FISHIES848

Hey guys. This is my 1997 Cherokee xj and it was all stock when i got it like most of us. First, we had to get it running with a new fuel filter and battery. This is back when she was "cute". Lol

FISHIES848

Now after deciding I wanted a lift we did the 3" budget boost from fatbobsgarage.com in Utah. It has spacers in front shackles in back. Also got ideas from warthog on here to build my EMT roof rack. Also got my BRIGHT kc's on a carr light bar for Christmas.

FISHIES848

After driving on bald tires for a while, it was finally time. We chose BF GOODRICH all terrain and I scored 4 black steelies on craigslist for like 125.

FISHIES848

Then begins the chopping! The main goal is to rid of plastic and sheet metal bumpers. I removed my front corner pieces which exposes an incredible amount of clearance. Then to give kind of a finished look, I trimmed my bumper with the angle grinder. The vacuum ball and horns were relocated up a bit with self tappers. Then sprayed with bedliner. Left it for probbly a month and also bedlined my roof rack!

FISHIES848

When we got our lincoln flux-core/mig welder, the building begun. First would be my REAL front bumper I sold my modified stock bumper at the jeep meet. I went to Dencol in Denver and got 5" wide 1/8 inch plate and some 1/4 inch plate for my mounts. After some practice using the welder I begun building. Entire project took one weekend. Started Friday and had it on and bedlined by Sunday! I based my design off of JCR offroad's old bumpers.

FISHIES848

We took my jeep on a trail called Barbour fork outside of Idaho springs. This is the first time the jeep went offroad. We found that the rear tires hit the fender flares very easy, limiting my flexibility. After the trip, I did a 2" add a leaf to add curve to my flat springs. With the shackles and add a leaf, I'm probbly sitting 3.5" to 4". Rides better and flexes great

FISHIES848

Went offroading again with new add a leaf installed down on Dakan "road" near Castle Rock by rampart range. This is my favorite trail! There is a giant rock in the middle and places to camp all over. Heres a few shots of dakan road

bzauche

Another white XJ! Great build so far man, keep it up!

trench_fighter

huh kinda looks like a storm trooper jeep from a distance idk something about it dont you think?

FISHIES848

it kinda does huh?! hahaha

MallCrawlXJ

That rock at Dakan brings back sooooo many memories!! I used to camp there all the time when I was in high school. Have you run the Hidden Valley entrance?

FISHIES848

I don't think I have. Where is it and is it a good trail for my jeep?

XJ98sport

yea another white xj!

FISHIES848

Yeah there sure are a lot of us! Puerto Rico huh? How's wheeling there!?

FISHIES848

Here's how it sits as of today! got a bath and can't get any whiter! I will be painting that little white crossmember behind my bumper and possibly re-enforcing it with some rectangle tube. Love it clean like this!