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true XJ boatsides

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Old Apr 7, 2015 | 08:37 PM
  #1  
884x4's Avatar
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From: Justin, TEXAS
Year: 1988
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default true XJ boatsides

Well I crushed the heck out of my rockers so this was a much needed modification. I was just gonna do the 2x6 rockers but since my rig is strictly for wheeling I thought I might as well go all out with it.
My doors will never be going back on after this one lol.
So let's get started.
I have read thread upon thread of xj "boatsides" and am a little dissapointed in the lack of individuality on this subject Lol. Everyone does 2x6 rockers.
So I've decided to do mine a little different.
First I took the old crumpled rock rashed fenders off and threw them away.
Then I took all the wiring out of the passenger side foot jam. All the trim came off as well. The other side I will do the same but unfortunately looks like the fuel pump wiring goes through that harness so I will have to get creative.


true XJ boatsides-forumrunner_20150407_203110.png



true XJ boatsides-forumrunner_20150407_203137.png



true XJ boatsides-forumrunner_20150407_203149.png

Then came the first cut. Right next to the unibody.


true XJ boatsides-forumrunner_20150407_203233.png



true XJ boatsides-forumrunner_20150407_203253.png

Then the a and b pillar bases


true XJ boatsides-forumrunner_20150407_203339.png


Last but not least the c pillar base.
Be careful here, don't want to compromise front leaf springs hanger.
Going to have to get creative.


true XJ boatsides-forumrunner_20150407_203450.png

So overall its about 9" above where the bottom of the stock rocker was!
Here is my 6' stick of 2x4 3/16 all mocked up.


true XJ boatsides-forumrunner_20150407_203614.png

I'm going to brace this in probably 5 or so places to the unibody with 2x2.

This is all I got to tonight. Need to tac up the 2x4 and go get some more steel.
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Old Apr 7, 2015 | 09:08 PM
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I love the creativity on this. Can't wait to see how it goes
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Old Apr 7, 2015 | 10:48 PM
  #3  
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From: DE
Year: 1988
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I6 4.0
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Finally getting a move on this aren't you haha. Happy to see a different direction and a intense one at that. Good luck.
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Old Apr 8, 2015 | 07:33 AM
  #4  
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From: Duluth, MN
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 I6
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Originally Posted by 884x4
Well I crushed the heck out of my rockers so this was a much needed modification. I was just gonna do the 2x6 rockers but since my rig is strictly for wheeling I thought I might as well go all out with it.
My doors will never be going back on after this one lol.
So let's get started.
I have read thread upon thread of xj "boatsides" and am a little dissapointed in the lack of individuality on this subject Lol. Everyone does 2x6 rockers.
So I've decided to do mine a little different.
First I took the old crumpled rock rashed fenders off and threw them away.
Then I took all the wiring out of the passenger side foot jam. All the trim came off as well. The other side I will do the same but unfortunately looks like the fuel pump wiring goes through that harness so I will have to get creative.

Then came the first cut. Right next to the unibody.

Then the a and b pillar bases

Last but not least the c pillar base.
Be careful here, don't want to compromise front leaf springs hanger.
Going to have to get creative.

So overall its about 9" above where the bottom of the stock rocker was!
Here is my 6' stick of 2x4 3/16 all mocked up.

I'm going to brace this in probably 5 or so places to the unibody with 2x2.

This is all I got to tonight. Need to tac up the 2x4 and go get some more steel.
Dang that's a lot of clearance! Good job so far. Are you welding right to the unibody or do you have stiffeners on there too?
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Old Apr 8, 2015 | 09:02 AM
  #5  
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From: Justin, TEXAS
Year: 1988
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
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Originally Posted by XJlimitedx99
I love the creativity on this. Can't wait to see how it goes
Thanks, I should have it done within 2 weeks
Originally Posted by unidentifiedbomb
Finally getting a move on this aren't you haha. Happy to see a different direction and a intense one at that. Good luck.
Haha yeah I've been talking about it for a while I figured I might as well go ahead and do it.
Originally Posted by JeepMN

Dang that's a lot of clearance! Good job so far. Are you welding right to the unibody or do you have stiffeners on there too?
Yeah im happy with how high it will be.
And I've got HD offroad stiffeners on the unibody
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Old Apr 8, 2015 | 09:16 AM
  #6  
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Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
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very cool, i'm watching.
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Old Apr 8, 2015 | 01:57 PM
  #7  
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From: Justin, TEXAS
Year: 1988
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
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So I got a little more work done. I trimmed the a b and c pillers until they sat flush with the tube. Then I cut and angled the ends of my tube. Still Need to cut some plate out to cap them.
Sanded the edges of the pillars so I could weld the tube to the pillars but I haven't welded them yet.
I measured and I have about 32" of ground clearance at the rocker!

Still need steel for the braces to the unibody.



true XJ boatsides-forumrunner_20150408_135547.png



true XJ boatsides-forumrunner_20150408_135606.png



true XJ boatsides-forumrunner_20150408_135622.png



true XJ boatsides-forumrunner_20150408_135641.png



true XJ boatsides-forumrunner_20150408_135653.png



true XJ boatsides-forumrunner_20150408_135707.png



true XJ boatsides-forumrunner_20150408_135727.png
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Old Apr 8, 2015 | 02:28 PM
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I'm very interested to see how you go about bracing these to the unibody rails.
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Old Apr 8, 2015 | 03:11 PM
  #9  
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From: Justin, TEXAS
Year: 1988
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
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Originally Posted by XJlimitedx99
I'm very interested to see how you go about bracing these to the unibody rails.
It will be easy until I reach the front leaf spring hanger. Just 2x2 slanted down to the side of the unibody from the bottom of my tube. I'm going to have to figure something else out when I reach the hanger though
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Old Apr 8, 2015 | 06:04 PM
  #10  
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From: City of Trees, CA
Year: 93 2 door
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
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ambitious. how much leg room are you gonna have left?
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Old Apr 8, 2015 | 08:32 PM
  #11  
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From: Ross Vegas, Ga
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Reminds me of this jeep.I believe Atmos posted before.

true XJ boatsides-forumrunner_20150408_213137.png
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Old Apr 9, 2015 | 12:31 AM
  #12  
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From: DE
Year: 1988
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I6 4.0
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That jack is pretty cooler!
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Old Apr 9, 2015 | 10:38 PM
  #13  
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From: Justin, TEXAS
Year: 1988
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
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Originally Posted by Atmos
ambitious. how much leg room are you gonna have left?
enough, tight but enough lol
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Old Apr 9, 2015 | 10:40 PM
  #14  
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From: Justin, TEXAS
Year: 1988
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
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Originally Posted by unidentifiedbomb
That jack is pretty cooler!
LOL i see what you did there...
Originally Posted by HS00XJ
Reminds me of this jeep.I believe Atmos posted before.

Attachment 269545
thats exactly what my finished product should look like
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Old Apr 9, 2015 | 10:48 PM
  #15  
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From: Colorado
Year: 1991 2-Door
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Engine: 4.0 liter
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I want to do something similar, a friend of mine is in the process, he is on a diff. site but if it's ok here's a link; http://www.cherokeetalk.com/forum/f2...69/index5.html
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