boxyjeep

I've been making incremental progress on the truck. I got the rear axle flipped into SOA orientation, but didn't like how much lift I was getting with the 5" shackles and new spring perches (~1" above axle tube)". I ended up pulling out the overload leaf, swapping in XJ shackles, and building my own "low-profile" perches with 2.5" 1/4" wall square tube. Here's how it sat: "Homemade" spring perches (top) vs. the typical ones you get from popular vendors (bottom). I may trim the top ones to have an angled lip. Notice the decreased height above the axle tube: Then got the axle pulled out and prepped for new perches and paint: I've also pulled out the rear driveshaft and exhaust. I'll be cleaning up the frame and getting the underside of the truck fully painted before installing the new axle. With this rear spring configuration, it measures about 23.25" from center of axle to bottom of flare. I'll be swapping in RE 4.5" coils with an extra isolator to hopefully achieve about 22.75" up front. This should result in a very minor rake. I also plan to throw in the overload leaf or longer shackles if the rear sags at all. You may also be wondering why I'm spending so much time with fine-tuning the ride height. I feel like there is a delicate balance between too low (where you need to trim fenders--something I won't be doing), versus something too high that ultimately looks a bit dumb. My goal with this truck is to be in that perfect middle ground.

I'm digging the painted license plate.

My truck is finally making progress towards being off-road worthy and I'd like to get some protection before bashing up my freshly-painted rockers. I bought a set of sliders from JCR a few years ago but couldn't believe how bad the fitment was around the pinch seam, so I returned them. From what I can see now, it looks like only Dirtbound and RockyRoad (also resold through 12 Degree North) are the only options out there. I prefer the look of the RockyRoad Super Sliders (rectangular tube under rocker, with angled round tube sticking out). Anyone running these? How did you like the mount? Any pics you can share?

Wow they came out pretty good :-)

Drove Cherokee's when I was 16 to about 21 years old, then got newer dependable cars in college and beyond. About a decade later, I wanted an offroad rig to explore southern California after originally being from the northeast. I also wanted something with a truck bed and was debating between a Tacoma or a Comanche. Ended up looking for decent ones on Craiglist for a few years, until I found mine. A rust-free desert truck from Bakersfield area. It checked all my boxes like SWB, 4.0L, auto, 4x4, and Dana 44, minus being a HO engine. Over the last 5 years, I've rebuilt it from the ground up and replaced or refurbished almost every part of it (transmission and transfer case are the only things I haven't touched yet).

Yep, that's the boat I was in. My truck had a decent tailgate, but it had a slight bend and the inside half was beat to hell. Prior to paint, I got the one pictured above. Ended up coming out pretty good...

Dom Stacks has a collection of 20-30 tailgates up in Michigan. Some accuse him of parts hoarding... I bought my current tailgate of a CJ enthusiast that got it in a trade somehow. It was on Long Island NY in 2021 for $600. Mint condition from a 91+. I kept my beat up original as a garage ornament.

Those tires are a the level of ridiculousness that I enjoy.

Nice! I'll check it. Regarding the stickers, shoot me a DM or go to my site (link in signature).

Whoa, is there a thread for the old Cherokee?

I bought one in late 2021 for $600 in mint condition in Long Island, NY. $500 for that is insane.

I vote for the chrome.

Make sure to post to some of the local Jeep Facebook pages. SoCal, AZ, and Tijuana. Tons of people and visibility there.

Ugh. I’ll keep an eye out in Orange County. This is also why I have a kill switch and air tag in mine…

Good point…

I'd be willing to bet the cost will be $399.

I wish I had waited and just bought the whole set instead of spending time/money on the lens replacement.

Finally got the truck out of the garage for the first time in a few months. I've completed the front half of the lift and got everything torqued to spec. I'll be doing the rear SOA next and painting the back half of the frame. I'm running custom aluminum steering links and WJ knuckles on an HP D30 with CavFab OTA track-bar. 5.5" RE coils and Fox shocks. I was also able to get some of my custom reproduction data labels installed in the engine bay (fan warnings, oil filter thread, and emissions info): I've started making these and selling them--details in signature if you're interested.

Hopefully the new buyer shows up here soon.

I now have these in stock and ready to ship. $40 shipped. DM me if interested.

Jack instruction sticker now in stock and ready to ship!

I wouldn’t worry about a wire transfer unless it gets stuck in your country’s customs. Otherwise, you’ll get your stuff… just questionable quality… I wouldn’t buy from Rusty’s after all the stuff I’ve seen and dealt with personally. Some guy on FB just cut their 1/4” wall long arms in half—only measured to .20”…

Yep! DM me.

I'm trying to reproduce one of these but don't have the original. Anyone know the measurements (or able to measure) one of them?

Great truck, congrats!