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View Full Version : CT99XJ's build- The Birth of Project Swamp Thing



CT99XJ
07-13-2010, 02:19 PM
I'm gonna try and get all the importan stuff from my build on SiS Offroad.

Bought the Jeep in September of 2008- 1999 Hunter Green Cherokee SE, 122k on it, CLEAN CLEAN CLEAN. MOPAR FM 6-disc, manual locks/windows, auto w/231 and ChryCo 8.25. Bought for 600 bucks.

A pic the day it came home...
http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v336/24/52/70001516/n70001516_30548683_5452.jpg

First modification was a set of Bosch H-3 driving lights I had planned on mounting inside the bumper of my old 2-door Yukon. October 08.
http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v361/24/52/70001516/n70001516_30581042_8867.jpg

http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v361/24/52/70001516/n70001516_30581043_9165.jpg

Three days after that, I went to a mud pit with my buddy after work, got it bogged and had to be pulled out by a towrope wrapped around the axle tube because I was a dumbass and had no tow points :thumbdown:
http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v361/24/52/70001516/n70001516_30581050_1351.jpg

Bought a fire extinguisher and put it in the back, I've always carried one of these and a first aid kit in every car I've owned. Mid-November 2008.
http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v375/24/52/70001516/n70001516_30591378_8372.jpg

January 09 rolls around, I spring for a K&N intake.
http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2272/24/52/70001516/n70001516_30634439_400.jpg

February 09, first iteration of the CARR light bar with three spotlights, never got wired up.
http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2689/24/52/70001516/n70001516_30675460_3331238.jpg

LIFT!! April of 09, Skyjacker 3" AAL (I didn't know any better), Skyjacker quick disco's. Changed the left front bearing and rear diff fluid at the same time. No pics of the rear install as my phone died, but all four frameside shock bolts snapped as usual :thumbsup:. Impact hammered the nuts out and fishwired bolts through the topAlso wired in the light bar with four Hella 500's with Silverstar H-3's.
http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2689/24/52/70001516/n70001516_30675460_3331238.jpg
http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2689/24/52/70001516/n70001516_30675463_6465213.jpg
http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2689/24/52/70001516/n70001516_30675464_7414682.jpg
http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2689/24/52/70001516/n70001516_30679553_376817.jpg
http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2689/24/52/70001516/n70001516_30675466_5261761.jpg

First time on a trail near my house after the lift. GAWD did I need to cut my hair.
http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2689/24/52/70001516/n70001516_30683659_1955827.jpg

CT99XJ
07-13-2010, 02:48 PM
June 2009- my 231 explodes on I-84, spilling all the fluid on my rear tires. I defecated a sideways brick but kept it under control. Turns out the CV joint on the front DS had siezed at 70mph and tore the t-case in half, perpendicular to the seam.
http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs148.snc1/5489_517625338211_70001516_30748190_1511099_n.jpg

Replaced with the front shaft out of a V-8 ZJ from the junkyard (didn't know till later it was a 5.9 limited... I cried a bit when I did) and a 231 with 14k on it.

Finally add tow points- front tow hooks with tie-ins, rear C3 hitch. July 09.
http://www.truckmodcentral.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=37&pictureid=864

This whole time, I'm that guy driving a lifted XJ on stock tires... Finally found a set of (nearly bald) 31x10.50 BFG's for 75 bucks. November 09. Bedlined the rockers and fenders at the same time.
http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs174.snc3/20147_522591990001_70001516_30898337_7309140_n.jpg

Bought some 33x12.50 Mud Kings from a friend in SiS in January '10.
http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs243.ash1/17047_522762198901_70001516_30902398_1280001_n.jpg
http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs123.snc3/17047_522728097241_70001516_30901479_3678329_n.jpg

Trimmed the fenders, Feb '10. Cut a bit too much in the front, but I don't rub and I have the clearance to move to 35's on 3 inches in the future.
http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs123.snc3/17047_522939618351_70001516_30906481_6458834_n.jpg
http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs143.snc3/17047_522939733121_70001516_30906484_3722103_n.jpg
http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs143.snc3/17047_522939842901_70001516_30906487_1939229_n.jpg

Non-idiot light cluster, March '10. A friend gave me a white skin with blue LED glow, so I put that in at the same time.
http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs199.snc3/20647_523123050751_70001516_30911254_1727906_n.jpg
http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs199.snc3/20647_523123185481_70001516_30911256_1866738_n.jpg
http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs199.snc3/20647_523123090671_70001516_30911255_4528183_n.jpg

New (to me) bumper of unknown origin, March '10.
http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs427.ash1/23629_523832973061_70001516_30927006_4919431_n.jpg

Doorless! St. Patrick's Day '10. Killed a Dremel and several beverages of a hoppy nature in the process.
http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs416.snc3/25101_524054414291_70001516_30932135_3982613_n.jpg
http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs436.snc3/25101_524054429261_70001516_30932136_4980647_n.jpg

Rebuilt the leaf packs because the add-a-leaf sagged (ZOMG such a surprise). Added the 2nd and 3rd leaves from a stock XJ pack. Now sits at around 3.5" in the rear. Borrowed a set of 34x10.50 LTB's because the Mud Kings sprung a leak. April '10.
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=30965296&id=70001516
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=30965296&id=70001516
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs456.ash1/25081_525137573631_70001516_30965296_586268_n.jpg

TIRES! Bought some 33x12.50 Cooper Discoverer STT's. late April '10. FAWK those swampers.
http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs546.snc3/29903_525282807581_70001516_30969265_3885254_n.jpg
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs526.snc3/29903_525282902391_70001516_30969266_2831304_n.jpg
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs534.ash1/31287_525425202221_70001516_30972265_520032_n.jpg
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs534.ash1/31287_525430661281_70001516_30972308_1509353_n.jpg

Full doorless- May '10.
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs552.snc3/30203_525715066331_70001516_30978208_4894896_n.jpg

Swapped rear axles to an Aussie-locked, Riddler armored 8.25. May '10.
Out with the old...
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-sjc1/hs530.snc3/30103_526043987171_70001516_30987158_424634_n.jpg
In with the new!
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs510.ash1/30103_526045993151_70001516_30987199_893134_n.jpg

A buddy gave me an aluminum pallet his dad got from a closed manufacturing plant. Sanded it, primed it, painted it black, and it now sits on my roof. $11 roof basket FTW.
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs526.ash1/30887_525533679831_70001516_30974102_7689448_n.jpg

Memorial Day '10. Pic looked epic so I took it.
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs530.ash1/31103_526408371941_70001516_30999709_6837618_n.jpg

Went to the local steel yard, bought a piece of tube for $4, bent it with a conduit bender and welded it to the bumper. June '10
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs337.snc3/29453_525751228861_70001516_30979209_4068485_n.jpg
http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs294.snc3/28373_525766153951_70001516_30979521_2791593_n.jpg

Detours weld-on rock sliders, June '10.
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs085.snc4/35628_526938868821_70001516_31019434_1512919_n.jpg
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs085.snc4/35628_526938983591_70001516_31019435_6191977_n.jpg


So far, that's how she sits right now. Working on getting the springs for a D35 locker to put in the D30- they spline out identically and are almost the same size as a D30 one. There's a writeup on NAXJA I think where a guy did it. Plus I picked up the D35 Aussie for 100 bucks, so worst comes to worst I can throw it in my Comanche until that D35 breaks.

Lemme know what you think so far :thumbsup:

CT99XJ
07-13-2010, 03:05 PM
Edit: the prerunner bar was actually the week before Memorial Day.

rguignard
07-13-2010, 03:47 PM
nice jeep glad to know 33's fit with 3.5 lift :thumbsup:

Mudderoy
07-13-2010, 03:57 PM
Very nice! I want some new tires too!

CT99XJ
07-13-2010, 05:19 PM
Mudd, I HIGHLY recommend the STT's. They're an awesome ride, beefy-as-f*** tread, and I've put 6k on them and they still have the nipples on them. Have yet to wheel them, but my club's making a trip out to Rausch Creek in early August- I'll post up how they do there.

oderdene
07-13-2010, 07:38 PM
very nice build, thanks for sharing

Dirt Dogg Rydas
07-13-2010, 07:39 PM
Looks good!
Got anymore pics of the roofrack?

CT99XJ
07-14-2010, 12:31 AM
Looks good!
Got anymore pics of the roofrack?

If I don't have them on my computer, I'll snap some ASAP. Best $11 investment in my Jeep ever :rotfl2:

4.3LXJ
07-14-2010, 11:18 AM
First time on a trail near my house after the lift. GAWD did I need to cut my hair.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNr1eZopzZ4 :rotfl2:

DETOURS
07-14-2010, 02:53 PM
Hmmmmm, you put those Detours Rok Slyders on the day of my birthday...........thats just weird.

Which club you hanging with over there?

Thanks for the build! :cool:

CT99XJ
07-14-2010, 03:24 PM
Hmmmmm, you put those Detours Rok Slyders on the day of my birthday...........thats just weird.

Which club you hanging with over there?

Thanks for the build! :cool:

They're diesel as hell, man- taken a couple hits already and haven't budged!

I'm with SIS Offroad.

DETOURS
07-14-2010, 03:32 PM
Gotcha.:cool:

4x4Dalton
07-16-2010, 09:43 PM
sick lookin XJ man. :thumbsup:

CT99XJ
07-17-2010, 02:41 AM
sick lookin XJ man. :thumbsup:

thanks, dude :thumbsup:

Sonic opened up their first drive-in in CT this week. I went Friday, best stuff ever. No more drives to Jersey or beyond to be served my fast food by women in roller skates. :patriot:

What does this have to do with Swamp Thing, you ask?

The Sonic was so packed full of cars (three days after opening) that Swamp Thing and I sat in the sun for an hour, leading to Swamp Thing overheating. Twice. Both times, popping the hood up to the safety catch and cranking the cabin heat brought her back down to 220 (thank Raptor Jesus my doors were off, otherwise I'd be just as cooked as my burger). However, This is a concern because I already have a 160 thermostat, just flushed my coolant, pulled the tranny cooler into a separate unit, and have the E-fan wired to a manual override switch, which was on. I have the feeling my head gasket is going :mad0090:

I have a shopping list of modifications that need to be done before August 5th, as that's the date of my club's trip to Rausch Creek. All pending on the sale of a few items first. Gears and the actual installation of my front locker (along with tranny swap) are at the top.

Mudderoy
07-17-2010, 07:35 AM
thanks, dude :thumbsup:

Sonic opened up their first drive-in in CT this week. I went Friday, best stuff ever. No more drives to Jersey or beyond to be served my fast food by women in roller skates. :patriot:

What does this have to do with Swamp Thing, you ask?

The Sonic was so packed full of cars (three days after opening) that Swamp Thing and I sat in the sun for an hour, leading to Swamp Thing overheating. Twice. Both times, popping the hood up to the safety catch and cranking the cabin heat brought her back down to 220 (thank Raptor Jesus my doors were off, otherwise I'd be just as cooked as my burger). However, This is a concern because I already have a 160 thermostat, just flushed my coolant, pulled the tranny cooler into a separate unit, and have the E-fan wired to a manual override switch, which was on. I have the feeling my head gasket is going :mad0090:

I have a shopping list of modifications that need to be done before August 5th, as that's the date of my club's trip to Rausch Creek. All pending on the sale of a few items first. Gears and the actual installation of my front locker (along with tranny swap) are at the top.

Mine does pretty good in stop and go traffic now.

:check: 16 lbs Radiator Cap (I think it's 16, what ever factor is)
:check: 3 core CSF all metal radiator
:check: High Flow FlowKooler Water Pump
:check: High Flow Thermostat Housing
:check: High Flow 195 degree Thermostat (Get that 160 out of there!)
:check: Heavy Duty Grand Cherokee Fan Clutch
:check: Electric Fan Override Switch
:check: New hoses
:check: 50/50 Radiator Coolant
:check: Check and fill overflow reservoir
:check: Runs about 210 to 220 in stop and go traffic.
:x: Still runs hot on the highway :smiley-laughing021:

CT99XJ
07-21-2010, 08:16 PM
Tube doors.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs165.snc4/37596_528052202691_70001516_31050272_2267561_n.jpg

4.3LXJ
07-21-2010, 09:05 PM
Nice looking doors. Might need a set of my own.

cantab27
07-21-2010, 09:21 PM
nice , thanks for the pics ..running same make of lift ....

Mudderoy
07-22-2010, 09:58 AM
I'm wondering why no one has come up with a way to build tube doors that address the "unfinished" look. I mean an XJ with it doors off looks like there was a mishap at the factory. Something to cover the front and rear of the door would do wonders for improving the look. Yeah yeah I know that isn't the point to having the doors off, but I'm thinking form and function.

4.3LXJ
07-22-2010, 10:42 AM
I think that is part of the whole point. It looks different and spartan. If they had skin on them, they would not be tube doors.

Mudderoy
07-22-2010, 11:12 AM
I think that is part of the whole point. It looks different and spartan. If they had skin on them, they would not be tube doors.

No sorry, not the tube doors, I mean on the body of the jeep. Where the doors attach front and rear.

4.3LXJ
07-22-2010, 11:52 AM
You mean cover the hinges and latches?

Mudderoy
07-22-2010, 11:56 AM
You mean cover the hinges and latches?

Correct.

4.3LXJ
07-22-2010, 11:57 AM
That probably could be done. I would have to study it a little and start shaping metal before I would say it could be feasibly done.

Mudderoy
07-22-2010, 11:58 AM
That probably could be done. I would have to study it a little and start shaping metal before I would say it could be feasibly done.

Plastic would be perfect, but that would require a mold injection system.

4.3LXJ
07-22-2010, 11:59 AM
If you are going to o that, mold the whole thing.

rugidone
07-22-2010, 12:15 PM
I concur, when doorless or tubed, the jams are so unfinished!

It's function over form correct?

Although, its always nice to look pretty doing it, they would probably end up really bulky trying to cover all of that up wouldnt it?

Mudderoy
07-22-2010, 12:32 PM
I concur, when doorless or tubed, the jams are so unfinished!

It's function over form correct?

Although, its always nice to look pretty doing it, they would probably end up really bulky trying to cover all of that up wouldnt it?

Well the function is to better be able to see out of the vehicle.

The form is to look cool, to have that open air experience we like with jeeps. I'm proposing one more, have a "finished" look to the function.

I'd have to take a close look but I think a small cover could be fashioned with notches for the hinges that would improve the looks and not take away from the function. It may be possible to even build it in to the tube doors, at least in the front. You would just need something that met up with the front fender edge, and then made an "L" bend towards the driver, so sort of a "L" shaped box that would cover the door jam where the hinges are. Might make a good place for a mirror, or mirror mount as well!

The center door jam might be a little tougher as far as installation. It would need to run from the roof to the bottom of the door jam, if my memory of what that section looks like is correct. I started thinking about this when I was looking at Dan's chopped 2001. It is really a sweet looking ride, but the door opening look unfinished. I spoke with him about this during the meet and greet. He had a few ideas on it.

CT99XJ
07-22-2010, 06:43 PM
Mudd, are you talking about half-doors like the Wranglers? I thought about it.

Just finished throwing in my front locker- D35 LockRight fits PERFECTLY into a D30 and I ran it on my old Jeep in the front with 35's no problem.

Mudderoy
07-23-2010, 09:01 AM
Mudd, are you talking about half-doors like the Wranglers? I thought about it.

Just finished throwing in my front locker- D35 LockRight fits PERFECTLY into a D30 and I ran it on my old Jeep in the front with 35's no problem.

I'm not real familiar with the half doors on a Wrangler. I'll have to have a look. I think the tube doors look great, or even no doors. What I don't like is the unfinished look to the "door jams?" The section around the door that is the body.

CT99XJ
07-23-2010, 12:14 PM
Yeah, aesthetically it leaves a lot to be desired. It leaves much to be desired in visibility to leave them on, though. I can see where the corners are so much better.

CT99XJ
07-29-2010, 06:12 PM
Put hockey pucks on the coil buckets and installed 10" travel Hydro shocks... finally have the droop I want. I'll post a flex shot from my shakedown run.

CT99XJ
07-29-2010, 11:09 PM
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs085.ash2/37564_528304272541_70001516_31056556_224817_n.jpg

ice_cold
08-19-2010, 05:59 PM
Mudderoy, you thinking of something like the old Scouts and Broncos had? It was a plastic/fiberglass piece that was slide into the door well to cover the latches and hinges.
Like this Bronco?

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=50744&stc=1&d=1045557993

Mudderoy
08-19-2010, 06:49 PM
Mudderoy, you thinking of something like the old Scouts and Broncos had? It was a plastic/fiberglass piece that was slide into the door well to cover the latches and hinges.
Like this Bronco?

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=50744&stc=1&d=1045557993

Well sort of. That does look nice but it looks like a complete door. I was thinking of something that covered the forward and rear door jams but there was still a tube door. That's close though. :thumbsup:

CT99XJ
08-26-2010, 02:54 AM
Not much has happened that's worthy of taking pictures of- replaced a unit bearing, replaced left front u-joint, replaced (for the FOURTH time) my dash switches for my auxiliary lights, and added some 1.25" wheel spacers. At some point when it's not raining and I'm not working I'll snap a pic of the stance with spacers.

CT99XJ
09-03-2010, 12:37 AM
Here's a pic from my Rausch Creek trip with the spacers on, probably my favorite pic of my XJ to date...

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs238.snc4/39256_528644066591_70001516_31066897_2831756_n.jpg


I recently acquired a set of custom built upper control arms that use the small RE Superflex joints on the frame end- a guy in my local club built them. 60 bucks. Just put them on, have yet to test it but I'll flex it out and see how it compares with my older setup.

xjrev10
09-07-2010, 04:00 PM
nice rig man. i've been running 31 in stts on my 2000 XJ for almost 2 years now. They have probably 6k miles on the highway and countless of miles off road. They have chunks missing and huge cuts in the sidewalls. They still hold air and they are the best snow tire I have ever seen besides an IROK:thumbsup:

RicerwannaB
09-12-2010, 11:59 PM
Nice looking jeep man, Very impressed. I cant wait to put mine under the knife and start off roading it up here in alaska.

CT99XJ
09-14-2010, 01:58 AM
Nice looking jeep man, Very impressed. I cant wait to put mine under the knife and start off roading it up here in alaska.

:thumbsup: Thanks, dude!

Not much to update yet- I'll post pics when I start working on fixing my exhaust.

CT99XJ
03-24-2011, 06:48 PM
Hey all, it's been a while... My rig got sidelined for a bit due to a makeout session with a telephone pole, but it's back and got some new stuff. I'll post some pics up as soon as I can.

Mudderoy
03-24-2011, 07:01 PM
Hey all, it's been a while... My rig got sidelined for a bit due to a makeout session with a telephone pole, but it's back and got some new stuff. I'll post some pics up as soon as I can.

Damn poles! I think they are in the country illegally!

CT99XJ
03-24-2011, 08:33 PM
Here's one from Sunday.

http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/189746_537814938091_70001516_31241795_5017106_n.jp g

I relocated the Hellas to the underside of the bar, and added an adjustable track bar. This weekend my one-ton steering is going in.

4.3LXJ
03-26-2011, 01:46 PM
Looking forward to seeing it installed

4x4Dalton
03-26-2011, 01:51 PM
Lookin sweet bro. :thumbsup:

CT99XJ
03-29-2011, 12:25 AM
Finally tracked down my power steering leak. The reservoir I got from Rock Auto was made a hair too small, so the fitting that went into the pump itself was small enough to not seal on the o-ring and was pissing fluid out like a sieve. I solved this problem with RTV :thumbsup:

In the process, I also managed to snap off the nipple on the back of the reservoir for the return line, so I whipped up some JB-Weld and let it bake under a heat lamp for a bit. I don't plan on leaving it as such, but it needs to survive until I can afford a WJ pump.