Building my 1st XJ...

[RTPG]

Here's the 1st side glass sticker that I put on it. :D

http://www.4wheelingplus.com/images/xj-talk-sticker-092409.jpg

[RTPG]

As of right now, this is what the side looks like:

http://www.4wheelingplus.com/images/xj-side-stickers-092409.jpg

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Custom built front winch bumper:

http://www.4wheelingplus.com/images/xj-front-bumper-092409.jpg

[RTPG]

Winch almost hooked up...

http://www.4wheelingplus.com/images/xj-rugged-ridge-winch.jpg

NOTE: This is the 1st Rugged Ridge winch I've personally touched. My initial impressions are that it's not so good but I haven't got to use it yet. :(

My favorite winch is the Mile Marker SEC9500 but I didn't have one of those lying around then I did this install.

[RTPG]

One of the very 1st things that I did was to install a REAL radiator and get rid of that silly "burp box"

Notice the radiator cap on my 1988 Cherokee. :D

I also installed a "custom" ($14.99) overflow tank next to the air intake. :rotfl2:

http://www.4wheelingplus.com/images/xj-radiator-intake-overflow.jpg

[RTPG]

Almost forgot that I played on the RTI Ramp before bringing it home...

http://www.4wheelingplus.com/images/xj-rti-ramp092209.jpg

2WD and the sway bars were still hooked up, plus I had stock tires on it. <--- in other words it sucked on the RTI ramp and I'm making excuses. :rotfl2::smiley-laughing021:

I will make it articulate much better over the next several months. :D

[BlueXJ]

Just keep us updated as you progress along with the build.

[AJ99]

Looking good keep us updated

[Mudderoy]

Almost forgot that I played on the RTI Ramp before bringing it home...

http://www.4wheelingplus.com/images/xj-rti-ramp092209.jpg

2WD and the sway bars were still hooked up, plus I had stock tires on it. <--- in other words it sucked on the RTI ramp and I'm making excuses. :rotfl2::smiley-laughing021:

I will make it articulate much better over the next several months. :D

What size lift are you going to go with?

[RTPG]

What size lift are you going to go with?
Same one as you. Rough Country 4.5" - it's already installed.

BUT: I will probably upgrade it to one of the new Rough Country long arm kits when they come out in a few weeks. :D

[RTPG]

Oh yea... just to be clear: This isn't the 1st XJ that I've lifted or worked on by any means. It's my "personal" 1st XJ that I've built. I am a die hard Toyota Land Cruiser man so I've never owned a Jeep before now.

Here's the rim setup that I will be running on my XJ:

http://www.4wheelingplus.com/images/88-xj-beadrings.jpg

I will be using Staun beadlocks and Interco TRXUS 33" tires.

[Mudderoy]

Oh yea... just to be clear: This isn't the 1st XJ that I've lifted or worked on by any means. It's my "personal" 1st XJ that I've built. I am a die hard Toyota Land Cruiser man so I've never owned a Jeep before now.

Here's the rim setup that I will be running on my XJ:

http://www.4wheelingplus.com/images/88-xj-beadrings.jpg

I will be using Staun beadlocks and Interco TRXUS 33" tires.

That is really cool. Beadlocks are another thing that are in my future.

Love the pictures, thanks!

[RTPG]

I got tired of working on the outside so I decided to do some wiring.

CB, stereo, off road lights, 2nd electric fan, etc.

I love wiring... I just hate putting all the dash parts back in after I wire everything:

http://www.4wheelingplus.com/images/1988-Cherokee-wiring-dash.jpg

[RTPG]

Here's a pic of the rim & tire together.

I've got the Staun beadlocks inside. :thumbsup:

http://www.4wheelingplus.com/images/1988-cherokee-33-super-swamper-tires.jpg

[Mudderoy]

Thanks for the update and the pictures. I'm looking forward to seeing it all together and complete, or at least at a stage of completion. Seems like we always find something more to do or change.

[RTPG]

Seems like we always find something more to do or change.

I hear that. I'm spinning in circles trying to get this thing done.

I've got to test it within a few days to make sure it works perfectly as we (my whole family) are supposed to take it on a long 4wheeling trip this weekend. :shocker:

Here's the last trip report when my son & I did it in my FJ40 Land Cruiser.

This time I am taking my wife and both kids. :shocker:

[RTPG]

I noticed I forgot to add the link to to my last post above.

Here it is: http://www.aworc.com/event-reports/2008/07/naches-pass.html

[RTPG]

Here is how it looks right now...

http://www.4wheelingplus.com/images/1988-cherokee-xj-staun-truxus.jpg

My son and I took it for a test drive last night and it was awesome!

I went to drive it today and long story short I barely made it home, we had to push it from the alley to the cement in front of my garage.

It doesn't have spark. I've replaced the CPS and the coil and still no go. :headshake:

I've spent all day trying to get it to run again and as of right now it's DEAD! :sad0147:

I'm supposed to be loadin it up tomorrow so as to have it ready for our trip. :(

[Mudderoy]

Those home made beadlocks really set it off. The XJs are fun rigs. I posted on the other thread. Check your grounds.

[4.3LXJ]

Winch almost hooked up...

http://www.4wheelingplus.com/images/xj-rugged-ridge-winch.jpg

NOTE: This is the 1st Rugged Ridge winch I've personally touched. My initial impressions are that it's not so good but I haven't got to use it yet. :(

My favorite winch is the Mile Marker SEC9500 but I didn't have one of those lying around then I did this install.

That bumper looks like it has a lot of iron in it . How much does that thing weigh?

[RTPG]

That bumper looks like it has a lot of iron in it . How much does that thing weigh?
Not sure. I am going to take it off soon and install a different one so I will weigh it.

[RTPG]

Just got back from our 1st trip and other than a small carpet fire from the muffler being to close to the floor board and the fact that it still doesn't run perfectly...

WE HAD A BLAST!

http://www.4wheelingplus.com/images/1988-cherokee-naches-trail-10092009.jpg

It still needs lot of tweaking but it did a lot better than I expected.

For any of you in the WA State area we did the Naches Pass Trail up past Govt Meadows.

[Mudderoy]

Just got back from our 1st trip and other than a small carpet fire from the muffler being to close to the floor board and the fact that it still doesn't run perfectly...

WE HAD A BLAST!

http://www.4wheelingplus.com/images/1988-cherokee-naches-trail-10092009.jpg

It still needs lot of tweaking but it did a lot better than I expected.

For any of you in the WA State area we did the Naches Pass Trail up past Govt Meadows.

Wow that's great! I'm amazed you trusted it enough to load up the family and make the trip. Glad it worked out. Great shot of the family, thanks for sharing that with us.

I'm digging that sticker you have on the back hatch! :D

[RTPG]

Wow that's great! I'm amazed you trusted it enough to load up the family and make the trip.
I've wheeled with less and with worse so this was pretty easy even with the engine missing and the fact that the XJ hadn't been tested yet.

I did bring 2 tool boxes and lots of spare parts including an xtra CPS and new fuel pump. :rotfl2:

[RTPG]

Custom built front winch bumper:

http://www.4wheelingplus.com/images/xj-front-bumper-092409.jpg

Sold that bumper above and just installed a new one...

http://www.4wheelingplus.com/images/jeep-xj-custom-bumper-033110.jpg

Ordered the new winch today, should be here Friday or Monday.

This bumper has two light tabs so I will be installing lights as well.

[SargDeath]

One of the very 1st things that I did was to install a REAL radiator and get rid of that silly "burp box"

Notice the radiator cap on my 1988 Cherokee. :D

I also installed a "custom" ($14.99) overflow tank next to the air intake. :rotfl2:

http://www.4wheelingplus.com/images/xj-radiator-intake-overflow.jpg

What did you get the radiator out of I have been wanting to change my system and I like the little overflow you got there. I am not sure how much switching the rad to a capped system will cost me either so I am trying to weigh it out.

[RTPG]

Sold the 1st bumper and winch and installed a new bumper:

http://www.4wheelingplus.com/images/jeep-xj-custom-bumper-033110.jpg

[RTPG]

Wheeling in the Manastash/Taneum area with Rob in his Nissan Patrol:

http://www.4wheelingplus.com/images/jeep-xj-nissan-patrol-manastash-042710.jpg