behemothxj

It has been a while since I have been on here with my previous 2000 XJ. Now I will start this thread on my newest project. I bought a 97 4 Door XJ that is 2WD. The idea is to take my time and fabricate this into my final Jeep project.

This time I have unlimited funds to fulfill a well thought out build. I will show you pictures along the way, and WHY I have chosen certain ideas with this build.




This is the newer body. But some of you will remember my previous Jeep. I plan on going the fabrication route with this new one BEFORE I paint the new one. Here is the previous build.

behemothxj

Well, I destroyed that one....

behemothxj

I walked away without a scratch, but the roof almost paralysed me.

behemothxj

Should I of built a cage... Yes... it is too late. NOW.... With that out of the way, let's build a BETTER Jeep.

behemothxj

I stripped out and gutted the motor and suspension to go a different route this time.

behemothxj

I am not going to waste time with the factory front clip, or the sheet metal subframe. I decided to cut out ALL of the lower subframe and build an actual frame below my Jeep.

behemothxj

I tried to get below my Jeep sitting on Jack stands. THIS proved to be a terrible idea. So since I knew this will take a while, I built a frame jig.

behemothxj

I have a full sized garage to do all of this work with no rush.

behemothxj

The jig had to be built to the rear of the Jeep. I am removing ALL of the unibody subframe rails, and adding an all NEW custom frame.

behemothxj

Get out the Plasma cutter, and slice away the factory stuff.

behemothxj

Decided to make temporary wheels. In case I need to move this in and out of the garage.

exjay1027

subbed

behemothxj

I am leaving 18 inches of factory frame rail, and going to tie in this Essentially offroad frame stiffener.... Then extend these with box out of them forward and backwards.

behemothxj

behemothxj

I chose to test fit these, before I cut all of the body off.