Cherokee XJ build: TomD

Started the first phase of the the Cherokee build Sunday (1/30/11). There were a lot of new and JY parts in my garage:



RC 4.5" coil springs

RC control arm drop kit

1 add'l front coil isolator (1/2" lift)

new RE track bar bushings and bolt (will relocate)

RC steering dampener

RC sway bar disconnect

RC series 8000 shocks, front and rear

Crown HD rear leaf spring (1+" lift)

IRO slip yoke eliminator w/ driveshaft

v8ZJ tie rod

full set of OEM skids: front, transfer case and tank (steel to replace plastic)

Dick Cepek DC-1 wheels and Mud Dawg 33x12.5/15 tires



By the end of the day Sunday, the front end had been taken apart and the springs and CA drop bracket in place. Everything was loose waiting to be lined up and torqued.

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Last night (Tuesday) finished the front with exception of relocating brake lines and track bar. Those can wait until after the rear get done and I can move around to center and align everything.

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A few notes as I've had comments and questions from elsewhere:



1 - The CAs are going to be replaced before any serious off-road activities are done. The $$$$ were spent elsewhere here at the beginning.

2 - I will be welding the CA drop bracket braces to the frame. One of the 4 bolts stripped out as I was tightening.

3 - The tie rod will be replaced with the v8ZJ unit ... solid steel bar and MUCH stronger.

4 - OEM factory skids will start me out for a bit until I work up to needing something more substantial. The "plastic" fuel tank skid is being replaced by a steel skid.

5 - The lift looks like it will cause the tie rod to contact the lower passenger sway bar link. Gotta figure out what I'm going to do about that.



So, tonight (Wednesday) begins the rear end. Have the Crown HD springs (1" lift) and will add in the top leaf (eyelets removed) and #2 and #3 from the existing pack. Research indicates this should bring me to ~5" of lift with a VERY flexible spring pack as all springs have the same spring rate. We'll see. Of course there are shocks, relocating brake lines and the SYE.



More pics and documentation as it happens.

Looks great...bet you can't wait to take it out and try it.

It looks like you are off to a great start!

Looking good. Let us know how the control arm relocation brackets work out for you. I've seen them on the internet but never heard any first-hand opinions of them.

JohnDF: Oh, you have no idea! I haven't built a rig for a few years.

BKGM Jeepers: Thanks. I try to do my research and really think things through before starting.

FAM: You got it. Maybe I'll get a chance to tag along on an event with the club and we can all see together.



Thanks for all the support!

Did get started on the rear end on Wednesday night and, after pulling everything apart, Steve and I looked at all the work to be done to make the new spring pack ... uhhhh, not so much. So my son Willie and I went to RE and picked up a new 4-1/2" spring, u-bolts and 6* shims Thursday morning. Then last night Steve came over and we finished the rear suspension and got the tires/wheels on Cherokee looks GOOD!



It was too late to get pics so after I get the track bar relocated today I'll drive over to the same parking lot where the "before" photos were taken and post up the side-by-side pics.



That will leave the SYE, relocating the brake lines, extending the E-brake cables and welding the CADB reinforcement. I'm thinking maybe I'll be done with all but the welding by Super Bowl. WOOHOO!

OK ... couldn't wait so I took a couple of quick shots with my iPhone. Just wanted you to see.

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Well done!

Nice 😎

Looks great!! 😎

Thanks, all! Now it's down to the SYE and a lot of small stuff ... at least for the short term. Will keep everyone up to date.



There will be lots to talk about on March 5th, no doubt!!

Looks great! You could also bring it by to the next meeting (2/10) if you can make it. 😀

"kevheb" wrote: Looks great! You could also bring it by to the next meeting (2/10) if you can make it. 😀

I see a date and location but not a time in the calendar. When??

It's Thursday night, at the Round Table on the corner of Douglas and Auburn Folsom Blvd in Granite Bay, at 7:00pm.

While ya'll are up doing your civic duty and rescuing folks from places they ought not to have gone, I'll be making the final FINAL measures, tweaks, adjusts and relocates.



So here is the plan for today …



1 - Ronie, my wife, already went out and helped me get the measurements necessary to center the front axle (thanks, GoJeep). Without going into all the math … and trust me, I can go on and on about numbers … the track bar needs to be relocated 15/16" toward the driver's side to center the axle.



2 - Then we GO ON A DRIVE! Realizing I've not yet done the SYE, speeds will be kept down but we just GOTTA take it out and see how it all feels. Of course, the parking lot "poser shots" will get done at the same time. Those will be uploaded later today.



3 - While out and about, I'll pick up the strapping necessary to relocate the front and rear brake lines. Will get some pics of the fab and install process (Ronie will do camera … clean hands) then upload those as well.



I think I will take a couple of days off before starting on the SYE. All that grinding and sparks and stuff. Plus, got a garage to clean up and parts to organize so I can sell/swap.



Until later today, take care all. Looking forward to the pics of the snow!!

Yesterday didn't quite work out the way I planned. Got the track bar relocated then pulled out of the garage for a quick drive ... NO WAY!! Pinion angle was set up for the new SYE/DS set up and was binding and squeaking.



So back into the garage to do the SYE and then ... the power went off. Ah, well, it is time for margaritas somewhere so I build some. After a couple of them the power came back on and, as wisdom comes with age, I opted NOT to work with power tools under a vehicle. Today, back at it and using the cutting wheel and a hacksaw, the SYE and DS are now installed.



How does it drive ... BETTER than with the worn out OEM springs and suspension!! As I have not yet put the sway bar back on there was a little lean but not as much as stock without the swaybar. I am REALLY happy with the way it turned out. All that research and question asking paid off.



Made a pass or 2 around the block to make sure all was good, then out onto the boulevard and, finally, out to the freeway. Probably 20 miles in all and I couldn't be happier with the way it turned out. My wife, Ronie, even commented on how smooth and stable it felt from her seat. Trust me, she is not one to sugar-coat so if I was looking through rose-colored glasses, she'd have said something.



I'll post some pics after the Super Bowl ... GO PACK!!

First pic ... using the method outlined by GoJeep, I centered the front axle by moving the track bar 15/16th" toward the driver's side. I'm not concerned for the back side as there is reinforcement but will need to weld a heavy washer to the front before any hard off-rading is done.

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Here's the Iron Rock Off-road Slip Yoke Eliminator and driveshaft. It is the front driveshaft out of a XJ with the AW4 automatic and NP231 TC. New u-joints (3).



What I learned was the 3 bolts holding the cone on the end of the NP231 is NOT symmetrical (not an equilateral triangle - 60*). It only goes on one way so don't be too fast to dismiss it as not drilled properly.

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Before and after shot ...

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rear 3/4 ...

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driver side ...

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All pics aside, looking forward to seeing you and hearing about the club on Thursday. Thanks for all the support!!