92 XJ Mild Build Thread

[themauler]

So I have been using for a few years now and want to put my build thread up here because I enjoy scanning through them and am always looking for advice on mine so here we go.

A while back, Junior Year of high school I was given a 92 jeep cherokee laredo after the transmission of my 88 Suburban died. My grandparents got is new off the lot in 92 and only put a few thousand on it a year kept in a garage. Then it was my older sister's car for two years then I got it. It wasn't very long until I had money to spend and begin what has been a five year and counting build. My full build is on NC4x4 where I have met and become good friends with a lot of board members.

My Jeep is currently outfitted with

~4.0 HO
~AX15 (swap)
~NP231 w/ RE Flange HnT
~RE 3.5" lift
~4.56 gears
~Front aussie locker
~Rear Spartan Locker
~33" A/Ts
~(2) 6" LED Olympus Offroad Olympus Lights
~Trimmed Fenders
~CB
~Half Doors
~IRO tierod
~Rocker Panel Replacement Rock Sliders
~3 Row Aluminum Radiator

I will try to condense this down with pictures the best I can!

Back in the day....

First Real Upgrade a Custom Bumper

Then scooped up 31" Thornbirds on steelies...and BTW these actually performed very well for me at URE contrary to how people bash them. Smooth on the road too.

My First and Current Lift Kit...RE 3.5" w/AAL

Two Days Later...

Got Around to Building Half Doors...

Install and OEM Skid

What it Looked Like Outfitted for the Trail

Finally Upgraded to some 34/10.5/15 Bias LTBs...Best tire I have ever had and experienced out on the trail/rocks

Then I got this and everything took off...Lincoln HD 3200 Weldpack

First Attempt at Quarter Panel Replacement Rock Sliders...Later Redone

Traded Up My Bumper for an 8.25 w/4.56 Gears and a 4.56 R&P for the D30...

 

[themauler]

Discs for the Rear...

With the Custom Bumper Gone I gave my try at a low profile Bumper...Still Current Bumper Now

Spartan for the 8.25...

Added Disco Fog Lights to Bumper...

Brown Dog Motor Mounts...

Welded a 8.25 Cover Together that came in Pieces from Blue Torch Fab...

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[themauler]

Bumper Mounted Land Rover Lights where Breaking off so upgraded to 2 6" Dual Row LED from Olympus Offroad...

Inspired DIY Anti Rock bar From Izuzu Trooper Torsion Bar...Works Great!

NP231 SYE w/RE HnT...

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[themauler]

AX15 Swap...w/ Help from

Flange Mounted Parking Disc Brake...Work in Progress

As of now that's it besides other little stuff that people have seen a thousand time. On a side note the reason for the parking brake was when I did the disc brake swap I never set up any of the parking brake hardware and I had an AW4 at the time. I now people can set up the parking brake very easy after doing the disc brake mod but I find this new approach more exciting and more unique.

Stay Tuned!
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[Cnickgo]

Very cool to see the progression. I am interested to see how the parking brake finishes up.

 

[Lowrange2]

Nice! I've always wanted a pinion brake of some sort.

 

[KPTHEMP]

love the parking brake idea, my 8.8 parking brake sucks

 

[Ghost]

Interesting.... Nice build.

 

[Lowrange2]

What parts have you used for that?

I've seen kits for Toyotas and Samurais but nothing for Jeep.

 

[DaveS98]

Nice

 

[rwdawg2]

Yeah I really like the parking brake idea. Any info on the parts used and what not would be great.

 

[themauler]

Yeah I really like the parking brake idea. Any info on the parts used and what not would be great.

My Pleasure

So the SYE is the most essential to the project. A Rubicon Express HnT SYE found here

Next was the adapter flange for the driveshaft purchased from NAPA

Finally the disc and brake caliper were purchased from motopartsmax. These are gas moped parts so they are pretty cheap. Caliper and Disc

The disc takes some careful drilling to match the flange SYE holes so you can bolt it all together. Other than that it is pretty basic. Now I just need to utilize the bolts so I can mount the caliper with the driveline so when the driveline twists it will be all one unit.

 

[Lowrange2]

Cool.

How do you plan to actuate the caliper once you mount it?

 

[themauler]

Cool.

How do you plan to actuate the caliper once you mount it?

So this is a picture of the small "master cylinder" if you would. I plan on removing the handle by taking the visible nut and bolt out. After that I am going to mount the whole piston setup a few inches under to the rear of where the parking brake unit pops out of the floor and into the tunnel. So essentially it will be mounted somewhere above the tcase.

The way I will get it to push the rod in is to wrap or tie a wire around the bolt that is currently holding the handle onto the black box. Have that wire run infront of the rod and bring it back to the parking brake cables that exist. Obviously the wire will be very short. Seems like a hack job but if the cable never gets slack I expect it to be reliable.

Here is a quick sketch of what I am aiming at. I looked for a manual caliper to make engaging the caliper much easier but I went ahead and got the exact caliper that is supposed to work with the disc that is mounted.

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[Lowrange2]

Hmm, alright. Post up how it works out.

 

[DaKing]

Any word on this parking brake setup?

 

[themauler]

Any word on this parking brake setup?

Haven't been able to work on it away at school but I will have it done in March. I am looking at a few different approach ideas with this now that I want to fab a new cross member but hopefully it shouldn't be a hack job. Still haven't made up my mind on that. Just trying the best I can to utilize any bolts that are on the np231 to mount the bracket that will hold the caliper.

Check back in March for that.

However I did get a rear tire carrier built to free up the trunk space it was using. I ordered the a to z fab tire carrier kit and went to town. With no real drawn out plan I went to town utilizing the hitch since I will always need it. I was short on time having to build it in three days so it still needs to be reinforced. Anyways it is all 2"x2"x1/8" that I got for free. It feels good being less than $100 into a project.











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[xjtrailrider]

Nice work Nick!

 

[themauler]

I am reviving my old thread since there will be much more activity now that I have a job after college.

I was able to treat my self the summer after graduation by doing checking somethings off of my check list as far as enjoying trailriding goes.

1. Went to harlan for the first time ever during the SEC Crawl which was by far the most exciting trip to date. Definitely hesitant on making a 4+ hour trip in a budget trail rig then driving to a wedding then another 5+ hours back home. Luckily I had no issues during the entire trip and opened my eyes to go on other trips for long weekends.

2. Transforming my dads Discovery II from a british brick to a very capable 4wd with only lift coils and larger tires. I was so confident about off road trips that my dad and I took the land rover to Harlan later that summer and we did as many trails without anyone in our group or winches.

3. Live in a house where I have a garage to do jeep work and projects. In the past at home in NC I did not really have a garage to work in. This required me to work outside and put a rush into all of my jeep projects which at time is frustrating. Now I can take my time and thoroughly complete all of my jeep projects.

Now on with the timeline here. After my two trips to Harlan and a few rides in URE and Potts MTN my original trac bar and drag link gave out after 22 years. Reviewing the cost of another bolt on trac bar and drag link I decided it was time to beef up the steering, trac bar, etc.

First thing I ordered with my first paycheck was a RE double shear trac bar and bracket. Around the same time I was scaning for some JK Moab take off wheels and found 5 for $100. Next came the G2 adapters to run them. Last thing was to order the RuffStuff OTK 1 ton steering.

For a long time I was considering the WJ conversion but all of the necessary parts were going to be a bit too far out of my budget.

In the process of the OTK I also realized that I am going to have to shorten my few month old Rubicon Express Trac bar. I did have extra DOM left over from the ruffstuff kit but given my ride height, I would have to find a bender to create the bend in the trac bar that the RE bar has.

My ultimate goal is to get some 35s for the 17" moabs I now have. I plan on getting some stiffeners from HD Offroad then tackle the link arms upfront. I am thinking a Mid Arm 3 link but I need to take some time before that happens to ensure the rest of my jeep is ship shape for some good trail riding.

Some Pics













Victory Photo

 

[themauler]

Jeep Mobile Again

Finally took the jeep for a test ride with the new steering and wheels+wheel adapters. I am happy with how it is riding around 45mph. Going to have to recheck all of the steering one more time before I get on the highway. I am beginning to think a steering stabilizer would be beneficial as the steering is super responsive when hitting bumps and cracks in the road. I don't want to wear anything out to prematurely.

Next update should have 35s mounted!





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