Introduction / 98 XJ Build

[machspeed]

I figured it was about time I actually introduced myself, instead of passively using the forum for a long time, and I will also start by build thread for my 98, so here I go.

My name is Mike, and I have a Jeep problem. I have a degree in auto tech. and I am pursuing another degree in Mech. Engineering Tech. at Central Michigan University. That means that I am into cars, and I always have at least one project vehicle going. My name "Machspeed" came from a previous project of mine, a 2002 Ford Focus Mach Audio, hence the name, and it has stuck ever since.

I started my Jeep ownership with a stock blue 89 MJ - 4.0L - AW4 - 231.
It had lost of rust and was dangerously stock. With major help from a friend, and tons of my money, we made this.
4.5" Rustys Lift - tons of body mods - Spring over rear axle - army green 33x12.50 Trxus Mt tires

Naturally I became bored with it after a few months, so I sold the wheels and tires off it, and traded the MJ with the guy who did a lot of the body work for a mildly lifted 86 XJ - 2.5L - 5speed

Again, naturally I was bored with it after a few month, I only drove it a total of 100 miles max, then I sold it.

 

[machspeed]

I moved on to other vehicles, a bunch of daily drivers, a Ford Focus, Isuzu Amigo , another Focus (the mach audio car) then I tried a pre runner style 2wd Ranger. I bought a red 97 Ranger with a rear impact damaged bed, with a 3.0L - 5 speed. After a bunch of time and money, I had new fiberglass all around, new wheels and tires, an a slight lift. That resulted in this:

A sweet car , a nice truck , and no 4wd.

So I sold the Ranger after having it less than a year, and less than 1000 miles of driving. I had that Focus for over 3 years, but I bet not many people hear would car about a heavily modded Focus. Sold that car too.

 

[machspeed]

That bring me to the 98. Last summer I bought a stock 98 XJ with a bunch of miles, 4.0L - AW4 - 231 - d30/8.25 . I had to fix a bunch of mechanical stuff but it was an OK Jeep. I drove it for an entire 12 hours before I started changing stuff. I also had swiss cheese for rockers, and hidden rust behind plastic. This is the Jeep the day ofter I bought it (the wheels and tires were temporary) Low, rusty, and covered in plastic.....gross!

I drove it for a while, then decided to cut out the rust and use 2x6 steel, plus a couple supports to tie to the "frame" . I made small little extensions to protect the fender some, but still allow bigger flares, or more cutting, or fender removal, because I did not yet have a plan for this build. Also removed a lot of the plastic, and painted the lowers and quarters.

Well no lift for a Jeep is kind of lame around me in MI, there are lifted XJs everywhere. So I put on a 3" Rough County lift and made some 33x10.50 BFG KM2s fit.

I have made a few more changes and parts additions since, but no new pics since. Here is a slight run down of what I remember. I have an 8.8 waiting to go in the rear, I need a SYE soon too, and I have a custom rear bumper half done, with a tire carrier that needs finishing too.

3" Rough Country Lift
IRO Double Shear Trackbar
Rough Country Swaybar Disconnects (cut and modded to work 3" lift)
ZJ Steering
JKS BPE
Herculined over the black paint
Lower Quarter Panel Armor

and a bunch of other little things like brake lines, and longer bump stops, and IRO BPE for the rear. I am forgetting stuff to, I just don't know because I forgot.

And the ultimate sad part is that I was involved in a little fender bender last month, so I have been getting parts to fix the driver side fender and header panel, so it has been off the road for a couple weeks. No that the major body damage cherry has been popped, I am now free to cut and mod whatever I can think of without guilt, so game on.

 

[FlexdXJ]

Welcome, nice rig. I like that Comanche too! I can't wait to get some KM2's for mine. Soon, very soon!

 

[XJ&CHZ4ME]

welcome.

cheese is good.

Cheeseman-OUT!

 

[VAhasnoWAVES]

go chips!

 

[XJ-ARNIE]

welcome aboard. Looks great. That ranger reminds me of my ongoing MJ build.

 

[99SJ_Ex]

Welcome!

Beer, cheese, bacon are good and so are campfires!

How much flex you get with those 33s on 3in of lift? What about steering radius??

99SJ 'May already be picking next set of tires' Ex

 

[machspeed]

I lost some turning radius due to the stock wheel offset, just rubs the lowers at full lock, but I never go full lock turn to turn anyway. I have been thinking of ditching the RC lowers and stock uppers for long arms anyway, so that might be in the works in the future. I just like using parts that I can source locally, because I travel to more remote places, and plan to do that a whole lot more in the future. And it really sucks having to wait for the mail to bring weird parts that you can't find at any auto parts store.

I also am not too concerned with up travel, I have bigger bump stops and I have the wheel well metal beat back pretty well already, now I might cut it up more since the fender bender. But overall, with the 10.50 tire and stock Echo rims, the tires fit up into the wheel wells.

 

[87manche]

Welcome!

Beer, cheese, bacon are good and so are campfires!

How much flex you get with those 33s on 3in of lift? What about steering radius??

99SJ 'May already be picking next set of tires' Ex

I ran 34's on 3". Stick with the higher backspace so they fit in the wheel wells. Mine ate the fenders with 3.75" BS wheels.

No problems with travel though. PLenty of space if you're willing to become one with the grinder.

This is what 34's look like on 3" with the stock wheel well cutout:

 

[machspeed]

Looks like I will be putting the KM2s back on this weekend. I also decided to puss out and actually buy a new front bumper instead of making one, but I think the two I want are expensive for the fab required, so I guess I will have to suck it up.

I also have this burning desire to change or build up something else right now too, but with the weather being so cold, I don't know what.

 

[VAhasnoWAVES]

i built a mini ramp in my apartment... now we can skate without the cold.

 

[machspeed]

i built a mini ramp in my apartment... now we can skate without the cold.

Mini Ramp as in skate?

Today I decided to finally do some work to it, make it a little more drivable. So I peeled of the fender that was totally fubar. Pulled off a few other various metal and plastic bits. The corner of the fiberglass header panel was pretty easy to smash and remove, no tools needed.

Then I decided I am sick of the no start condition that happens whenever it wants, so, time to clean the NSS. Well lucky me, it was already broken (missing half the threads on wiper arms) So I found one on eBay and got back to work.

Thanks to doing the NSS first, I can't move the Jeep back the couple of inches I need to give me more room to do the ZJ steering swap, so I was fortunate enough to work in a snow bank. Went pretty easy except for the tie rod end and castle nut fused together. Then I blew up my grease gun hose so I have no grease in the ends yet, otherwise I'm done.

Finally swapped the small treads for the biggies. I have a guy coming to buy the small tires tomorrow so it had to get done. I also took some pics, to kind of show the progress I made since the first pics I posted, and the giant leap backwards I took with the accident.



I'll never rub the fender on the left front now....

And I still have one good side, plus the back is OK too.

 

[XJosh95]

Welcome! Nice rig. Keep the build coming. I like seeing this stuff go from the ground up. Especially when it's near the same level of progress as mine.

 

[VAhasnoWAVES]

yes, mini ramp as in mini half pipe. i work part time at home depot. so i put it to good use. if you skate and want to get out of the cold its a fun time. $40 into it... so it was a worthwhile investment.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7IC1asEFj8&feature=feedu

and you werent kidding, they are brothers! lol. if you ever want to get rid of the KM2s hit me up.

 

[machspeed]

and you werent kidding, they are brothers! lol. if you ever want to get rid of the KM2s hit me up.

The KM2s are probably going to get run to the ground. I had another set of wheels and tires (small) and I just sold those, so there are my only set for now. I also like to keep the stock rims, they fit better and I think these ecco wheels look good too.

So you have a pin stripe, and your tire carrier setting you apart right now. My bumper and carrier will get finished probably near spring break if I have the time, so it will pretty much be pin stripe and wheels setting us apart from a glance.

Next weeks goal is to get an alignment, and have a body shop quote the price to pull or replace that inner fender behind the headlight. I have all the other parts (fender, header panel, headlight , grille etc. ) to put it back together and get it back on the road. That and a new NSS should be here next week too.

 

[VAhasnoWAVES]

ive been meaning to get some raised "CHEROKEE" decals like yours has. my '97 had they vynil stickers, after those got halfway blown off by the pressure washer i eventually eraser wheeled them off. yours look sharp though.

if you want a green fender hit me up, lol. with tax returns coming i could use an excuse to get myself some fiberglass fenders!

 

[machspeed]

All my decals are flat except for the Jeep on the front and tailgate, the "cherokee" is just silver instead of the bright white "sport" logo.

If you are serious about selling your fender, I would buy it. I already have a new fender from Keystone here in my apartment, but I could sell that at a loss and still come out ahead if I found an emerald green fender. It will just get cut up anyway.

I just have to get the inner fender pulled or replaced, the metal is back an inch or two behind the headlight up until the middle of the wheel well. If the body shop give me a high price to pull or replace it, I might just go with a panel like the T&T custom panel, bummer is that I could have to swap the intake and relocate the battery too, and I barely have the cash for this.

Oh, and after looking at the damage closer today, I am convinced that the JCR steering spacer combined with the IRO trackbar mount strengthened up the "frame" enough the not even tweak it, so that is a solid plus for me. GO JCR and IRO!

 

[VAhasnoWAVES]

if i sold one id get rid of the other one with it... haha. they are cut up even higher now though. the washer fluid container shows. i have an early style washer fluid bottle id throw in to sweeten the deal.

just a thought. thatd mean id be ordering myself these:
http://tandjperformance.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=20_119&products_id=942

 

[machspeed]

Those fenders do look pretty nice. I briefly thought about fiberglass for this XJ right after the accident, but after what I went through with my old ranger, I decided to go back to OE. Plus, if I had the big fiberglass, I would have to do the rear too, and put 35's or 37's on, and that is just not what I want to do with this one.

That would also cut into my budget for other mods. I want a new front bumper, need to finish the rear bumper and need a SYE, plus I want new seats for the front.... the list goes on.