kickr123

So I’ve been on the forum for almost a year now, just as long as I’ve had my black ’01 XJ. I am a fulltime college student and I’ve been saving up little by little over summer and winter breaks for my build. I’ve kept busy with little projects but it’s time to get down and dirty. Because I do a lot of highway and road driving I will be keeping the lift height and tire size somewhat modest. However, I do not want to sacrifice off-road and inclement weather (even though it looks like global warming is in full effect here in New England this winter) capabilities so this build will be more like an aggressive DD’er. As aesthetic quality goes, I want to keep her looking as clean and complete as possible as a wheeler can be (we’ll see how that goes). I also plan on blacking out/murdering her out as well. I’ve always liked the all-black look on any vehicle. I know it might not be everyone’s style but I don’t need to hear people trying to convince me not to do it haha. Enough chit-chit, here’s my “done” and “to-do” lists:

kickr123

"Done":

- painted faded side trim pieces and bumper caps
- painted stock wheels and caps black
- tinted front turn signals
- installed bug shield
- installed vent visors
- swapped in all leather seats from a '00 Limited a guy was parting out
- wired up a pair of fog lights in the stock positions under the bumper
(pics to follow)

"Ordered/Bought":

- RC steering stabilizer
- set of 4 Mickey Thompson Baja Claws 31x10.5x15 with only a few hundred miles on them from a guy that was swapping his TJ back to stock.
- RC 3" Series II lift kit with full leaf springs and lower control arms (just ordered today!!!)

"To-do":

- order speedo gear, 1" TC drop, 1.5" wheel spacers
- figure out what I want to do for wheels (want the Black Rock 909's but don't have the $500+ to spend on them)
- install lift
- mount tires/wheels
- possible relocation of fender flares up an inch or two and trim if needed for better clearance.
- get front windows tinted to match factory tint on back windows
- two Hella Black Magics mounted on front bumper
- all new sound system
- new headliner (black of course)
- cold air intake
- engine tune-up

larryftmfw

This thread needs pictures!

kickr123

First day home:



Painting trim:



After wheels painted black:

kentuckyscott

This is kind of going the same route I went with mine....check out my photo album.

kickr123

Leather seats out of XJ Limited:



Middle of swap:





Finished product:

kickr123

Looks good! How do you like that roof rack? I'm looking for a cheap one that mounts right to the cross rails and is just big enough for a spare. Do you find that it decreases gas mileage? Some guys complain about that...

kentuckyscott

Thanks bro. I like it....it gets the spare out of the way and makes it look more offroad ready. If you do add a rack buy the wind fairing for sure!!! It cuts down on drag and reduces the wind howl BIG time. I haven't noticed too much on the gas mileage.....I don't drive a lot on the expressway anyways so it doesn't effect me too much.

kickr123

Fog lights:



Fog light switch mounted in panel so it looks stock:

kickr123

Thanks for the insight man. I def think a roof rack is in the near future...

kentuckyscott

Rage Motorsports makes a rack that looks DEAD UP like the Yakima rack but far cheaper....think i goes for $110.

kickr123

Pic of my XJ next to my dad's '01 TJ. He couldn't resist after seeing my jeep for almost a year. He had a CJ5 back when he was my age.



Mickey Thompson Baja Claws 31x10.5x15 waiting for the lift kit to arrive!

kickr123

got my Rough Country 3" Series II lift kit with full leaf springs and lower control arms ordered up today. should be in by this weekend but prolly won't have a chance to install for a couple of weeks. in the meantime I'll be ordering other odds and ends such as a TC drop and speedo gear for the new 31's, and trying to find some cheap wheels or decide to use my stockers for now...we'll see. stay tuned. i'm off to go soak some bolts

kickr123

Is that better? haha

89limitedxj

like the jeep man its gonna be sweet with the lift and those tires.