Ba-Riedo

So I figure I should start a thread with all of my build stuff in it and some other pictures as well. I don't have everything from my build because alot of went on and I wasn't too concerned with pictures at the time.

I bought this 98 XJ when it was bone stock in my senior year of highschool, so I have had the jeep for just over 2 years at this point.

First thing I did when I got it was to take it offroad:





That killed the alternator and soaked the interior. I decided it was time for a lift kit so I ordered a Rustys 4.5 inch kit with full leaf packs, a SYE and TW shaft combo, and some front tow hooks. I also picked up some 33's off craigslist:



After that the sickness hit, so I ordered up some AJ's Superrails:



Next up was Bushwhacker flares and JKS quicker discos. As soon as I had the flares on I knew that was a mistake, they looked weird, and broke too often!





I kept it like that for a few months and wheeled it until I broke the Rustys trac bar, I ditched that for a RE unit. I also picked up a Durango 4x4 rear bumper/ tire carrier combo off craigslist:



Stuck with my sister:



After that was THOR corners, a RE heavy duty trac bar and brace, and a custom front bumper, I also removed the bushwhacker flares:



I think this was when I added in my lockrite locker in the front axle, but I can't really remember when everything went together.

-Alex

Ba-Riedo

Next up was my really big step, the hybrid cage. Since I possess no fabrication skills whatsoever the cage was built by Those Guys Rod and Customs in Bremerton WA (Think the blue jeepster from CRAWL). I had the hybrid cage, tube flares, and rocker replacements all done at once. They did a good job, but got the color wrong on the first try:



Repainted:









Had to wheel it of course:





The real reason for the cage.





I'll get the rest up tomorrow.

-Alex

Drewdertuder

nice build keep it going

COSXJFAN

Just out of curiosity, what did it cost to have them fab that cage? If you don't mind me asking...

JakeWI

looking real good.

Ba-Riedo

Cage was $1500, I think they are still using that price or something close to it.

-Alex

COSXJFAN

That is about what I was thinking, but just wanted to know for sure. That seems like a decent cage, and the price is OK as well.

Ba-Riedo

Cage is pretty stout, ties into the unibody in 6 places and the front rockers as well.

-Alex

Six-Pack Smile

those pics of tuyuha?

Six-Pack Smile

auburn car repair i used to deliver parts to them right behind emerald downs race track.

a1racer

wow nice build and i like the cage it is not to crazy like some of the exo builds good job and that is a good price as well

Ba-Riedo

Nope, Walker Valley ORV in Mt. Vernon. I will post up some of Reiter Trails here pretty soon.

-Alex

Ba-Riedo

So I was able to get some tires off craigslist, 4 BFG 33's for $250 and they were at about 90% tread or better!

Flex pics:









The flares are just about the right size for those tires and they stuff really well!

-Alex

Ba-Riedo

I needed to patch up a hole left from the bushwhacker install:







Some silicone, can, and a rivet gun worked really well.

-Alex

Ba-Riedo

Then I had some issues with my rear axle:



Turns out the U bolts weren't tightened down enough and they caused the centering pins to bend, one side actually broke and the axle slid back a few inches. That took a few hours on the trail to fix at Naxja's NWF 08 last summer.

Moral of the story: Torque the U bolts!

-Alex