Project \"Gold\" Cherokee

[fedrusion]

I mean Project \"Desert Sand Metalic\" Cherokee.

Here\'s the Short Story to get us up to date:

Bought it 2 years ago, added a 3\" Rustys Lift to it almost Imidiately, as well as some 31\" Dayton Timberline AT\'s.

Before:

After:


Here it was sitting a little uneven at 3.5\" in front and 4.5\" out back.

Next came a SYE from PORC and then some disco\'s from Teraflex.



Got tired of the rear sitting so High and made some spacers to level it out.


Then added a set of Rough Country Control Arm Drop Brackets and some WJ LCA\'s so I could keep stock BS wheels.


This is pretty much how it sits now.



Current Spec\'s:
4.5\" Lift Height
4.0 Auto
NP231 w/SYE Uses same CV Shaft front and rear.
31\" Dayton Timberline AT\'s for DD duty.
31\" Destination MT\'s for play duty.
Open D30
Aussie Locked Chry Co 8.25.

So here\'s where the thread really starts. I have several things I would like to do to my XJ, some I have wanted to do for awhile some only recently.

The Long List:
Armor in the form of an engine-tranny skid, as well as a gas tank skid.
Both Rockers are rusted severely and need help so I am thinking replacement.
http://www.madxj.com/MADXJ/technical/technicalfiles/SRrockerPanels/RockerPanels.htm
I also have some rust in the rear lower QRT pannels that I would like to fix like this.
http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=29750&highlight=lower+quarters

More recently I was backed into and will need a new front bumper as well as some work to straighten the front pass side fender I figure this is where some of the other body items will get done.

As well as a front bumper I am also trying to figure out what I will be doing about a rear, and If I should make acomodations for a spar outside since a 31 takes up alot of room inside and I know I will go bigger.

[GTJake]

you and me are about in the same boat as far as a build.
im planning to mount my spare outside. possibly on a rear bumper.

i like the rear quarter idea. allowing more flex??
i dont know if i would fold it or just cut them and make a rock rail for under it...

[fedrusion]

I think If/when I fold the qrt\'s I want to add some protection with a bumper that wraps around and under that area. It is mostly for better departure angle.

[GTJake]

then youd have to worrk about exhaust hitting too...unless you make the exhaust exit through the rear bumper

[fedrusion]

My Exhaust doesnt exit, I have a muffler and a turn down before the rear axle. Its tucked pretty well, should be safefrom anything that wouldnt take the muffler anyways.

[fedrusion]

I should also add a front locker and winch to my list as well as some form of halo bar for the top, I\'m thinking something like an olympic rack but without the basket if that makes sence.

[fedrusion]

Like this.

[GTJake]

when i make my bumpers a basket is also in my list. (bumper, basket, rockrails)

[BANTAM]

GAY!  HEHE Ok looks good Troy! I see it at work and want to build up a cherokee myself but can only afford one money pit. Keep up the nice work on it! Let me know if you need anything welded BTW! ;-)

[fedrusion]

I have a list already for you, I just havent had time to make the parts.

[BANTAM]

Np! ;-)

[fedrusion]

I\'m not sure if it was just sitting on real uneaven surface or if my suspension is really saging that bad but I took a look at my hight and it looks like going clockwise around my jeep it is FL=4.5\" FR=4\" RR=2.5\" Rl=3.5\" WTF.

And I need Axle Joints. That sound I thought I figured out, well I didnt and I\'m sure now its the u-joint at the front pass side.

[GTJake]

common problem

[fedrusion]

Got it out to the shop today, looked it over on a flat surface and it is sitting ok 4.5 in front and 3.5 in the back, so my plan moving forward is still ok(2\" shackles and switch from 1\" to 2\" spacer in the front for 5.5 all around).

Looked closer at the front end and the \"clunk is not my U-joints but my LCA bushings, since they are WJ non-replacable bushings I need new LCA\'s so I need to do some thinking here. Looking at 200ish for decent aftermarket adjustable LCA\'s or its time to fab. Maybe its time to do some serious suspension upgrades.

5.5\" with Long arms?
Crus?

[fedrusion]

Anyone interested in a nice set of Rough Country control arm drop brackets? Barely used.