Boredom led to a new look for the XJ. still need to go across the hatch at the same level as the quarters and do the rockers/lower doors (they were already black). Thought wife was going to kill me but she actually likes it

 

Awesome budget build... What do you have in it, total?

 

this build is like my realistic inspiration lol im on a tight budget trying to build my jeep!!
question how hard was it to do your bastard pack and is it honestly worth it or should you just get an aal or a full pack??

 

He was right when he said this thread's an inspiration.

Did you regear for 33s? I saw a set of 35s for really cheap on CL, and almost called the guy, but I realized I could afford the wheels and tires, but probably not the new gears I'd need.

 

i'm still rocking the blocks, I keep forgeting to pick up the s10 packs when I'm at the junkyard. I didn't regear, I haven't had any problems out of it so far.

as for total invested...

$1700 original purchase price
+$600 95 XJ parts truck, pulled full drivetrain, swapped axles into this one, still ahve engine with accessories, trans, t-case for spares
-$250 from scrapping 95 XJ body
+$900 for 79 Bronco parts truck that had the 33's on it and used the front shocks/springs from it
-$300 from scrapping the bronco body/frame (still have the complete drivetrain from engine-axles, may end up in XJ)
+$150 new ball joints and u-joints for front end
+$30 for 4 Harbor Freight lights (only 3 mounted so far)
+$25 bedliner for quarters and rockers


So far I'm under $3000 and that's with over paying for the XJ originally. I have a lot planned for it including bumpers, 12k winch (Badlands/harbor freight since I'm a broke ****), 2x6 rocker replacement, cut and fold rear lower quarters, lockers..

Am looking for a 77 f150 front axle housing to swap my 79 bronco internals into so that I can swap the full widths into the XJ more easily.

also looking for a 4 speed small block ford bellhousing so I can swap the granny low 4 speed and np205 t-case into it along with a 302.

I figure by the time it's all said and done and I sell off the stock parts that I wont be needing anymore, I will still be under $4000 into the build. Not bad IMO for a v8, full width rig....