Jeep Enthusiast Forums banner

Rockdrummer93's 2001 XJ build

266K views 1K replies 105 participants last post by  Rockdrummer93 
#1 ·
I have been wanting to start a build thread on here for a while now. I am starting my thread somewhat late into my build but I'll catch everyone up. Alright so here it goes. This is my second car. I had a 2005 Chevy Avalanche 2WD that was a graduation present from my parents for graduating at 16. I wanted a 4x4 so I talked to my parents and for too many reasons to mention they let me sale it without them holding it against me that I had only had the avalanche for 9 months before selling it. I found someone to pay good money for it and bought this 2001 Cherokee Sport. Luckily for me the Cherokee I ended up getting, already had a 3" BDS Suspension lift kit, a roof rack, a pair of Hellas and Rubicon/Moab 16 rims, other than that fully stock

The third day I had her.




How she sits now:


 
See less See more
4
#954 ·
Well got the motor back together.. Sorry no pics. But she runs.. Got a few little things I need to do now before I'll be back out on the trail. Ordered some custom control arm joints today. Will probably be next week before I get them. Need to do something about that shaft I broke.. I bought a stock set. But I'm thinking about just ordered an in we chromo for that side after reading about the short side being the weakest. Also need to install my warn hubs and get some camber shims.. Then she'll be ready for the trails again. Will keep everyone posted

Sent from my iPhone using JeepForum
 
#955 ·
New control arm joints came in today. Will try and get those put in tomorrow. Went to swap out the hub on the long side the other day and noticed that the U-joint in that shaft was toast too. Got some new u joints put in today. So now all I have to do is get the nub out of the carrier from the broke shaft and put it all back together.



Also added something a little special...
 
#957 ·
Project1 said:
Wooo beef! What joints are those. I was going to go with currie, but thoes are worth a look :)
They are currie.. Ironman fab made them up custom for me using currie builder joints. They have 3" of shoulder and 6" of thread so I could push my axle further out

Sent from my iPhone using JeepForum
 
#959 ·
Finally pulled the Jeep out of the garage after about of month. Got the new joints, lock outs, and shafts in. Drove it around and she rides a little better with axle sitting where it wants. Sitting with around 106" wheelbase now which is what i've been wanting. Though there is more then enough thread in the bung to be safe I'm still a little unsettled with as much shaft exposed on those joints, might end up gusseting them to avoid deflection.

 
#960 ·
ok so its been a little while. Had a little issue with my front shock mounts. Had them angled up at first but that just caused them to bottom out way too quick so had them flopped so that they were angled down instead.. Actually rides a little bit better now too. Also fixed the breather on the 44. The truss sat right over the factory breather so had to cut a hole to fish the hose down to it. Was suppose to be going to Gulches yesterday but got rained out. So a buddy of mine invited me to his farm to get a little wheeling in. The Jeep did alright. Was a little wet and my $150 toyos didn't do all that great but nothing broke and the new head held up to some skinny pedal so I was happy. Did realize that the rear part of the body has become real weak. Even with the rear stiffeners. Every time I'd flex the rear I'd hear some loud pops. So I need to find some way fix that, if I can lol Right now I' focusing on the OSCAR trip in april. I'll go on other trips between then but I need to get some chromos and some tires. So will be trying to save for those. Hopefully I can have them before april, but we'll see how that goes.





Some poser shots.






Had a little butt pucker moment out there. Climbed this rock and didn't get far enough over. When I tried to go back down I slid off. I swear it felt like it was going over.




Also got pretty deep in some spots.
 
#961 ·
So little update. Was saving for a trailer but found these yesterday and well would have been stupid to pass it up. So rode up and grabbed them before anyone else could. Finally gonna be back on 37s! 37" Blues at that! Still need to beef up the 44 a little but should have that done soon. Hopefully will have them on tuesday some time.



 
#967 ·
Stretched her legs today. Im happy with it but won't know for sure if she rubs till this weekend, I have a feeling it will in some spots. Also picked up something else needed for these tires. CHROMOS!! :cheers: and better yet they have super joints! Got them cheap just had to pull them out of the axle myself and I didn't mind lol













 
#968 ·
Got back from Gulches today. The Jeep did great! Tires dug and the D44 help up to some bashin. Needless to say I finally don't regret doing this axle swap. Everything has come together. The super joints were starting to wine on me a little but will probably rebuild them soon. With all of that said, she did not leave Gulches unscathed. Got a few more scrapes this time. Bent and scratched the rain gutters on the driver side, scraped the front driver fender again, and dented the crap out of my rocker guard on shipwreck.











The Club


The Damage








 
#972 ·
Ok so some new updates. Started this past week on finishing up the half doors I bought a while back. Making a metal inner panel. Gonna have that old hot rod look. Also putting some speakers in these. Hopefully will have them done by time it starts to warm up this spring, will get a lot more use out of them! Also can't remember if I mentioned this before but my transfer case was shot. Bearings were making all kinds of racket and vibrations so had been keeping an eye out for a replacement, well picked up one today. Low miles 231 out of a TJ with a super short SYE. This works for me cause I wanted a whole case to swap and with the D60 the rear shaft was a little long so the short SYE should fix that. Pulled the old case out this afternoon before work. Will be putting it back together tomorrow.









 
#973 ·
heck yea bro....i finally got my dj out to the trails...special d. be rockin....she did awesome a couple weeks ago, and going up to ride tomorrow actually...hopefully since my wife is going this time ill get better pics.....have done anything but drive the wheels off of the xj so far soooooo..lol...:cheers:
 
#974 ·
Got my Mom's Jeep lifted the other week. 3.5" Rough Country Kit, No more scrubbing going over speed bumps to fast haha. Installation went pretty smoothly other then the fact that 4 out of 5 wheel studs broke off one hub... Thanks Discount Tire! I think it turned out great! Rides good, looks good. Will probably be testing her out this year for the annual Family Christmas trip.







 
#976 ·
Got the last piece to my trail rig conversion today.. Picked up a trailer today. Got it for a pretty good deal, just needs a little TLC. Also picked up a H2 spare. Good tire for the truck and the rim for the Jeep. Hopefully will get that swapped out sometime this week. Then its off to Uwharrie next weekend for the clubs Christmas trip.



 
Top