Sooner XJ Build
#1
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Location: Oklahoma
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Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
Engine: Chevy 350
Sooner XJ Build
Well I found this forum site yesterday and instantly decided to become a member. So why not dive right in and start a build thread since I'm in the middle of building my 89 XJ now.
I just want to warn you all that I am a newbie to the 4X4 world and this is my first Jeep, so feel free to comment on anything you see. I may or may not take your advice. I have done a few things that may surprise you and so far I have not seen another build like this one. I'll let yall try to figure out what I'm talking about.
So now to a few pictures.
This is what I started with. I bought this 89 XJ on ebay for $1100.00
It has a Chevy 350 with MT heads and a heavy cam. Edelbrock intake and 4bbl 750 carb. I may change this to fuel injected one day when money is not so tight.
Next I searched the Junk yards around town and found my axles. I wanted a Dana 60 but did not find one in my price range. What I did find was a chevy 10 bolt with 456 Yukon gears and chrome moly axle shafts for $200.00 and a 14 bolt corp for $150.00 ( 373 gears). I now have to get 456 gears for the 14 bolt.
First thing I did was clean them both up and grind the lip off the bottom of the 14 bolt.
I welded a 1/4" plate to the bottom of the housing to act as a skid plate and primed it.
Then I painted it and installed the disk brakes.
Well I think I'll leave here for now and post some more tomorrow if I can.
So critique away folks.
I just want to warn you all that I am a newbie to the 4X4 world and this is my first Jeep, so feel free to comment on anything you see. I may or may not take your advice. I have done a few things that may surprise you and so far I have not seen another build like this one. I'll let yall try to figure out what I'm talking about.
So now to a few pictures.
This is what I started with. I bought this 89 XJ on ebay for $1100.00
It has a Chevy 350 with MT heads and a heavy cam. Edelbrock intake and 4bbl 750 carb. I may change this to fuel injected one day when money is not so tight.
Next I searched the Junk yards around town and found my axles. I wanted a Dana 60 but did not find one in my price range. What I did find was a chevy 10 bolt with 456 Yukon gears and chrome moly axle shafts for $200.00 and a 14 bolt corp for $150.00 ( 373 gears). I now have to get 456 gears for the 14 bolt.
First thing I did was clean them both up and grind the lip off the bottom of the 14 bolt.
I welded a 1/4" plate to the bottom of the housing to act as a skid plate and primed it.
Then I painted it and installed the disk brakes.
Well I think I'll leave here for now and post some more tomorrow if I can.
So critique away folks.
#6
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Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
Engine: Chevy 350
Funny you bring that up.
So, remember my first post when I said I have not seen a another build like mine on here or any other forum for that matter? (not to say I'm plowing new ground here because I do know of 2 other rigs built like mine. They are guys I know well.)
So here it goes...........
I searched and found a 78 Scout II frame and will be setting the XJ body on that.
Here it is when I got it to the shop.
I used a wire wheel ( 4 wire wheels to be exact) and primed then painted it.
I'm sure there will be a few of you out there scratching your heads as to why I would do this. I am on a very tight budget for this build and wanted to build it with leaf springs and make it strong enough to withstand my heavy right foot. And yes I do plan on a full cage before it gets wheeled anywhere.
Here are the front shackles I built out of scrap 1/4".
Here it is with the front axle
With the front tires on it
Here I just set the tires up where I think the wheel base will end up. Looks like around 118"
I will post more as I go. Keep the comments coming. I can use any advise you want to throw out there.
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#13
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Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
Engine: Chevy 350
I have been busy. I finally got time to move it in the shop and start tear down.
I don't have a lift anymore so I made my own.
More to come soon.
I don't have a lift anymore so I made my own.
More to come soon.