So after years of not having an XJ (I have owned several) I found one cheap enough, and an early model like I want. Yes, it has the 2.8 V6. I'm old, not in a hurry, and don't care.

First, the wife, and I gutted the interior. I knew the would be some rust. As of now, I am rolling with just the front seats.

After all all of the nickel, and dime stuff was fixed on the engine, and the Jeep itself, it was time to lift it.

I got the RC 4.5" Long Arm kit with full rear springs. Also, General Grabber X3 in 33x10.5/15 on plain old black rims.

This one came with 3.73 gears. Every 2.8 I have had before came with 4.10. Can't get lucky every time I guess. (Now with 4.56 gears) With no OD, and the lock up converter, it turns about 3,000 RPM at 60 MPH. The 2.8 is quite happy up there.

RC Heavy Duty tie rod. That thing is beefy.

Hella ECE headlamps with 55w low/100w High beam (With a proper wire harness, and relays). Also ECE factory tail lights with working rear fog.


Here are some pics of the progress:

 

Looks perfect! I was thinking about getting the X3s aswell, how do you like them so far?

 

So far I have only had them ON road. They are not loud, but you can tell they are there. Max inflation is 50psi, and I run them at 40.

 

I had a old 2.8 jeep for a couple years...It was a great jeep and lived on till the next owner piled it up in a ditch...Lookin good..

 

What are your future plans?

 

SmittyBilt XRC front, and rear bumpers. I already have a Ramsey 8,000# winch laying around for the front.

Hella Rallye 4000 lights will be installed once the bumpers are on. (Also laying around)

Eventually I will put carpet back in it. The old carpet was water logged. Then again, I may not ever put carpet in.

I recently bought an XJ Dana 44 for the rear. Still undecided on gear ratio. Most definitely with be lunchbox locker equipped.

 

More excitement over the weekend. Added the SmittyBilt XRC bumpers. Turns out the Ramsey Pro8000x needs a motor. That will be installed after a thorough refresh.

 

Great build, cant wait to see future things...

 

Me, either! LOL. I have just been doing little nickel, and dime stuff. I still haven't gone to get the XJ D44 I bought. It's in a safe place, though. Still torn between going 4.10, or 4.56 gears. I'll be going to a 3.4L V6 at some point. More to come!

 

So I decided on the 4.56 gears. Also picked up a D44 for a decent price. Got it re geared, and now installed. Hopefully, I'll get the front done this week.

Also note the gas tank with no skidplate. That will be addressed soon.

 

And finally got the front re-geared on Friday. Also note to self: NEVER use Chinese hubs on a lifted XJ. The driver side gave out after about 150 miles.

 

Next up is a 207 to 231 swap. I have the 231 in the garage ready to pull apart only because it has 21 splines, and I need it to be 23 spline, and the "long" input.


Also on the to-do list is to make the gas tank skid fit with the SmittyBilt bumper brackets. Time to get the plasma cutter out!

 

Finally got to shake the suspension down... Took a little day trip to Carova Beach with the wife, and my Dad.

 

Carova Beach again. 8 psi in the tires equals no need for 4WD unless going over a dune ramp.

 

Items to repair, or add:

Shift shaft seal on the transmission leaks. Just got the seal kit.

Got the 231 input shaft swapped. Now to install, and measure for front driveshaft.

Also needs a transmission cooler with an electric fan. The 904 heats up like crazy.

Still need to fix a couple of spots on the floorboard so I can replace the carpet, and install the interior trim, and console etc. etc.

Still need to buy a winch. Thinking about Engo.