Project Big Red 2000 XJ the 3rd
 

I am starting my first post and build thread I am going to have to back log this thing because it has been a work in progress. I was never good at stopping work and taking Pictures.

A little history.

This is the build for my third XJ.

First XJ: 1990 Laredo purchased for $200. Had every problem under the Sun took it to a shop once to fix the brakes and they told me brakes bushings axles seals, pinion seals, oil pan seal, rear main seal, misfire, etc but I still rocked the best I could.

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...Camping001.jpg

Second XJ 1994 Sport
I put over 40k on this jeep commuting 120miles a day. It was a great Jeep but suffered from Flintstones Syndrome. I wheeled it hard too. But one wintery Christmas day I wheeled her too hard right into a frozen swamp. We tried for hours to pull her but in the end a tow truck was called and she was pulled out by the front axle due to a lack of recovery points ($850 tow bill). It flexed the frame in the end. I sold it to my buddy and it ran for another year until it spun a bearing.

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2..._1018753_n.jpg

On to the real subject. This is my current Jeep a 2000 Sport. Sitting stock on some blew out Pirellis.

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2..._4378919_n.jpg

Stuff Fixed
 

I have to back date this thing. Not very exciting, but this is a list of reparis I have done so far:

Front Axle U-Joints
Front Brakes, Calipers, and Pads,
Hood Latch. (1990 XJ latch fits a 2000 with some washers)
CPS
Front Unit Bearings
Tranny Mount

Got a Rubicon Express 5.5" Long Arm. Got the kit just before the temporary shutdown.

This kit was a beast to install. More from the lack of cooperation of my jeep.

Shock bolts busted in the front lowers. Easy fix, just put some new grade 8's

All four shock bolts busted in the rear. Fished a new bolt in with a combo wrench and some duct tape. Kept me from having to cut a hole in the floor.

Rear forward leaf bolts were fused into the bushings. Had too chop the leaf spring apart piece by piece. Cut through the bushing with a grinder. When cutting through rubber and steel. Hot rubber flies at your face. :thumbsup:


These are the first pics of it installed. Still rockin' some busted *** Pirelli Scorpions

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2.../Random032.jpg

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2..._1236580_n.jpg

Few pics of the install
 

Found some pics of the Lift Kit install. Not that detailed but its what I found in the archives

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2.../Random037.jpg
Lower control arm mounts cut off.

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2.../Random035.jpg

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2.../Random036.jpg

Had some issues with my Currie Corectlync steering. The knuckle at the end of the drag link keeps hitting the sway bar mounts.

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...e/DSC05462.jpg

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2.../Random042.jpg

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2.../Random040.jpg

Turns out it was too much caster. It still might bind up a full flex, but haven't had any problems after I dialed things back to factory specs

Thanks UPS
 

Got some presents from the brown truck. After delivering my lift kit and 5 33's I am sure he loves my house

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2..._7326260_n.jpg

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...5_304332_n.jpg

New Shoes
 

Fresh Tread. Got it mounted from a friend. 33*12.5 MT MTZ's on Black Rock 15x8's

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...10402-1851.jpg

JCR Bumper
 

Got my JCR Pre Runner Winch Bumper from UPS (He still hates me)

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...6-07184819.jpg

Durango Box
 

I decied if I was going to do a bumper install I was going to break all of my steering box bolts, and the spacer would be shot. So I ordered a steering box plate from JCR along with my bumper.

My steering Box was also shot so I decided to do a Durango box upgrade. Do to an online error at Advanced Auto I got mine for about $140 :thumbsup:

I got started and was impressed when I only brok one bolt on the steering box. Its more convenient when the breaking of a bolt is followed by "eh" rather than :censored::censored::censored:. Brace was shot, but that thing is a POS anyway.

Also I anticipated that the PS hoses would not come quietly so I got replacements at the NAPA hub ahead of time.

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...6-09202610.jpg

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...6-09185631.jpg

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...6-09185613.jpg

The pitman arm was easy to get off the old box. I had already had my 6ft pipe on the end of a 2ft breaker bar experience with it when I installed the drop pitman for the lift kit. In the end I used a grinder to make a relief cut in the stock pitman to relieve the pressure

Fitted the tie in brackets for the bumper.

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...6-08213503.jpg

There are reincfoment sleeves on the drivers side within the uni-rail, but on the passenger side there are not. So I made some sleeves out of a spare deep well sockets.

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...10152650-1.jpg

Painted the front cross-member so it would match my bumper. Good old Rustoleam Satin black.

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2..._7313572_n.jpg

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2..._3863936_n.jpg

Test Fit and Mount
 

Test Fit the front bumper

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2..._5814708_n.jpg

Got to paiting. POR-15 undercoat, with Rattle can black on top.

Here is the final product. Put some KC's I got for my birthday on too.

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...7-12204911.jpg

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...7-12204722.jpg

Looks like a clean xj. Gotta love the nasty winters we get by the great lakes huh lol

Thanks man. She is in decent shape, the rust is hiding in these pictures. And they are all taken on her good side. Other side got in a fight with a Wrangler (and won). This will be its first Winter lifted with Mud Terrains. I think its going to be fun.