Cactus_jack's build
27 Attachment(s)
So I've been a member of JeepForum for years but due to a lack in member participation among other things, I've decided to migrate here to Cherokee Forum. (Plus, my paid membership expired, lol)
My XJ has came a long way since I bought it so I figured I'd write a new build thread here as opposed to linking to my build on JeepForum. 98 XJ 4.0L 4WD AW4, NP231 8.25 Rear, D30 Front Budget-minded build So here's the way it sat the day I bought it Attachment 356045 I hated everything about the way it looked. Chrome tint, gold snowflake wheels, busted up front end and just general neglect by the previous owner. So I got to work and found some steelies at the junkyard Attachment 356046 Scuffed them up Attachment 356047 And painted them Attachment 356048 Attachment 356049 Attachment 356050 I also scraped off that ugly chrome tint crap that I hated so much. So then, after much debate, I decided the fender flares had to go, but I hated the way the body looked with those holes. I knew it was getting lifted eventually with bigger tires so I opted to go ahead and trim. Attachment 356051 Did a cut and fold in the rear by marking my pinch welds as not to cut through them and making cuts every 2 inches (give or take). Then folded those cuts down with a rubber mallet. Attachment 356052 After the cuts were made and folded in, I taped it off and sprayed some bedliner. Attachment 356053 Attachment 356054 Just did your basic cut to the first body lip on the front fenders and bedlined around those as well. Also installed my eBay "Rage" roof rack. Attachment 356055 Attachment 356056 Then....after a day of mild wheeling, I had an "uh-oh"... Attachment 356057 To make a long story short...I should have stayed to the left a little more than I did. Ended up sliding down an underwater sand bank into the deeper stuff. But we eventually got it out. Attachment 356058 After about 3 oil changes and 10 trans fluid changes, I got everything back to normal. But what to do about that soured, soaked carpet? Pull it... Attachment 356059 This was all the rust I found, luckily. Sprayed it with some rustoleum and moved on. Plan on herculining it eventually. Then comes the lift. 3 inch RC coils and 1 inch spacer in the front, S10 bastard pack in the rear. This netted approx. 4 inches. Attachment 356060 Attachment 356061 Attachment 356062 Found this set of 5 33x12.50 Super Swampers on Craigslist with the wheels for around $500. Attachment 356063 Problem was, the wheels were 6 lug and wouldn't fit obviously. So what do I do? Found a deal on 4wheelparts for some black D-windows so I snagged five of those and got my tires mounted. Attachment 356064 After much research, I decided that I needed to keep an eye on my trans temp if I planned on running stock gears for a while, so I found a cheapo trans temp gauge on ebay and installed it. Attachment 356065 The poor thing needed a facelift so I gave it what it wanted Attachment 356066 Attachment 356067 Attachment 356068 Attachment 356069 Then, I decided that the front fenders needed more trim so I took care of that with some more cutting and a roll of edge trim to finish the look. Attachment 356070 Attachment 356071 So this is how she sits as of about 2 weeks ago. Future plans? The things associated with a lift: SYE, regear to at least 4.56. Hope to have those two things done within the next few months. Actually, I'm about to go outside now and get this adjustable track bar installed. |
looks great
:thumbup: |
looks awesome! =D I need some more agressive tires. I love the duratracs on the snow and ice. but still. i'm thinking MTR's. I'd actually rather have some creepy crawlers, or krawlers, or iroks. But for the amount of wheeling i get to do. =/
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2 Attachment(s)
Detours Knucklebone tire carrier installed today
Attachment 355656 Attachment 355657 Super high quality. Couldn't be more happy with it. Mark is a stand up dude and really puts his heart and soul into his products. Can't beat American made Jeep stuff! Also primered my bumper today, probably shoot it with black and install it this weekend. Also got some H4 conversion housings from Autopal. Might find some time for those this weekend too |
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Got my H4 housings installed today.
Attachment 355461 I obviously needed some new housings as these old sealed beams fell apart when I took them out. Attachment 355462 Scored these Autopal housings on eBay. I opted not to use the factory harness so I made my own using some 30 amp relays and 10 gauge wire. I used the diagram below courtesy of Slithering_Joe over on the TJ forum. Attachment 355463 The difference is unreal. One of the smartest mods I've done so far. I highly recommend everyone to do it. Also, got my bumper painted and installed today. Just an old cheapo from eBay to start off with. Going to make some relief cuts and bend it to conform with the curve of the grille. Attachment 355464 Got some mounting brackets on the way so I can tie it into the unibody a little better as it currently mounts at the factory location only. I'll make it a winter weekend project. |
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Went and did some goofing off yesterday on some pipeline trails. Nothing special, just some mild wheeling.
Didn't really get any action shots but figured I'd post what I have Attachment 353390 Attachment 353391 Attachment 353392 Attachment 353393 |
nice truck!
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It's been a weekend of wheeling for me. Yesterday went to Big Rock Offroad Park in Maysville and did some mild wheeling. Nothing too crazy. Still haven't gotten any crazy action shots (sorry). I'll make sure to bring a photographer next time!
Attachment 352094 Attachment 352095 https://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k...-18-30_153.jpg |
lookin good. how much was the roof rack on ebay with shipping?
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Originally Posted by Darthreciffo
(Post 2244926)
lookin good. how much was the roof rack on ebay with shipping?
Looks great! You're making me wish I had bought a black XJ... and the newer body style... haha |
Thanks guys. It's been a while, but I think the rack was about $120 with shipping. There's a vendor on there that goes by the name of discountramps. Sells a bunch of different ones. I've had this one for a while now and still haven't had any trouble with it.
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Hey I have a question for you I bought windows from the junk yard for my 2 door they have the vents but they have the same tint and I was never sure how to get the tint off so if you could let me know what you did that would be much appreciated
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Originally Posted by 4x4 for life
(Post 2245542)
Hey I have a question for you I bought windows from the junk yard for my 2 door they have the vents but they have the same tint and I was never sure how to get the tint off so if you could let me know what you did that would be much appreciated
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Alright that is unhealthy but it's not terrible I know what all be doing when I get home then I get my vented windows finally by the way great jeep
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3 Attachment(s)
Adjustable track bar with a beefy drop bracket. Also installed some rc discos
Attachment 349991 Ground the head off and created my own puller to get these splined sway bar link bolts out Attachment 349992 Also, fixed my "factory standard" oil leak today. Such a pain but glad I won't be seeing an oil puddle every morning Attachment 349993 |
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