[HWY12XJ]

Hey all... I've been feeling a little frisky lately, and unfortunately been spending money like it's going out of style. Paid my dues to the forum, as I've gotten way more than $25 worth of info from here. Also, realized I haven't posted any pics of my new project.

So, I figured I'd start a project thread, to help track my progress, costs, and hopefully help a few other XJ owners get some ideas. Also, I can keep all my questions in here, so I don't have 40 different threads along the way.

Ok... are we ready? I am!

Vehicle and Quick Specs:
1993 2 door XJ
Auto
NP231 T-Case
115K miles
Picked it up for $1500!

Some Pics:
(A little blurry because there was still mist in the air and the camera tried to focus on it)



Some interior shots:





The only two bad spots on it:


And a dent:


Other than that, she's pretty clean I think. Especially for a $1500 XJ.

Now that we see what I've got to work with, let me give sort of a "Mission Statement".

I'm building this first and foremost as a beach rig. I love to fish the Outer Banks of N.C. and for some reason it's taken me entirely too long to buy a 4wd vehicle so I could get out on the sand. My friends always had something 4x4, so I just relied on them. But, after the last camping fiasco (i.e. lazy friends who would rather watch me be the "camper" than actually be "campers" themselves), I've decided that I'm no longer relying on anyone. I now have something that I'll be able to hook up to my pop-up camper and get out of town for the weekend whenever I have the opportunity.

The only other off-roading this thing may see will be decently cut hunting trails, logging roads, maybe a hill or two. Just some mild stuff. I don't like the idea of rock crawling, extreme articulation, or mirror deep mud. So, I don't need the fanciest suspension setup out there.

However, I do ask one thing from those of you who read this thread. If you see me doing something wrong, please tell me. I am new to the world of 4wd, and have only ever owned lowered 2wd trucks. So... if you see me doing something that makes you think, "He's gonna die." PLEASE... let me know.

With that said, I'm also trying to do this on as much of a budget as possible. Just to do it. I'm trying to save up some money to move out and build this at the same time, so the pennies may get tight from time to time. Plus, I've got a bunch of cheap *** friends that want me to do this so they can see what it would cost to build their own.

[HWY12XJ]

Ok... first order of business. The pinstripes had to go. Silver and purple on a red Jeep just don't appeal to me. I guess to each his own though.

See what I mean?



So, a while back a co-worker and I found the easiest way to pull off vinyl pinstripes. Steam them off. Skip the heat gun... trust me. The steam takes 90% of the adhesive off with it, making that job even easier too.

I didn't take pictures of the proccess (sorry... hope I'm not fired), but here's a few after shots. I like it much better.



Total cost: Freebie!


Next order of business. The clear windows. The beach is a hot place, and that's the number one reason I bought this thing. Not to mention that everything looks better with tinted windows. (Also, the Silverado in the pics above belongs to me... so I'm really not used to clear windows... lol)

So, lucky for me, I work at a truck accessory store, and we happen to tint windows. A layer of 20% all the way around did the trick, don't you think?



Total Cost: Freebie!

[HWY12XJ]

After that, I scored a good deal on a Clarion head unit to replace the tired old cassette player. I was going to try it out, and even thought about leaving it in, however cassettes aren't the easiest things to find these days. Plus, it's a 5 hour trip down to the south end of Hatteras Island... Much more entertaining if you burn a few CD's first.

So, with a little creativity, I set to work trying to get this thing in without buying anything else. Modified the stock radio bracket a little to bolt onto the chassis of the head unit, and hardwired the Clarion harness into the stock harness.






Looks right at home to me. Plus it sounds a whole lot better.




Total Cost: $70


Well... that's it for this installment. I've got a set of 3" coils, guage cluster, passenger mirror, and center console on the way. I'm also 99% sure I'm going to get a set of 33x12.50's on 15x10's on Jan. 20th from a guy a few hours away. Also going to hit up the local junkyards for some S10 spring packs to build some leafs. So, I'll be updating accordingly. Thanks everyone for checking it out, sorry for the novel (I ramble... I know this), and stay tuned!!!

[BftXJ]

looks like a sweet project but your gonna need way more than 3 inchs to fit 33's unless u plan on trimming just a little fyi

[UTHornsFan]

33's are going to be a tight fit on only 3" lift especially if you plan on pulling a trailer. You will also be needing to regear for 33's and trimming your fenders.

IMO for 3" of lift you should go with a 30-31 tire you wont have to trim or regear but would be highly recommended for pulling a trailer. In any case good luck it looks nice and most importantly have fun.

[HWY12XJ]

Originally Posted by BftXJ

looks like a sweet project but your gonna need way more than 3 inchs to fit 33's unless u plan on trimming just a little fyi

Oh I plan on trimming... I don't have a problem with that at all. The flares are getting ripped off too. I think they look better without them.

Originally Posted by UTHornsFan

33's are going to be a tight fit on only 3" lift especially if you plan on pulling a trailer. You will also be needing to regear for 33's and trimming your fenders.

IMO for 3" of lift you should go with a 30-31 tire you wont have to trim or regear but would be highly recommended for pulling a trailer. In any case good luck it looks nice and most importantly have fun.

I have thought of that... and I know 33's are going to be tight. I'm willing to trim to clear them as much as I can without making it too hacked up. I don't want 30's or 31's because I really want a 12.50 width. Anything smaller and you usually have to air down to about 15-20 psi down there in the sand. Then drive all over the place looking for air. It's just a pain. But, with the 12.50's on a 10" wide rim, I should have plenty of float on the sand.

I'm going to re-gear, but it'll be much later down the road. I know it's going to eat more gas, not have any power, etc. I'm expecting it to be a dog, especially towing my camper.

And, speaking of my camper... it's tiny. Sleeps 4 people at MOST. Just a little pop-up, maybe 1000 lbs (packed). Shouldn't be much of a problem. And, I'm going to bumpstop properly, so worst case scenario, it bottoms out on bumpstops.

I appreciate all the feedback though, keep it coming.

[4.0H.O.XJ]

I paid 1500 dollars for an XJ like that, but nowhere near as nice, then. You got a screamin' deal, yo. The only thing that would make it nicer would be if the title was in MY name!

Seriously, that looks like its gonna be a cool project. Hit me up for any ideas or spare shizzle if you need it. My jeep is identical to yours but black and 5 speed.

[toates89]

Originally Posted by 4.0H.O.XJ

I paid 1500 dollars for an XJ like that, but nowhere near as nice, then. You got a screamin' deal, yo. The only thing that would make it nicer would be if the title was in MY name!

Seriously, that looks like its gonna be a cool project. Hit me up for any ideas or spare shizzle if you need it. My jeep is identical to yours but black and 5 speed.

i feel like location is a big deal with prices on the xj's i thought i got a solid deal on my 89 for a grand, then you see this guy and i am all jealous then the next guy who post just paid a grand or two for a hunk

[XJLI]

Originally Posted by UTHornsFan

33's are going to be a tight fit on only 3"

Lies, lies, and lies.

[99XJburton]

Im assuming your doin rod holders? if so..cant wait..lookin for ideas. Those things can get pretty pricey if ya get them custom made. My uncle has one that holds a cooler, tackle and about 8 or so rods. I have 2 holders mounted on my roofrack. just lookin for a front bumper peice to use.

But anyway, lookin good man, cant wait too see the progress.

[balloo93]

Originally Posted by 93XJLI

Lies, lies, and lies.

This was said before he mentioned he would remove the flares and trim.

If you are towing a trailer, I'd seriously recommend the following:

Disconnect Helper springs. Summitracing.com sells some for around $40.

Trans cooler. Heat will kill a AW4.

[badassls1z]

X2 on the tranny cooler. I am running about the exact setup that you want. 3" coils, S10 bastard pack, 33x12.50's, and no flares. I think 3" is plenty enough lift for 33's, I had 31's before and they looked too small. I pull my ATV and trailer which is about 1000 lbs quiet often, it is kinda sluggish, but still plenty driveable. I wouldn't worry about it as long as you have a tranny cooler. Oh and nice jeep and a good deal on it too.

[Kennedy]

My first xj ever looked like this. Only more beat up and trail ready.now I have new toys. And it sure is a beach cruiser. Goodluck buddy.

[HWY12XJ]

Originally Posted by 4.0H.O.XJ

I paid 1500 dollars for an XJ like that, but nowhere near as nice, then. You got a screamin' deal, yo. The only thing that would make it nicer would be if the title was in MY name!

Seriously, that looks like its gonna be a cool project. Hit me up for any ideas or spare shizzle if you need it. My jeep is identical to yours but black and 5 speed.

Yeah... I did some looking around, and I found this one. Drove it around, went to the bank and pulled out the cash. I usually don't find deals like these, so I knew I couldn't pass it up.

Originally Posted by toates89

i feel like location is a big deal with prices on the xj's i thought i got a solid deal on my 89 for a grand, then you see this guy and i am all jealous then the next guy who post just paid a grand or two for a hunk

All the ones I found around this area were going for 2-3 grand in this kind of shape. Location is definitely key.

Originally Posted by 93XJLI

Lies, lies, and lies.

Yeah... with a cutoff wheel and a hammer, anything's possible!

Originally Posted by 99XJburton

Im assuming your doin rod holders? if so..cant wait..lookin for ideas. Those things can get pretty pricey if ya get them custom made. My uncle has one that holds a cooler, tackle and about 8 or so rods. I have 2 holders mounted on my roofrack. just lookin for a front bumper peice to use.

But anyway, lookin good man, cant wait too see the progress.

Yup. No cooler mount or anything, but probably something simple that bolts to the front bumper. I'll take plenty of pics for you.

Originally Posted by balloo93

This was said before he mentioned he would remove the flares and trim.

If you are towing a trailer, I'd seriously recommend the following:

Disconnect Helper springs. Summitracing.com sells some for around $40.

Trans cooler. Heat will kill a AW4.

Trans cooler is in the plans. Between the big tires and the little trailer, I figured I'd need it.

Originally Posted by badassls1z

X2 on the tranny cooler. I am running about the exact setup that you want. 3" coils, S10 bastard pack, 33x12.50's, and no flares. I think 3" is plenty enough lift for 33's, I had 31's before and they looked too small. I pull my ATV and trailer which is about 1000 lbs quiet often, it is kinda sluggish, but still plenty driveable. I wouldn't worry about it as long as you have a tranny cooler. Oh and nice jeep and a good deal on it too.

Are you re-geared? If so, what ratio did you go with?

Originally Posted by Kennedy

My first xj ever looked like this. Only more beat up and trail ready.now I have new toys. And it sure is a beach cruiser. Goodluck buddy.

Beat up and trail ready isn't a bad thing. Makes thing more fun if you really don't care!

Thanks for the input guys... keep it coming!

[smccollamjr]

For the rod/cooler holder you could put a front hitch on it, get a hitch-hauler for the cooler and use some PVC to make rod-holders for the hitch-hauler.