Jeep Builds Make your own jeep build thread here, discuss and view jeeps here. All Jeep models are welcome here.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Project learn as I go budget build another red xj all of the above build

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 4, 2011 | 09:29 PM
  #1  
Jeepxj1234's Avatar
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,843
Likes: 0
From: NC
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 L
Default Project learn as I go budget build another red xj all of the above build

So I've been on here and had my jeep for a while now and have learned a lot but never really had time to make a build but now I have some free time and just decided to lol. BTW I'm 17 years old and am paying for insurance and gas on a part time high school job so this will be kinda slow.
So here we go!
1998 Jeep Cherokee Sport
4.0L D35 front 8.25 rear
Completly stock
205xxx miles
Dirty as crap

It ran great when I got her but the interior was gross and the engine needed a thorough tune up.
The day I bought if (for $1800)
Project learn as I go budget build another red xj all of the above build-010.jpg

Project learn as I go budget build another red xj all of the above build-019.jpg

Project learn as I go budget build another red xj all of the above build-013-2-.jpg

Project learn as I go budget build another red xj all of the above build-012.jpg

So first step was to give it a good tune up and do some MAJOR cleaning. We (my dad and I) took out all the seats and steamed the carpets and all upholstry and go almost all of the stains out. I also put in some sony explode speakers and a new head unit and got the stereo sounding better. Also threw on some 235s and canyon wheels.
Project learn as I go budget build another red xj all of the above build-004.jpg
Reply
Old Nov 4, 2011 | 09:45 PM
  #2  
Jeepxj1234's Avatar
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,843
Likes: 0
From: NC
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 L
Default

Project learn as I go budget build another red xj all of the above build-004.jpg

Project learn as I go budget build another red xj all of the above build-005.jpg

After I got the Jeep clean and running well, my parents let me start throwing my money down the hole of aftermarket fun! First thing in my mind was a lift. A buddy of mine sold me his Rusty's 2" coils and shocks which I combined with 2" spacers and a Superlift 3" AAL if found on craigslist. After that I put in some brake line relocation brackets, tcase drop and 2* shims which cured my vibes and rode on that for a couple months.
Project learn as I go budget build another red xj all of the above build-024.jpg
Project learn as I go budget build another red xj all of the above build-025.jpg
Project learn as I go budget build another red xj all of the above build-027.jpg
Reply
Old Nov 4, 2011 | 09:53 PM
  #3  
Jeepxj1234's Avatar
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,843
Likes: 0
From: NC
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 L
Default

Then I of course wheeled it some! Hate getting mud out of all those nooks and cranneys though...
Project learn as I go budget build another red xj all of the above build-jjjeep.jpg

Project learn as I go budget build another red xj all of the above build-jjeep.jpg

So over the summer I got some RE fixed LCA's, a surco rack and some 31" Dunlop all terrains off craigslist and put them on and thats pretty much how she sits today.
Project learn as I go budget build another red xj all of the above build-jeep-4.jpg
Project learn as I go budget build another red xj all of the above build-jeep-5.jpg

Future plans include:
Steering stabalizer
1.5" shackles
4.5" coils
new shocks
possibly 32" tires and soft 8s or similar
new track bar
and thats about all I can think of.

Oh and I have new ball joints and a new zj tie rod upgrade sitting in the garage waiting to go on here in a couple weeks!
Reply
Old Nov 4, 2011 | 10:06 PM
  #4  
Jeepxj1234's Avatar
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,843
Likes: 0
From: NC
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 L
Default

Here's another picture beside my friends stocker
Attached Thumbnails Project learn as I go budget build another red xj all of the above build-image-3336851073.jpg  
Reply
Old Nov 4, 2011 | 10:08 PM
  #5  
Jeepxj1234's Avatar
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,843
Likes: 0
From: NC
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 L
Default

And I also took off the ugly side trim stuff last weekend. Think it turned our fairly well but getting all the glue off was a pita..
Attached Thumbnails Project learn as I go budget build another red xj all of the above build-image-973738458.jpg  
Reply
Old Nov 4, 2011 | 10:36 PM
  #6  
XJ98sport's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,368
Likes: 0
From: San Juan, PR
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

looks nice and clean! I like it
Reply
Old Nov 6, 2011 | 08:30 PM
  #7  
Jeepxj1234's Avatar
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,843
Likes: 0
From: NC
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 L
Default

Welp threw some sea foam in the tank and did the little throttle button thing to make it shift better. So still running smooth!
Reply
Old Nov 13, 2011 | 01:38 PM
  #8  
Jeepxj1234's Avatar
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,843
Likes: 0
From: NC
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 L
Default

Well me and my friend went to this guy who was parting out his wrecked xj with a 4.5" rc lift. Pulled the coils and shocks for $140. They were 4 months old so im excited!
Attached Thumbnails Project learn as I go budget build another red xj all of the above build-image-1035299134.jpg  
Reply
Old Nov 13, 2011 | 07:24 PM
  #9  
adamk's Avatar
CF Veteran
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,220
Likes: 0
From: Greensboro
Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Default

Where in NC are you? Jeep looks really good
Reply
Old Nov 13, 2011 | 07:30 PM
  #10  
LeRoy90laredo's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 692
Likes: 1
From: Tempe, AZ
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee
Engine: l6 242
Default

Originally Posted by Jeepxj1234
Well me and my friend went to this guy who was parting out his wrecked xj with a 4.5" rc lift. Pulled the coils and shocks for $140. They were 4 months old so im excited!
man you have a real knack for finding extra goodies.

looks really nice.
Reply
Old Nov 13, 2011 | 07:56 PM
  #11  
Jeepxj1234's Avatar
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,843
Likes: 0
From: NC
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 L
Default

Hey thanks guys. And yeah I'm just patient and constantly cruzing the old Craigslist. Oh and in Greensboro.
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2011 | 09:17 PM
  #12  
Jeepxj1234's Avatar
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,843
Likes: 0
From: NC
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 L
Default

Welp sorry it's been a while since last updated, all the Christmas shopping kinda deterred me from finding a track bar and shackles to complete the lift. Anywho I do believe that I'm getting a new steering stabilizer for Christmas and might try and replace my ball joints and put the zj tie rod in over winter break. Happy holidays!
Reply
Old Dec 31, 2011 | 02:35 PM
  #13  
Jeepxj1234's Avatar
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,843
Likes: 0
From: NC
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 L
Default

Quick update: good news, got a rc steering stabalizer, new floor mats and a cargo liner for Christmas!
Bad news, I was fixing to replace my ball joints tomorrow, then my alternator went out today so I will be putting that in tomorrow instead ($160 later)...
Reply
Old Jan 1, 2012 | 03:21 PM
  #14  
Jeepxj1234's Avatar
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,843
Likes: 0
From: NC
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 L
Default

Successfully got the alternator in and she is running fine again. Might put the steering stabalizer on Monday or Tuesday. Ill have to wait and do ball joints on my next available weekend.
Reply
Old Jan 1, 2012 | 03:59 PM
  #15  
OOdynamite's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,412
Likes: 2
From: York PA/State College PA
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L I6
Default

Did you do a stock XJ alt, or go with the upgraded ZJ alt? Nice rig my friend
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:49 AM.