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98 XJ Build - Long Island

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Old 10-24-2012, 08:24 PM
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Default 98 XJ Build - Long Island

Well I have done a lot to this truck lately and I figured instead of making individual threads for everything I do I'd just make a jeep build thread. Truck is my DD to keep the miles off my 2012 procharged mustang.. but I will be doing a little wheeling with it and just making it a nice reliable DD

Here's how the jeep sat when I bought her.
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lil flexxx on stock suspension
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What I have done so far:
-side molding removal
-plasti dipped grill and wheels and a few emblems
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-Bedlinered front & rear bumpers, also fender flares
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-re-did the sagging headliner in blue & gray camo
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-optima red top battery
-felpro vavle cover gasket
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-oil change & filter
-changed front diff fluid & a pinion seal
-rear diff fluid
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-transfer case fluid
-flushed cool system
-replaced upper & lower radiator hoses also upper and lower heater hoses
-new thermostat
-installed JVC radio
-installed 4 speakers w/ kicker 4 channel amp
-changed fuel pump assembly with a carter
-changed plugs
-greased ball joints and slip yokes
-changed rear o2 sensor
-changed oil pressure sending unit

....jesus didn't realize how much i did until I just made that list lol

a few thing i didnt do becuase they were done before I go thte truck.
-tranny was rebuilt 20k ago so no need for new ATF
-air filter was brand new
-cap, rotor and plug wires were new
-tires brand new
-brakes and rotors brand new.

Current list of things to do includes..
-Install 10" RE audio sub w kicker mono amp in a custom box
-Install Rough country extended rear shackles to help the rear a little... (its sagging, this is a temp fix)
-change ignition coil, truck has a slight rough idle and this is the most suspect-able item to change.
-change front axle seals, have a slight seepage on the passenger side...
-I have a slight leak in my transmission cooling lines where it goes from rubber to metal, need to fix this, tranny fluid level hasn't moved though so I know its a very slow leak. more of a "seepage"

After Christmas list of things to do..
-3 inch lift with full leaf packs since my packs are done. this includes 4 new shocks, front coils and rear leaf packs. Probably will go with rough country or rustys.
-transfer case drop
-new headlights, mine aren't in good shape.
-steering stabalizer? maybe...if my truck is all over after the lift. have a feeling im going to need it.
-have frankie at PCE fix my exhaust from the cat back. The muffler is a little rotted and I need a new hanger in the middle of the exhaust so I'll just have him rip that all out and re-do it in stainless steel.


here is what the truck looks like today
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my latest project has been the sub box for the back. cant wait to have some bass again.
heres to wood all traced out
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here I am putting it together. nail gun, wood glue and caluk are my weapons of choice.
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I was going to do the box in fabric but I said screw it and did a combination of plastidip and bedliner.

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Tomorrow the sub comes and I am going to try and get my RC shackles in to lift the rear up a little. Its funny because my rear leafs are so shot the truck sits high with less then a full tank of gas and then it gets super low when I fill the gas tank up.
Old 10-25-2012, 05:37 PM
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Put the sub in...sound phenomenal.

Old 10-25-2012, 05:53 PM
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Nice work.

I always wondered what those wheels looked like painted black. They look pretty good.
Old 11-02-2012, 02:35 PM
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Bought some pre cut window tint on eBay for like 12 bucks for the front windows on my jeep. The backs are already factory tinted at 20% so I got the same for the fronts. I had my girlfriend do most of the tinting work. But before I let her go at it I took off the door panel and removed the weather striping on the bottom so it was easier to get the tint down there. I then cleaned the window like crazy and used the razor blade technique to get any crap off that the spray and a paper towel didnt. After that we pealed the tint off using lots of soapy water and put it on the soapy window. Positioned it in place and went to town with a card to get all the air and water out. For 12 bucks and about an hour of work they came out great.

Before


During


After
Old 11-10-2012, 03:14 PM
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Lifted my rear by 2" today on the truck since with the sub and a full tank of gas it sits really low. Used extended shackels for now.. I'll be getting new leafs around Christmas time that I can use with the shakels for more lift. Looking at like a 2"-3" over stock all together by the end of the winter.

Here's the shackels


Before

After



Also did new headlights , a fan belt and changed my power steering fluid ...all while I'm sick as a dog. I haven't had a day off in a long time so I need to take advantage of that plus its decently warm out.
Old 11-10-2012, 06:09 PM
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Nice looking jeep, bud. Good color. Wouldn't mind seeing a shot of that Stang, either.
Old 11-10-2012, 06:32 PM
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looks great! love the color too
Old 11-10-2012, 06:47 PM
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Originally Posted by xj wheeler
Nice looking jeep, bud. Good color. Wouldn't mind seeing a shot of that Stang, either.


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Last edited by Bluebyu; 11-10-2012 at 06:52 PM.
Old 11-10-2012, 09:40 PM
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Originally Posted by Bluebyu






Dude, love it! Best way i can put it, that thing is SEXY. Props, bro.
Old 11-10-2012, 09:43 PM
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thanks man. put a lot of time and money into her. now that I drive the jeep every day, when i drive the stang like once a week i nearly crap my self with the power haha. Shes away for the winter now in a garage. The jeep mod bug has bitten though haha
Old 11-10-2012, 11:50 PM
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Oh yeah, these things can be very addictive. That 3" is gonna look good. Cool color you have too, blue just fits.
Old 11-30-2012, 09:40 PM
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So yesterday I got a new muffler put on the truck. I had a two hangers that also broke which were fixed. The new muffler is actually a resonator off of a new challenger (thats what my exhaust guy said) But yeah, the truck sounds sweet. Its slightly louder then the stock exhaust but enough to just hear it and not annoy you. I love it. I'll have to get a little sound clip up soon.

I also fixed a small leak I had on the transmission cooling line. I cut the metal pipe, flared the tip, put the hose back over it and secured it with two clamps. No leaks is a beautiful thing.

Today I installed a RC steering stabilizer i picked up on cyber monday. My stock one felt non existent and sure enough when I took it out, it was so shot I could compress it with two fingers and minimal pressure. The new stabilizer feels so much better, I feel like the truck actually want to stay in a lane now and not wander all over the place lol



Tomorrow I plan on trimming the lower part of my front bumper, my truck doesnt have fog lights anyways so screw it.

I know for chrismas im getting a nice slew of parts for the truck which include.
-Rusty's 3inch lift w/ full leafs
-Tow hooks
-Cragar Soft 8's with 4" backspacing
-track bar
- and maybe some lights for the bumper, not sure if I want them though, I like the clean look

stay tuned for more pics
Old 11-30-2012, 09:45 PM
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where abouts in long island are you? my gf lives in melverne. im hoping by this summer my xj will be able to make the trip so i can wheel it, till then the stock zj shall do the trick.
Old 11-30-2012, 10:09 PM
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im all over, but anywhere from Bethpage (my house) to Manorville (girlfriends house) haha
Old 12-01-2012, 12:42 PM
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Nice work. I live in eastport I'll keep an eye out for ya.
Here's my truck hope to be lifted soon.


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