So it begins....

Picked up this 1987 Jeep Cherokee from my Dad a few weeks ago. He had owned it since new, so I figure it would be a good candidate for my next crawler... she has had less than 100K easy miles on her.

 

To get this going, the build plans include....

D60 front on a 3 link.
14 bolt rear w/ disc on leafs for now, possible 4 link later.
NP435
NP241/NP205 doubler
110" wheelbase +/-
Comp cut....

 

Looks like the top of the NP435 will require some heater duct mods... anyone done one of these or similar in their XJ? Pics?

 

Sweet lookin 2 door! Shoujd be a really cool build

 

Thanks!

I promised the wife that I would keep it drivable during the build, so that should be interesting as it usually isn't my style.

 

Rip the heater out and put in a mojave or similar...

 

Since I was planning on converting the A/C to OBA.... that might be the way to go! Sure will get rid of a bunch of crap under the dash and simplify things. Hmmmmmm...

 

Need to get some uni-body reinforcement completed. I ordered up these stiffeners from Ruffstuff and had to make some minor changes for fitment and added the 1.75" holes for additional weld area, overall a nice product.

 

I ripped the stock one out and used a heatercraft. I got all sorts of room under there now. Super simple to. If it burns up undo 4 bolts, disconnect the 4 wires, and two hose clamps and its out.

 

I was able to get a little work done this weekend in preparation for welding up the Ruffstuff stiffeners.

Started with stripping the undercoat and welding up the factory seem....


Decided to do these in two pieces as I wasn't ready to cut the LCA mounts off yet...


Drilled some extra holes for more weld area....


Completed one side and ran out of Argon on the weekend!

 

Working on some temporary LCA mounts with some Ballistick joints and 2x.250" DOM....

 

This will be the temporary lowers until I get a D60 ready to go in...

 

Cuting those damn stock LCA mounts off was a real pain.... the previous owner had lowered the LCA's and welded them up when he added the lift. Anyway the ruffstuff stiffeners are in....

 

I installed a set of "703" injectors over the weekend, along with a new regulator and fuel filter (all original equipment). Nice improvement in idle and a noticeable improvement in throttle response! Only have about 5 or 6 cycles since resetting the computer... initially she was a little hard starting, but that seems to be changing as we go.
Highly recommend!

 

Went out to pick n pull with tape measure in hand and came home with a pair of Dodge 1/2 ton 60" leafs for a 5" stretch out the rear. This will ultimately be a temporary modification as I want to do a four link with coilovers.