I'm Back, Here's some pics

[xjaddiction]

I've got a new to me '98 XJ, that once was Matt's on here, and before that was Doug's. So, she's been a Cherokee for a while. I miss the MJ, but I've always missed my red XJ. Now I'm headed back to my favorite all time vehicle... The XJ

Stats; BDS 4.5" front springs (giving about 6"es of lift), TJ rear BDS adj trac-bar reversed with drop bracket, Jim's off road over the knuckle driver's side steering with HD Drah, and TR, Rusty'r front shocks, Rusty'r rear shocks, and 3.5" spring pack, Skyjacker rear shackle?, and 2" blocks (I know), Chebby truck front brake lines, stock rear with extended bracket? Dana 30 HP stock gears (354) with lock-rite and a bling ARB diff cover, rear Dana XJ 44 (354) with crown vic disc brake conversion and a spool, rear B-pin elim using stock sway bar brackets, Rocker guard sliders from JCR off-road, Grand Cherokee front leather seats power, rear bench with 60?40 split and headrests, 315x16x75 MT's, on Rubicon 16x8" rims, with a cut up front bumper and tow hook brackets, and a rear C-Rock rear bumper and tire carrier, C-Rock front steering box frame plating M.O.R.E off-road steering box brace, stock stereo/cd, with high end speakers and tweets with a sub, power qindowa and door locks, 4.0 with rocket intake and K&N filter, AW-4, and 231 t-case.

Lots od f cleaning was done, all fluids changed, etc.

About to get;

-SYE and T-woods
-RE drop brackets, and adj. CA's
-Bushwacker flares
-4:88 gears, or 5:13's

 

[nick86]

You need to something with that rearend, looks like sheet not centered in fender opening.

 

[xjaddiction]

May look like it, but centered nicely from dead on side pic. That is flexed just a little. I've flexed it out. Amazingly no rub, everything tucks in. I'm adding some Bush Cracker flares to it soon. Will get some more sheet metal trimming... I like sawzalls... the front def. needs to be pushed forward. I will be doing that very soon, about 2"es forward.

This is for a year of wheeling fun... then I'm going full widths, HP 60 front, and 60 rear. I'll be boxing the frame, and adding internall cage, external halo over the next year. Will also get a cut out center roof with rag top... I've always wanted to do that.

 

[97XJ Jeeper]

:shocked::shocked::shocked::shocked: Very Nice!!!

 

[oo7ravisXJ]

What are those 315x16x75 MT's closer to, 33's or 35's? Looks great.

 

[kf_chris]

they come to 34" on the site I just tried.
Nice looking Jeep man!

 

[xjaddiction]

Thanks,

yea, just about 34"es with half the tread. I want to go back to Trxus someday. Flexing would be a problem off road with the front end back as far as it is. I'm pushing forward, and trimming some more sheet metal.

 

[Higgs98XJ]

thats nice, i like the grand cherokee seat swap idea. got any pics?

 

[shortxjdoug]

good to see the old girl in top form.... always will be my favorite jeep, wheeled three states and still drove me to work everyday for two years.... but now ive got two so i can't complain

 

[xjaddiction]

She's a good one Doug. I picked up some Bush Wacker flares today, and some platinum skyjacker shocks for her. She also decided to not like the old axles seal on the driver's side. So, got two new seals today. Tonight, the axle seals get replaced, the new shocks go on, MORE steering box brace, AND... the spool comes out for a while. Tomorrow some more interior cleaning... no doors off-road equal big mess inside, Matt really needs a TJ... Wash, wax, and she should be goood till the next work day. The BW flares will go on when I get one more wheel spacer, I have 3 now.

Here's a front shot

Doug... the old girl is pleading with you to just give me that old bumper your trying to get rid of... you know, just for all those good times she gave to you...

 

[BlueCuda]

I like, here is mine cleaned up. White is great for scratches and dents they hardly show.

 

[xjaddiction]

That looks good! I like the white XJ newer body style.

 

[shortxjdoug]

She's a good one Doug. I picked up some Bush Wacker flares today, and some platinum skyjacker shocks for her. She also decided to not like the old axles seal on the driver's side. So, got two new seals today. Tonight, the axle seals get replaced, the new shocks go on, MORE steering box brace, AND... the spool comes out for a while. Tomorrow some more interior cleaning... no doors off-road equal big mess inside, Matt really needs a TJ... Wash, wax, and she should be goood till the next work day. The BW flares will go on when I get one more wheel spacer, I have 3 now.

Here's a front shot

Doug... the old girl is pleading with you to just give me that old bumper your trying to get rid of... you know, just for all those good times she gave to you...

matt always kept the doors on... i'm the no doors freak .... and ironically before i sold it to him i pulled the carpet and powerwashed it.... it used to be pretty bad... i mean look at my rig now, and im not even making the doors removable theyre just off for good

 

[xjaddiction]

OK, that's right. You said Matt cleaned it all up. I'm still trying to get all the mud out of the inside.

I went through the stage your going through now. I just liked driving on the road more than letting the Jeep sit in the garage now. My red Jeep kept up just fine on 35's with the 38 and 40" crowd. And I could set the cruise at 80 MPH and head home.

I tried to get the rear left axle seal to quit leaking, but she doesn't want to stop. So, I'm going to have to replace the seal. Have you any pointers on getting that backing plate on right? I think I have it on the way it suposed to go, but still doesn't seem to want to push the axle seal in all the way.

I put some SkyJacker Platinim shocks on her. I've got some BW flares (after a little more fender trimming) and will get the spacers on and the front end pushed forward in a month. Then I'll be ready to wheel it. I guess I'll add some gears and a selectable rear locker too, oh and that sye. Never ends. But this rig is going back to a street/ off-roader again. I'm never making the mistake of getting rid of another Cherokee.

Right now since my trip off-road times are nada, I'll just keep cleaning this rig up. If I find that front HP60 though, plans will change direction...

Your rig is looking ready for some sawzall action. I can't believe that Tony is going to cut his rig up too. Can't wait to se y'alls results.

 

[shortxjdoug]

just make sure that lip on the inside of the backing plate faces inward towards the axle thats what retains the seal, they are just redrilled rubicon d44 backing plates that i got from a stealership if you need more, if its facing where it needs to it should retain the seal just fine

yeah mines getting the chop once the axles go in i should be setting gears tomorrow and hanging everything this weekend... tony got his axles too hp44 and a rear 60 sporting 4.88 gears so it should be fun

 

[xjaddiction]

Thanks. I redid everything. I think I just didn't have the backing plate bolts as tight as they should be. I'm used to the waggy backing plate with three bolts instead of four, and no parking brake to work around.

I replaced the rusty's shocks with 4 SkyJacker Platinum shocks. They're really nice shocks. The XJ rides very well now with the lift and short arms it has. The shocks also have built in bump stops. I'll be pushing that axle forward about 2"es soon. I left the spool in, never know when a spur of the moment trip will come up. Just gotta get the wheel spacers in, and then the BW flares. Back to limited time schedule again.

Post up pics when you get those axles under there. Y'all are getting serious now... BUT... Matt and the Comanche will still leave you on some of those tougher trails...