Where do I even start?

[WesXJC]

I'm a USAF tech school student right now with not much to do on the weekends for now, stuck in Mississippi for a year. I've had my XJ for the past 4 years and it's served as my DD. I'd still like for it to remain as my DD, though i've taken a strong interest in JS. I'd like for my XJ to turn into something that can get me from A to B during the week and take me for some exciting rides on the weekends.

The jeep in question:
1996 XJ Country 4dr
HO 4.0 Auto
92k Miles (all orignal)
4x4 (d30 front, d35 rear, trac-loc)

I've got the feeling of a kid in a candy store right now, I have no clue where to start, and don't want to jump in over my head. I can't have it sitting unusable for too long at a time so projects have to be divided, I'm not looking to build a regulation competition JS here, just something to give me my fix on the weekends.

Any and all input would be helpful

 

[GrimmJeeper]

start by plating the frame, you'll save yourself a lot of headaches later. frame plating, stiffeners, decent bumpers and spend some coin on some decent shocks and it will stand up to a lot of abuse without falling apart. you might want to put an 8.25 rear end in there (or a d44 if you can find one) out of an XJ, it will bolt right in and take some abuse better than that d35 will. either way truss your front and rear axles and beef up the control arm mounts on the front axle, they bend pretty easy once you start going fast.

 

[crazyjim]

Exactly what Mike said... PLATE THE FRAME FIRST! It will save your Jeep from destroying itself the first trip out. It's the best thing I ever did to my XJ.

The biggest things I can recommend, Deaver 5.5's up front, Deaver leaves in the rear, some good 2.0 resi shocks, air bumps up front helped a LOT in my situation, and some control arms, either short arms on drop brackets or long arms. You'll have a blast on that setup, and will be able to build it relatively cheaply, adding on as you go.

I also ran 33x10.50's instead of 12.50's for weight savings, aluminum wheels as well. Here's a video of my Jeep out at Ocotillo before it got take apart to get fully built, I built that entire Jeep on weekends with help from friends etc. It was never down more than a day or two.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=in9l2pUsCHw

 

[GrimmJeeper]

starting the build is easy, stopping is the hard part

 

[Cache96]

starting the build is easy, stopping is the hard part

That is so VERY VERY true!!!! hahah

 

[xcm]

whats the budget like for this project? on a scale of 1 to gnar
do you actually want to race, or just go fast?
you building it yourself? (if so, step 1 is tools, it's taken my 3 years to get tool'ed up for my project, and i still need a press brake)

 

[VAhasnoWAVES]

plating and stiffeners while the jeep is still strait! cage it if you feel so inclined... but i personally feel a cage is a must for JS, even weekend warrior rigs.

and then i agree for XCM for once, TOOLS. or you can buy the tools as you need them for each project.

 

[GrimmJeeper]

and then i agree for XCM for once, TOOLS. or you can buy the tools as you need them for each project.

make friends that have rigs built the way you want yours to be, you have a 50/50 shot. most people either ARE tools or HAVE tools, you'll be all set

 

[WesXJC]

whats the budget like for this project? on a scale of 1 to gnar
do you actually want to race, or just go fast?
you building it yourself? (if so, step 1 is tools, it's taken my 3 years to get tool'ed up for my project, and i still need a press brake)

Not very gnar of a budget, not looking to make a race jeep yet.
gofast
majority is gonna have to be done by others for now, i have no way to do it myself

 

[xcm]

my jeep is also my dd, so i know what you mean about dd-friendly. some will say its not possible, OR plausible... its possible, up to the point im at. obviously engine cage and engine frame plating are a LONG weekend project, so if you REALLY want to make this happen, get a 2nd job, and a fab bitch. cause it aint easy!

im currently about 1/3rd of the way to where i want to be, and the budget is squeezing hard right now! next investment is a pair of momo t-clubs, hopefully some kind of DOT 5-points (gotta stop the prerunner budget from going to the city of los angeles on tickets!) and about 300 more feet of 1.5", .120 DOM.

so basically, im on spring break, awaiting funds, it's nice to relax on weekends for once!

 

[chaser9478]

What tech school? I am a retired TACP. I wish I was still in. My jeep is a hybrid daily driver. If I were you I would wait till you get to your permanent station. There is no stability in tech school. You can't leave your jeep overnight in the auto shop.