XJ: "family wagon"
 

The project started just over 12 months ago but I figure it's never to late to start a build thread right? I've already done quite a bit of work so far and future progress will be slow but this will save me cluttering up other threads and I have a few parts on the way so .....

The list so far,
-2000 XJ cherokee classic 4.0 auto
-rough country longarm upgrade for np242
-rubicon express 3.5" coils
-rubicon express lower bump spacers
-rubicon express 1.5" coil spacers
-rubicon express extended stainless brake lines
-zone offroad shackles
-H.D offroad shackle relocation boxes
-reset factory leaves
-daystar extended bump stops front/rear
-custom trackbar w/heim and double shear bracket
-Fox 2.0 performance series remote shocks custom valved
-Fox 2.0 series steering damper with custom mount
-Artec front axle truss w/ C gussets
-poison spyder bomb shell front d30 cover
-rough country pitman arm
-custom rear axle truss and diff cover
-IRO hack & tap
-50" ridged lightbar and custom mounts
-cut & fold rear quarters
-OR fab front and rear comp bumpers
-notch customs high clearance flares
-American rock rods hood louver kit
-toyo 285 75 16 open country MT's

The first round of mods where done over four straight twelve hour days :hammer: That included suspension,front flares, truss and tires.
Progress pics;
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More progress pics...
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This is how it currently sits...
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...ps47aeb26d.jpg

The current list of mod I want to do before our next big trip are....

-rugged ridge HD tierod
-steering stabiliser clamp to suit new tierod
-new tranny mount
-bigger tranny cooler and lines
-new rear u-bolt style pinion yoke
-optima yellow top 34/78 battery
-trail gear optima battery tray/clamp
-full length steel roof rack
-currie anti-rock swaybar

I've recived most of these parts this week in the mail so I've got plenty of work to keep me busy on days off!

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New battery tray

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Trail gear clamp for stabiliser

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Rugged ridge tierod

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Aeroflow cooler with -6an fittings

Hopefully everything else should be here before Christmas :D

Just got a cracking deal on a Currie swaybar kit from Amazon that I couldn't pass up so that's on it's way! Thanks Santa :D I'm kinda glad that I've just ordered most of the bigger ticket items now after hearing on the news that the dollars going to plummet :( boooo! Looks like it's back to paying an arm and a leg for parts!
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The bottom pic is the way I plan on mounting it except I'm going to cut the lower part of the support panel level with the bottom of the frame rails so I can push it further foward. I'm also thinking I might stitch a piece of small flat bar along the tube and I can tie it in to the support panel which should stiffen the front up some more.

Nice job mate we need more xj build threads on here again.

Thanks mate, That's exactly what I thought cause we seem to be heavily out numbered! I've got a never ending list of mods planned so stay tuned.

Hey Rangers.
Firstly thanks for making build thread. I'm liking the direction your going. It's similar to how I'd build mine.
Sevondly does the ORFAB front bar have light brackets on the hoop for spotties or just the lightbar mounts? I love the bar and would be disappointed if I couldn't use my spotties.

Thanks, yeah it has spotlight mounts on the hoop. I had lights on it up until last week but I took them off to remove the grill and I haven't bothered putting them back on. What size are your spotties?

looks sweet man, keep the pic coming.
burmonster

Cheers. Now I'm 100% sold lol. Lights are IPF 900xs. Think they're 8 inch rounds.

Found a pic with spotties on, 170 light force strikers? Pretty sure that's what's their called...
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Also found this photo awhile back of the same bar with ARB's fitted and they are a big light! Shame their so expensive cause they'd match mine real good :lol:
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Cheers, will do.

Cool thanks for pics. Have you got a winch yet?

No not yet still undecided on what I want to get.

New roof rack arrived today:D I'm really going to have to pull my finger out now cause the sheds filling up fast!

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What size is it Rangers? I've been looking at the 2200 long ones that are recommended for the Cherokees, but when I measure it out I think it is to long.

Yeah 2200mm is too long by miles it will overhang the roof way too much. I nearly bought one of those until I measured it like you did! Not sure how they get away with listing it as suiting an XJ :| mine is 1800x1250 perfect size! It suits an 80 series cruiser but fits the XJ.

Yeah thats what I thought as well. Id be interested to see how the 1800 looks :)

Here's two of my inspiration photos, the white XJ's rack is 1778mm long and the red one is 1900mm long and both a smidge over 1200mm wide so should be good.

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Santa delivered my anti-rock swaybar today but apparently I can't open it until Christmas :shock:
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That was nice and quick. Where'd it come from?

I was quite surprised when it arrived today! It came from Amazon USA and was only ordered on the 4th so I can't complain.

Got my new rugged ridge tierod and steering damper clamp fitted today.

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Soooo much beefier than the stock unit! And the quality of the tierod ends look and feel great.

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Welded the mounting stud to the clamp...

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And Plug welded it from inside just to be sure, I don't think it's going anywhere!

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Here's a pic of the other end showing how I relocated the damper to the drivers side coil bucket. I plated in and gusseted the lower side of the bucket and added the mounting tabs. There's also the synergy control arm skids which are a very worthwhile mod if you own a welder.

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The finished product! Overall very happy with it and it's one less thing sitting on my bench :D

This has to be one of the best XJ's I've ever seen. And it still looks like new! Is that the original paint job?! How many k's has it done?

Jeep envy!

Do you have any more pics? Side, rear etc?

Thanks very much, mostly original paint and it's done around 215k. It was very well looked after by the previous owner and I've done a lot of little things to clean it up. It's my pride and joy and I've certainly spent some coin on it but a mans gotta have a hobby! Right? ;-)

I've only got a couple from a trip the other day ( need to train the wife to take more photos):lol:

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I'll work on getting some more pics up soon.

She certainly is a ball biter, love the stance :D

Your jeep has made me seriously consider buying another XJ. It's an absolute rig very impressive mate good job!
Hobby or sickness? Haha

Sickness! :mrgreen:

How does it drive with the longarms and 33's? Could it be used as a touring rig? Fuel consumption aside of course haha

It handles perfectly and is way smoother than the original short arm kit that it previously had. Even with no swaybars I can drive it to work on the highway sitting on 110kph steering with two fingers! It will eventually be a tourer (within reason) so I kept that in mind when choosing my suspension package. The Toyo's are great on the road too and I only run about 20psi in them.

I've never driven on longarms but I know at 4" with short arms mine handled average..
Have you regeared it?

Back on 3.7's after blowing a ring gear. Still drives fine on open road just has zero engine braking in 4wd. I don't want to fork out on gears yet cause I'm looking at a rear diff swap in the not to distant future.

Are you running diesel diffs then? Petrol only 3.55.

Their an old used set of gears from my old jeep I had kept. Not the best gear ratio but still better than 3.55's on 33's"

Picked up a quick release extinguisher mount off Amazon cheap. Very popular for off-roading in the states, stops the thing turning into a missile in an accident :shock:

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Replaced my busted battery tray with my new trail gear battery holder. Had to fabricate a raised base to match the original tray and to pick up the mounting studs but otherwise pretty straight foward job. Due to the smaller size of the optima battery I was able to sit it lower down and further away from the engine which was a bonus.

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I'm going to pick up some 35mm2 cable tomorrow and make some new battery/ starter cables and earth cables and that will be another job ticked off the list!

I brought a battery tray to suit XJ / yellow top battery from Dirtbound IIRC
has no upright metal from the tray. Battery is secured at its base. My idea was to mirror duel battery on the left hand side where the air box is..... Time will tell.