My 2000 XJ Build

jdhughes · 12-09-2008, 06:50 PM

Ok so I finally have made enough progress to start one of these threads. I got my Jeep back in the spring of 2007, and everything I need to lift it has finally accumulated. I've also spent a bunch of time on these forums getting all the info I needed to pick out the right set up for myself. So I'm gonna start posting pics of previous things I have done to it and then lift install photos. I'll be putting the lift on in a week and a half or so. Here goes:

Here it is right after I bought it:

Then I put in a new head unit, Polk speakers, and some subs off craigslist:

Next was a Dynomax exhaust system:

Back in October I picked these up off craigslist as well:

Then I got a sweet deal on these Edelbrock Performer IAS shocks. Only $30 each; they were on sale:

jdhughes · 12-09-2008, 06:50 PM

These just came from Treadwright last week! They seem to be really good quality for what I paid for them. They are 245/75 R16, same that comes stock with rubicon wheels.

And finally the lift arrived. I got the Rubicon Express 3.5" super ride kit with new leafs:

So that's all I have for now. I'll be back in a week or so with the install and before/after shots.

tigeowner · 12-09-2008, 07:28 PM

Should look very nice when its all said and done. Hows that dynomax sound?

jdhughes · 12-09-2008, 08:33 PM

I like it. It's pretty mellow, but it opens up nice when you floor it. Not annoying or anything and I paid only $150ish for it all. Not bad.

Pat_S · 12-09-2008, 08:37 PM

Deals both left and right, sure cannot wait to see the final product.

Pat_S · 12-09-2008, 08:37 PM

Deals both left and right, sure cannot wait to see the final product.

XJclassiciceman · 12-09-2008, 09:35 PM

Very nice. I have mine almost done (with the lift). I have a 2000 too and just have to get the drive shaft in now and my RE 3.5 SF with the SYE will be done!!! I'll get some pics time and weather permitting on my thread asap. I have a pile of stuff still to do but the big one will be done finally - it's been dragging on and the wife is tired of me driving her commander since i won't take out the mustang in the crappy weather....and it's on a lift getting headers pulled anyway....I am paying for that this time. It blew trying to do that on stands.

I'll look forward to seeing your results here...I still need a spare - I have to decide on roof or rear for the carrier too.

4x4forfun · 12-09-2008, 10:24 PM

what wheels are those ?

jdhughes · 12-09-2008, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4x4forfun

what wheels are those ?

They are the wheels off a 2005 Rubicon edition Wrangler

Quote:

Originally Posted by XJclassiciceman

Very nice. I have mine almost done (with the lift). I have a 2000 too and just have to get the drive shaft in now and my RE 3.5 SF with the SYE will be done!!! I'll get some pics time and weather permitting on my thread asap. I have a pile of stuff still to do but the big one will be done finally - it's been dragging on and the wife is tired of me driving her commander since i won't take out the mustang in the crappy weather....and it's on a lift getting headers pulled anyway....I am paying for that this time. It blew trying to do that on stands.

I'll look forward to seeing your results here...I still need a spare - I have to decide on roof or rear for the carrier too.

Nice, yeah I'll have to check yours out too. As far as the spare goes, I'm gonna cram it in the back for now, but I'm hoping to get a carrier for it. About a year ago I saw some pics of a carrier the Detours was gonna make; it was just a carrier, not a whole bumper too, and it bolted to the stock bumper and tied into the frame somehow. Anyways, it looked good and would save me from buying a whole bumper. There are some pics here. Its coming soon they have said... for like a year.

http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?p=243460516#post243460516

ep191 · 12-09-2008, 11:12 PM

Clean jeep, nice lift, awesome wheels

jdhughes · 12-25-2008, 07:42 PM

I finally began the lift install last Sunday. The first thing that stopped us up was the fact that you had to get rid of the lower end link mounts - the instructions kinda sucked. Here we are cutting it after we got our new grinder

Here is the front almost done...

Got a new tie rod end, steering stabilizer and bushings for the swaybar as well.

jdhughes · 12-25-2008, 07:49 PM

We didn't have too much trouble with the rear. It went in in about a half a day - much quicker than the front.

Then we cut holes in the floor to re-bolt the shock mounts that broke about a year ago. Somehow we had fished the nuts up through there, but it took all day, so we just cut it this time.

Last thing to install was the T-case drop. I was getting some vibes when I took it for a spin, and it has helped numb them. I am probably gonna throw on some shims as well.

jdhughes · 12-25-2008, 07:53 PM

So here is the after shot:

And here are my goods all ready to go to the shop tomorrow morning.

Ill have pics up of the final product soon.

FletchXJ · 12-25-2008, 08:09 PM

Can't wait to see it with the wheels and tires on! Looks good so far. Similar to what I"m planning to do to mine eventually.

Irongrave · 12-25-2008, 08:12 PM

nice build, looks like every thing went all right on your install (i'm dreading doing mine this spring)