Kristian

Hello Everyone, Kristian here

Got into Wheelin a few years after highschool when my girlfriend and I purchased a 99 ZR2. After we broke up I was hooked and set out to find a rig of my own. Looked at cherokees and ZR2s but ended up flying to Detroit to purcahse a 2001 ZR2 with just about every factory option. For those that don't know, the S10 aftermarket sucks... after much research and a lot of trial and error this is what I ended up with.

2001 ZR2
5 inch BDS
33 inch KMs
96 231 swap including console/shifter and full delete of the 233
Iron Front Differential Housing from a 5 speed zr2 truck
Lockright front locker
2 piece shaft delete using an AWD shaft and tube
Flanged CV conversion using a custom made spacer and early 90s ZR2 CVs
cryogenically treated driverside stub
Sliders
Custom Idler Arm
Energy Suspension motor mounts / transmission mount

Well the energy suspension motor mounts were destroyed in 4 trips and they were the only off the shefl /bolt on mounts available AND I was killing idler arm bushings every 4 trips so I decided to sas it.

Purchased a 77 F250? HPdana44
4.88s
True Track
Flat tops
High Steer Arms
Thick Cover

BUT, then I found a 94 ford bronco...
Purchased it for 2500 and parted out 1500+ worth of stuff.
Traded the truetrack axle previously mentioned to a buddy
and I kept the following:
HP dana44
-ARB
-4.11
-5 lug converted
Dana 60 Rear Semi Float
-Dynatrack shafts
-ARB
-411s
35inch All Terrains and Aluminum Wheels.

But THEN I added up the cost of SASing the ZR2 and it was just not worth it... Not a big fan of the front lights/grill and I wanted 4 doors so... I sold it! and Bought:

96 Cherokee XJ
HP dana 30 / Dana 44 rear
-4.56s
-ARBs
-Shafts
-Slotted/drilled/treated brakes
Rebuilt 4.0
Long Arms
8inch +
Bumpers
Sliders
roof Rack
SYE
Tcase skid
BPEs
yada yada yada

BUT, I Had my heart set on using those ford axles so I sold the Dana 30 and 44 from the XJ for a couple grand+ (wish I hadn't) and bought a TNT truss kit for the HP44... And then it sat for years and years and years and... you get the idea.

Recently I purchased a 2000 XJ limited for my new DD and I am in love with this little SUV. After fixing all the little things I am back to work on the 96 Crawler. New specs are

96 XJ
HP dana 44 front
-ARB
-411s for now
-TNT truss
-Gusseted Cs
Dana 60 semi float rear
-ARB
-411s for now
-Dynatrac shafts
-Disk Brake converted
Rustys Long arms
Rubicon express 5.5 coils + Dana 44 tube + Truss = 7 inch
Rubicon express 3.5 leafs + 1.75 shackle + D60 tube + large perch = 7 inch
Sliders
Bumpers
Rack

Pretty much just need to put it together. Going to be selling of my beefy aluminum wheels for some steelies and selling the 35inch all terrains to help fund some 35inch MTRs. Long term plans included reid/solid knuckes, RCV shafts, crossover steering and hydro assist and some diff armor.

So there you have it. My name is Kristian and I own 2 XJs. One of which I have owned for nearly 5 years and I have NEVER been 4x4 in an XJ.

XJwonders

Welcome to the forum, glad u signed up!

Kristian

Thanks! Its good to be here after lurking for so many years.

Brandonrcm

Sounds like you've been through a journey with these axles already. Everything sounded pretty sick. I liked those zr2 blazers actually wanted one at a point. Had a 96 regular blazer 100% stock but with 33 mickey thompson baja claws. It rubbed like a B

Welcome though!

Kristian

Thanks Had I known the HP44 ans HP30 use the same U-Join I would have sold the ford stuff off. Live and Learn.

Was yours blazer a 2 door or a 4 door? I always wanted a 4 door... But what a nightmare those things are... Waited a year for ES motor mounts to come out, only to destroy them on the 4th trip. Broke 2 stub shafts, one cryo treated. And killed idler arms every trip out. Even with a custom idler arm I was killing the bushings every 4 trips. So glad to be in a JEEP and have all the aftermarket support.