Get back in a Jeep build!
 

I was finally able to find a clean Cherokee. Its a 2001 with less than 130,000 miles, 5spd, 4.0 LP Dana 30, CH 8.25. One suprising thing is there is very little rust on this truck.

The plans:

4.5-5.5" Lift
Rock Krawler 3-link or Rubicon Express control arm drop brackets.
Shackle relocation boxes
SYE
33x10.50r15 on cheapo steel wheels
High Pinion Dana 30 with selectable locker, sleeves, c-gussets, 4.10 gears
Ford 8.8 with a complete rebuild, welded tubes, truss, 4.10 gears and either a modified factory LSD or a lunchbox locker.
TNT frame unibody stiffeners
JCR rock sliders, and front bumper
GOOD shocks
Pull carpet shampoo and por-15 the floor
fix faulty window/lock switches
Install some tunes
Install power inverter
e-code headlamps with h-4 bulbs and a rewired harness
Aux LED lighting
and fix any mechanical issues that are found on the journey.


Here it is the day I got it home:

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The New 2.0 Fox shocks from BDS that are tuned to the XJ.

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I pulled the door switch first and dis-assembled it to clean it out and check the contacts to see if it was the issue. Turns out it wasnt and I have quite a few wires to cut and splice.

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Got the wheels and tires mounted and balance today at Discount Tire. Great guys there and they will match and beat ANY price you find locally or online. Charged me $16 a piece to mount and balance with valve stems.

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Rubs pretty bad right now. I need to get my new coils in the front with a spacer and the shackle boxes installed in the rear. I have already pulled the s-10 short aal out and replaced them with Iron ROck full length AAL. All I can say is I'm happy to be back in a Jeep again and cant wait to get this thing in wheeling condition!! :cheers:

Here is my current DD and my TJ I had to sell to make room for the family, and one of my clean 5.9.

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Attachment 366875

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How much lift on the new xj when u got it?
Looks really good already with just tires!

If I measure from the center of the hub to the fender flare I get 21.5". So if 17" is still the stock measurement it should be 3.5" of lift. This is eyeballing the center of the hub though. Front tires rub bad on flares. Thanks, still needs LOTS of work!

good plans. but rock krawler doesnt make a 3 link anymore. I think they only make a 4 link
look into clayton for the best 3 link out there. gonna be way better than RE
since it looks like you're building an awesome XJ here I wouldnt even consider a lunch box in the rear. rebuild the LSD or go full case
also ruffstuff makes the best uniframe stiffeners out there
oh and get 4.56's or 4.88's and por-15 is awesome stuff :thumbup:

subscribed

great looking xj and even nicer ram

RK does make the three link still. Part number RKXJXF+LA-UPG Retail is $799 on the upgrade. Not a fanboy of Clayton. More than likely I will be rebuilding the factory LSD and tightening the packs. Sticking with 4.10 gears on this build. I had 4.88's in my TJ and it was way to much gear on the street with the NV3500 first gear and I can score a 8.8 with factory 4.10 gears and save some $$. I'll check out ruffstuff, didn't know they had frame stiffeners out. Its been about 6 years since I had a built XJ. Thanks for the comments.

Thanks. Its my poor mans Power Wagon. Even have the factory winch mount now. Just no winch yet.

they do?? I google searched for like 5 min before posting and could not find it haha.
not a fan of clayton?? that's unheard of... still sub'd either way. everything at ruffstuff is quality **** btw

Yes still available through RK. I guess I'm one of the few that isn't obsessed with Clayton.

Thanks for the tip on the Ruffstuff stiffeners. They look pretty stout!

Front 3.5" RE coils are in with the 1" spacers and it does not sit high enough. Ordered 4.5" RE coils which should be perfect with the spacers. I also got the front fox shocks installed.

Moved onto the rotten drivers floor pan. Luckily it hadn't rusted through yet. Got it cleaned up coated with POR-15 shot with a coat of undercoating and then covered with stinger roadkill. Should seal it up quite well and quiet down the cabin some.

The sway bar discos, ss brake lines, and shackle re-locators came today. My back is shot and it is 95 with 100% humidity

Finished the floors tonight, and buttoned up the door wiring. I hoping I can knock out the rear shocks tomorrow.

Attachment 366377

It made it out of the garage today! Still needs work. I need to get that sye in the truck ASAP. I need to get a drive shaft so that can happen. The rear shocks still need to be swapped, the front sway bar needs to be installed, and the rear shackle relocators need to be installed. These leaf springs are junk. I really need to save up some cash and get some new leaf packs.

Shackle boxes:
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The AMAZING riding Fox shocks. I would suggest these to anyone looking for a great shock. Go to BDS Suspensions website and buy the 2.0 Fox shocks for your model and lift height. They are tuned perfectly.

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Reported. B****

.........well............


your welcome. Thanks for the input.

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