My First Build
 

Everyone has a story. So here is mine... 94 XJ Sport - 4.0 HO - AW4 - 3" RC lift - Rhino Lined In and Out. This is definately not the starting point but I've been working on it for awhile now and decided to share my build. I've been reading a lot on these forums and have seen many mods and fabs and have been inspired to try my hand at doing some of these!

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h1...d/DSCN3911.jpg

To start - I've seen many people do all the exterior mods and lifts and say they want to mod the engine later but I felt that the engine is the most immportant part of the vehicle so I started there.

My 4.0 HO has roughly 190K. I started changing out the head gasket and everything escalated from there. I took the head to the machine shop to get cleaned up and milled. Started to look into rebuilding the bottom end. Needless to say I am rebuilding a 4.6L Stroker!

After a day of ripping apart the engine bay:

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h1...d/DSCN3903.jpg

So I have the motor at the shop now getting milled and cleaned - waiting on parts to get here so I can start the rebuild. In the mean time I am gonna install a roll cage on the inside the cab. There are many reasons for this. First I want to strengthen the unibody. Since the whole body is basically a thin sheet of metal I feel the need to add the strength. I would also love to be able to remove the top - much like the other sister jeeps. The roll cage will allow me to take the top off and keep the strength.

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h1...d/DSCN3909.jpg

Its gonna be a chore but will all pay off in the end.

I will keep you updated on the progress.

Update!

Finally got all the parts in for my rebuild - $3K later :cursing: As I mentioned earlier I am putting most of my money into the Engine to build the stroker and i've gotten all that together plus a new exhaust from Rusty's " Catbak Flowmaster, K&N intake and 62 mm TB w/spacer.

While the engine is getting re-worked I started on the engine bay.. needed a good sandin and new shot of paint...

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/member...6-img-0301.jpg

I also hooked up the steering with the Rock Krawler Crossover 1 Ton and Track Bar. My old steering linkage was pretty bad and thought I'd spend the same amount on an upgraded version...

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/member...8-img-0298.jpg

To end the weekend I started on the Fab work to the front Dash - I hate the sound of plastic creaking when I hit a bump so out with the Plastic and in with the metal and aluminum. May be slightly heavier in the long run but I garentee it wont creak like plastic! "Still in works"

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/member...7-img-0288.jpg

I just started welding so I figured this would be a good place to start rather than a roll cage - safer IMO. I will post more next weekend. Look for more updates on the Dash.

So I've been busy working on my ride! Since the last post the list of things I've done is long - and lots of money later...

Finally got my engine back - stroked it out to 4.6L - This engine is a beast! Took a while to get it tuned properly but finally it is definately stroken' it!

I've rebuilt the NP231 with a SYE Kit and added a Tom Woods Custom Double Cardigan

Removed the Stock Mechanical Fan and replaced with an Electric from a Taurus... Cooling is not an issue.

Added a Tranny cooler

Pics for all these to come:

These are the new 33's I picked up with 12.5 rims - Sick Lookin I know!
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/member...ick-i-know.jpg

I put on a RC 4.5 Long Arm Kit with JKS Disco's:

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/member...-installed.jpg
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/member...ng-linkage.jpg

This is why you need Extended brake lines when you upgrade to a higher lift!

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/member...brake-line.jpg

And I got some ZJ Leather seats along with customizing the dash - Not yet finished but its getting there. New Carpet also installed after I fixed the infamous cherokee front dash leak:

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/member...g-together.jpg

And my latest project on the rig is the fenders - I actually started trying to weld together metal frames but the weight got to be too much and I quickly went to fiberglass.

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/member...s-progress.jpg

I'll try to keep you updated on the fenders! So far so fun! Its like I have a brand new jeep!:thumbup:

I am digging the idea of building a dash. I may have to add that to my "project"list. Damn thing is getting to be very long. Thanks for the idea!

I also like the idea of building a dash. Can't wait to see he finished product.

Be sure you put some thought into it before you dig in... It gets complicated the more you think you want to do and then comparing it to what you can do. End product makes you smile though!

WOW talk about havin your hands full. Multiple projects all at the same time. Your crazy mad!!! Very cool build though. lookin forward to seeing the dash completed. Pretty crazy so far but its comin together:thumbup:

So I've done some updates to the rig - I posted in the Fab section the new fender flares I built but I will post again some pics of that for my build thread:

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/member...rs-updated.jpg

This was works in progress on the fenders - built now!

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/member...rs-updated.jpg

Here is the most recent mod to the jeep:

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/member...75-sliders.jpg

Fabbed up some rock sliders!

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/member...73-sliders.jpg

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/member...74-sliders.jpg

I'm impressed with the way these turned out! I think I could have gotten the rail a little closer the the panel but I think it looks good and will function right where it is at!

Looks good, like the flat fender look.

And an update on the Dash for those who were interested.

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/member...ash-update.jpg

I took some TJ Vents and added them to the front. I thought they complimented the speakers . Added a few more layers of fiberglass and straightened out some lines. Stiffened the panels up a bit more and gave it a last shot of paint.

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/member...ash-update.jpg

Threw a Wideband A/F gauge on the exhaust to help with the tuning. Took out the little instrument panel that had all those stupid indicators (brake, Part Time, Check Engine, etc..) and replaced it with one LED for the Check Engine - Thats all I really need. I also added some Carling switches for the Head light controls and for the High setting on the E-fan under the hood. I have a spare for some future Offroad lights or something.

Another Mod/Repair was to the NSS. Too it apart and cleand it so that I would stop having that issue with the thing in park and not starting. Also fixed my back-up Lights :head:- couldn't see for a long time back there and only prayed I didnt run anything over!

I'm really digging the dash, and the rest of the work looks great too..:notworthy:

thats a sick dash man

I love the dash

yeah - I really enjoy the speakers in my face... dont have to turn it up loud to hear it. Took a while to build it but I think it turned out good.