Brandon77

Hi Everyone. I wanted to start a build thread for my XJ. It has been built a little so i want to get caught up on this build thread.

After taking camping and off road trips in Peacefrog's Project "Whitey" XJ i have start to want a Cherokee. So i bought one... and I have came up with a name: "Inspector Gadget" lol. Here we go!!!

Bought a cheap XJ that needed some work.
1989 Cherokee Limited 4x4 with 191,777 miles on it.



Jeep is now in the garage ready to tear apart


New engine going in... its got 124,000 miles on it. I drove the jeep this engine came from... seemed to run well. We will see!

Brandon77

Pulled the old engine out. Trevor and my dad gave me a big hand.


There's the hole in the engine block... it still ran with 5 cylinders. The piston rod shot right out the side.



When i put the new engine in i converted the closed cooling system to open and used a new aluminum radiator. Also replace upper and lower hose and heater hose with a new heater valve and thermostat.
New power steering pump and belt.
And changed ALL fluids on the jeep.

Brandon77

Replaced old broken steering column with a good working. The black one is new.


Took out old ABS brake system and replaced with a good brake booster and master cylinder


All new Procomp shocks for a 2 inch lift.

Brandon77

Bought 4 31"x10.5 BFG Muds on 15" American Racing wheels and packed the Jeep for its first run






My buddy and I ,with his 88 XJ, went to Big Bear for a three day trip. Went from Cleghorn to Big Pine Flats camp only on dirt. No problems with the Jeep.

Willys55

Go, Go, Gadget Tires.......LOL

Looks good man

Brandon77

Picked up a rear Dana 44.
Rebuilt the whole thing and installed chromoly 10 Factory axle shafts, 4.11 gears and used YJ thick gears so i could keep my stock True Track LSD in the axle, and topped it off with the Teraflex rear disk brake conversion.

Brandon77

Thanks!!!

Working on this Jeep is always good times!

bheath

ok im watching. keep it up man, looking good so far. that 44 is sexy. lol

Brandon77

Insalled a B&M SuperCooler Transmission Coolers (70255) for the AW4
16,000 GVW
9,800 BTU
11'' x 5-3/4'' x 3/4''

Brandon77

Thank you :-) I got a lot to share!


If anyone reading this build used a part i did and found something that worked better please let me know :-)

thebaconator

Awesome Build....You need a Inspector Gadget hat while offroading :-)

Brandon77

Defiantly. One that a propeller will come out on top and fly!

Brandon77

Installed peacfrog53's used Superlift 4.5 inch springs and new style RC sway-bar disconnects. 4.5 inches of lift in the front now!




Also installed Iron Rock's trackbar. This thing is solid and feels strong; 1.25" diameter solid steel. Adjust from 3"-8" of lift.

Brandon77

Installed 3.5" Rubicon Express leafs (RE1463) with RE 1.5" lift shackles.

Brandon77

Ok so here is what it looked like as it sat a little over 4" of lift with 31" tires.
Also got a Conferr roof rack