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96 long arm build

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Old Jan 12, 2014 | 07:56 PM
  #1  
Mountainelk's Avatar
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From: Carson City
Year: 96
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default 96 XJ long arm build

It has been on my list of things to do to the jeep for way too long finally time to start fabricating...

Starting things off with the crossmember build

96 long arm build-forumrunner_20140112_174917.jpg



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Maybe I can start welding this weekend.
Attached Thumbnails 96 long arm build-forumrunner_20140112_175204.jpg   96 long arm build-forumrunner_20140112_175241.jpg  

Last edited by Mountainelk; Jan 12, 2014 at 10:45 PM.
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Old Jan 12, 2014 | 08:04 PM
  #2  
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Need a couple before pictures.

96 long arm build-forumrunner_20140112_180313.jpg



96 long arm build-forumrunner_20140112_180351.jpg
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Old Jan 12, 2014 | 10:02 PM
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Year: 89
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You'll want a removable center section if you ever want to drop the tranny. Looks good though. What kind of arms are you doing? You should 3 link it while you have the chance.
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Old Jan 12, 2014 | 10:22 PM
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I was thinking about building it with a removable center section and still may. This build is just going to be a radius arm setup with johnny joints on both ends of the lower arms and at the connection to the lower arms, using the stock clevite bushings on the uppers for the axle end. A 3 link may be somewhere down the road, but for know my wife drives it to the store way more then it gets off-road.

Last edited by Mountainelk; Jan 12, 2014 at 10:35 PM.
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Old Jan 15, 2014 | 10:23 PM
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90 percent complete on the cross member. Just have to weld the angle iron to the sides to bolt through the unibody and drill for the transfer case bolts.


96 long arm build-forumrunner_20140115_202227.jpg



96 long arm build-forumrunner_20140115_202249.jpg



96 long arm build-forumrunner_20140115_202310.jpg
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Old Jan 15, 2014 | 10:46 PM
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Originally Posted by Mountainelk
90 percent complete on the cross member. Just have to weld the angle iron to the sides to bolt through the unibody and drill for the transfer case bolts.
You aren't going to use the stock crossmember bolts are you?

Looking good
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Old Jan 15, 2014 | 10:52 PM
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Originally Posted by JerrytheJeep

You aren't going to use the stock crossmember bolts are you?

Looking good
No. I am going to weld angle iron to each end and attach to the unibody with 4 9/16 grade 8 bolts on each side.
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Old Jan 15, 2014 | 11:31 PM
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I think it's going under the jeep this weekend.

96 long arm build-forumrunner_20140115_212941.jpg



96 long arm build-forumrunner_20140115_213012.jpg
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Old Jan 15, 2014 | 11:38 PM
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i like that they're recessed for clearance, nice build. are they angled at all to match the axle mounts?
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Old Jan 15, 2014 | 11:54 PM
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Originally Posted by xj2
i like that they're recessed for clearance, nice build. are they angled at all to match the axle mounts?
No, i didn't see a need for as little as i moved the mounts in.
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Old Jan 16, 2014 | 10:25 AM
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Nice build. What are the specs on the steel and tubing you used/are going to use? Where did you get the joints? What size are those? Any though of adding a TC skid to it?
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Old Jan 16, 2014 | 10:36 AM
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Originally Posted by jmu427
Nice build. What are the specs on the steel and tubing you used/are going to use? Where did you get the joints? What size are those? Any though of adding a TC skid to it?
The steel for the crossmember is 2x4 1/4 wall, the angle iron is 3x3 1/4. The lower arms are 2x2 1/4 square tube and uppers are 1.5x1.5 120 wall. The joints I bought at Summit Racing 2.5 inch jj. I am going to be adding a transfer case skid to the crossmember.
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Old Jan 17, 2014 | 06:32 PM
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I can see the light at the end the tunnel.



96 long arm build-forumrunner_20140117_162646.jpg



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96 long arm build-forumrunner_20140117_162921.jpg
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Old Jan 18, 2014 | 12:38 PM
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Lookin good! Ill be watching
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Old Jan 18, 2014 | 12:55 PM
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Originally Posted by EagleXJ
Lookin good! Ill be watching
Thanks. I have been planning this build for a long time so it feels good to finally start working on it.
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