Jeep Cherokee Forum - Ktmracer v3 underway, 97 2 door xj build (FULL UPDATE ON PAGE 3)

Figured i began building it so its time for a build thread!

Started out with a 97 cherokee, 224k miles on it, original drivetrain, $900. body is straight, only rust is on the rocker panels, she is solid. Has the 4.0, aw4, np231.

picked up some 33" cooper discoverer stt's on steel wheels for next to nothing, so i trimmed up the fenders and threw em' on

http://hphotos-snc1.fbcdn.net/hs257...._1790408_n.jpg ( i know, terrible pic)

once my white jeep was killed off, Out came the suspension from that, and it was basically tossed under her.

3" tomken coils
cheapo front shocks
rubicon express bastard pack
8" edelbrock ias shocks
dpg bumpstop plates with progressive poly bumps.
1.5" shackle
sits at about 3" front and 4" rear now.

http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos..._2102293_n.jpg

had a t-case with an sye in it already, so i just did a t-case swap and put a front driveshaft back there.

ended up welding the 8.25 spiders and carrier effectively making it a spool.

My rocker panels ended up taking a beating so it was time to replace them with some 2x6 box steel!

here is a lil' write up of sorts i made

Quote:

This is for people who have deystroyed thier rockers, have rotted out rockers, want rockers that will handle some abuse, want to ditch thier lower clearance rocker guards,etc.....

Install time: factor in 3 hours for the first side at a leisurely pace, and the next side about cut that in half because you know exactly what you are doing

whadaya need!?
Some box tubing, i have seen people use 2x4 for it, but i prefer 2x6 for the door protection. 1/8" might be sufficient, but i would reccomend 3/16" or 1/4" if you really abuse your junk. you will need 57 1/4" per side.

tools for cutting/ grinding metal, sawzall, angle grinder and whatnot

measuring tape

welder. a simple 110 mig would do just fine

paint fo bling

SAFETY STUFF, goggles and gloves, welding mask.

a few strong men, or a jack capable of positioning the tube in place while you weld it on.

admire the old busted junk

http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos...9_681529_n.jpg

cut that old junk out via cut off wheels or sawzall blades or both. i cut to the flat spot on the top of the old rocker and on the bottom left about 1/2" of the old rocker sheet metal coming off the floor.

this pic is untrimmed

http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos..._4015244_n.jpg

trimmed and all neatened up.
http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs157....5_894276_n.jpg

cap the ends so junk dont get inside them, could also use them as airtanks now.
http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs137...._4757642_n.jpg

here is the shop *****, bungee cord controls the speed, and it still fluctuates at times, but when it runs mint she will lay a sick nasty bead.
http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs157...._4706989_n.jpg

mocked her up

she looks pretty in there. i ended up using 57 1/4" of 2x6 on each side, fits perfect in place of the stock rocker.
http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs157...._6765746_n.jpg

began welding. basically just weld it wherever metal touches. i did a couple inches per time and clamped it together with a c clamp to pull it tight in places.
http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs137...._1430717_n.jpg

BAM!
http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos..._1539689_n.jpg

http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs137...._4925584_n.jpg

for most wheeling that will do just fine, but if you constantly bounce off boulders and whatnot it isnt a bad idea to tie it into the framerails.

and that is where i leave off.

I have a large pile of parts around the house just itching to be installed.

35" km2's
allied beadlocks
ruffstuff frame stiffeners
hd offroad engineering front stiffeners
10" remote resi edelbrock ias shocks
built dana60 rear, 5.38's, spool,35 spline alloys, disc brakes
built dana44 front, 5.38's, lockrite,30 spline alloys, super joints, etc.
midarm 3 link
custom trackbar.
and probably more stuff than i can think of at this moment.