Yeah I lucked out for sure!

Thanks, I built them both from stock. I love my YJ too but I have to admit, the XJs do ride much smoother

I read a few different write ups, some werent as involved but this one seemed legit
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f51/ho...rite-up-27175/
And taking off the header panel really isnt hard once you get the bumper out of the way.

Her driver side hood latch was broken from the PO, you can see in some of the pics the hood looks open. Along with the release cable jamming up from time to time. So we got rid of the problematic system for some simple hood pins as a cheap fix

Well we tackled my mounts on Saturday at our friends garage. Even got her to turn a wrench lol

http://www.flickr.com/photos/106162204@N04/12903424124/
Then on Sunday we went to my garage and she replaced the blower motor resistor by herself while I drilled out the stripped headlight screws and replaced the burnt out bulb. Then I pulled the hatch apart and adjusted the rod so that you dont have to push down on the hatch to open it. She was having a hard time with that lol and then I started the PBing process for the shackles..

Heres a daytime pic of the hood pins and how the hood finally sits flush
http://www.flickr.com/photos/106162204@N04/12903218573/
And one I stole from her before all this stuff when we went wheelin a couple weeks ago, just because
http://www.flickr.com/photos/106162204@N04/12903236303/

Well it looks like we might have a warm weekend to do some work (45*-50*) so we're planning on doing the shackles. Im preparing for the worst which is having to take the rear bumper off, cut into the unibody and replace a spun nutsert.

If all goes well then hopefully we'll have time to do the front coil spacers and bump stops. Then all that will be left for now is the new track bar and bracket

We finished the shackles yesterday. Lucked out and didn't spin the nutserts. The bushing sleeves gave me a little trouble but all in all ,it wasn't too bad.

My friend with a 97 lifted XJ came by to switch out his broken radiator petcock but that turned into another project as well. The new petcock he bought was threaded instead of the cam lock style. Found the cam lock style at a different store, but it didn't seal. We tried an expanding plug, didn't work. So he finally he just RTVed the new cam lock style in and we're waiting to meet up again at my garage today to finish it.

Once that's taken care of, hes heading to MA to pick up some tires and we're going to install the bump stops and coil spacers. Going to attempt to do it without a spring compressor but if we have to rent one, vatozone is right around the corner

Well we got a lot done this weekend! My friends radiator sealed up and was able to take it to MA wihtout a problem. We were able to install the spacers, bump stops and even the track bar and bracket! We were able to do the driver side without the spring compressor but the passenger side was much easier with it.

I have some before and after pictures of the suspension but Ill have to add the final pictures later on

http://www.flickr.com/photos/106162204@N04/13058495803/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/106162204@N04/13058515723/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/106162204@N04/13058535973/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/106162204@N04/13058745904/
Initially, the ride felt much better but still not perfect. It didnt seem to pull to the right anymore and I was able to get it to about 55 before it started a slight wobble. Brought it back and re-torqued everything. Later on after she took it grocery shopping, she said it pretty much felt the same as before.

I really thought the track bar was going to solve the issues so Im kind of at a loss. Shes going to have it aligned again so they can straighten the steering wheel and give us a print out so we have an idea of where to look next.

If anyone has any suggestion on where to look next, itd be greatly appreciated. Just want to get this thing settled for her

Make sure they give you caster measurements on the print out. Also looks like you might benefit from some shackle relocation brackets. Making the angle closer to 45 degrees will improve the ride quality.

Thanks for the input! That picture with the lift shackle, the jeep is still up on those jack stands that you see so it is a little better than that but not quite 45*. One day we'll probably get some relocation boxes and lower the shackles an inch.

The ride itself actually feels better,0mph-45ish. Its just after 50mph, it starts to wobble, as it did before but not as violently. If I remember correctly, the alignment print out is pretty informative from there so Ill be sure to post up the outcome

Heres a picture she sent to me before leaving for work

http://www.flickr.com/photos/106162204@N04/13062501753/

Took the XJ to my buddies garage again to align the steering wheel and look over what might be causing the death wobble. Found out the passenger side wheel bearing is shot so I'll change that out this weekend and go from there.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/106162204@N04/13102448305/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/106162204@N04/13102494245/

And heres more on the hood pin and spring mod, not to mention my stitch job too lol

http://www.flickr.com/photos/106162204@N04/13102754114/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/106162204@N04/13102463445/

So we replaced the wheel bearing on Saturday. While I was under there, I inspected everthing and retorqued everything I could. Found out that the driver side ball joints are shot. I hear they can be a real PITA but I think we're going to try to knock them out next weekend. I really hope that this fixes her death wobble as Im sure its a big contributor.

So we went wheelin yesterday anyways. Everything is pretty much local to us so we werent traveling at speeds where the death wobble would occur.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/106162204@N04/13215786755/http://www.flickr.com/photos/106162204@N04/13215814245/
Bump stops worked out great! No more destroying tires or fenders lol Might even be able to take a puck out. Coils didnt unseat either. The rear will probably be fine but might look into bumps back there too eventually

http://www.flickr.com/photos/106162204@N04/13215838775/http://www.flickr.com/photos/106162204@N04/13215848915/http://www.flickr.com/photos/106162204@N04/13216229454/

A before and after comparison

http://www.flickr.com/photos/106162204@N04/13241356344/

Well we got the spicer parts in this weekend. Wasnt too impressed with their looks but I hope they hold up. I did my U joint last night and I think Ill be taking Friday off to do her ball joints because some of us are trying to plan a wheelin trip this weekend


https://flic.kr/p/mCdkmR

Potato.

nice!!!her xj looks better than mine..

With 31"s