XJ checking in (Justin said to ... blame him)

Tom · 2011-01-27T16:22:41-08:00

Communicated with Justin on the JF after saying I was interested in joining the February 5th Snow Patrol. I'll also be bringing my wife, Ronie, and our dog, Molly. Just getting back into Jeeps after about a 3 year hiatus (had a YJ) and bought this XJ back in September 2009. Spent the last few months just bringing everything up-to-spec so I could see what I was starting with (155,000 miles). Replaced upper and lower CAs, shocks and every bushing, bearing and warn part I could identify. Did NOT replace springs as I didn't know exactly what all I was going to do to this rig at the time. Now I do. There is a build thread started at JF but, in a nutshell, here's what is in the works ... 5" lift (Front) with the associated shocks and CA drop kit. =Rough Country, primarily. 5" lift (Rear) with the associated shocks. =Making my own spring pack using a new UpCountry spring pack (+1"😉 and adding the top 3 leaves from the existing pack. Research says this will bring it up to ~5". SYE =Iron Rock Offroad: hack and tap with rebuilt XJ front axle. 35x12.5/15 Mud Dawgs on Dick Cepek CP-1 wheels (15x10) and 4.56:1 gears. =wheels and tires are in my garage and gears will need to be done in February. All major pieces and parts are either in route or already arrived. My plan is to have the lift and SYE installed before February 5th. I'll still be riding on 30s but will have some clearance for the snow that way. Looking forward to meeting you all!! Tom =====

Tom Subscriber
Tom Subscriber
#127 Jan 2011, 4:22 PM
Communicated with Justin on the JF after saying I was interested in joining the February 5th Snow Patrol. I'll also be bringing my wife, Ronie, and our dog, Molly.

Just getting back into Jeeps after about a 3 year hiatus (had a YJ) and bought this XJ back in September 2009. Spent the last few months just bringing everything up-to-spec so I could see what I was starting with (155,000 miles). Replaced upper and lower CAs, shocks and every bushing, bearing and warn part I could identify. Did NOT replace springs as I didn't know exactly what all I was going to do to this rig at the time. Now I do. There is a build thread started at JF but, in a nutshell, here's what is in the works ...

5" lift (Front) with the associated shocks and CA drop kit.

=Rough Country, primarily.

5" lift (Rear) with the associated shocks.

=Making my own spring pack using a new UpCountry spring pack (+1"😉 and adding the top 3 leaves from the existing pack. Research says this will bring it up to ~5".

SYE

=Iron Rock Offroad: hack and tap with rebuilt XJ front axle.

35x12.5/15 Mud Dawgs on Dick Cepek CP-1 wheels (15x10) and 4.56:1 gears.

=wheels and tires are in my garage and gears will need to be done in February.

All major pieces and parts are either in route or already arrived.

My plan is to have the lift and SYE installed before February 5th. I'll still be riding on 30s but will have some clearance for the snow that way.

Looking forward to meeting you all!!

Tom

=====

If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading -- Lao Tzu
Justin Subscriber
Justin Subscriber
#227 Jan 2011, 5:27 PM
Welcome Tom! Glad to see you made it over here and it sounds like your XJ will be pretty sweet when your done.
Guest former user
Guest former user
#327 Jan 2011, 5:42 PM
Welcome. Good to see another leaf sprung rig in the group. 😀
JohnDF Member Joined: July 2003
JohnDF Member Joined: July 2003
#427 Jan 2011, 6:06 PM
Welcome. It will be nice having an XJ along again. We used to have several, but they've dissapeared.

I used to wheel a lot. . .
Fred Subscriber
Fred Subscriber
#527 Jan 2011, 6:55 PM
"Bender" wrote: Welcome. Good to see another leaf sprung rig in the group. 😀

XJ's are hybrids. 😂 Coils in the front, leaf springs in the rear. Either Tom will get along with everyone or everyone will give him a hard time.

Welcome Tom
Tom Subscriber
Tom started this Subscriber
#627 Jan 2011, 7:18 PM
I vote for getting along with everyone!!

So far, I'm enjoying reading some of the tech and fabrication submissions. Lots to do and I can always use ideas.

If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading -- Lao Tzu
Guest former user
Guest former user
#728 Jan 2011, 9:17 AM
Welcom Tom, what year XJ is it.
Tom Subscriber
Tom started this Subscriber
#828 Jan 2011, 10:20 AM
"LJ3" wrote: Welcom Tom, what year XJ is it.

My XJ is a 93 with the Country package ... AW4, NP231.

Everything stock save the addition of a PowerAid, MagnaFlo and a new high-flow cat. Oh, and the 30x9.5 tires that were on it from the PO.

If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading -- Lao Tzu
Guest former user
Guest former user
#928 Jan 2011, 10:56 AM
"TomD" wrote: [quote="LJ3"]Welcom Tom, what year XJ is it.

My XJ is a 93 with the Country package ... AW4, NP231.

Everything stock save the addition of a PowerAid, MagnaFlo and a new high-flow cat. Oh, and the 30x9.5 tires that were on it from the PO.

Man, you can walk the line and get along with everyone...leaf springs, coils, and an Aisin (known for Toyota stuff) transmission - you're set. 😀
Tom Subscriber
Tom started this Subscriber
#1029 Jan 2011, 9:56 PM
Well, the first phase of the my Cherokee build is about to begin. There are a lot of new parts in my garage:

RC 4.5" coil springs

RC control arm drop kit

4 new front coil spacers

new track bar bushings and bolt

RC steering dampener

RC sway bar disconnect

RC series 8000 shocks, front and rear

TeraFlex bar pin eliminators

Crown HD rear leaf spring (1+" lift)

IRO slip yoke eliminator w/ driveshaft

The work starts tomorrow (Sunday) early. By the end of the week I hope to be telling everyone about a 5" lift front and rear (4.5" coil plus 2nd stock isolator and rear springpack made from top 3 leaves of existing rear leaf springs), a relocated track bar, relocated brake lines and the installation of the SYE and DS.

Until tomorrow night ...

If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading -- Lao Tzu
Tom Subscriber
Tom started this Subscriber
#1130 Jan 2011, 9:38 PM
Let me first apologize for not having any pictures to show of today's work. Steve and I got started this morning and didn't really take any breaks. Got the Cherokee up on jack stands and wheels pulled off then took a look at what we wanted to attack to start things off … we decided on the front.

So, at the end of the day here's what we had accomplished:

1 - Removed shocks and front coil springs.

2 - Disconnected brake line brackets.

3 - Disconnected track bar at axle.

4 - Installed the control arm drop brackets.

5 - Got ahold of a spring compressor to get the 4.5" coil springs installed along with with a 2nd factory isolator.

6 - Everything is all bolted up and ready to be torqued tomorrow night.

Tuesday, on to the rear suspension.

Oh, and Ronie did take a couple of pics of Steve and I working so there is proof we did the work ourselves.

If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading -- Lao Tzu
Guest former user
Guest former user
#1231 Jan 2011, 7:40 AM
Welcome Tom. Look forward to meeting you on Saturday.
JohnDF Member Joined: July 2003
JohnDF Member Joined: July 2003
#1331 Jan 2011, 7:59 AM
Looks like you had a productive weekend.

I used to wheel a lot. . .
Tom Subscriber
Tom started this Subscriber
#141 Feb 2011, 6:48 AM
Weekend was productive, thanks!! Monday night, not so much ...

1 - torque wrench rented from O'Reilly's was no good

2 - Had to undo some work as 2 bolts were to have been installed before UCA was installed. Not as bad as it sounds

3 - Had to loosen more work as certain items weren't lining up properly. Lost 17mm socket down the hollow frame on driver's side while loosening what used to be UCA bolt. Last heard rolling toward front spring mount ... bye, bye!

4 - While drilling 1st of four 11/32" holes for self-tapping screws the drill bit "exploded" sending shrapnel in every direction. Score "1" for eye protection!!

I did clean up a bit and get those 4 bolts inserted so the evening was not a total loss (small comfort). Ahhh, well, back at it tonight.

If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading -- Lao Tzu
Tom Subscriber
Tom started this Subscriber
#152 Feb 2011, 5:39 AM
Tuesday night was a good night. Got the suspension and front lift installed and torqued. Only things remaining are securing the brake lines and relocating the track bar, both will wait until the rear is completed.

Not sure about build threads on the GHP site. Would it be appropriate for me to post pics or would it be better to add the link to my thread at another forum ... don't want to get myself in hot water.

Tom

=====

If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading -- Lao Tzu
Fred Subscriber
Fred Subscriber
#162 Feb 2011, 6:28 AM
"TomD" wrote: Not sure about build threads on the GHP site. Would it be appropriate for me to post pics or would it be better to add the link to my thread at another forum ... don't want to get myself in hot water.

Tom
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We like pictures!
Tom Subscriber
Tom started this Subscriber
#172 Feb 2011, 7:06 AM
FAM: Would you prefer them on this link or is there a better place? I can put the build info up as well for any other XJs that might come down the pike.

If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading -- Lao Tzu
Fred Subscriber
Fred Subscriber
#182 Feb 2011, 7:18 AM
A new topic in the General 4x4 Discussion forum would work well.

Fred