When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
My first post on Cherokee Forum. I started on NAXJA forum, but the software is so outdated I pretty much refuse to go through all their loopholes like photobucket to make a build thread. I hope I have better luck here. I hope it is easier to add photos. Some of the posts were good from their members, but I’m over here now. On to the good stuff...
This is not my first rodeo. I own a 2005 TJ that is built. OME, 456 gears, Lockers front and rear, too much to list. It’s an awesome rig.
This is my first XJ. I acquired a 91’ model, white, 4,0, 5-Speed, Sport, D30/35, 2-Door (which is pretty cool). I got this rig for FREE! All I had to do was pay the guy for some tires he put on it back in October, $450. I changed all the fluids; diffs, TCase, Transmission. It needs some love. Spent a lot of time cleaning the interior and it still needs work. Drives smoother than my TJ though. I drove it from TX to WA over the course of 3 days, sleeping in the back at Truck Stops and averaging 650+ miles/day. The rig is for my daughter who is 16 and twin sons who are not far behind. It's nice to have the rig because I have a large family and we can't all wheel together. So, now with two rigs, we can make that happen. Well, we can make it happen with a little money and time put into the XJ. On the long drive I found it needed a thermostat, it was running 130* and XJ's are supposed to run 195* (Correct me if I’m wrong), I replaced it along the way and it immediately warmed up to 195*. The rig averaged 20+mpg. Amazing to me when I'm seeing 14-15mpg on the TJ on highway. The tailgate hydraulic supports were done, ordered some more and got them on when I got home. Lots of bolts rusted and need to be replaced, they are stubborn, had to drill one out, not good, still trying to get that one completely out. Cleaned the exterior up and it really needs some paint. I may paint the hood and the roof, the sides still have some clear. 4x4 badge was missing on one side, found one and ordered it, arrived today. Mirrors suck, they have those little adjusting ***** on the inside that don't work, ordered some new mirrors that bypass that. Missing headliner, I have one on order along with some 3M adhesive. All the exterior trim and bumpers need to be painted.I ordered some Adhesion Promoter and SEM Trim Black. It should be in later this week.The tailpipe was nothing but holes and some remaining tape someone used to hold it together. I took it to Doc's muffler and $80 later a new tailpipe and all is good. Oil leak, hoping it's the CCV and PCV, got one so far, need to do that, but I fear it's the RMS. The gas tank cover was a coffee creamer lid. $9 and I was in business. AC/Heat wasn't blowing too good on the long trip, discovered there was a breach in the glove box so I need to patch that to seal up the vent tubes. I went ahead and removed the bumper, grille, headlight trim and prepped for painting. Front bumper is done, it had a dent that I pretty much corrected, will look sooo much better. The suspension is suck, suck, suck, the leaf springs are flat. I'm going to do something. This is where I need help. I want to run 31’s. There was some great information on the Sticky on this site with all the companies, really helpful. I am familiar with Zone and their 3” lift looks like it might do the job. However, does it truly net around 3”.I keep reading reviews of other lifts that all say they net more in the rear than they bargained for. I’m trying to steer clear of needing an SYE and DC. I hear that at about 3” I should be okay on the driveline on the 91’s and no need for a TCase drop. Correct me if your wrong and I’d love some good advice on best route for 3” of lift. Is a kit like the Zone complete or is there more stuff I need. https://zoneoffroad.com/3in-suspensi...e-XJ/J21N/J22N Hope you enjoy this build. Looking forward to being a part of this community. The day I got her Home and cleaned up. Just needs some love Interior is clean now. LOL Diffs look good, the dreaded 307 gears Paint can’t get here soon enough, but Coronavirus is holding up the mail Taking parts off to paint and replace bolts Tailpipe fixed Daughter getting a bit dirty. Sleeps good
I saw your post on the Wrangler TJ Forum when you said that you bought this XJ. I believe I said that "you're going to like this Jeep". I own a white 2 dr. too. Glad to see that you made it home!
@PCO6, good to see a familiar face (avatar name 😉 on here). Dang you've had/have a lot of Jeeps. I hope I do end up liking this Jeep. The suspension is shot on this thing, jounce bumpers completely rotted out. I need to do this on a mediocre budget, maybe $450-600 on a 3" lift and run 31's. Will that work? I keep looking at Zone 3", but what about Rusty's, it's a little cheaper. I just know Zone has a good reputation, but I don't know much about Rusty's. Any other recommendations?
Also, what else would I absolutely need, or is it a toss up like with TJ's? Adjustable track bar, longer brake lines, CA's?
Are the internals of the CCV the same as the PCV? I went to OReilly's and they only had listed 1 PCV valve, and they didn't even have a CCV valve listed for a 91'.
@PCO6, good to see a familiar face (avatar name 😉 on here). Dang you've had/have a lot of Jeeps. I hope I do end up liking this Jeep. The suspension is shot on this thing, jounce bumpers completely rotted out. I need to do this on a mediocre budget, maybe $450-600 on a 3" lift and run 31's. Will that work? I keep looking at Zone 3", but what about Rusty's, it's a little cheaper. I just know Zone has a good reputation, but I don't know much about Rusty's. Any other recommendations?
Also, what else would I absolutely need, or is it a toss up like with TJ's? Adjustable track bar, longer brake lines, CA's?
You will … trust me! I'm on my 3rd XJ. Sold a 4 dr. Laredo that I bought new in '90 (dumb move). Sold a 2nd one, a '95 2 dr., that I had replaced a lot of sheet metal on. My 3rd one, an '89 2 dr., Limited is great and it's not going any where. It runs and drives really well and I haven't had to any suspension work to it yet so I'm not the best guy to advise on what is good. There are PLENTY of guys here that will chime in. Mine came with a 2" budget boost and it's fine for the things I do (light duty off road & towing a tear drop camper).
TJ's/LJ's are the same as XJ's/MJ's … but different if you know what I mean. You can build any of them to your liking. I've found the supply of used parts to be a bit better, in my area anyway, for the XJ's but they are starting to dry up. I don't see nearly as many as I used to in the wrecking yards. A lot of times you can get a complete wreck for less than the parts you want off of it. That's fine if your spouse has a good sense of humour about things.
@PCO6, good to see a familiar face (avatar name 😉 on here). Dang you've had/have a lot of Jeeps. I hope I do end up liking this Jeep. The suspension is shot on this thing, jounce bumpers completely rotted out. I need to do this on a mediocre budget, maybe $450-600 on a 3" lift and run 31's. Will that work? I keep looking at Zone 3", but what about Rusty's, it's a little cheaper. I just know Zone has a good reputation, but I don't know much about Rusty's. Any other recommendations?
Also, what else would I absolutely need, or is it a toss up like with TJ's? Adjustable track bar, longer brake lines, CA's?
Hey man, looks like you got a sweet deal, a free XJ? Cant go wrong! And a little input on the Zone 3 inch lift, I have it on my 1990 Xj, except it's the one with add a leaf, and I will say I love it! Had it for about a year and a half now, been great to me. I don't know how it will look with the full leaf springs in the back, it may be a little taller but should settle. I do know that Zone has a great reputation though and I would recommend it. If you wanna see how the 3 inch looks you can check out my build.
Welcome! A nice 3" lift on 31s (with aftermarket flares 32s/33x10.50s) will be a very nice setup. I have heard good things from Zone. I'm a Rusty's fan myself with 8-9 year old leaf springs USA made that still look great and flex well I recommend them. Stay away from RC and add a leafs for sure.
JMT’s 91’ 2-Door XJ Build
I'm on my 3rd XJ. Sold a 4 dr. Laredo that I bought new in '90 (dumb move). Sold a 2nd one, a '95 2 dr., that I had replaced a lot of sheet metal on. My 3rd one, an '89 2 dr., Limited is great and it's not going any where. It runs and drives really well and I haven't had to any suspension work to it yet so I'm not the best guy to advise on what is good. There are PLENTY of guys here that will chime in. Mine came with a 2" budget boost and it's fine for the things I do (light duty off road & towing a tear drop camper). 
