Project: Big XJ
 

If you don't like 4wd builds, go back now :)

So to start and keep it simple. I've been building Jeeps for over 10yrs now. Hobby of mine to tinker with these things. I've built Wranglers, but as I was working on a 03 Wrangler a trade from a wheelin buddy of mind landing in my lap and I was no where close to being done on the 03. I was building the 03 with a 5.9 Magnum (already welded in), putting one ton axles under it (have the axles) and building a crawler. Buddy of mine wanted it, so I set it back up on stock axles, with the V8 drivetrain and traded.

Reason I traded is I already had two TJ Wranglers. A third one (the 03) was taking up garage space. So I received this Cherokee with some really nice parts on it. However it had been rolled and beat like a whore for a long time

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m...6_21-34-29.png

Streched wheel base, 8in Rusty Offroad Springs, 6.5 Rusty Offroad Leaf Springs with extended shackles RE longarm, Iron OTK Steering, Double Sheer HD Trackbar, locked front/back, in this pic the rig is on 37in tires, SYE kit, rocker sliders, bilstein shocks.


Not a bad rig if someone would put a cage around it.

I found a Cherokee Shell for a good candidate swap. I didn't take many pictures but here is what the above Cherokee parts will do to a stock Cherokee.

Drivetrain swapped in and installing front suspension

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m...s/IMAG0258.jpg

Rear Suspension in

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m...s/IMAG0280.jpg

New fender flair on and painted

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m...s/IMAG0285.jpg

Replacement driver door and fender to replace badly dented old ones. Still need to remove pin striping from the entire vehicle. All door components swapped over from old door.

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m...s/IMAG0286.jpg

Bumper painted and installed (budget build so I did not throw any aftermarket parts to this vehicle other then what came from the green one. If I keep this Cherokee for any amounts of time, winch bumper is on the list)

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m...s/IMAG0287.jpg


This is where she sits at the moment. Drivetrain is complete, interior is swapped in and complete. Need to remove pin striping, color match faded moldings, finish swapping out old bushing in the control arms and put suspension back together, install exhaust, bleed brakes, add fluids, inspect, wash/detail, and then test her on the trails.

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m...s/IMAG0288.jpg



Not a bad project but has interfered with my one ton Wrangler build I was working on but this was a good break


and the green Cherokee arriving at the junk yard

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m...19151413_1.jpg

Re: Project: Big XJ
 

Hell yes. I wish I kept mine

Re: Project: Big XJ
 

They are fun, the driver area always makes me feel cramped though.

Re: Project: Big XJ
 

Nice, I love XJs. Looks good. Heh, still got 4.0l head in my garage from when we replaced the engine in the one I had. Head was all r that was worth keeping from the old one.

Re: Project: Big XJ
 

Is this one of the rare, 5 speed ones?

Re: Project: Big XJ
 

I was gonna buy another one before I got my civic, but couldn't find one that was worth it locally.

Re: Project: Big XJ
 

I miss mine. I had a 2dr/5speed truck.

Re: Project: Big XJ
 

Yeah, same here. It's hard to find them that aren't either beat to shit or have a million miles on them.

Re: Project: Big XJ
 

idk, i kinda like the pin strip

Re: Project: Big XJ
 

Exactly. I dont mind beat to shit as long as it runs well. But people want to much money for em a lot of the time.