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Thread: Project Buford 2.0

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jun 2015
    Posts
    24

    Default Project Buford 2.0

    Figured it was time to start a build thread here. Little backstory, I've built a total of 5 XJ'S in my life. It always seems like something happens and I have to get rid of one as soon as it's finished (getting wife a new vehicle, financial issues, new daughter, ect.) My last XJ was my favorite build. It was a 95 ex police package 4 door.

    Sadly the rust belt of West Virginia claimed my jeep. Everyone in our local club called it Buford T. Justice. The name stuck like glue. Fast forward a year. I do powdercoating work on the side and a friend needed a set of rims done. He asked if I was interested in trading the work for a 98 Cherokee Limited. I checked the jeep out and agreed. I had a total of 50 in the job! She ran and drove, but needed a lot of work. Most of my leftover parts have went into building this beast. Stay tuned for more details!


    Sent from my SM-G900R7 using Tapatalk

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    Chico, CA
    Posts
    29,847

    Default Re: Project Buford 2.0

    Fifty bucks, ya stole it
    230 hp 4.3L Chevy
    Built 4L60E with manual lockout
    Atlas 4 speed
    Griffin radiator
    On board air
    Warn 9.5ti on custom bumper
    7.5" RE front and bastard pack rear on custom long arms
    30 gal gas tank
    lockers
    And a bunch of other stuff

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jun 2015
    Posts
    24

    Default Re: Project Buford 2.0

    Here she was when I first picked her up

    First thing that need fixed was a stripped out caliper bolt hole on the knuckle. With the help of a tap and helicoil, she was back on the road!

    Also added my roof rack from Buford


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  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jun 2015
    Posts
    24

    Default Re: Project Buford 2.0

    Next came the bulk of goodies!

    Front bumper from a friend

    Front fender armor I picked up at the Bantam Fest. Also installed my 4.5 inch lift and 31x10.50 MT Recaps.

    10,000 pound winch with synthetic rope.

    I wheeled all winter and into spring with this setup and worked out a few bugs. Overall, I was happy with the setup and still did not have 1000 in the entire project!

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  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 2012
    Location
    Houston
    Posts
    15,968

    Default Re: Project Buford 2.0

    Very nice... I'm officially jealous!

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jun 2015
    Posts
    24

    Default Re: Project Buford 2.0

    Now comes the not so fun part. A local wheeler in our club finished building his 5.9 360 swapped XJ and his 4.56 gears were too low on the street coupled with the v8 power and 5 speed. He offered to trade me his axles for my stock 3.55s which I happily agreed. One weekend and several beers layer I had 4.56s

    With the new gears I picked up bigger tires, slightly used Yokohama Geolander MT's in 33x12.50x15 on a set of Mikey Thompsons

    And here she was all finished up


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  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jun 2015
    Posts
    24

    Default Re: Project Buford 2.0

    Unfortunately, the gears both front and rear were not setup properly and destroyed themselves first time I took it out! I was super bummed and didn't have the type of cash to fix it. Buford 2 set for a good 3 months before I got a game plan together


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  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jun 2015
    Posts
    24

    Default Re: Project Buford 2.0

    But alas, all was not lost. I took a chance at a local junkyard and found a 29 Mercury Mountaineer with a perfect 8.8 rearend. It was disc brake, 4.10 gears, and had a LSD. I picked it up for 50! A little fab work and she fit under Buford like a glove! I had to sacrifice a little bit on the front axle. I searched everywhere for a 4.10 geared High Pinion 30. They are not to be found around here. I needed to get it back on the road ASAP with my dd blowing a headgasket (stupid Nissans). My cousin offered me a low milage Low Pinion 30 from a TJ. It also had a Lock Right already installed. I regretfully took him up on the deal to get back in the woods.



    Also installed dome CAD brackets to help the ride and flex in the front

    Much better angle!


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  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jun 2015
    Posts
    24

    Default Re: Project Buford 2.0

    I was so happy to have her back! Everything went as good as expected!
    I then fabbed up a hitch tire carrier so I could ditch the roof rack. Our area of wheeling has too many low hanging obstacles that remove roof racks like soup can lids. This setup worked pretty well for the time I had invested.


    Then we stepped up into the area of semi-big boy tires. A neighbor was selling a set of 35x12.50x15 Cooper Discoverer STT'S for dirt cheap. 150 bucks later, they were mine. A few hours later, I had them mounted up. With the 33" spare on the hitch hauler, I could barely see out of the back. The 35" left no room for visibility at all. So off came the hitch hauler. I cut and folded the front inner fender and rear fenders. I'm in the process of researching the rear quarter cut n fold.

    That pretty much brings you up to speed. Next upgrade will be rear shackle relocation brackets. Stay tuned for more and thank you for reading!

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  10. #10
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Location
    Asheville, NC
    Posts
    7,962

    Default Re: Project Buford 2.0

    Looks like a good progress for the build of Buford 2.0....
    FORMER GREEN XJ CLUB MEMBER
    IF YOU DON'T STAND BEHIND OUR TROOPS, FEEL FREE TO STAND IN FRONT OF THEM!!
    DOING SOMETHING JUST BECAUSE YOUR BUDDY DOES IT THAT WAY MAKES AS MUCH SENSE AS SHARING TOOTHBRUSHES

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Jun 2015
    Posts
    24

    Default Re: Project Buford 2.0

    Has anyone successfully fit a 35 inside while retaining the rear seat?

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  12. #12
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Location
    Asheville, NC
    Posts
    7,962

    Default Re: Project Buford 2.0

    Maybe do a baja spare tire rack, something like this:



    Or something far cleaner looking, and a bit easier to throw your spare onto and get it back off of, instead of aligning all the lugs...

    Last edited by bluedragon436; 07-22-2015 at 09:17 PM.
    FORMER GREEN XJ CLUB MEMBER
    IF YOU DON'T STAND BEHIND OUR TROOPS, FEEL FREE TO STAND IN FRONT OF THEM!!
    DOING SOMETHING JUST BECAUSE YOUR BUDDY DOES IT THAT WAY MAKES AS MUCH SENSE AS SHARING TOOTHBRUSHES

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    Chico, CA
    Posts
    29,847

    Default Re: Project Buford 2.0

    Definitely running with the big dogs
    230 hp 4.3L Chevy
    Built 4L60E with manual lockout
    Atlas 4 speed
    Griffin radiator
    On board air
    Warn 9.5ti on custom bumper
    7.5" RE front and bastard pack rear on custom long arms
    30 gal gas tank
    lockers
    And a bunch of other stuff

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Jun 2015
    Posts
    24

    Default Re: Project Buford 2.0

    Like the look of those. Could also mount my high lift and C02 tank on that. Thanks for the ideas!

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  15. #15
    Join Date
    Jun 2015
    Posts
    24

    Default Re: Project Buford 2.0

    Ordered a new header today to replace my cracked one. It's nice having a dad that owns an exhaust shop lol.

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