My Jeep XJ...

[jbetit]

Many of you have seen my build on LuckyOffroad.com, but I thought that I would share it here also.

Somewhat recent pic:

http://www.michiganwheelers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=189&pictureid=1608

Vehicle:
1989 Jeep XJ

Renix 4.0, AW4, NP242

Axles
Front: HP Ford D44, welded, 4.10 gears
Rear: Ford 9", mini spool, 4.10 gears

Suspension
Front: Custom Radius arms with 4.5" RC XJ coils
Rear: leaf springs

Tires/Wheels
35x12.50R15 Goodyear MTRs on 15x10 black steelies

I bought it with a 4.5" lift and 31s, so first I put some 33s on:

http://www.michiganwheelers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=189&pictureid=1605

Then I built a rear bumper:

http://www.michiganwheelers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=189&pictureid=1606

Then LuckyCharm and I built the front bumper:

http://www.michiganwheelers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=189&pictureid=1607

[jbetit]

I bought an XRC8 winch:

http://www.michiganwheelers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=189&pictureid=1544

Then I bedlined the sides and made some rock sliderz:

http://www.michiganwheelers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=189&pictureid=1546

made some tree sliderz:

http://www.michiganwheelers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=189&pictureid=1548

Then bought some new 35s:

http://www.michiganwheelers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=189&pictureid=1549

[jbetit]

Then chopped it:

http://www.michiganwheelers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=189&pictureid=1550

http://www.michiganwheelers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=189&pictureid=1551

[jbetit]

My stock axles were a dana 30 front and a locked 35 rear. So I knew it was a matter of time before the rear broke on me. So I decided to do the 44/9 swap. I made my own radius arm suspension up front and left it leaves in the rear:

http://www.michiganwheelers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=189&pictureid=1552

http://www.michiganwheelers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=189&pictureid=1556

http://www.michiganwheelers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=189&pictureid=1557

http://www.michiganwheelers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=189&pictureid=1559

I also stretched the front 2"

http://www.michiganwheelers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=189&pictureid=1560

http://www.michiganwheelers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=189&pictureid=1563

http://www.michiganwheelers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=189&pictureid=1564

[jbetit]

On its own weight:

http://www.michiganwheelers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=189&pictureid=1566

http://www.michiganwheelers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=189&pictureid=1571

Then I made some tail light housings of 1/4" and used semi trailer lights:

http://www.michiganwheelers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=189&pictureid=1567

And I've used this sawzall so much that I had to replace the bearings in it. LMAO!!!

http://www.michiganwheelers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=189&pictureid=1574

http://www.michiganwheelers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=189&pictureid=1575

[jbetit]

My stock floor was rotted really bad. So I made my own that was way thicker steel. While I was at it, I installed Corbeau seats and 5 points.

http://www.michiganwheelers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=189&pictureid=1579

http://www.michiganwheelers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=189&pictureid=1581

http://www.michiganwheelers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=189&pictureid=1584

http://www.michiganwheelers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=189&pictureid=1586

http://www.michiganwheelers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=189&pictureid=1588

http://www.michiganwheelers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=189&pictureid=1589

http://www.michiganwheelers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=189&pictureid=1590

[jbetit]

My cage:

http://www.michiganwheelers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=189&pictureid=1592

http://www.michiganwheelers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=189&pictureid=1595

http://www.michiganwheelers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=189&pictureid=1597

http://www.michiganwheelers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=189&pictureid=1599

http://www.michiganwheelers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=189&pictureid=1601

http://www.michiganwheelers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=189&pictureid=1602

http://www.michiganwheelers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=189&pictureid=1604

[jbetit]

And Holy BIG Pics! Sorry bout that guys, not sure why some of the pics are so big like that.

Oh yeah, the steering box sheared off on me up Winch Hill, so I had to replace that. I made a brace of 1/4" that goes between the box and the unibody. I replaced the old XJ box with a Dodge Durango box.

Now my plans are to do an otk steering set up cause my tie rod doesn't do well as a bull dozer where it is now.

[GP320]

nice i was following your build on the lucky site before i left for basic. sure has came a long way!! looks awesome man!

[jbetit]

nice i was following your build on the lucky site before i left for basic. sure has came a long way!! looks awesome man!

Well thanks for serving for our country man! It definitley has. Thanks!

My heims came in today for my new steering set up:yeah:

[XJcoupe]

nice to see another XJ build, by chance- what are you using for tube ?

[BIGBEN]

looks good. i always liked chopped XJs. :thumb:

[Beefy]

Nice work can't wait to see it next month at Rocks N Valleys :woot:

[jbetit]

nice to see another XJ build, by chance- what are you using for tube ?

For the cage, it's DOM 1-3/4 .120 wall. For front radius arms, DOM 1-3/4 .250 wall, and I still need to order the tubing for my new steering set up. Not exactly sure what I'm gonna use yet.

Thanks for the compliments, and R&V is on the calander for NOV. 18-20.

[T-way]

Sweet rig!!! Have fun with it!!

[jbetit]

Well, I hauled the Jeep to work today to put it on our scale. It weighed in at 3,960 lbs. I don't think that is bad at all. Considering all of the tube, axles, tires, and hd floor.

And the only dirt mound at work...lol

2056

[jbetit]

New tie rod I made. 1-1/2 x .250" DOM. Used 3/4" chromoly heims.

2057

I am in the process of beefing the piss out the front portion of the unibody. Then I'm going to weld in a crossmember to stiffen the front rails up before I make the drag link.

[Beefy]

Doing lots of work to the Jeep good job

[jbetit]

Steering is done. Fixed the unibody. Added a crossmember. Let's go wheeling!

Pics:
2058

2059

2060

2061

2062

[CheapThrillB2]

Looks good, looked like it did really well yesterday.

[MuddyPaws 3.0]

Good seeing you at the mounds saturday. You had quite a crew jammed in that thing.

[jbetit]

Thanks. The XJ did pretty good. Making coil retainers right now. It bit MuddyPaws. Motor mounts went out which ended my day. I also need a new u-joint for the pass side axle. Yeah, Jeep had plenty of traction with 5 people riding in it lol.

[MuddyPaws 3.0]

Thanks. The XJ did pretty good. Making coil retainers right now. It bit MuddyPaws. Motor mounts went out which ended my day. I also need a new u-joint for the pass side axle. Yeah, Jeep had plenty of traction with 5 people riding in it lol.

Yea....i was bleeding like a SOB. No one had a first aid kit and I didn't have my rig with mine. :cry:

[CheapThrillB2]

Damn, I have two well stocked kits, one in the eb and one in the tow rig. Would of known I could of hooked you up.

[MuddyPaws 3.0]

Damn, I have two well stocked kits, one in the eb and one in the tow rig. Would of known I could of hooked you up.

I just sat in the corner and almost bled to death. Some nice lady brought me some orange juice.

[Beefy]

:lol: I didn't even know you were bleeding..

[jbetit]

Haven't been on in a while. Fixed a few issues. Installed a new radiator, g2 diff cover, and made a new tranny crossmember/tranny & transfer case skid:

2105

2106

I'm planning on R & V for Easter. Leaving the 7th, camping, then coming home saturday night.