Project RustBucket: 1987 Pioneer
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Joined: Dec 2010
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From: Wayne, WV
Year: 1987
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
I thought I should start a build thread since I have been creeping for awhile and I finally have my XJ done. I call it RustBucket because it came from PA so its pretty rusty. It had 199xxx on the clock and ran fine when I went to get it. I had to haul it home because the brakes were mushy and the tie rod ends were about to fall apart. I paid $1000 for it as it sat and it came with a lift kit and adjustable track bar and shocks. Here it is on the way home:

I wheeled it one time stock like this and it did surprisingly well. After doing some research I figured out that it has the np242 tcase and rear Dana44 from the factory. I figured out that 1987s with the factory tow package came with a d44 stock. I was pretty stoked about that! After learning more about jeeps I figured out it also has a non-disconnect hp d30 in the front. One more thing I dont have to worry about!
After the ride it went straight to the garage. I didnt even wash it, mainly because it was below 20 degrees as a high at the time. I started tearing it apart and began installing the lift.





I found a smoking deal on a set of 33x13.50 swamper tsls and my awesome girlfriend bought em for me! I sold the wheels that came on it and found a set of 15x8 d-windows for $150. We had a ride planned for a saturday and we ended up working in it from 10:30 friday night until 6:00 saturday morning to get this thing finished up. Got it all done and slept 3 hours so we could go ridin saturday and ended up breaking the u joint yokes on both front axle shafts thanks to my newly installed locker. But anywho here are some pictures of the finished product.



and a picture of the hill that ruined my axle shafts.

Sorry my thread wasnt incredibly detailed or anything but I will keep it updated as things progress. My plans are to lock the rear and maybe add a little more lift.

I wheeled it one time stock like this and it did surprisingly well. After doing some research I figured out that it has the np242 tcase and rear Dana44 from the factory. I figured out that 1987s with the factory tow package came with a d44 stock. I was pretty stoked about that! After learning more about jeeps I figured out it also has a non-disconnect hp d30 in the front. One more thing I dont have to worry about!
After the ride it went straight to the garage. I didnt even wash it, mainly because it was below 20 degrees as a high at the time. I started tearing it apart and began installing the lift.





I found a smoking deal on a set of 33x13.50 swamper tsls and my awesome girlfriend bought em for me! I sold the wheels that came on it and found a set of 15x8 d-windows for $150. We had a ride planned for a saturday and we ended up working in it from 10:30 friday night until 6:00 saturday morning to get this thing finished up. Got it all done and slept 3 hours so we could go ridin saturday and ended up breaking the u joint yokes on both front axle shafts thanks to my newly installed locker. But anywho here are some pictures of the finished product.



and a picture of the hill that ruined my axle shafts.

Sorry my thread wasnt incredibly detailed or anything but I will keep it updated as things progress. My plans are to lock the rear and maybe add a little more lift.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Wayne, WV
Year: 1987
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Going friday to pick up a HP44 and 9" rear and to swap into this bad boy. Hopefully when all is said and done it will be sittin on 36s. Ill be sure to keep you all updated.
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