mroar

Hello all I’m pretty new to this forum and to Jeeps. First a little about me, I’m 40 divorced living in Overland Park KS. I have one son who is proudly serving in Afghanistan right now (and will keep an eye on his dads build as time permits). He is a member of the Army Reserves 538th MCT hooah!!!! So a little more about me I work in insurance and deal with injury auto accidents all day (really not as bad as it sounds promise). So I have liked and wanted a Jeep for as long as I can remember and at 40 that still at least a solid 10 years.
What was talking about? Oh yeah, so finally found this 2000 Cherokee in Oklahoma, it was about a 4 ½ hour drive (made twice long story) but well worth it. It has 110K runs great and no rust!!! So my thought for this is to make a pretty solid able body do about everything well. So far have done the norm to new used vehicle plugs, changed all the fluids ect. I did notice after picking it up and have a cold snap in March that my heater wasn’t working so after looking on the site I had the heater core flushed (live in apt right now no way to do it myself) and it works perfect now!!
So back to the plan, I have ordered a Rubicon Express 4.5” SA super flex, a Rusty’s heavy duty tie rod some new bushing and feel I’m pretty well ready to get this build under way. So bear with me this is my first build page so hopefully you will all enjoy and I don’t screw thing up to badly.



So a few before pictures and then on to work.

ZombieResponseJeep

That's a nice piece to start a build with. Best of luck. I'll be following this.

aintlifegrand

definitely a clean canvas to start with!

383HEMI

WOW! Nice looking ride.

mroar

Well thanks for the kind words. So far it seems I’m taking more off then putting on maybe that because all I’m doing is taking off. So today got all the fender flares off and side molding. I still need to hit the sides a little more with a pin stripe wheel to get it totally cleaned up. Anyone want some Oklahoma dirt I've being pulling it out of every fender flare so far...

rmoore1031

I like the title of your build. Gonna expand on it?

mroar

Well it’s really just a fun play on words for the most part. From about any zombie/end of the work show but the Dune part is because I love the new Dune color Jeep has. I plan on painting it that color. So that’s the story behind the name. I’m off the whole week so more updates to come.

ColdWarrior

Between the build theme and the Horde Troll avatar you have I figure we are kindred spirits....subbed.

mroar

Ok been slacking not getting as much as In would like done but here are a few pics as things progress.

Finished getting all the mounting hardware that hold the stock flares and bumper molding off.

mroar

So now onto the front end. Tearing it apart since I'm doing figured might as well get all new tie rod ends. Cleaning everything up and painting it so it will be ready once the lift gets here. Got my Rusty's tie rod in and that thing is a freaking beast.

Tony_SS

Looking forward to this build! I just bought my 2000 too. Good luck with yours.

mroar

So things are starting to roll along but the weather is working against me. We kept having storms which made getting the front end parts painted a longer process then it should have been. So undercoated all the fender wells really well.

mroar

So UPS is starting to know be by name now (thats not good right) Got my new diff covers in I went with Riddler and let me tell you these things are beefy and look great. I really like the skull under the R on them as well. RTV anyone the PO must have really liked it it was everywhere all over the axle took some persuading to get it off.

mroar

So looking ahead to tires, asking for some opinions this is mostly DD with weekend warrior play on the trails, mild rock climbing ect (for now anyway). I'm kind of down to these 4 would appreciate any input if you have had good/bad experience with any of the brands and recommendations appreciated as well.



Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac
General Grabber
Pro Comp Xtreme A/T
Dick Cepek Fun Country

mroar

Thanks I'm having a blast with it so far, have any pics of yours?