Blue Dildy 90 XJ mild trail build
#1
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Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Blue Dildy 90 XJ mild trail build
New to the forum thx for having me. I've been putting together a 90 XJ for trail runnng, no daily driving this will be my dedicated weekend rig.
Phase one of this build is getting it trail ready and laying down a good foundation for future mods.
How I got it<br/>Reman 4.0, aw4, 231 sye, 30/35<br/>Zone 4" lift <br/>Pretty much rust free minus a couple spots in the rockers. <br/>Mismatched 33s and the flares<br/>
Started by making bumper brackets usin 3/8 plate
Tied into the front uni-member
Both sides done
Did I say they are beefy?
Started on bumper
Side tracked by making and welding in frame stiffeners
Using .035 fluxcore. Not the best wire selection for welding thick to thin but I made it work
Primed
Shackle relocation bracket
Rear frame plating
Cut hole for tank lift and boxed in the inside of the frame
Tank in for fitting.
Made cross member for future long arms
Installed cross member
Found a ford 8.8 from a thunderbird I think, 60.5 wms, drums, 2.85 tubes, 410s and full Detroit locker
2x6 .188 rockers
More welding thick to thin. What a pain but doable
Struts to the frame rails
Finished the front bumper and mounted badlands 9000#
Inboarded my shocks, welded on future track bar mount
Rear close to done, new bumps
Found some cheap'ish but new TSLs
33x12.5
How it sits today waiting on adjustable uppers from core and then I'll get the tires mounted.
Phase one of this build is getting it trail ready and laying down a good foundation for future mods.
How I got it<br/>Reman 4.0, aw4, 231 sye, 30/35<br/>Zone 4" lift <br/>Pretty much rust free minus a couple spots in the rockers. <br/>Mismatched 33s and the flares<br/>
Started by making bumper brackets usin 3/8 plate
Tied into the front uni-member
Both sides done
Did I say they are beefy?
Started on bumper
Side tracked by making and welding in frame stiffeners
Using .035 fluxcore. Not the best wire selection for welding thick to thin but I made it work
Primed
Shackle relocation bracket
Rear frame plating
Cut hole for tank lift and boxed in the inside of the frame
Tank in for fitting.
Made cross member for future long arms
Installed cross member
Found a ford 8.8 from a thunderbird I think, 60.5 wms, drums, 2.85 tubes, 410s and full Detroit locker
2x6 .188 rockers
More welding thick to thin. What a pain but doable
Struts to the frame rails
Finished the front bumper and mounted badlands 9000#
Inboarded my shocks, welded on future track bar mount
Rear close to done, new bumps
Found some cheap'ish but new TSLs
33x12.5
How it sits today waiting on adjustable uppers from core and then I'll get the tires mounted.
#2
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Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
I ended up swapping in a low pinion Dana 30 from a tj with 410s, new ball joints and u joints. Leaving it open for now. I didn't want to regear the stock hp30 to 410 so I am using the LP30 temporary until I build up the hp30, and I will re gear to 488. I'm just waiting on the core upper arms and she will be trail ready for the most part.
#7
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Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Found a faded colour match hood, grill, bezel and lenses. Front end looks a bit better. I really wanted a wagoneer grill but couldn't find any in my area.
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#8
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Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
As far as the u joint on your 8.8, I wouldn't trust that. Looks like the cap is barely in the yoke.
My 8.8 is out of an Explorer, so it has the flat flange. I installed the flat flange adapter from a Ranger onto my driveshaft (using stock XJ u-joint on my stock XJ driveshaft). Bolts right up. It's easy to swap the yoke, just need to make sure you don't over crush the crush ring.
My 8.8 is out of an Explorer, so it has the flat flange. I installed the flat flange adapter from a Ranger onto my driveshaft (using stock XJ u-joint on my stock XJ driveshaft). Bolts right up. It's easy to swap the yoke, just need to make sure you don't over crush the crush ring.
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Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
As far as the u joint on your 8.8, I wouldn't trust that. Looks like the cap is barely in the yoke.
My 8.8 is out of an Explorer, so it has the flat flange. I installed the flat flange adapter from a Ranger onto my driveshaft (using stock XJ u-joint on my stock XJ driveshaft). Bolts right up. It's easy to swap the yoke, just need to make sure you don't over crush the crush ring.
My 8.8 is out of an Explorer, so it has the flat flange. I installed the flat flange adapter from a Ranger onto my driveshaft (using stock XJ u-joint on my stock XJ driveshaft). Bolts right up. It's easy to swap the yoke, just need to make sure you don't over crush the crush ring.
#10
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Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Got the tsl's mounted and balanced. They actually ride smother than the miss-matched set I was running before. Ordered the radesign rail shifter so that should be here soon. Still waiting on the adjustable upper. The caster is a bit floating so that needs to be dialled in. Braking is a bit lacking with the ford 9" drums in the back so I ordered diy calibre brackets from A&A manufacturing to work with s10 calipres.
Adjust the rear brakes while the tire guys did their thing.
These should work good here in the PNW, mud, rocks, logs etc.
Behind the wife's minivan
Adjust the rear brakes while the tire guys did their thing.
These should work good here in the PNW, mud, rocks, logs etc.
Behind the wife's minivan
#12
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Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Installed the core 4x4 upper arms. They are well built and bolted right up. I got the pinion angle where it should be. Drives much better now. I made a bone head mistake and lost a caliper guide pin while driving around, turns out my 1990 has 84-89 style brakes, found this out getting the wrong pins from the parts store, then I researched and learn the 90 could have 89 parts mix in, as mine does. Fun stuff. I'm taking it on a shakedown trail run on Saturday...pics to follow
#14
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Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
I swapped in a 242 tcase in my 98 ZJ 5.2, no more AWD bull****. This has totally transformed my grocery getter into a mallcrawler, celebrate by doing donuts in a gravel parking lot. We are a jeep family!!!
#15
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Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Fianally got some dirt under the tires. It's been dry and hot so the back country is pretty much shut down until we get some rain.
Found out my front brake lines are too short, but other than that it climbs and flexes good enough, even with the tires at 20 psi(street pressure). Drove home with the pass front hose vise gripped.
Found out my front brake lines are too short, but other than that it climbs and flexes good enough, even with the tires at 20 psi(street pressure). Drove home with the pass front hose vise gripped.