the un-named XJ
02-13-2012, 08:13 PM
#1
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Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Operation Buddy: the 5 day build(formerly known as the un-named XJ)
I've been going to start a build thread on my 99 black XJ. I just can't seem to come up with a clever or witty build name, so with out further a-do here's where it begins.
we'll start this here. I had a lifted ZJ (avator pic) but it had the D35 rear, Low Pinon 30 front. I wanted to go a bit higher and run bigger tires then 31's. I started looking at axle swaps, gears, going long arm SYE's, bumpers, etc. the build cost was adding up faster then my winning lotto tickets where coming in. I decided it was time to call the ZJ done, sell it and start over on a stock rig. I decided XJ's are easier to cut & modify without killing the aesthetic look of the truck or costing a small fortune. I'm in the process of transferring pics from my phone, so they will follow. but so far I've taken my stock XJ, fabbed a light bar for the bumper, chopped the fenders, found some awesome body cancer under the right rear bumper cap(that I will repair!) installed a cheap stereo, some 100w long range lights, ordered a 4.5" RC lift kit(waiting on UPS) I'm going to run soft 8's, I wanted to order my tires today but didn't get a chance to make it to the tire shop. I'm either going with Falken wild something AT's (see the last issue of JP & offroad mag) or Hankook dynopro ATM's haven't decided yet. but that where I'm at today. pics to follow!
we'll start this here. I had a lifted ZJ (avator pic) but it had the D35 rear, Low Pinon 30 front. I wanted to go a bit higher and run bigger tires then 31's. I started looking at axle swaps, gears, going long arm SYE's, bumpers, etc. the build cost was adding up faster then my winning lotto tickets where coming in. I decided it was time to call the ZJ done, sell it and start over on a stock rig. I decided XJ's are easier to cut & modify without killing the aesthetic look of the truck or costing a small fortune. I'm in the process of transferring pics from my phone, so they will follow. but so far I've taken my stock XJ, fabbed a light bar for the bumper, chopped the fenders, found some awesome body cancer under the right rear bumper cap(that I will repair!) installed a cheap stereo, some 100w long range lights, ordered a 4.5" RC lift kit(waiting on UPS) I'm going to run soft 8's, I wanted to order my tires today but didn't get a chance to make it to the tire shop. I'm either going with Falken wild something AT's (see the last issue of JP & offroad mag) or Hankook dynopro ATM's haven't decided yet. but that where I'm at today. pics to follow!
Last edited by sportrider; 02-22-2012 at 12:42 PM. Reason: my daughter named the XJ
02-13-2012, 09:19 PM
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Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
sweet man, check out my black 2000 xj build thread. i had a hard time coming up with a name for mine too, til i about got bit by a black widow in my back yard right after i got the jeep and said... aha!
get some pix up! i wanna see the light bar. did u get the rc-x kit?
02-13-2012, 09:31 PM
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Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
no I got the stage II kit (fixed arms) I wanted to got X-joints & full stacks but that put me over my current build budget. here are the first few pics.
if they post as I uploaded them...
the first pic is the day after I bought it.
the 2nd is mocking up my light bar.
3rd lights mounted.
4th fenders cut/
5th. nasty body cancer.
if they post as I uploaded them...
the first pic is the day after I bought it.
the 2nd is mocking up my light bar.
3rd lights mounted.
4th fenders cut/
5th. nasty body cancer.
02-13-2012, 10:19 PM
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Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
sick! i like that light mount, how did you make/attach it? i got plenty of conduit i was using for my roof rack build, i just never figured out a way to attach a light bar like that
02-13-2012, 10:25 PM
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Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
it's made out of 1.75" exhaust pipe. I work at a Midas so it's plentiful and seeing how it's welded to the stock bumper there was no point in making it out of .120 wall DOM just to attach lights to it. it is rock solid on the bumper though and I like the way it looks.
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02-15-2012, 11:36 AM
#9
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Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
just finished replacing wheel end U-joints & installing new hub bearings. now that I got the platform solid, I can go forward with the lift & tires!!!
02-17-2012, 08:28 PM
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Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
got my lift installed today! what a PITA, everything that could be seized was. the small bolts all broke. man I'm glad thats done! so here it is!!!
what do you think?
what do you think?
02-18-2012, 10:00 AM
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Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
thanks!!! I'm really happy with the way it came out. if I get time today, I'm going to buy a CB and antenna and install it.
02-20-2012, 11:40 AM
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Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
we went wheeling yesterday to give it a shake down run. it did ok it's really needing a rear locker. here's a few pics from the trip.