[ibjeepin95]

Current pic: 10/5/14



Well folks, I said I was going back to an XJ so that's what I did. Just a recap on my previous Jeeps...

My first XJ the day I sold it. 95' Sport 5 speed...

My second.... 87' Waggy XJ w/ factory 44 and HP non disco 30. Wish I kept this one...

And of course, my TJ I just recently sold....

Well after my TJ, I started looking for my next XJ. I knew I wanted a 97'+, so that's what I went after. While searching craigslist, I came across a 99' with 130k miles. Girl that owned it said it needed a radiator. All it really needed was a cap. Talked her down to $1600 and brought it home. Had some awesome seat covers and looked and smelled like an ash tray inside...

 

[ibjeepin95]

My plans for this Jeep are similar to my TJ, just in XJ form. Keep it low, stable, and keep it streetable. 35's are the tire size and keep the D30 (for now) and swap my 8.8 in. Locked f/r. So with this in mine, I began to order parts.

3 inch springs and add a leaf ( just cause I had a decent set of springs)

My decent leaf pack for the aal

And not pictured is my Clayton track bar w/ Johnny Joint and bracket and some 15x8 steel wheels I got from RC scatch n' dent...

So a few weeks ago Josh and I got working on the lift...

stock and awesome saggy springs...

Everything needed for elevation including the new white RC shocks, cause you ain't wheeling in the south unless your on white shocks....

Josh approves...

Clayton bracket

Finished it up

 

[ibjeepin95]

Wheeled it open/open on 225's

Ice is fun...

Blurry, but you can see the snow...

 

[ibjeepin95]

Cut and folded the rear...

35 in der...

Pulled the rear carpet and pulled the midget spare out...

 

[ibjeepin95]

So I was dead set on MT/R's or KM2's but of course they are back ordered til' June. So I ordered tires I never thought I'd own... 35x12.50x15 Pro Comp M/T's from 4WD. Hey, they have a 3 ply sidewall and are fairly price. Either those or Baja Clawzzz.

Washed it the other day...

Today I cut and folded the rear quarters. I probably wouldn't have done it but the pass. side was crushed from an incident from the PO. Also cut the bumper at an angle...

 

[ibjeepin95]

If the tires get here this week I'll get them mounted and cut the front fenders.

 

[ibjeepin95]

are 35's really gonna fit??

With a combination of a welder, sledge, longer shocks, and bumpstops.... yes.

 

[ibjeepin95]

No tires yet... Maybe tomorrow...

 

[ibjeepin95]

Thanks guys! Rangerman, I saw yours and they are (were) almost identical. The tires came yesterday, I trimmed the front, got the tires mounted and balanced, and got them on. I'll get some pics up but it might not be til' Tuesday. I got a lot of work to do but I got the stance right so far!

 

[ibjeepin95]

Thanks James. I got more, I'll get them up Monday night. I work three 12's Saturday, Sunday, Monday, so I'm kinda tired. Btw, that's a cell phone pic. Anyways, I got a lot of things to work out. For now, it's able to be driven, and I have been driving it. The shop balanced the tires but I don't think they are right because it has a little bit of shimmy til about 55-60. As far as flex, bump stops will happen within the next week or two. I also need to clean the front fender trim up some, as it was a quick job just to get the tires on. Like I said, I got a lot of things to do before it's "right" in my mind. D35 probably won't like wheelin' those big tarz. Though I've done it before...

 

[ibjeepin95]

True dat Josh. Why add more lift? Flex can be made. And it's ok Kyle, no one will hate cause you truely love XJ's :rofl:

 

[ibjeepin95]

BTW, new pics...

I also pulled the wheel weights off cause they weren't balanced right. They actually ride better with no weights. Has some shimmy in the front, so I ordered a a steering stsbilizer.....from Rusty's eaking: I figured they couldn't screw that up, plus I ordered the one with heims. This one: http://rustysoffroad.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=RS-616&Category_Code=ste

We will see how it goes. I need to order a new tie rod cause the stock one is hatin' life right now. Also, I will probably be doing my SYE next Wednesday. Anyone have any idea if a stock front shaft will work with around 3 inches of lift??

 

[ibjeepin95]

Another thing, after I get my taxes back, I'll order the simple swap kit from Ruff Stuff and start doing my 8.8 swap :welder:

 

[ibjeepin95]

I don't think mine looks hacked but to each their own opinion. It's not my DD but the tires ride smooth on the road. Lots of things to come. Most likely getting a 3 link with Currie JJ's on every end, 1 ton steering down the road and a steering box brace. Probably some unibody plating later on also.

 

[ibjeepin95]

Yesterday I got the stabilizer from Rusty's and slapped it on. Sad part is I really can't tell a difference :laugh:

Today I picked up a drive shaft from an auto XJ so I can do my SYE. I don't think I mentioned it before but I do have a new SYE that I kept from my TJ.

On a side note I found out what I am getting back from my taxes and a Clayton Pro series 3 link may be on order sooner than I thought :shhh:

 

[ibjeepin95]

Yessir, you commented on my TJ build when I had that lol. We sometimes wheel GWNF but here lately (or last time we really wheeled) we go over to Crozet. It's some great wheeling over there. Hit the RCPFA link in my sig.

 

[ibjeepin95]

Gorgeous XJ man! you shouldn't have a problem with the front drive shaft at that height. My old ZJ ran 4.5" and my YJ at 4.5" and now 3" haven't had a problem with the factory drive shafts. I laughed so hard when you said "cause you ain't wheeling in the south unless your on white shocks...." Sad but true :rofl:

Thanks man. And yup, it is true. Cheap shocks for the win. YEEEEEEEEEEE HAAAAWW!!! :rofl::rofl::rofl:

 

[ibjeepin95]

Nice work, really digging the low lift w/ 35's! Wondering if you have done a write up on the 'trim and tuck' you did on the rear...I did a quick search but couldnt find anything

I didn't do anything different than anyone else. Just a regular cut and fold and than folded the rear quarter. I may cut past the pinch weld later for more up travel, though.

 

[ibjeepin95]

Hack up the front more

Notch yet. I really need to do more inner fender clearancing than the actual outer fender. I still got a lot of sheet metal left over from my tube fenders that I did on my TJ, so I need to get cutting.

 

[ibjeepin95]

Your xj is almost a twin to mine. I have a 99 with a RE 5.5" long arm set up that I lowered down to a 3" lift, kept the LA's and am running 35's on. Crappy phone pic

My next step is gonna be a cut and fold on the rear lower quarter and slide my rear axle back about 2" for clearance at the front of the wheel opening. Maybe this weekend.

Very cool man! I love it. You need to get a build thread up so we can watch the progress!