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Mikes '96 XJ Build

12K views 130 replies 11 participants last post by  T-REXJ 
#1 ·
Hey everyone im mike from New Mexico, New to the site, so all help is appreciated, So I just bought this 1996 XJ. It has a few issues nothing mechanical that I can tell. mostly cosmetic stuff.... There is a rust hole on the front passenger side floor pan, broken rear wiper, missing front wipers, spare tire and radio. AC runs cold and heater runs hot, there are a few dents. So good thing to this was the asking price was 2950, not bad for where I live considering the condition... So he gave me an option 2650 as is or 2850 and he will fix the rust problem, replace the wipers, spare tire, and he will give me the radio that was sitting in the back seat lol. I decided for 200 bucks I would let him do the work and save myself the headache.

So here's what's in future for this beast

I plan on a 3-4" suspension lift (maybe rough country if I can get it)

32" BFG mud-terrain, or the All terrain TKO( still deciding on what tires)

Safari rack mite build myself

off road lights

ohh and I will be getting fender flares, and possibly rock/branch guards for the lights.

I'm sure eventually when I want to put a winch on I will probably build custom bumpers. also possibly exterior spare tire rack to make more room on the inside.
I would really like the smittybuilt G.E.A.R seat covers to but there not made for Cherokees for some reason. I also will be installing a roll up awning that attaches to the safari rack. Im sure im missing something, but Ill figure it out soon.

:eek:Oh ya did I mention I plan on doing all the work myself, but I don't know hardly a thing about mechanics.:confused: Most ive ever done is oil changes, and replace an alternator on my 07 galant


I have two pics but im not allowed to post attachments ?
 
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#52 ·
your welcome glad you like? I was originally going to rivet Velcro to the underside of the mats, but the Velcro dosnt stick to the carpet, so I just layed it in there and took off the plastic molding and then stuffed it under that and put it back together, cleans pretty easy too
 
#58 ·
Ok so I don't know much about axels and the gear ratios and all I know it helps to have a higher gear ratio with bigger tires correct? And how do I know what kind of axels I have? Sorry for the noob questions
 
#63 ·
Thaks for the info when it gets time for the lift I will look into possibly changing up to the 4.10

Yeah when they blow there undercoat there is hair every where. A lot of people think you should never have mals in the desert but I do often find my girl laying out sun bathing in the middle of the day.
Ya dogs are weirds but awesome they adapt so im sure they are fine, there is a house down the road from me that has like 4 huskies
 
#70 ·
The 27 spline axle shaft in your rig is 1.19" in dia. The 29 spline in the 97+ 8.25 has a dia of 1.21. So with just thet bit more beef on the shaft plus more spline count makes an axle stronger. A lot of guys will say that the XJ Dana 44 is the end all bee all rear axle you "need" to have, or say the Explorer 8.8 with disks are the best cuz it has 31 splines, thus makes it stronger. All this is true, but it's splitting frog hairs to really find the best all around axle. The D44, 8.8, and the 29 spline 8.25 can all handle the same tire(with smart wheelin'). Make you choice on how you wheel, then choose what axle you need. If you do most of your trail wheelin' with the skinny pedel, maybe you need the best upgrade tou can buy. Buy if you wheel smart, choose good lines and buy better shafts, wjat ypu have will work out fine. But untill then, learn how to wheel stock, then modify as needed.


Closing comment:
Make sure you do ALL the maintianace BEFORE you start doing any wheelin'. Many time POs do not service all the important things. Start with the axles, drive shafts, transfercase, linkages, transmission, MOTOR!!!! Sensors, i hope you get it. Also check the motor and trans mounts, they can lead to failures on the trail too.
 
#73 ·
The 27 spline axle shaft in your rig is 1.19" in dia. The 29 spline in the 97+ 8.25 has a dia of 1.21. So with just thet bit more beef on the shaft plus more spline count makes an axle stronger. A lot of guys will say that the XJ Dana 44 is the end all bee all rear axle you "need" to have, or say the Explorer 8.8 with disks are the best cuz it has 31 splines, thus makes it stronger. All this is true, but it's splitting frog hairs to really find the best all around axle. The D44, 8.8, and the 29 spline 8.25 can all handle the same tire(with smart wheelin'). Make you choice on how you wheel, then choose what axle you need. If you do most of your trail wheelin' with the skinny pedel, maybe you need the best upgrade tou can buy. Buy if you wheel smart, choose good lines and buy better shafts, wjat ypu have will work out fine. But untill then, learn how to wheel stock, then modify as needed.

Closing comment:
Make sure you do ALL the maintianace BEFORE you start doing any wheelin'. Many time POs do not service all the important things. Start with the axles, drive shafts, transfercase, linkages, transmission, MOTOR!!!! Sensors, i hope you get it. Also check the motor and trans mounts, they can lead to failures on the trail too.
Thanks for all the info it helps a lot, I will probably be asking more noob questions as this goes.

Anyway I bought this through a dealer, he got it from auction, salvage title, that's alright with me, theres rust though so we will see how it goes. I should still check everything more thoroughly. :)
 
#74 ·
Ok so I have another question, Im looking at Rubicon Express rite now, looking at there Super ride short arm lift kit, my question is: whats the difference between a mono tube shock and a twin tube shock, obviously one tube, but I mean beyond that whats the difference?
 
#76 ·
Twin-tube Low Pressure Gas
A shock absorber or strut can be a low pressure gas, twin tube design. This basic design has not changed too much since the 60's, but there have been some refinements over the years. This design has some characteristics, such as a soft valving, and usually costs less to manufacture than a Monotube or Adjustable type shock absorber. They are usually pressurized with some Nitrogen gas, usually 100 psi or less. In this design the hydraulic oil and gas are mixed together in the same chamber, which, while dampening, causes some aeration/foaming. Monroe Auto Equipment, Bilstein, and KYB GR2 still make units like these.

Mono-tube High Pressure Gas
A shock absorber or strut can be a high pressure, mono tube design. These are a more modern type design, and have characteristics of their own. The monotube design allows them to operate cooler. Monotubes are under high pressure, from around 200 psi, to as high as 360 psi. The hydraulic oil and Nitrogen gas are in separate chambers, separated by a floating piston. This allows the shock/strut to function without any aeration or foaming. Monotube shocks usually have a stiff valving, and traditionally cost more to manufacture. They are also able to withstand more punishment, and offer higher dampening ability. (for instance, most racing shocks, from Nascar to Formula One, are of a monotube design). Great care and engineering is taken into consideration when manufacturing a monotube, and many have a very specific valving. This is years of racing technology adapted for street and off-road use. Some of the companies that make monotube shocks are Bilstein , Edelbrock, and KYB.
 
#77 ·
I know a lot of people don't like towing with there rigs, but I want to be able to tow my popup... In this case would a mono tube be better in the back since it is stiffer?
 
#79 ·
ya those would be awesome, a lil outta my range for now though, I think im gonna go for the monotube kit, so heres another newb question why do we use springs in the front and leafs in the back?
 
#86 ·
#89 ·
it wouldn't let me look at that mod for some reason, and ya for right now until some more work comes around I would like to keep it a low COG on 32's but I will probably change axle and gears anyways
 
#90 ·
From what Puck was saying if you have a 29 spline 8.25 You should be good on the axle. Maybe just get some alloy shafts. Then you would have 2 spares and it would be a hell of a lot cheaper than even a 8.8 swap. Good chance you will break steering parts before those go. Me and (probably Toxic also) have the weakest dana 35. that's why I'm going to go with the 8.25. Probably never goin to be doing any extreme wheelin anyway.
 
#101 ·
Havent don't much recently waiting until I get back from LA and then the lift and tires should go on.... but until then I took off the fog lights that were on there cause only one worked and put my spare on top to see if I liked it



 
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