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Mild '97 XJ build
Hello everyone, this is my first post on the forum! I am still in highschool and therefore am sorta limited by budget. This is my second vehicle and therefore will not be my DD. I kept a watchful eye out for a good Jeep on Craigslist for a while. I did some research beforehand so that I could start off with a good platform for my rig. I ended up with a 1997 Jeep Cherokee Country bone stock with 177k miles and Chrysler 8.25 rear axle. Now that I have made some progress with my Jeep I have decided to start a build thread. The purpose of this thread is to help/entertain whoever it may, but mainly just a way for me to keep track of my progress
How it sits as of October 11, 2016 https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...17598400a.jpeg https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...5b6f33a72d.jpg Here is how it sat when I first brought it home https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...393b4a03c.jpeg I got to work immediately power washing the underside and deep cleaning the interior. Then did a sway-bar delete kit:thumbsup: This made a night and day difference in suspension travel. https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...a33f81760.jpeg Wheeled it like this for a while, then started preparing for some bigger tires that were coming soon. Trimmed the front fenders and bumper, then later did the cut-and fold technique on the rear, then trimmed even more off the front to fend off some rubbing. https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...c333a856e.jpeg The bumper trimming gave me more ground clearance and looks better IMO https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...673be2ea0.jpeg Wheeled it like this for a while https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...df7663578.jpeg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...6eba27bc9.jpeg Mall crawler https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...90534ffdf.jpeg All cleaned up Then I bought and installed a RC 3" series ll lift https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...33683bde6.jpeg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...0cdd69742.jpeg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...27294f8eb.jpeg Then threw on a RC adjustable track bar. I have a new steering stabilizer waiting to go on but just can't seem to get the old one off, it's stuck. By this time My 235's had little life left in them so it was time for an upgrade. 32x11.50's on some pro-comp steelies https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...cecdd932a.jpeg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...ef80c5591.jpeg Then after that did the rear cut and fold and trimmed much more off the front fenders for maximum suspension travel. Also did the removable door mod sometime. They just pick right up and off like a wrangler now. https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...41c85413e.jpeg Still have some YJ brakelines waiting to be installed. Getting it aligned Monday and then it should be good to go for a while. So ready to see how it does with the new setup! Oh and forgot to mention I fixed the problem with my Jeep not starting half the time and the reverse lights never working. Took out the NSS and cleaned it up, now it works like a charm https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...715dcea1c.jpeg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...96874ef3d.jpeg This brings everything up to date. Some plans for it soon are: Change all Fluids New brakes Unibody stiffeners RuffStuff Diff covers Spartan locker in the 8.25 Flowmaster super 44 And some JCR sliders |
Looking good man! Those tires look awesome for being 32s.
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Originally Posted by unidentifiedbomb
(Post 3282501)
Looking good man! Those tires look awesome for being 32s.
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Some pics from the first ride on the new lift and tires:
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...1165ff5df.jpeg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...fca1748d0.jpeg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...eba71e33b.jpeg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...c300b41fb.jpeg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...94810fced.jpeg https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...6af7f0268.jpeg |
Wow that's beautiful. How are you liking the new setup?
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Originally Posted by unidentifiedbomb
(Post 3284071)
Wow that's beautiful. How are you liking the new setup?
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Some pics from this weeks camping trip:
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...20b895336.jpeg https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...16f03306a.jpeg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...7837a052e.jpeg https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...1f6d9911e.jpeg Helping out a broken down tracker |
Looks Good. Is that at Gulches ORV park? what kinda tires are those?
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Originally Posted by Jacobus
(Post 3286644)
Looks Good. Is that at Gulches ORV park? what kinda tires are those?
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Originally Posted by Jacobus
(Post 3286644)
Looks Good. Is that at Gulches ORV park? what kinda tires are those?
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https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...7f44ca6a5.jpeg
Ordered a Spartan Locker for the 8.25 rear. Picking up some gear oil and RTV tomorrow, can't wait for it to come in the mail! So curious to see how much more capable the Jeep will be now |
Those tires look amazing on that rig!! Love the stance!
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Installed the locker a while back and have been wheeling every since! Don't even notice it on the road other than the ratcheting sound when turning into parking lots and such but I don't mind the extra noise at all, especially because of how great it works when I need it.
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...52e72e836.jpeg Done https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...28f6c74cc.jpeg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...a3c83b91a.jpeg Slid off into a little ditch on the trail https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...c79c66708.jpeg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...f78e7ea11.jpeg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...d0e693217.jpeg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...827cac0555.png https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...3c421ca04.jpeg |
Brother I'm loving the tires on her and very nice XJ keep up the good work. Welcome to the family too
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cool build! how'd you do your doors? Which door hinges do you have? I have a 97 as well and heard they got two different designs.
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