Okay, its time to start a build thread of my own. I have wanted to buy an XJ since around 1996 when I went along with a buddy to Ocotillo in his stocker with 30" BFG A/Ts and I was so impressed at how capable it was (had 250,000 miles on it then) that I wanted one. With family and job changes it never happened, then in 2004 I was driving down the Broadway expressway in Edmond, OK and I spotted a nice looking red XJ and stopped in for a look, an hour later she was mine. With only 77,000 miles and a tow bar attachment on the front, I know I had someone's former tow-behind rig.

Right away I installed a Pro Comp 3" lift with AAL. I picked up some KMC XD Wheels but didn't have enough dough for the tires so I picked up some half worn 31" MT from a guy in town for $100 (they lasted for 2 years!). I didn't take any pictures of her stock but here she is with her lift and new shoes.

 

A couple years later I got some BFG A/T 31s for her. Here she is in the snow before moving to California.

 

We did not do any 4wheeling in Oklahoma except on the roads when there was snow on the ground. My wife and I are from California and in 2010 we moved back to So Cal. I figured it was time to start getting the tires dirty on the XJ.

After a short trip in the Santa Ana mountains and another to Big Bear with some folks we met on the forum we are ready to start phase two of the build. On a reasonable budget we are going to try to build a good capable XJ. We started with a CB, some Smittybilt XRC bumpers, rock sliders, and rocker armor.

 

nice lookin rig. like the red

 

Here she is with new accessories installed:
Smittybilt XRC bumpers, sliders, armor and winch

 

The old AAL is sagging and with the accessories I need a little more clearance. I picked up a set of Rubicon Express 3.5" leaf springs that were for sale here on the forum. I am going to go ahead and get the coils to match so over the next couple weeks I will be installing:

RE front and rear 3.5" springs
adjustable trac bar
brake lines
JKS disconnects

I plan to have this done before we hit the mountains in December. I will post pics and progress of the installation. I am going to start this weekend.

 

looks good. look on serious offroad for RE prices. he has them for a good price

 

This weekend we tackled the upgrade to RE 3.5" springs front and rear along with RE sway bar discos.

Rears went on nice, installed the RE long stainless brake line.

Fronts were not so easy. I had no problems 4 years ago when I put the first lift on but this time the trac-bar bolt is frozen and I cannot get the axle out of the way to get the passenger spring out.

Try again tomorrow.

Here she sits for tonight, will post finished pics tomorrow. This is about all she is getting until I need new tires, maybe a year or so then I am switching to a 4.5" lift with 32s.

 

Day 2:

Installing my front springs. We had more success today and we were able to get her back on the wheels.

Went down to Harbor Frieght to get a cheap puller:

1. removed the stock trac-bar
2. popped the tie rod off the passenger spindle
3. pushed the lower bolts out of the sway bar mounts

Finished putting the front springs, adjustable trac bar and sway bar disconnects.




Finally back on the wheels after a weekend of work.