Low budget low lift xj

[jeepbub08]

Ok so, here is the story. I recently traded my 93 wrangler for a 1988 Cherokee. D30 D35, 231 with hack and tap, and of course the 4.0.that is about where the normal cherokee things stop. This Cherokee is special. It came to me with a hacked up body that someone chopped the roof off of. Not the best planned chop at that. Then a cage was installed before finding its way to me somehow. So I am at this point. Little to no lift, 35 inch tires, Major trimming, unibody reinforcing, and just plain old fun. So without further talking here are the pics of what I refer to as the no lift xj.

 

[jeepbub08]

Oh yeah, The very first pic is how the XJ came to me, minus the tires. So yes I know the chop looks like crap. Im workin on it.

 

[01greenxjsport]

plans??????

 

[jeepgeek2002]

Those SSR's and Outlaw 2's look familiar.. did you get them from a guy in GA?

 

[bigblueishness]

the springs are 3 inch for $50

 

[jeepgeek2002]

2" blocks. 1 " shackle lift..3" Fat Bobs spring spacer
less then $100

 

[PacificEd]

It looks like an early Scout from the backend.

 

[jeepbub08]

Ok so there are a few questions about this. Plans are for it to be LIFTED as minimally as possible. So no worries there guys(although I appreciate you pricing cheap lifts) I am just having fun doing something different. It is a fun project because it can only get better. It was absolutely hideous when I first saw the xj. As for the tires, the wheels came off of my old wrangler which at one time used to be in georgia. And yeah I thought it looked like a scout as well. Wierd how that turned out. dont let the scout guys know though....

 

[Cnickgo]

I'm a little concerned about the integrity of that cage. Do you have anymore pictures of it? From what I can see so far I would say you should not trust it. Congrats on the Jeep though! Looks like you can really get out there and have a good time on the trail.

 

[jeepbub08]

I admit, the cage does need some work. As it sits right now, I dont even want to drive it in the yard much less on the trail or ahighway. I will be adding a lot more bracing and triangulation to strengthen it. I will also be plating the unibody and tying the cage into that. Still have plenty of work to do.

 

[thechief86]

you should run the dana 35 for us, and let us know how far it goes with the 35's. a lot of people here would be surprised to see how tough the toothpick really is. then i'd go for a ford 8.8.

 

[mattynicks3]

I'm diggin the ram 2500 badge lol.

Not a bad little beater tho! I just got my first cherokee a few months ago for 500 bucks. 2-300 bucks later I got her running and she's a sweet little rig. I had to trim up my fenders a little cause the 31's rubbed pretty bad, but I'm in the same boat as you...it can only get better! Good luck with it.

 

[jeepbub08]

Thanks buddy. Yeah she is givin me some grief, but I got my finger on the buy button for a four inch rough country lift. I can trim all day long and fabricate all day long but I NEED to go wheeling. As far as the 35 goes, Well I wheeled with one in my wrangler on 35s. Itll live. Im not worried about it at all.

 

[thechief86]

Thanks buddy. Yeah she is givin me some grief, but I got my finger on the buy button for a four inch rough country lift. I can trim all day long and fabricate all day long but I NEED to go wheeling. As far as the 35 goes, Well I wheeled with one in my wrangler on 35s. Itll live. Im not worried about it at all.

sweeet. it makes me happy to see people actually wait until they break something to replace it. i wheeled the dog crap outta my 35, and never broke it. i broke a couple ujoints, but never any differential parts.

 

[jeepbub08]

here are some updated pics. I am still workin on it. the wheelwells are almost done and I drove it around the yard for the first time tonight. Awesome feeling for sure. Just need some lift and I got it made.
here are some pics to keep yall interested.

 

[bigblueishness]

looks good, is it road ready?

 

[jeepbub08]

Shes getting close to being road ready. Have to wire up the rear, as far as lights go, and some ujoints/wheel bearings.
Tested the suspension tonight though. Marked where I need to trim in the front. The rear didnt rub a single bit. Awesome feeling for sure.

 

[bigblueishness]

did you get a lift yet, when can I come and fix up my trailer

 

[jeepbub08]

Ok so a lot has happened with the xj in the last few weeks. ill let the pics do the talking though.

Sliders went on.

Mirrors were made

Rear bumper was started. Almost finished.

Mocked up on the jeep. There will be more but this will be the meat and potatoes of the bumper.

And the pic from the side. Sliders mirrors, new front bumper, and also fixed the transfer case.