OK, so I suffer from being perpetually "broke" due to my crappy job, school, bills, family, kids, pets and other various reasons, so I would love all yall's input as to what I can do to my baby for free or cheaper that will make it a real XJ and more trail ready. Don't get me wrong, I know from personal experience that a bone stock XJ like mine is very capable and already is trail ready. But I am so envious and embarrassed by just about every XJ is see since I have not an inch of lift nor any roll cage/exoskeleton/rock rails. Oh, I also cannot weld since I lack the $ for a welding setup. I know pretty pathetic huh? Well any help would be great I'm sick of driving what amounts to a glorified station wagon, I wanna be driving a bad **** like I see out there everyday and on this site! Thanks!

 

There are shackles you can buy at advanced auto parts that are for lowering trucks. They fit our XJs almost perfectly, run about $30 and add about 1.5" of lift. Not much, but then again not much $$ either.

Hit up a junkyard and grab some Dakota or f150 leafs and build a bastard pack.

 

Here's a thread full of junkyard upgrades. https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/bud...herokee-58797/

 

You could remove rear swaybar that helps.a lot . If you have a lil extra money maybe set of lights . I know about the tight money thing. I have had my for over a year and just now getting ready to get my lift . Good luck brother

 

Remove your molding from the outside of the doors and paint your fenders and rocker panels.

 

X2 on the molding....I ripped mine off yesterday...glue is kinda of a PIA to get off but it looks much better....I am gonna herculine from the body line down when it stops being all wet outside.....Good luck and believe me...I know about being broke.....child support....crap job......rent.....list goes on my friend...

 

Check out my build the few things I've done have been pretty inexpensive. Good luck bro and post what you end up doing.

 

Sent via my messenger pigeon - I talk, he types.
Dude!!!!!
I'm still cleaning up the apple sauce I spit up after reading that,,,,,, lmsao!!!
XJ Wheeler,

 

You could do the bigger oil filter upgrade when it's time to change your oil.

 

Thanks man, my first try at a funny sig.

 

Hey, thanks to everyone that has replied.
i do have a few more questions that came up from the suggestions tho-

DJKnightmare - If I do the bastard pack with leaf springs off a F-150 or Dakota what do I do to the front to even the lift? is that what the shackles at Advance are for?, is there a specific brand or a part # for me to use? Sorry man don't mean to be a bug, I'm just a true newbie.

XJ Wheeler - I love the list, and the Sig. Thanks very much!

Highwater - right on man, love your pic/avatar by the way. oh, and I don't seem to have a rear swaybar maybe its hiding from me? just kidding I think its already been taken off.

SeaBass, Sm99 - yup the molding is a great idea and absolutely free awesome!

Red82 - ya your rig is looking good, I think i will copy you on the molding/paint it looks good on yours. I'm gonna be studying the different stuff you did. On those black wheels, is that just spray paint or how do i get that flat black looking rim? I have a spare set of wheels that I got for free and I'd like to have them blacked out like yours.

Everyone else thank you and I will pay more attention to your posts when I get more time....

 

[QUOTE=Iwant2understanD;1111431]
XJ Wheeler - I love the list, and the Sig. Thanks very much!...[QUOTE]

Anytime and thanks! Good luck wrenchin'.

 

I actually already got them that way. But if I were to do it I'd get a good metal paint and some primer. I'd wipe down the wheel with acetone to clean it then sand the crap out of it. A light coat of primer, another coat of primer, wet sand, paint, wet sand, paint, wet sand, paint, wet sand, and then I'd seal it in clear coat. I'd also use index cards to help tape off the tire if I'm doing it with rubber on.

I don't personally like these rims but I needed a tire replaced for inspection and my lift goes on this weekend so I don't care too much.

 

everybodys going through a rough time man, don't say kinda pathetic, its not pathetic, at least you've got a XJ, that makes you cool right there! MODDED OR NOT!

 

have fun covering it with mud screw the guys that spend all there money trying to impress people they dont know