leaf kit installed with new shocks and coils. Core 4x4 adjustable upper and lower arms and adjustable track bar with mount. Rustys Steering conversion.. Rear axle has a powertrax locker and stock 3.55 gears.New rear shackles and shock pin eliminators from Iron Rock. Added factory style trans cooler and changed the AW4 filter along with new fluid. New complete exhaust from BRE which is the headpipe and tailpipe and a Dynomax muffler. The cat is still there but I hollowed it out along time ago when the catalyst crumbled from age. New firestone AT2 tires on 15 x 7 Weld draglites I had laying around from my 2 drag cars. Also has a custom 3" steel driveshaft from PST. Future plans include a stroker 4.0 and a 999 trans swap when the AW4 dies which could be a long way off. Here is a couple pics next to my 71 AMC Matador drag car

 

Nice upgrade on the XJ.. Looks to be in great shape as noted... I haven't seen a matador around here in a long time...The hood reminds me of AMC's rebel "the machine" hood...

 

Thanks Corky. It was a few weekends worth of work but the Jeep handles really nice now with all new suspension components. BTW that is a Rebel Machine scoop on the Matador and it has a Rebel machine interior along with a tunnel ram 401 and full manual 727 trans. Ive got a 79 AMX drag car as well and have been an AMC/Jeep guy for many years

 

Nice 2 door! Fellow Florida XJ owner myself. These Florida jeeps sure are easy to work on.