Picked up my first XJ, 1998 Classic with 150K on the odo. This is how it sat the day I got it home. Plans are to use as a DD for some years yet (I commute 45 miles each way), weekend camping trips, light* trail runs. From everything I have read and researched a 3" OME with 31's is what I'll start with for suspension. Interior is super clean so to protect it a good set of Mats and seat covers.

 

One of the first things I did was yank the three remaining plastic trim rings off the wheels.
followed by the easy TV adjustment.

 

Swapped out the stock injectors for the 703 mod, phsss that was too easy. After resetting the PCM, filled up the tank with 91 and headed out to the JY this morning and pulled an easy upgrade, ZJ tierod. Well I pulled the entire steering linkage so I can have some spare stuff laying around. After a simple clean up and install into the XJ, it was off to the alignment shop,(Also had to get an alignment from last weekends wheeling.)

P*P Bo*ys, The lazy a$$ tech didn't want to spend the extra 5 minutes to align the steering wheel straight up. I know there is play in the system but don't make that you excuse for not doing the job right. Told me to get a new steering box and bring it back.... Hell I got home, threw it up on stands and centered the steering myself.

 

Ordered up a CB set up and Air compressor from Amazon.

 

Mounted up the Viair 88P in the storage cubby using a small curved side release buckle, a Velcro cable tie, and self tapper with washer. Had to move the Fire Extinguisher up to the top. Then put the loudspeaker in just behind the grill.

 

Got the CB mounted up along with an amp for the PA speaker.

 

Update, took the sway bars off for a trip through Big Bear. Had to test it out first though. Turned out not to be a good idea, I was dragging a lot more over rocks than when the front was still attached, so, back on it went.

Then I got tired of the Hi-Lift rattling around the back, so I adapted some pipe hanger brackets from work to use as a mount for the rear bumper.

TIRES! OH Yeah. Picked up a set of 31" KM2s for a great deal, they only had 5K miles on em!! WOOT WOOT!

Oops, need more room for them to fit nice. Cut and fold time on the rear.

 

Cut the rear fenders some and now they fit! Since there was no recovery point stock, I made some templates and cut a couple 1/4" plates to sandwich the passenger side frame. BAM! 10,000lb hook held with 1/2'' grade 8 bolts. I know this isn't the best, it is better than having nothing.

Finally the latest is the Cowl intake. Patterned from another user here, 2 90* 3'' street elbows, a section of 3'' straight pipe and a stock rubber intake tube. LOW END THROTTLE RESPONSE IS IMPROVED!

 

Pulled all the plastic flares off and trimmed up the front bumper cover.

 

Got a set of second hand/never used JCR Crusader sliders.

 

Went out to Ocotillo Wells and this was the second trip where I was having significant clearance issues.

Time to start assembling all the parts I want for my lift.

 

Put together a budget minded lift using mostly hand me down parts.
S10 leafs
The new part was the Metalcloak Front 3.5" TJ springs.
JKS Disco's
A set of high clearance LCA's
Rancha ES9000 shocks (couldn't find a picture)


I still have a set of HD no lift relocation boxes to put and shackles.

 

Here are a few action shots since then.

 

Did a toe adjustment today, then tire rotation. Measured nearly 1/2" toe in from Pepboys alignment. I was wondering why I had such bad cupping issues. (Picture taken after rotation.)

 

Hit the trails over the weekend and got a few more beauty marks.

A couple of flex shots just for fun.