Project: Zombie Response Jeep
 

Hello everyone. I am new here to cherokeeforum.com as a member but have been browsing numerous Jeep forums over the years. I am on my 2nd XJ now and figured its's about time to sign up. I've been a member on ls1tech.com since 2006 so if any of you are Jeep and LS1 lovers add me over there @ 1998Z28LOADED.

My goals with this rig are to make an expedition style Jeep. I'm not looking to go big or build a rock crawler. My off roading consists of driving around on fields, farms, or mild trails through the woods. I want the Jeep to be practical. I want to be able to DD it and/or take it on the interstate if need be.

I wanted to put together a simple little build thread of my "Zombie Apocolypse Jeep". I work at a used car lot and have been waiting on a solid, rust free XJ for a while now. We finally took this little XJ in on trade last month. Rust free underneath, no major issues with the exception of needing a u-joint. Here she is:

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I picked this one up @ 196,000 miles for about $1,200. Quite the deal in my book. My goal with this project is to make a fun Jeep, something that I can get dirty and modify without having to worry about screwing anything up.

First thing's first, I hate those wheels. I put a few coats of black wheel paint on them. I also removed those fantastic purple "Sport" stickers.

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Next on the list was getting rid of the two-tone grey trim and fender flares. I picked up a couple cans of spray on bedliner at AutoZone and sprayed the trim, flares, and bumpers. I would say it turned out ok, not as rough or thick as I would like.

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I don't take myself real serious, I wanted to make this Jeep fun. I love the idea of building a Jeep to survive a Zombie Apocolypse. It would be cool to be able to get around in a "crap-hits-the-fan" situation. I have a ton of ideas for this theme but budget and time brings on some limitations. I figure the first step is getting a permit: :guns:

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I looked around for a red body color grille, to no avail. Too pricey for what I'm wanting to do. I went to Wal*Mart and grabbed a couple cans of plastic fusion paint and some clear. Not exact match but darn close. I also ordered some cheapy vent-visors from ebay, not bad for $30. They are flexable and mount closer to the glass than the name brand visors. I figure it's actually a better buy for trail riding. Notice my Zombie Hunter puppy seeking shade underneath.

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Nice XJ so far! I LOVE the ZombieResponse theme too. That Krylon paint is REAL close! ill be watchin this build:)

I had to pick up another Zombie sticker for the back glass. I like it.

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A couple weeks ago I went ahead and bought 4 new ball joints and the u-joint I needed. I had some wobble at 55 mph. The front tires are worn funny and are out-of-round. I waited to put them on because I had lift kit plans. :thumbsup:

I picked up a Rough Country 3" lift from a vendor.

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Last weeked was Christmas in July. I found a guy with 31x10.50's looking to trade down to stock wheels (Yes, dreams do come true). I traded my stockers + a Ford brush guard + $40 for his steel d-window wheels and 31's. The tires are 3 different brands and at about 40-50% life left but a deal is a deal.

Since I got tires I figured it was a good time to start the suspension work. Ball joints are a mofo beeeeotch but I got them done with many curse words, a bit of blood, and a large amount of sweat. Took me a few hours a night for almost a week to get ball joints, u-joint, and front lift done. Here's a pic of how she sat last night while I cleaned up the grease and gear oil mess in the garage:

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lookin good so far man

Nice deals on the wheels/tires and the XJ man, looking good.

Mines actually the same theme but a ZJ, about the same shade of red though.:stuart:

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Those lame chrome things were from the PO, gross.

I have these zombie stickers though:
http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/o...D/IMAG0362.jpg

Awesome, our Jeeps are practically cousins. If I ever have to head East for a Zombie Safe Zone, I will be sure to get with you.

I only checked this out because of the title. Cool stuff I'm trying to build an apocalypse senario jeep too.

All I gotta say is people better watch out.

Me too.... diggin' the title... keep up the good work!

I'll be headed north, White Mountains here I come!