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New XJ


edman2007
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What to do for Rockers  

25 members have voted

  1. 1. What to do for Rockers

    • Cut 'em and weld sliders in
      18
    • Buy new replacement panels
      7


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Here are some pics of the newly acquired 1992 Cherokee. Didn't know if this belonged in the projects section since it is an XJ. Feel free to move it :thumbsup: Some specs on it: Paid $1,000 for it. 170,000 miles, runs strong. All fluids replaced 3 years ago. New cooling system and shocks. The PO was a napa mechanic. I know its rusty, but Its still sturdy everywhere but the rockers and floor. POR-15 on the floors, stuff dries harder than heck. So far very impressed.

 

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:thumbsup:

 

Silver POR-15? Never seen it in silver before, looks kinda cool.

 

Looks like you know what you are doing for taking care of the rust. Are you gonna tackle the rockers too? I'd like to see progress pics of that.

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Yeah, the silver has aluminum metal filler in it so it is a little stronger/fills in divots really well. I am trying to decide between replacing the rockers with factory panels, or making build in sliders instead of the rockers. At $50 a side for new panels, i'm wanting to just weld in some steel bar, but it would be nice to have the "factory" look on it too.

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I found this posting today. http://mankato.craigslist.org/pts/1063978072.html Might be able to piece together a nice rig with it. D30 and D44 with aussies $800, 4.5 inch lift which includes rear 3" leafs with 1.75" greasable shackles, front 4.5" coils, rustys lower control arms $400 (just need a trakbar). 5-31x10.5x15 bias ply SS TSL's still in pretty decent shape mounted on 15x8 crager soft 8s with 4 inch backspace - $350. Front axle has abs setup, can it be run on a non-abs vehicle?

 

Thanks,

JD

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Yeah, i just need to figure out a good design. My pinch seam is pretty much gone so tying into that is not an option. I don't really know If i trust my welding skills by welding onto the frame, so I would probably just have to weld to the sheet metal on the body only.

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  • 2 weeks later...

Got some new tires yesterday. They will be the basis of my lift and mods. They are new 31x10.5 BFG AT-KO's. Got them for $60 :brows: . Long story short, my dad's friend was turning in his '97 tacoma for the factory recall on the frame (KBB Excellent value + 50%) He decided that the tires that he had just put on should go to somebody who would use them (ME). All I had to pay for was $20 for 4 junk 30x9.5's and $40 to swap them out. I'm looking at the RE 3.5" lift to fit them, new axles with 3.55 gears or higher, body mods on the rockers and rear quarters, and possibly some new bumpers. Will keep updating as things come along.

 

PS: If anyone in my area has some axles for sale, pm me.

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  • 2 weeks later...

Alright, havent done much lately other than tuning up the engine and general maintinence. Been looking at buying a 3 inch lift. So far I have came up with these (tell me what you think) I'm not looking for super flexy, most driving will be done in pastures and mud. I just need a decently priced kit with good on road manners. My rear springs are already pretty shot, so I am thinking blocks is the best option until I get new springs.

 

Tuff country Jeep Cherokee XJ 3.5" Lift Kits - (with rear blocks) $300

Good: LCA's, no AAL, trackbar relocation

Bad: No shocks, sway bar extensions

43800.gif

 

 

 

Motion 3" kit (Springs, AAL, Blocks) $200

Good: Reputable seller

Bad: No LCA's, trackbar, swaybar links, Has AAL

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Alright, havent done much lately other than tuning up the engine and general maintinence. Been looking at buying a 3 inch lift. So far I have came up with these (tell me what you think) I'm not looking for super flexy, most driving will be done in pastures and mud. I just need a decently priced kit with good on road manners. My rear springs are already pretty shot, so I am thinking blocks is the best option until I get new springs.

 

Tuff country Jeep Cherokee XJ 3.5" Lift Kits - (with rear blocks) $300

Good: LCA's, no AAL, trackbar relocation

Bad: No shocks, sway bar extensions

43800.gif

 

 

 

Motion 3" kit (Springs, AAL, Blocks) $200

Good: Reputable seller

Bad: No LCA's, trackbar, swaybar links, Has AAL

 

 

Blocks lower an MJ since its SUA.... :rotf: :rotf: :rotf:

 

Hells Creek make MJ lift springs.

 

:cheers:

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My rear springs are already pretty shot, so I am thinking blocks is the best option until I get new springs.

Bad choice. VERY bad choice.

 

AFAIK all the blocks commercially available are aluminum castings. Aluminum doesn't "rust," but it sure as hell corrodes. One of the guys at NAXJA had to be towed out of Paragon a few years ago because BOTH his rear blocks had turned to powder and when they got stressed in an off-camber situation they disintegrated. Literally -- all that was left was powder.

 

Find an old set of XJ springs, cut the eyes off the main leaves, and use 'em as AALs. That'll bring you back up to stock. You can also toss in the "donor" 2nd leaf as a second AAL for your lift. It won't sag, because all the leaves will start off with the same native arch so they won't be fighting each other.

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  • 1 month later...

Been a while since i have posted, been working a lot lately (well, for a 16 year old). those junky non-existent rockers have been replaced with sheet metal (frame tied sliders to come later) and are going to be coated with por-15. Picked up the axles I needed with 3.55 gears with full front and rear suspension and 2" spacers for $160 (d30 and d35, i know it sucks, but that's all that has been available lately). So as soon as school is over, put the XJ out of comission and do a bastard-pack rear and spacer/coil front to fit the 31's. Progress pics to come.

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  • 4 weeks later...

U-Joint tore itself apart in the rear on sunday, so the XJ has been under the knife. Still going with the bastard pack/spacer lift. My leaf pack right now is a Main, Main, 2, 2, 3, 3, 4. Do you guys think this will be too stiff?

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  • 3 months later...

Where did summer go?, although i did finally get some projects don on the XJ!

and just for kicks, everything i have done except the sound system, has only cost around $500

 

from this

 

To this jamminz.gif

 

Still have plans in the works-

 

Front and rear winch and tire carrier bumpers to make in welding class this winter/spring

Finish painting/bedliner on lower bodyline

Folding light bar on top

Gas tank skid, and probably Crossmember/tcase

New rear axle (8.25 or 8.8, probably an 8.25 found one for $125 with 70k miles)

Rear selectable locker

the work just never stops!

 

Thanks for comments,

JD

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