This is my first build thread just think I should throw that out there before anything. i purchased the 97' XJ for $800 in Mexico (Matamoros, Tamaulipas). this is my first jeep and it has seriously impacted me and my wallet, and of course a couple of arguments with the wife.
this was the first day i purchased it.



What a rust bucket, it was exactly as you imagine it with everything complete neglected.. But what more do you expect right?
my original plan was a small 4.5 RC lift and 33" tires, i say small because i have always had big trucks, as my daily driver is a 05 f150 8" lift on 37" Toyos 20" wheels, gears, blah blah blah.
after the lift i was hooked.. wasn't nice to look at but seriously out-performed anything i ever owned previously off-road.

 

wheeled it for a while.. until it started breaking.. all at once, water pump, new hoses, thermostat, housing, 3 row radiator, head gasket, exhaust manifold gasket, injectors, alternator, starter, fuel pump, NS switch, camshaft sensor... Taurus fan, and lots, lots, lots, lots more.. that i seriously cant remember right now and don’t want to remember.

then in early 2010 i pulled the trigger on a new 6.5 RC long arm lift.
Let me tell you now in advanced.. This kit has its flaws, first the cross member didn’t line up, second, JOINTS! We all know the story on them..
Everything else well built. Also installed an Aussie locker on the dana turdy. I recommend everything to go out at get yourself an Aussie, they perform really well.

 

Again wheeled it some more, after months with the horrible paint of who knows what it was, I decided to paint it, the paint was also done in Mexico for $200. That included labor and paint
While it was being painted I ordered a Logans Metals front bumper and XRC8 winch with synthetic line.
This was the outcome.

 

 

I had some hellas that I wasn’t using to I decided to convert them into HID’s I was really impressed on how they turned out, I don’t have any pictures of them on but they lit up a stop sign about 400 yards away.

 

After having it like this for a couple months, I decied to get bigger tires (35x12.5x15) along with Yukon 4.88 gears, and a sweet ford 8.8

 

Had a real nice local guy gear them up for me, thanks to MODESTMIKE from this site who introduced me to him, real nice guy.



I new that while I was doing this I wanted to fresh’n up everything, change every bolt, nut, washer I came to, replaced everything with grade 8 bolts. Aswell as new paint, I ended up cleaning everything I could, including the axles.

My Aunt stopped by with a little motivation.. My uncle owns a shop in mexico, really well know in this area, and he built this for her. I KNOW this is way off topic but this thing is just way to cool..

2010 Jeep Rubicon with…………
6.1 HEMI he used the American Expedition Vehicle kit and purchased the engine elsewhere. ::drool:: she let me borrow it for the day. This thing was a beast…



My little cousin was drivin my 1 year old son around in my sons jeep.. Haha

 

Alright back to my jeep… haha
While I was rebuilding everything on mine from front to back I decided to get Johnny Joints to replace the crap RC Joints.

I also went with the greasable bolts.


Also cut off the original lower arm mounts and replaced them with Currie Mounts

Pic of one of my welds, for being new to welding I think they are alright..


While I had the axle out, I cleaned everything and painted the inner fender wells.

My son wanting to help me paint the “frame” rails.


I really like the way the front axle turned out with everything cleaned up. i had also ordered sway bar end links but when i received them they ended up being stock height.. so i modified them a little.. turned out nice.

 

Arms i stretched the front forward 1"

The near end. With new Rustys heavy duty tie rod, crok inner frame plate, and steering box brace.

I really like the way the front end turned out.



Now im working on he rear, I just removed the rear axle today and mocked up the 8.8. Tomorrow im gonna adjust the angle, weld everything in place and paint it. Should be done with this project by Saturday or Monday.

 

I don't know how this topic hasn't gotten more attention. Badass build man! Your tail lights are probably some of the nicest i've seen. Not overdone, but still go well with the black. That's what i'm hoping to do with mine eventually

 

Man that thing is mean, good job. your suspension looks great, makes me want to tear mine apart and clean it all up.

Also agree with the above poster, love your tail lights, thats exactly how I want mine.

 

that thing is friggin nice. and i cant beleive you got it painted for 200,

 

looks nice and pretty well thought out. i start mine tonight. D60 in rear. then in a couple weeks start on the d44 30spline chromo axles with ctms all cryo treated. 5.38 gears. and with the fires out and the forrest opened up its time to wheel.

 

Thanks everyone, does anyone know what the angle should be on the 8.8? Thanks.

 

have you had your 8.8 axle tubes welded to the pig yet??? they've been known to (over and extended period of abuse) separate from the pig, (factory welds just aren't that dependable...) nice build thought BTW, definitely looking like a "***** to Bull" build hahaha keep it up