LYKOS
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Bent Mountain Va
Hello all.
The Purpose:
So here is the story. Last year, at the ripe old age of 39, I met my father for the first time. As it turns out he's a helluva guy and he and I both share a nearly debilitating wanderlust.
We've decided to take a couple months, or four or five, and go from Va, to Bonnaroo in Tn to the SW to Cali to AK to wherever.
Some mild to moderate offroading (no rock Crawling unless absolutely needed to get from point A to B.)
I know it sounds odd, but to the biker in him and the trucker in me it's not all that far fetched.
So with that in mind I'd like to go over my build plans and see if anything jumps out at you more experienced builders as a huge mistake.
The Jeep:
The basis for this is a 2001 Cherokee Sport 4dr auto.
What I have so far:
Superlift 3.5" lift
Pro Comp 15x8's
BFG All Terrain in 31x10.50 size
Class 3 Trailer Hitch
Yeah, not much I know
In the works almost immediately:
complete auxillary wiring harness for off road lights, radios, fridege, etc etc. (This I have covered by a friend who builds commercial wiring harnesses for electric motor carts. I knew he was the guy when he sent me an Auto Cad wiring diagram lol)
Replacing the LP Dana 30 with a HP Dana 30 with ARB locker (used and for a good price0
Superwinch LP8500
Karnage Offroad (Salisbury NC) front winch bumper. Just ordered it today.
The plan:
Convert the XJ into an upstairs downstairs configuration with a RTT and cargo compartment platform/drawers. (I'm spending a LOT of time on ExPo and the Adventure forum.)
On a budget (taking a months off is not cheap) make the Xj a capable and Dependable Overland Jeep.
Planned next steps:
Electrical (covered)
Mechanical; replace coil packs and keep old ones as a spare, repalce O2 sensors and retain old ones as spares.
Taurus Fan conversion
Aux trans cooler
K/N Filter
High flow (legal) exhaust
Replace NP242 with NP231 with SYE
Selectable locker in rear 8.25 corporate
Air bag support of rear axle. ( I think Ive seen this on here before. There will be a LOT of extra weight on the back end of this Jeep and I am reluctant to go with harsh riding rear leaf packs. So I think that the air bag set up is best? Thoughts?)
Now, without spending over $ on a prebuilt lift kit I woudl like to get a little extra out of the XJ's suspension.
Here are my thoughts, please comment!
FRONT:
Retain the front Superlift springs and add adjustable coil spring spacers. 1 1/4" lift minimum and more than I need maximum.
relocate LCA's with a RC relcation kit
Buy appropriate front Shocks
ZJ pittman arm
ZJ tie rod
Retain stock LCAs
Appropriate SS brake hoses
REAR:
Lift shackles and S-10 springs
Brake lines
shims to correct d-line angle
Appropriate shocks.
Hopefully this will net me enough clearance to put on 33x12.50 Mud Terrains next year before the trip. Yes, there will be trimming. I am NOT afraid of a sawzall.
Ok, so this long and disjointed post is about finished.
What do you think?
Care to add anything that I'm leaving out based on your experience?
The Purpose:
So here is the story. Last year, at the ripe old age of 39, I met my father for the first time. As it turns out he's a helluva guy and he and I both share a nearly debilitating wanderlust.
We've decided to take a couple months, or four or five, and go from Va, to Bonnaroo in Tn to the SW to Cali to AK to wherever.
Some mild to moderate offroading (no rock Crawling unless absolutely needed to get from point A to B.)
I know it sounds odd, but to the biker in him and the trucker in me it's not all that far fetched.
So with that in mind I'd like to go over my build plans and see if anything jumps out at you more experienced builders as a huge mistake.
The Jeep:
The basis for this is a 2001 Cherokee Sport 4dr auto.
What I have so far:
Superlift 3.5" lift
Pro Comp 15x8's
BFG All Terrain in 31x10.50 size
Class 3 Trailer Hitch
Yeah, not much I know
In the works almost immediately:
complete auxillary wiring harness for off road lights, radios, fridege, etc etc. (This I have covered by a friend who builds commercial wiring harnesses for electric motor carts. I knew he was the guy when he sent me an Auto Cad wiring diagram lol)
Replacing the LP Dana 30 with a HP Dana 30 with ARB locker (used and for a good price0
Superwinch LP8500
Karnage Offroad (Salisbury NC) front winch bumper. Just ordered it today.
The plan:
Convert the XJ into an upstairs downstairs configuration with a RTT and cargo compartment platform/drawers. (I'm spending a LOT of time on ExPo and the Adventure forum.)
On a budget (taking a months off is not cheap) make the Xj a capable and Dependable Overland Jeep.
Planned next steps:
Electrical (covered)
Mechanical; replace coil packs and keep old ones as a spare, repalce O2 sensors and retain old ones as spares.
Taurus Fan conversion
Aux trans cooler
K/N Filter
High flow (legal) exhaust
Replace NP242 with NP231 with SYE
Selectable locker in rear 8.25 corporate
Air bag support of rear axle. ( I think Ive seen this on here before. There will be a LOT of extra weight on the back end of this Jeep and I am reluctant to go with harsh riding rear leaf packs. So I think that the air bag set up is best? Thoughts?)
Now, without spending over $ on a prebuilt lift kit I woudl like to get a little extra out of the XJ's suspension.
Here are my thoughts, please comment!
FRONT:
Retain the front Superlift springs and add adjustable coil spring spacers. 1 1/4" lift minimum and more than I need maximum.
relocate LCA's with a RC relcation kit
Buy appropriate front Shocks
ZJ pittman arm
ZJ tie rod
Retain stock LCAs
Appropriate SS brake hoses
REAR:
Lift shackles and S-10 springs
Brake lines
shims to correct d-line angle
Appropriate shocks.
Hopefully this will net me enough clearance to put on 33x12.50 Mud Terrains next year before the trip. Yes, there will be trimming. I am NOT afraid of a sawzall.
Ok, so this long and disjointed post is about finished.
What do you think?
Care to add anything that I'm leaving out based on your experience?