Jeep Cherokee Forum - Rookie's dream build with stock 99.

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Rookie's dream build with stock 99.

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...8b6f0b0ba2.jpg

Hey guys,
I'm new to the forum but have been here before to read. I'm not an expert mechanic or extremely knowledgeable on builds, but I do have experience turning wrenches and, more importantly, have money to throw at my jeep.
I have a 99 xj that was an old fleet vehicle that didn't see much action. My brother bought it used and quickly installed an air raid intake system and throttle body spacer with dreams of building an offroad beast. Things went bad for him and I bought the Jeep 6 years ago.

I have literally done nothing to it except regular maintenance. I wheeled it lightly while travelling around for work and realized the potential. Now, I'm settled and ready to build the dream jeep.

So far, I've ordered a 4.5 inch bds short arm kit. I also ordered RC drop brackets for the control arms and a SYE. New Black Rock steel wheels and 32" tires. Since this will be my DD and I don't plan on wheeling too hard until I buy a truck I've opted for the short arm kit with drop brackets. Later, I will change to a long arm and try to go with 35's.

I'll post pics along the way. The shop doing my work is going to allow me to help out so I can gain experience and get to know my jeep better.

If anyone has any tips or info or questions I'd love to share and gain knowledge. This is still pretty new to me, so go easy on me.

Welcome and good luck with the build. I'm doing something similar with my 1999 XJ. https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f46/ma...ehicle-196778/

Looking forward to seeing your progress.

Thanks. Can't wait to get it started

Man, youre doing it right with BDS as a first lift haha. Im probs gonna have to go cheap with mine

I was gonna buy a truck but up here in Maine it's hard to find a decent one in my price range. Everything has rust. So, I took that money and am putting it into the jeep. I'll keep this jeep forever.

perfect starter build

Today was awesome! We got the rear lift taken care of and put on the tires and wheels to see how it looked. I'm pretty happy with it. Tomorrow will be front end SYE and then we'll measure and order drive shaft. Hopefully be here by the weekend. Mechanic, Dom, is a total bad ***. I will owe him big time after this. Anyway, what do you guys think?https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...f382661f6a.jpg

Random guy walked in to take a peek. He liked it

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...c5ae100f6c.jpg

Wheel shop forgot caps...

More pics from today. https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...938b0c3ddd.jpg

Dom, lookin at his handywork

Today, Dom installed the SYE kit and the control arms, shocks and springs. When I got there I just helped out finishing it all up and putting the tires on. I gotta say, this is not as bad as I thought. I am surprised at how much I remember and how easy it is to figure out where everything goes. It is not easy however to actually do it. I cussed and fought and tried like hell to get it all in, and eventually it worked.... until I realized we forgot the drop brackets. Yep, I pulled a Rookie mistake. Oh well, still have to finish up but wanted to see what it looked like with the tires on anyway. https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...85fb6d32ea.jpg

Rookie mistakes are what make us rookies, right? Anyway, now you get to get back under there again. ;)

Looking very good though. WTG

Nice! Another white xj in Maine!!

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...14c8b67f1b.jpg

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...1d376536c3.jpg

So, last week I ordered some bushwacker fender flares. Today, I finally had a chance to attempt to put them on. I read that the instructions weren't the best, but figured I could make do with research and know how. Ha!

Instructions were good enough. Outside of a few wrong measurements I could follow along... until the last fender flare. I had to modify a few things along the way and decided to paint the plastics ends of my bumpers to a flat black primer to match up to the new flares, so it took a little longer than I thought but these things usually do. But that rear fender flare is a nightmare!

Instead of cutting out I chose to do the cut and fold that I had seen on a lot of posts. I did okay for the most part. I measured and marked and cut, only a few were just a bit too long. I began banging away and it went well. I sprayed on black primer to all exposed metal and put it all together pretty well. No real issues. The rear drivers side just would not line up at all. I had gone as far as I could without busting through the seam welds. For some reason the door section sits a little low. About 1/4 inch. I'm sure I am at fault but I double and triple checked my measurements and couldn't figure it out. Oh well, it's a little off but it is on hood and tight.