theyammieguy

Not gonna call it a build thread. I'm basically installing parts.
I had been wanting a Jeep for quite some time and actually joined this forum in 2009 to research the Cherokee and Grand Cherokee. I had an 01 Chevy S10 Blazer 2dr, 2wd on 5" of lift. I wanted a Jeep and something with 4 doors, so I sold the Blazer and bought the XJ.

I'm starting this now, just to keep track of pictures. This is going to be a slow, slow process. Two kids, a pregnant wife and a Harley put Jeep mods in the back seat.

So. Here it is the day I bought it. 96 with 142,000 miles. In this picture it has a Rough Country 3" lift with AAL's, and some off brand 30x9.5" tires.

theyammieguy

My XJ is a base model. No power windows or locks, no rear defrost and warning lights instead of gauges. So, being the mechanic I am, I had to install some gauges. I got the cheap ones from O'reillys. The gauges are decent except for the fact that the oil pressure gauge filled up with oil a few months after I bought them, and the coolant temp gauge quit working. They had a year warranty on them, so I took them out and traded them in for a new set. If they decide to go out again, I'll either get a stock gauge cluster or some good gauges.

I used some brass fittings for the coolant temp sending unit.

I was also bored one day and decided to remove the front bumper and grill and paint them.

theyammieguy

I like to read a lot and I spend quite a bit of time lurking on here just researching various mods and getting idea's for how I want my XJ to look and perform. I was dead set on bigger tires in a mud type tread. I decided on BFG KM2's in a 33x10.5x15". I like the looks of the 10.5 vs. the 12.5 better. I knew I had to trim. So, I yanked the flares off and started trimming. I got the fronts done for now and I have room for the tires.

theyammieguy

Throughout the weeks, and without pictures, I've also replaced the thermostat, thermostat housing, both heater hoses, fan clutch, heater control valve, water pump and radiator.

I also needed storage for all my gear, so I grabbed a box that we use at work for storing fittings on our tractors. It's made of SS and holds a lot.

98REDXJ2

i like how narrow those km2s are. I just dont really want to go to 33s because I cant afford to regear

theyammieguy

I didn't regear, and really don't plan on it. I didn't really notice a difference in throttle. I'm pretty light footed though.

98REDXJ2

well I'm reconsidering the 33s since i didnt know you could get them with 10.50 width.

what lift are you currently at with them? and how bad is your mileage?

theyammieguy

3" Rough Country.

I just had them installed yesterday, so I haven't had a chance to calculate mileage.

Future

Looks good man! If u decide to go bigger, like I did. Just add 1.5" shackles, brake lines, lower control arms, trackbar, and either 1.5" coil spacers or 4.5" coils.

98REDXJ2

oh ok lol. I will probably be buying me some 33x10.50s now instead. I'm going to be at around 4" lift.

theyammieguy

I plan on going up to 4.5". Here's how.

IRO upper and lower adjustable control arms
IRO double shear adjustable trac bar
RE 4.5" coils
RE 3.5" leaf packs
1" shackles or shackle relocation brackets
SYE
Extended brake lines
Bilstien shocks.

theyammieguy

theyammieguy

Got my Dirtbound off road extreme winch bumper installed.

pickles

Lookin good!

theyammieguy

Thanks.