Project: Rust Bucket
 

Been a member on here since I got my XJ last july. I figured its time to start a build thread.

The day I got it Attachment 352665 The next day, I took the fender flares and sway bar off for some stock flex pics and measurements. Attachment 352666
While taking the sway bar and flares off, I noticed the driver floorboard. Or lack of driver floorboard.. And quite a bit of rust on the back wheel wells. Anyways, I soon put the sway bar back on due to ridiculous bump steer.
I immediately started having overheating problems when I got the jeep, so by process of elimination, I ended up replacing the entire cooling system (lifetime warranty FTW!!!).
After a while, I started having a soft brake pedal. So again, I replaced everything. New brake booster, master cylinder, brake line, calipers, pads, and drilled and slotted rotors. Attachment 352667
When I finally got tired of this Attachment 352668
I did this Attachment 352669 Good enough.
Put in a 97+ center console Attachment 352670
A few months went by, and I was getting the itch to take her out in the mud. So I ended up cutting and folding my fenders, buying a CB radio, some wrangler steelies, and 31x10.50x15 Cooper STT's. Attachment 352671Attachment 352672
Those tires ended up getting me in some trouble. Attachment 352673Attachment 352674Attachment 352675Attachment 352676
About a month after that, I was going down the interstate and heard a loud pop and a very familiar sound. I had thrown a rod through the oil pan and cracked the block.Attachment 352677
Not letting that get me down, I put a used motor and trans in it.Attachment 352678Attachment 352679
Got her running, and drive it daily now. Just mounted my hi-lift to the front bumper and started the 97+ front end conversion with the header panel. This is how she sits today.Attachment 352680
I'll try to keep this updated as I do more to the jeep.

Next up:
Finish 97+ front end
Paint
3" lift

Taking her back out into the mud tomorrow for the first time since the new motor and trans. Pics tomorrow night. Wish me luck!

Looks awesome, and good luck!

first off welcome with a build thread. Always nice seeing another 2-door.

but how about a quickie on what the hell happened lmao.... was it legal "trails" and why does your buddies XJ loook like the grill is about to fall off.

Haha well I thought the property belonged to the church right beside the trail.. It just happened to be MSD sewer company's property, and that creek just happened to lead to the Ohio river. Someone called the police, and they called the fire department because my buddy leaked some transmission fluid (I'll get to that in a sec). The fire department declared it a level 1 hazmat situation. They had an environmental company come clean it up for the low low price of just $3,500.

About the black 4 door. He got stuck trying to get me out, and another XJ came to help us both. They hooked up to the black one's core support and ripped it off, along with transmission lines. Fun times.

Well, guys.. I'm now looking for a 97-98 4 door to replace my 2 door. Looking for one with a good body and blown motor or bad tranny to keep the price down. Should have one in a couple weeks. Getting tired of all the rust and leaks every time I hit a mud hole or it rains hard. Pics to come!

Stole this sexy thing for $1000 this morning.

Attachment 350915

Great find, great price

looks great

Thanks guys. It either needs the flywheel bolts tightened or a new motor. Either one is fine with me, considering what I paid for it.

I'll be checking the flywheel bolts as soon as the snow melts.

Flywheel bolts were tight. Gonna be starting the motor swap from the XJ to the ZJ sometime this week.

Starting tear down Thursday. Been tinkering with the ZJ to pass the time. Installed my head unit, amp, and sub today. Also installed my CB into my center console. And I forgot to mention, the ZJ came with a set of rock sliders that will also be getting installed this weekend.

Attachment 350541

More pics Thursday!

Couldn't wait till Thursday.

Attachment 350485