Mira's '93 XJ 2-dr. build (11-year-old's first Jeep)

[Egodfrey]

I use the JCR tie in brackets...things are pure beef

 

[Logans91XJ]

Thanks guys. I'll have Mira read your posts/updates in this thread this weekend.


Parts update!

Here in Michigan, Mira must be excited about sledding season, as her idea for a photo with her new JCR Offroad transfer case skid was to sit on it like a sled. Crazy kid. I took advantage of a Black Friday sale at JCR to pick up this, and a couple other items for Mira as an early Christmas(ish) gift.

Another shot of Mira with the JCR Offroad skid, and also a set of their new front Unibody Tie-In brackets that wrap underneath the frame, and tie into the sway bar mounts. These are nice pieces to beef up the front sheet metal where the stock bumper mounts.

Speaking of front bumpers, JCR Offroad unveiled an economically-priced “DIY” front bumper on Black Friday, as well. It’s all CNC-cut, and comes in a tidy little (literally…approximately 12” x 30” x 1”) package. I picked one of these up for Mira, as well.

Here’s what the assembled JCR Offroad DIY bumper kit looks like assembled & installed. It should look very nice on her XJ.

I just installed this bumper on my 91XJ and its got great build quality and with the tie in brackets it really beefs up the front end and adds some weight so now my jeep rides a little smoother. Also you might want to to some more to the D-Ring Tabs. I find that they are really stout I just don't like how skinny they are and with D-Ring Shackle attached there is a lot of play in them. Not a huge deal but minor issue.

 

[FunkRider]

The bumper only picks up three mounting holes?

 

[1x1_Speed_Craig]

The bumper only picks up three mounting holes?

Yes and no. The bumper mounts with 3 bolts - yes. However, we also picked up these unibody tie-in plates. They mount with multiple other bolts, tying the bumper into the side frame rails, as well as the front of the crossmember, to distribute the load.

I absolutely wouldn't have been comfortable mounting the bumper to the stock holes without these reinforcement plates.

Craig

 

[SolarBell]

I like those reinforcement plates even better than the bumpers that have the mounting plates that go further down the rail, since those plates tie both into the front crossmember and down to the sway bar mount.

::jealous::

 

[jcroffroad]

The reason we do it this way, it allows for up and down adjustment to the bumper that other vendors don't have. This allows you to make the bumper fit perfectly, even if the front end of your jeep is crooked.

 

[brianglawson]

I wonder what all other bumpers the mounting plates would work with, i would guess any that used the facotry holes, right?

 

[1x1_Speed_Craig]

I wonder what all other bumpers the mounting plates would work with, i would guess any that used the facotry holes, right?

Shoot JCR a PM or e-mail. They'd be able to tell you for sure. But yes, they sandwich & align with the same factory front bumper holes.


I wish I could update my original post to recognize a generous local guy who is a new sponsor for Mira's project.

We want to give fellow (hometown) Jeeper Ron Peterson (cj8ron) a HUGE thanks for sponsoring Mira's project with a new "facelift" header panel (grill), and several other Cherokee parts that will help Mira's XJ project. Ron looks somewhat stoic in this pic :spin1:, but we had a good time introducing Mira to him and chatting, checking out his cool Jeep collection, etc. Thanks again, Ron!

 

[wheelinscott]

very very cool, keep up the great work!

 

[Tacedaddy]

i feel bad for buying your header panel parts off of you now craig..

 

[1x1_Speed_Craig]

i feel bad for buying your header panel parts off of you now craig..

LOL. :spin1: Yeah, if I had only lined up this later-model header a few weeks sooner... No biggie. We'll round up some new headlight trim rings & turn signal lenses eventually. We have plenty of time to do so.

Craig

 

[Tacedaddy]

i technically dont need this drivers side turn... i do still need that passengers side marker light LOL
turned out nice tho

 

[Mpeckham22]

This is very impressive, great work Mira!

 

[Goose_XJ88]

Awesome, I cant wait to have kids and hopefully be able to do a project vehicle like this with them.

 

[xjsnake]

Ran across your craigslist ad while looking for a door. You've got quite a pile of parts for sale to fund this project...

 

[1x1_Speed_Craig]

This is very impressive, great work Mira!

Awesome, I cant wait to have kids and hopefully be able to do a project vehicle like this with them.

Thanks, gents. Mira will be with me all next week, so I'll have her log in and read through all the updates & encouragement on this thread.

Ran across your craigslist ad while looking for a door. You've got quite a pile of parts for sale to fund this project...

Yes we do. It's a slow used parts market, but we're hoping to thin things out to help fund Mira's project.


We'd also like to thank Aaron Smuda (Porscheguy on our local forum) for yet another sponsorship. Aaron donated some adjustable lower control arms (one just needs a new bushing), and also some TJ lift springs that we should be able to use for one of our projects.

Thanks so much for your generosity, Aaron! We owe you bigtime.

I'd also like to thank Frank (COYOTE) from RockSolid Performance for his help in transporting these parts up to Cedar Springs for us. :clap:

Craig

 

[FunkRider]

Craig and JCR,

That is a fantastic idea!

The build looks great and I can't wait to see more updates.

 

[1x1_Speed_Craig]

Thanks, gents. Mira will be with me all next week, so I'll have her log in and read through all the updates & encouragement on this thread.




Yes we do. It's a slow used parts market, but we're hoping to thin things out to help fund Mira's project.


We'd also like to thank Aaron Smuda (Porscheguy on our local forum) for yet another sponsorship. Aaron donated some adjustable lower control arms (one just needs a new bushing), and also some TJ lift springs that we should be able to use for one of our projects.

Thanks so much for your generosity, Aaron! We owe you bigtime.

I'd also like to thank Frank (COYOTE) from RockSolid Performance for his help in transporting these parts up to Cedar Springs for us. :clap:

Craig

I mentioned that Aaron Smuda (Porscheguy on my local board) was nice enough to donate some used TeraFlex control arms for Mira's project...very cool. Well, they had not been greased regularly by a previous owner, and had some slop after we eventually freed them up (they were frozen in position from crud/corrosion).

I contacted TeraFlex about replacement bushings, and planned to just weld the used TeraFlex arms into position, and run them as "fixed arms". Well, after a few e-mail exchanges about Mira's Cherokee project, TeraFlex offered to send us a brand new set, providing we destroyed the used ones we have. So, we're very thankful for a TeraFlex sponsorship that helps her project. Thanks Sterling at TeraFlex Suspensions!

Craig

 

[DeftwillP]

Like I said on pbb, good on Tera and wish my son would get into this stuff.

 

[Jcool83]

with the late model front fascia

why not take it off that donor 99 XJ? It looked in good shape.

Btw great build, im taking notes for my 93 4dr