ta2tony

Hi all, decided to finally start my build thread. Let me catch you up. Last year I bought a 94 sport 2 door, 5 speed 4wd. I love that lil red wagon...unfortunately it tagged a deer at about 60mph. It was a total loss and I bought it back, pushed it in the garage and tore apart the damage. Decided the structural damage wasn't worth the cost of repairing it and set out to get a new XJ. I was really hoping for a 97+ 2 door, but no luck. Ended up getting a good deal on a 1996 Classic 4 door 4wd with NP242 TC.

ta2tony

So I swapped the wheels & tires of ole red onto lil whitey, and swapped over the headliner & overhead console (was brand new in the 2 door when I bought it).

ta2tony

Oh yeah...pic.

ta2tony

And then the madness began...

ta2tony

Tires will be here tomorrow.

Dick Cepek Mud Country 265/75/R16 (32x10.5)

ta2tony

So, here's my build sheet for 4.5" in front and ~4" in back:

Rusty's 4.5" Coils
OME 2.25" Medium Duty Leaf Springs
OME Shocks
BDS Adjustable Track Bar
Rough Country Adjustable Lift Shackles
Rough Country Quick Disconnect Sway Bar Links
Zone 3" Front Bumpstops
Zone U-Bolts
Moog Leaf Spring Bushings
Front Brake Lines from YJ (Rockauto)
Rear Brake Line from Dakota 4wd (Rockauto)
16x8 4.25BS Black Rock Type 8 Wheels
265/75/R16 (32x10.5) Dick Cepek Mud Country Tires

Sidenote: I discovered a TC drop on my jeep. I didn't know enough about them when I bought it to recognize what it was, but apparently one of the PO's had it lifted. Based on the rear leaf springs that look like a recurve bow, I'd say they had lift blocks on it...

ta2tony

Well, with a lift forthcoming I thought I'd do a little prep work. Been PB Blasterin' the suspension bolts for about a week now. I put 'er up and started pulling unnecessary bits off. Flares, air dam, and that BS rubber trim on the side are all gone now. Found some rust on the front passenger door that will need some attention (can see on bottom of door in last pic) before I bedline the lower quarters. Still haven't decided if I want to bedline the front and rear quarters up to the body line or not...

98REDXJ2

whats going on with the 2door?

I like the 2doors more. I wish I had one! lol but I've already sunk too much into my 98 4door.

The white xj looks soooo much nicer/clean with the trim and flares removed, cant wait to see the pics of it lifted with the wheels and tires.

ta2tony

FYI, the plan is to do a little trimming on the flares after its lifted and I can see where it may be needed. Then they'll be getting a few coats of bedliner and going back on. I'll be leaving the inner portions off and discarding the brackets. I plan to mount them up with some large body washers and stainless nuts/bolts.

Stock flares, FTW!

ta2tony

Unibody is twisted on the 2 door, so it lives in my garage, the neglected step child.

Same here, I really have 4 door regret with the one I have now...but if a good 2 door comes along you better believe I'll be swapping everything off this one onto it and sending this one down the craigslist river.

98REDXJ2

I would for sure swap in that 5spd! I want to do a swap so bad. I hate auto.

ta2tony

That's definitely a plan, unless as I stated a 2 door comes along and I swap over the lift. That's the only reason I haven't swapped in the 5spd and 231 TC already...

98REDXJ2

yea that is good thinking. I honestly probably wont ever do a 5spd swap. I'm waiting on a comanche for that

ta2tony

BTW, one of the coils fell over and landed on my little toe taking this pic...the agony begins.

ta2tony

Got my tires....