540demon

im the new guy here...and this is my third Jeep (first xj).ive built a couple old mopars in the past,and a v8 s10 too..but this is gonna be my first 4x4 project.
times are tight here in VA. so the goal is simpleroduce the most capable 4x4 for the least amount of money.
i wont be doing any hardcore rock climbing..we dont have any around here. we get a lil snow from time to time...and we got a lil mud in certain places...and we got some national forrest access roads and 4x4 trails...
so im looking for this one to be versatile,and cheap! im gonna be listing the parts and prices as we go...and we'll see if i acheive the goal!
---oh yeah---its gotta be street legal too---
theres gonna be alotta "riggin", corner cuttin , an plain ol jeep butchery!
im really hoping for yalls guidance and suggestions along the way too!

Day 1: (1-11-11) drove 3 hours to extradite the subject. found it on craigslist.its a sad lil 86 xj laredo 4 cyl. 5-speed. it does come with a 3 inch lift already in place,complimented by a set of bald 235 75 15's on stock wheels. 4x4 not workin,gauges junk,paint is dead,and no stereo.runs great,completely rust free (somehow)..not what i was told it was..but it'll do.$100 worth of gas for the trip+ $700 for the ol girl.
-$800 TOTAL

Day 2: (1-3-11) tracked down the 4x4 issue.vacuum hose disconnected on frontend actuator.plugged it up..and disconnected front sway bar. tested it out...god awful metal on metal growling/clicking sound when frontend is locked,and when its under a strain.goes away when you let off the gas. kinda sounds like its in the middle-in the front..maybe. any ideas?
this sucker's really flexin like a big dog with that swaybar unhooked!
goin after a used up set of swampers tomorrow..and gettin a set of crap wheels from a guy at work...gotta trash that rear swaybar too. maybe by then yall can give a lil insight on common frontend problems?

hitstick8

just wanted to say god luck with the build, and cant wait to see what kind of magic you work with it. keep us posted

Irongrave

trash the CAD system and get solid axle shafts from a later model XJ ZJ WJ or TJ, bigger u-joints and stronger then the CAD shafts.

540demon

i guess e CAD system the vacuum actuator?
i guess those solid shafts wouldnt have the collar/shift fork stuff?
am i correct?
would the solid axles work fine with everything else thats existing?
-thanks for the info- im learnin the basics on these things still..and i apreciate all your help and knowledge!

Irongrave

i think you need to get a block of plate for where the fork things are. the axles will work fine no need to enagage the CAD system and 4wd just put the t-case where you want it and go

540demon

so i guess the axle will be "locked in" all the time with this set up?
are the later models set up that way?
would this setup withstand 31x11.5's and a trac-loc? (if i dont get stupid with it)
thanks again for the info!

Irongrave

that later models are set up this way. the CAD system is pointless as the t-case allows the front drive shaft and axle to spin freely until 4x4 in engaged. And yeah you shouldn't break anything with 31s

N20jeep

Leaving the disco in can help if you ever put a locker in the front. It will make daily driving quieter

I would suggest a mechanical one instead of the factory vacuum one though

540demon

yeah..that makes sense. theirs no since workin the lock rite in the front all the time if i aint gotta. ok-i think im gonna keep the ability to lock/unlock the axles.i guess i'll fab up my own posi-lock. thanks for all the input from everbody though!
got some stuff to add to the list today as well.

(1-5-11) used super swamper 31x11.5-15's $100 (fellow member)
cheapo "sawblade" steelies $20 (co-worker)

grand total thus far : $920

now ive been thinking..the gauge cluster is shot..so instead of buying another im gonna use some of the junk i got layin around. i bought a car to resell a while back and pirated a mini tach,oil pressure,voltmeter,and water temp gauges before i sold it. so i got $0 in those.ive decided to use the trashed original cluster as a pattern to make my own.
gonna have to take a break for a few days..then im gonna get back onto the project.

parts still needed:front and rear lock rites,and i think im gonna use the backbone winch mount system with the factory bumper...if yall can think of anything else i oughta look into..please tell. id love to find these items used..just in case anybody's got some for sale!

Schatty

if you can find a good scrap yard you could prob get a cluster for 10 bucks or so... lookin good so far

SGT ABN XJ

Good looking project Jeep, keep on wheelin..............

cherokeeaddiction23

it looks like its gonna be a fun project, where in va are you?

540demon

Blue Ridge,va.

540demon

bought new valve stems,and paid a buddy $20 to help out mounting the tires today...


(1-7-11)

$20 for a buddy's help
$6 valve stems

Total $946

540demon

pretty happy to still be under a grand!