mrfajita

I figure since my XJ has come a long ways from when I got it, even though its still mostly stock, I may as well make a build thread. This is the short version of up until now.
When I got it, totally stock with 108k miles.


Then thanks to the bad influence of this forum, got into wheeling and decided I need some real tires. Found some old bald MTRs that got the job done for cheap.


Did the 99 intake and neon injectors swap


Got rid of the fugly and dangerous airbag steering wheel


Painted my trademark green skid and did angry eyes for the hell of it


Went doorless


Decided the MTR dragslicks weren't cutting it anymore and got some old TSLs that I grooved up, and did the cowl snorkel mod.



Working on putting together the rest of my AC-OBA conversion, but so far


Future plans include no higher than 6" lift, hudfab long arms and steering, full width D44/F9 with 4.88 gears and Detroits, 36 or 37s, hudfab bumpers, plated unibody, Hudfab bumpers, and someday an exo. Maybe a stroker motor if I blow this one up
I will update this thread with new mods that are significant.

mrfajita

8 hours total time into grooving and siping my TSLs, looks like a snow wheeling tire to me. Soo...bring it on, winter!

mrfajita

Yet another testament to how ****ty the stock XJ steering is. First time out wheeling after grooving the swampers I broke the stock gearbox and bent the tie rod. So, upgrade! Still need a ZJ tie rod and to replace the pump I trashed when the broken box leaked all the fluid out, but the durango box is badass. I ran out of flat black, so the C-rok steel brace ended up green. Glad I ordered it since the stock aluminum POS spacer was in 3 bent pieces

kleiner

Great start on the Jeep! My steering box is hating me right now since it's trying to turn 35's. Gotta do that durango box upgrade like you

mrfajita

Change of plans and update for the build, its gonna be more mild since its going to be my DD for who knows how long. Going to do an 8.8 swap and keep the turdy up front and run 33s.
I ordered the crossover steering and OTA track bar from Froehlich Suspension Tech. That will go in when I install my lift (picked up AAL leafs and 3" I think coils from Seth a while back) then get some aftermarket short arms since my stock ones are trashed, and shackle relocation. Many other small things I'm forgetting.

Also a few months ago I got a set of the Truck-Lite LED headlights and they are *****in!

mrfajita

Got shackle relocation brackets about 80% built off this guide.
Also picked up an 8.25 from a friend yesterday, painted it and my leafs today. Just need to get some brake lines and my steering to come in and I can finally install this growing pile of parts.
Also my brother works at a tire shop, got a quote at $205/tire mounted for 33x12.50x15 BFG KM2s. I really should have done all of this back in spring instead of building my RC crawler, now the first few weeks of wheeling season I'll just be working on the Jeep lol.

mrfajita

Ordered Rubicon Express extended stainless brake lines at a local shop today, getting them tomorrow. Once my steering comes in I'm finally installing the lift. Excited

AndyADD

Hope to see the final progress over on OCN.

mrfajita

holy **** I forgot about OCN haha is that Jeep club thread actually still going over there? haven't been on that site in like two years

AndyADD

Its coming and going, not too much activity on it.

XJwonders

I'm digging the green skid plate

mrfajita

It was gone for a while due to a drag link clearance issue, so I chopped about 4-5 inches off the back of it, rewelded the angle iron brace back on, stripped it to bare metal and repainted it.
Still waiting on my FST steering parts, so I still haven't done my axle swap or lift.
I have however started fab on a front bumper. no pics yet but I have the brackets built from some 5/16" structural steel I had laying around. BEEF! Need to pick up d-ring tabs and 2x6 .188 wall box tubing. That will be the center (between the frame rails), from the brackets out to the fenders I am using 2x2 .188 wall. So far I have $14 into the bumper build (9 cutoff wheels and a $5 wire wheel ) I love having a bunch of random steel laying around.
Also found a ~5' stick of .120 wall HREW tubing, after I build the bumper I may have someone bend it up for a stinger

mrfajita

Built my bumper today. Ordered D ring tabs, will put those on and some gussets when I get them

2WDUnderachiever

I'm loving your Jeep...

Did you notice any gains in power (well, rather changes in the powerband) after doing the intake manifold and injector swap?
I'm going to do an injector swap and get a bored out throttle body, and I'm considering swapping to the newer intake manifold also... Would love to hear your opinion on it.

Again, nice jeep! The skid plate's looking good.

mrfajita

Smoother idle and better throttle response. feels like there may be a tiny bit more power below 3k. Cowl intake helped too since its a true cold air intake