Converted 96 XJ Build
08-26-2011, 12:37 PM
#31
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Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
been working on things this week around my work schedule...
got the jeep where i want it with the bumpers and removing running boards... Still have to paint the flares a nice satin black..
Parts that arrived this week...
And today the major part of the lift came..
Now the Build Shall Begin!
got the jeep where i want it with the bumpers and removing running boards... Still have to paint the flares a nice satin black..
Parts that arrived this week...
And today the major part of the lift came..
Now the Build Shall Begin!
08-31-2011, 08:55 PM
#32
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Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Started the lift last Friday... has not been a fun process whatsoever.
I could go on and on and on about things that havent gone right, and what i know arent going to go right...
For example:
Leaf bolts wouldnt come out of the front, thus resulting in hours of trimming away, heating and pb blasting to get them out.
One of four upper shock bolts snapped, this wasnt too big of a deal but the other 3 came out after working them back and forth about 15 minutes or so each.
Cut my finger bad enough for 4 stitches trying to remove the front leaf bolts with a breaker... dangerous as i have proven when the socket slips off under all the pressure.
To make a very long story short over the past week the rear is 99% done.
Once the front gets done I just gotta torque the leaf bolts and attempt to put the brake line relocating brackets in, which i know im going to break the old steel line when i take it out of the mount when trying to move it, so im planning on running new lines.
Tonight after I dropped the rear, I had a moment of satisfaction with all the trouble it has been. Nice to see it sitting up high.
I worked on the front tonight, and only had 1 issue so far with the track bar bolt seizing in the sleeve, and as i was turning the bolt I could see there was play in it, so im going to replace it with a larger one and drill out the hole. Actually I think my Rubicon Express track bar requires you to drill a 5/8 at either end anyway.
Here is a few pics of how it was sitting in the rear.
Hopefully I will be able to work on the rest of the front end tomorrow and get it all in...
I could go on and on and on about things that havent gone right, and what i know arent going to go right...
For example:
Leaf bolts wouldnt come out of the front, thus resulting in hours of trimming away, heating and pb blasting to get them out.
One of four upper shock bolts snapped, this wasnt too big of a deal but the other 3 came out after working them back and forth about 15 minutes or so each.
Cut my finger bad enough for 4 stitches trying to remove the front leaf bolts with a breaker... dangerous as i have proven when the socket slips off under all the pressure.
To make a very long story short over the past week the rear is 99% done.
Once the front gets done I just gotta torque the leaf bolts and attempt to put the brake line relocating brackets in, which i know im going to break the old steel line when i take it out of the mount when trying to move it, so im planning on running new lines.
Tonight after I dropped the rear, I had a moment of satisfaction with all the trouble it has been. Nice to see it sitting up high.
I worked on the front tonight, and only had 1 issue so far with the track bar bolt seizing in the sleeve, and as i was turning the bolt I could see there was play in it, so im going to replace it with a larger one and drill out the hole. Actually I think my Rubicon Express track bar requires you to drill a 5/8 at either end anyway.
Here is a few pics of how it was sitting in the rear.
Hopefully I will be able to work on the rest of the front end tomorrow and get it all in...
09-07-2011, 11:08 PM
#35
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Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
A little Update here. The lift is almost done.
A few things to wrap up, like tightening the rear leaf bolts, doing an alignment, and getting wheels and getting my tires put on them.
But here is a few pics, wish i could have done a lot more during the lift, but patience ran very short as it was with this project... lol. I did learn alot of stuff though, even me who knew quite a bit before doing the lift.
Then Im moving on to painting the fender flares black, tieing in the extra bolts for the front bumper re-enforcement for the tow hooks, and finishing bolting in the back bumper. Then probably move on to sorting out a few issues i had with the cooling system, and trying to wrap up my list of things needed before next jeepskool!
A few things to wrap up, like tightening the rear leaf bolts, doing an alignment, and getting wheels and getting my tires put on them.
But here is a few pics, wish i could have done a lot more during the lift, but patience ran very short as it was with this project... lol. I did learn alot of stuff though, even me who knew quite a bit before doing the lift.
Then Im moving on to painting the fender flares black, tieing in the extra bolts for the front bumper re-enforcement for the tow hooks, and finishing bolting in the back bumper. Then probably move on to sorting out a few issues i had with the cooling system, and trying to wrap up my list of things needed before next jeepskool!
09-08-2011, 08:16 AM
#38
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Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
yeah, trying to get to order some wheels today. Im going with Cragar V5's. I got a used set of 31's sitting in the garage waiting for wheels. lol
09-10-2011, 03:04 PM
#39
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Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Today, New rims and (new to me) tires, and proudly wearing a Rubicon Express Banner!
Im hoping to get it aligned this afternoon... aligning myself, no need to throw out 70-100 right now to adjust the toe and the steering wheel... lol
Im hoping to get it aligned this afternoon... aligning myself, no need to throw out 70-100 right now to adjust the toe and the steering wheel... lol
09-10-2011, 03:50 PM
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09-10-2011, 05:22 PM
#42
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Year: 1996
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she says, "so its sitting higher, and you did all that stuff so you can go baja'ing and not have it break?"
I said, well, i cant say it wont break, but yeah now its a bit more offroad or "baja" capable... lol
09-10-2011, 06:28 PM
#45
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Year: 1996
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They havent got here yet. patiently waiting... lol. they may take a few days coming from across the land.. haha.
Rubicon Express finally sent me stickers, like 5 of each of the 5 and 7 inchers, and the windshield banner, all free so i cant complain.. haha
