WantaXJ

Hey everybody... My names Drew. Been on here creepin and takin in as much info as I could since December. I turned 16 in January and didn't buy an XJ until last Friday ( 5/4/12). This explains why my name is WantaXJ ( now that I have one I feel dumb but whatever). Anyways, I had been on Craigslist constantly for the previous months. Last Wednesday I had school off and was up on CL at 1am. I saw that at 12:20am a new XJ had been posted so I texted the PO and was there lookin at it Wednesday night. I knew I wanted it and it was mine Friday night for $2000. I paid it all myself so no "Daddys boy" jokes apply here. Anyways this is what i got :

1997 Jeep Cherokee Sport
Automatic tranny
153,000 miles
4 dr
4x4
Dana 30 in front
Chrysler 8.25 in rear
3.55 gears
16" OEM rims off of a 2002 Liberty
Aftermarket Kenwood radio
10" Polk sub and 4 way Polk amp

What's wrong:
The rocker are rusted to *****
The weld on the top of the muffler is broken (sounds terrible)
The hatch is messed up. I have to push it in while I pull the handle then it opens fine.
The shocks? On the hatch need to be replaced AGAIN.
The leaf springs are sagging so he gave me replacements
Need a new stalk because the turn signal doesn't turn off when turning right but not a big deal.
The driver door doesn't stay open... Any ideas why? Or how to fix it?
Other than that it just needs a real good cleanout. The PO obviously had a dog and it appears that the dog had trouble with a porcupine haha and some how regular pop got spilled everywhere because evetythings sticky and dark.

My plans
Flowmaster Super 44 or Cherry bomb glasspack ( please give me opinions on this for sure)
Replace leafs
3-4.5" lift
Sell wheels to replace with Cragar soft 8s and put $ toward lift and tires
31-33" tires... Not sure which tires yet.
Trim fenders
Cut out rusted rockers. Weld 1/8" tubestock into them
Stinger bumper and rear bumper combo by Rustys
Roof rack to hold 5th wheel
2 or 4 lights in roof rack
LED lights inside
Tint rear and front-side lights
Camo seat covers
Maybe a windshield sticker that says "Flirtin' With Disaster" when all of the previous stuff is taken care of

That's about all I can think of right now

Pics tomorrow ... Just realized I can't do it from my phone.. no need for the "this thread is worthless without pics" but someone will prolly do it anyway...

Thanks -Drew

Atmos

sounds like a plan man. that's a great jeep to start with. the flowmaster sounds really amazing.
but look into the thrush turbo muffler if you want some sound on a budget. sounds better than the cherry bomb IMO
I vote 33's and I'm glad to hear you're not afraid to cut into those fenders. good luck!

LeRoy90laredo

i would say go for the flowmaster. mine has been ripped off multiple times and still blows a solid tone.

WantaXJ

Heres some pics from the day after i bought it








First things first


The pic of the front wont upload for some reason but its "normal looking"

WantaXJ

Took the "mudflaps"? Off last night and cleaned out a ton of dog hair... Went to the local gravel pits today after school... Lost one of my fender flares ( you know the stock ones) and didn't realize it till I got back to town... Had to go out and find it haha... When I came to a stop at a stop sign and took off again, the engine got the fuel but it didn't shift into gear right away then it shifted real hard ( its an automatic) any one know what that could be? It only happened once but just wondered... Few more pics to come

WantaXJ

Thanks man

99rockies

Looks good. Might want thicker than 1/8thinch for the rocker replacement though thatll bend fairly easy

WantaXJ

Heres some more pics

Mileage


Lost my fender cap and didnt realize it till i got home... had to drive out and go find it

Made my buddy go get it



My hatch wouldnt open so when i finally did get it open i went in and did this

WantaXJ

Did this last night and finished it today






Let me know what you think... did this using google images, exacto knife , glue stick, scotch tape, and spray paint

WantaXJ

Ok.... To anyone reading this, is appreciative your opinions...
I have some decisions to make... Like I said earlier, I want to lift this thing.. right now I have $260 to my name... I'm goin to need a lift kit, tires and rims... A 3" lift kit from Zone Offroad(basically BDS under a different name.. so I've been told) is $260... I just got a hookup off of Greatlakes4x4 on some 31s with 20% tread for free... I'll be able to roll around on these till I can afford better tires... Then I was thinkin on selling my 16" OEM rims off the liberty and replacing them for Cragar soft 8s... So here's my questions.

Should I go with a 3" zone or a 4.5" RC?... I don't mind waiting to save more money, I just want to know if its better to start off smaller

If I get the 3" can I run 33s... And if I get the 4.5", can I run 35s?

How much should I sell the 5 oems.. (4 with Long terrain a/ts with 50% tread left)

Any help is highly appreciated... Thanks guys
-Drew

XJ BoSS

Go 4.5 or you'll regret it

OHHNOES

Best thing to do is save up your money and then get what you want. Do some research and looking at build threads on here is really good also.

Kinda sucks to do a lift multiple times

Atmos

keep saving. get about $1500 and buy a decent kit and some craigslist tires 33". dont buy rough country. take you're time it's not a race

bheath

x2 and 33's. That 8.25 will handle them fine.

WantaXJ

Why not rough country? What should I go with besides them?