98xjCurbCrawler

I’m new to the forum, and jeeps in general for that matter. I had wanted a Cherokee for a while, and I found just the one I was looking for about 6 months ago. A two door, 4.0L, manual trans, 4x4 XJ, came with a 3.5” lift, for $1400. Had no first gear and a few minor electrical issues. Drove it that way for a while, I’ve made some repairs, and just recently swapped in a junkyard tranny. So its got a fresh start and ready to build. It’s my daily driver, so it probably won’t get to extreme... Maybe, we'll see, I tend to over due things. I want it to be light to medium duty trail ready (able to hunt down the perfect campsite) and look respectable going down the road. I’m a professional welder/fabricator so I will be doing any fabrication myself. Plans include:

• Cut fenders and fender flares
• 33”x12.5”x15” Tires on black steelies
• Possibly a little more lift, we’ll see how she sits
• Geared, possibly with lockers
• Rock rails
• Custom front bumper
• Custom rear bumper
• Custom roof rack w/lights and spare tire mount

Interior:

• Rip out carpet, spray bedliner floor
• (4) bucket seats
• Roll cage with gate block off to back (tired of my dog’s hair all over)

Been tossing around a few other Ideas, might be a few surprises


Should be fun look forward to your input.

98xjCurbCrawler

WOW WTF this didn't post right at all lol

*edit: OK fixed it

4x4cherokeexj

Nice jeep and im sure i saw that on craigslist! Once you said it didnt shift into first right i knew it!

98xjCurbCrawler

Really? Could have been.Surprisingly this is one thing I didn't buy on craigslist. Saw it in my home town on my way home from work.

98xjCurbCrawler

I have My wheels and tires on order! 33x12.5x15 Maxxis tires on black steelies. I may be adding more lift later, but for now I'll just be cutting the fenders and throwing on some Bushwacker cut-out fender flares. At this point I'll be getting rid of all the factory plastic moldings, and spraying the rocker panels with bed liner as well. If all goes well I'll have pics tomorrow.

98xjCurbCrawler

golfmiser

Looking good! Looks like your ready for the new tires.

Keep us posted!

Corcor4

Hey i just got off the phone with the snow gods... they told me you need to get some 31inch (or if your lifting it more) 33inch wrangler duratracks.

98xjCurbCrawler

Yes, the stock tires look a little out of place now lol. Thanks for the tire recommendation, but a little late 33" maxxis already on the way. I'm just guessing so hopefully they at least fit for now so I have something to drive before it gets taller.

I'm already in the process of building my front bumper. That will be ready in a week or two, and I'm sure I'll get some haters on my design.

Kyle 4x4 4life

Im running 32's with 3.5" lift and love the setup...definatly a good idea to go with 33's if your planning to get a more lift...the 32's fit perfect for the 3.5" lift and trimmed fenders, but 33's should work till you get more lift...just may have to trim a bit more.lol

98xjCurbCrawler

Got the tires on last night.
















Will definitely be looking for more lift it the future, but this will work just fine for now.

98xjCurbCrawler

Due to it's soon to be rugged attitude and it's pavement purpose, I'm calling this project "Urban Assault"

98xjCurbCrawler

I got my bumper done a few weeks and finally got some time to sort through the pics, so here it is. Let me start by clarifying that this is for the most part a street bumper. It uses the stock mounting location, so the shackle points won’t be used for any heavy recovery. This bumper is fabricated 100% with aluminum. The main body is 3/16” aluminum, all seams are cut, welded and finished. I have a set if KC Highlights that I’ll be mounting on top of the bar. I’ll let the pics tell the rest, let me know what you think.

papaj

she is sexy! nice rig real clean love what u have done to her

BIGT94z

that front bumper fabrication is some killer work. im loving the progress so far