[XJclassiciceman]

I'm new here and my jeep is a 2000 Cherokee classic. It is bone stock right now so I am going to start posting pics here as I start the mods (and have enough posts) and track the progress with each step (not the technical install as I don't have the patience to do that right) but I will track the results and my feelings about each item as it goes on with pics. I am trying to pace myself but as I did with my 07 Mustang (GT500 with nearly 800 rwhp now) I expect to get carried away as I have always wanted to have a nice off road 4x4 but never took the time to do it. I am very much a novice in the 4x4 world so I am learning as I go and suggestions and comments are welcome. I'll probably have technical questions in the tech forum from time to time as I try to figure out what to put on next. I have coming in to start a 3.5" Superflex kit from Rubicon Express, 15" Classic lock MT rims, and I am going to be running the BFG All Terrain tires and I'll likely trim a bit as I opted for the 32x11.5 sixe rather than the 31x10.5's...I already wish I went to the 4.5" lift to start but that will just have to wait until I get other stuff done now.

I am also putting in the SYE and CV shaft to eliminate worries there now as well as in the future if I lift more (if = when). I am shopping for a CB now and the mount I want to use as my X-mas gift from my wife....I'm not sure she knows it yet though. I think Santa may bring me a front bumper and the kids can split a rear bumper. I'm already shopping skid plates and lighting too. For now it's referred to as "the crappy jeep" but soon it will no longer be the butt of all of the jokes.

[jeep1204]

congrats on choosing an XJ...can't wait to see some pics on your build

[XJclassiciceman]

hopefully soon. I think I need 25 posts...trying to make them decent quality but thanks. I've had this thing for a whle bone stock. Bought it in 02 with 41K miles after it was a pharma reps car on lease for 2 yrs. My wife drove it for work for the next about 18 months and put on 38K miles so I took it over with 79K miles. I have taken care of soem minor electrical issues and replaced tires long ago but other than cleaning it up once in a while and some rubber floor mats a neighbor gave me when he sold his jeep it is bone stock.

Can't wait to get the build going though.

[XJclassiciceman]

Here is my 2000 Cherokee Classic. Bone stock other than the tires being a small amount larger not by choice as much as when my wife blew one out in 2003 the car had about 68K miles on it and she was in a small IN town with 1 tire dealer and this is what they had that fit so we put all 4 on and now 52+K miles later it's time to change them again which is what lead me to starting the mods on the truck....I'd rather build it than just replace the tires.

My 4 yr old son Kyle is in the last one...he's my helper on all projects and selected the "Classic Lock" rims....some day this will be his car....that started out as a joke years ago when everyone thought I would sell this car and get something newer...but now it looks like a real possibility!

[xjfever]

Good looking rig, be sure to build it right. You don't want your son driving a hack job

[XJclassiciceman]

Originally Posted by xjfever

Good looking rig, be sure to build it right. You don't want your son driving a hack job

agreed - I'll do my best and will probably have some questions as this is my first time on something like this. It's a lot different than a drag set up on an 800 rwhp mustang for sure. I did order some super rockrails from AJ's off road today as well so those will be the next thing to go on. I think I am going to get a Cobra CB: Cobra 29WXNWST CB Radio W. Weather and the 4' firestick ant. with a mount for above the rear light I am still considering a police scanner but have not found one I like yet. every time the big brown truck comes by I'm like a kid waiting for santa hoping they bring me something.....anything! The wait is killing me.

[XJclassiciceman]

Finally the lift kit and tires arrived....waiting on rims still but got boxes of stuff. Wife thinks I'm losing it .... or lost it, I was losing it when i did the Mustang and now it's gone all the way.

I decided to get an adj. track bar after reading more on here too so that now has to be gotten but i called the local 4 wheel parts store and they have them in stock so no waiting on that one.

I just can't wait to get going on this...Gotta figure out the garage space issue now. Mustang is not going out in bad weather...other side of the garage is jammed with kid crap and a jet ski. I bet my neighbow will let me use his 3rd car bay. Can't wait to get this thing going. I am leaning towards giving Gale Banks headers and exhaust a try. I may just start with the cat back to get a little better sound since I'm doing engine power last.

[Heathc]

i have that same lift and dig it. where are you in central indiana? i'm in indianapolis.

[XJclassiciceman]

I'm in Fishers just off 69 at Exit 5.

I have become an e-bay jeep addict. I just got clear lenses for the orange/yellow side markers and parking lights and got some diamond cut head lamps.....I also bought a nice little fire ext. to put in there too just in case. I'm going to have a garage full of stuff here pretty soon.

[Heathc]

i'm in irvington around 10th and emerson. i work in broadripple though.

[XJclassiciceman]

Well - We got off to a late start on this thing. I really wanted to have the tired mounted on the rims before we messed with any of it but for the 3rd day the rims are due in 24 hours or less per the parts shop. I am giving it through the week end then cancelling and getting something else in stock some place.

The tear down is under way....I took the thing through the Mikes car wash and had the underbaody washed to clean it up before I started and it did a nice job. Some things still stick but nothing yet that has with held the force that fat guy (6'5" and 290 ish lbs) can put on there. The worst is I can't do cosmetic things because my mind doesn't let me see what it will look like until I see it with my eyes so I am trying to figure out things like smoked or clear lenses - debadge or not debadge, pull the trim or leave the trim? Bed liner up to the trim or over it??? or remove it and go to there it was?


here is the mustang
I've bought clear lenses to try first based on the same fear of the thing looking like a stealth with all black rims. I don't want it to look totally blacked out. I'm still not sure on the rims but if these damn things don't get here soon I'll have drained my pay pal money on e-bay. I won a Magnaflow cat back last night with a $385 best offer bid so now I get that coming too.

This thing is turning into as big of a money pit as my Mustang...but I love it....the wife may not but hey - she gets her clothing and shoes so i get my cars right?

[loosenut]

Nice mustang. Judging by the slicks on it, im guessing your not afraid of the skinny pedal. Looks like fun.

[olds442]

ahhhhhhhh that mustang is sooo sexy, welcome to the forum

[XJclassiciceman]

Originally Posted by loosenut

Nice mustang. Judging by the slicks on it, im guessing your not afraid of the skinny pedal. Looks like fun.

HAHA - nope. I enjoy the nearly 800 rwhp it's probably a 9 second car but I am still only a 10 second driver...It's a 6 speed manual and the 373's put me just where I need to be at the end of the strip....trapping in the 135+ mph range.

Originally Posted by TwiggyWizard

ahhhhhhhh that mustang is sooo sexy, welcome to the forum

Thanks on both. That mustang still has a few more things I need to do but I am looking forward to getting this jeep project fully under way. I'll try to get some pics up of it along the way too. I am hoping by friday to have wheels on the darn thing with the lift. That's my first priority as the Mustanf goes on a lift to pull headers and get them jet hot coated next week. If I have no wheels on the jeep then I'm stuck on a harley or my wife's jeep.

[bmx4flowers]

looking forward to seeing pics, looks like an awesome build!