[GottaBeJeep]

Did some work on another Jeep this past week. This is getting to be a regular thing. I was thinking, I enjoy watching American Chopper and Monster Garage. The way things are going, maybe I should have my own TV program...American Monster Jeep.

This had to be one of my favorite Cherokees to work on. Everything came off and went on very smooth. I didn't break a single bolt or even draw blood. Anyways, here it is. It's a former government jeep, 1997 SE with 42,000 miles on it. I would love to get a two door in this color, would go great with my whole Rock Lizard thing. Anyways, it was stock when it rolled into the shop, and even had WalMart hubcaps. I installed the RE 3.5" kit with OME shocks and JKS discos, adjustable trackbar and BPE's, RE "Hack and Tap" SYE and High Angle DriveLine CV shaft and 4* shims, trimmed the fenders, and put on 33x12.5 ProComp MT's on 15x8" Tech 1 Rock Crawlers with 3.75" BS. It ended up sitting 5.25" in the rear, so I had to add a 3/4" spacer to the front to even things out. I also added hockey puck bumpstops to the front, which I am working on a writeup right now, DPG Adjustable Bumpstop Plates in the rear, DPG Disco Cables in the front, added YJ front brakelines and relocated the hard line, and an RE SS extended rear brakeline. I don't have the stock pictures uploaded right now, but I will try to add those later today. Who's says you can't fit 33's on the RE 3.5" kit?





The ProComp tires are undersized (actually measured 31.5" on the jeep) and are extremely loud. I personally don't care for them, but the guy got one of those buy 3, get 1 free deals. Other than the road noise from the tires, the jeep rides smooth without any vibes. I was almost tempted to trade my jeep straight across for it, then I remembered I had 37's.

My other project this week has been working on my new Rock Monitor Front Bumper. It is more of the Budget Basher Bumper, being a fairly simpler design from my Monitor Bumper, and going to be priced at around $275 with everything mentioned on my website. Here are some preview pictures of some of it tacked together, and I will get more pictures when it is completed, powder coated, and mounted on the jeep. More info about it here: http://www.rocklizardfabrications.com/monitor_bumper.htm

[Wolfe]

Bad *** all the way around. Very nice work!

[cazs_98]

Please let me know when you get it completed, I am looking for a new bumper asap. Perfect price for what I was looking for.

[bdw8]

Niiiiiiice... I've got the same setup as the green xj: 97 SE with 50k government issue from the gsa auctions. That's the first XJ i've seen with 33s and only 3.5" on lift... and damn it looks good.

Want to mod mine like that? I'd sport the biggest decals you can make. I'd even tattoo your logo on my forehead. Haha. Nice work though.

[b(k)ill94xj]

what no rock lizard fab transfer case skid plate on that beast???

[fishanjeep]

Looks good. Keep me updated about bumper. I been goin to the site a lot and hope to pic one of those up. Its right in my price range.

[GottaBeJeep]

Originally Posted by b(k)ill94xj

what no rock lizard fab transfer case skid plate on that beast???

Not yet. It had the stock skids all the way around. I atleast talked him into getting rid of the front shovel. Those front skids are a major pain to work around in the front. I don't know if this rig is even ever going to see the trails. Hopefully, but I don't know. The jeep belongs to a guy who is going to start his second year in college. He went on a week long trip, so his dad bought all this stuff from Dirk and I put it on, so he is coming home to one heck of a nice birthday present. Unfortunately, of all the lift kits I put on, 2/3 of them will never see more than a dirt road.

[krs96XJ]

Wow that XJ looks sweet
all your work is really nice.
I was wondering though how the chameleon doors are coming along?
later

[GottaBeJeep]

Originally Posted by krs96XJ

Wow that XJ looks sweet
all your work is really nice.
I was wondering though how the chameleon doors are coming along?
later

Well, the chameleon doors are on a back burner right now. I have all the material to make the prototype, but I just haven't had the time. Between getting the skids through production, front bumpers through final prototyping, starting prototypes on rock rails and rear bumpers, and doing atleast one lift kit a week, I just run out of time for them. I still hope to have them ready for Christmas, but early next Spring would be the latest.

[krs96XJ]

Originally Posted by GottaBeJeep

Well, the chameleon doors are on a back burner right now. I have all the material to make the prototype, but I just haven't had the time. Between getting the skids through production, front bumpers through final prototyping, starting prototypes on rock rails and rear bumpers, and doing atleast one lift kit a week, I just run out of time for them. I still hope to have them ready for Christmas, but early next Spring would be the latest.

Thanks man. I was just curious.
Keep all the good stuff comin'

[b(k)ill94xj]

your getting good at hacking fenders...ill callyou when i need mine done. to bad that rig wont see trails i bet it would be nice.

anything come up with the tranny skid??

[ctavel]

Man your work is impecable. Well I'm going to go ahead and ask about another product. Are you still considering producing the rear crusher corners?

[rustinh1]

That looks awesome. I was thinking 31s with that kit on my 97 SE, but maybe I can fit some 33s on it!

[GottaBeJeep]

Bill, haven't had time to even look at the tranny yet, but it is on my list of things to look into.

Chris, I still plan on doing the corners. Just trying to perfect them a little more. The wheel wells are a little bit of work to get just right, but shouldn't be too much longer.

[GottaBeJeep]

OK, got some more pictures of the bumper all welded up. Let me know what you all think.