Chevy 1 tons, 40s, blah blah blah

[jkl]

Got a build thread going on another forum but figured I'd post it up here for more opinions. Got some copy and pasting to do to get it up to date.

The plan:

The motor runs good and tranny shifts good so I think I'll leave em
Dana 300 (231/300 doubler later down the road)
Front Chevy Dana 60 with 5.13s (from the scrambler)
Rear 14 bolt with 5.13s and a Detroit Locker (from the scrambler)
40" Iroks and H1 wheels (from the scrambler)
3 Link the front, maybe airshocks
Think I'll keep the leaves in the rear for now and 4 link it later
Cut the fenders to keep it low
Maybe a slight front and rear stretch
Frame Stiffeners
Bedline the interior
Cage of some sort
Body Armor
Build Bumpers

[jkl]

I picked up this XJ to replace my current project scrambler. Thanks to my dad, my son has been wanting to go muddin after watching videos on youtube with him. I know, I know..mud sucks...but what makes my wheelin partner happy makes me happy, so I'm going to build a new crawler that will be able to get dirty. Originally I was going to just buy a full top and keep the scrambler, but a new top for it was a little over a grand. Started looking on craigslist and found this Cherokee that runs, drives and even the A/C works and picked it up for $675.

Specs:
1993 4 door Cherokee Country, 4.0L , AW4 auto tranny, 309,790 miles.










The inside is dirty and stained, smells like a cigarette, headliner missing and a dent in the driver door, but it has speakers everywhere! :laugh:












They lost the key, so they pulled the lock cylinder and now uses a "master key" aka needle nose pliers.

[jkl]

First mods were taking off the ugly honeycomb style wheels and putting on the factory tire/wheels from my LJ. Definately improved the looks. Then washed it, cleaned it out and a buddy who works for Stanley Steamer deodorized it for me. Drove it around like this for a while till the tear down began.

[jkl]

Here's a recap on the axles:

Picked up a 14 bolt with 5.13s and a detroit in it for $300








And then swapped to disc brakes

[jkl]

Then gave it a trim, I forget the exact measurement of have much I cut off.

[jkl]

Then picked up a DRW front Dana 60



Went through it, replaced some parts, added high steer arms and regeared it to 5.13

[jkl]

And the 39.5" Iroks on H1 wheels














Replacing this scrambler with the XJ.

[jkl]

Pulled the rest of the headliner out.




Got the axles pulled from my scrambler saturday, now the fun can begin!




Just for schitzandgiggles

[jkl]

Trimmed the front fenders, when its all said and done going to cover the edge with door trim.




Ruff Stuff pearches




Got an email from Ballistic Fab today saying my brackets were backordered (imagine that ) Called them up, talked to 2 different people and changed brackets so hopefully I'll see those soon. Changed from the 3" diameter to 3.25" The Dana 60 housing is like 3 1/8" so I don't think it should be a big deal

[jkl]

Out with the old




In with the new!








33's and no lift, better not hit any bumps





Just put a tack weld on the perches to keep them from moving until I figure out the exact pinion angle.

[jkl]

The Ballistic Fab coil/lca brackets




I had to change my orignal plan of attack as some of my orginal measurements were off. After some remeasuring I got it figured out, I think lol. I'll get some better pics and show what I'm going to do later.


Orignal Chevy brackets cut off



No more Dana Turdy



Ballistic brackets tacked on



Sittin on factory springs and 33s all the way around. And yes I know that the driver side is sticking waaay out. It was hot, I was tired and after all my hard work of centering the axle I set it down on it's on weight, forgot I had no trac bar and the body shifted to the pass side

[jkl]

Picked up some front springs and shackles today. The coils were suppose to be Rusty's 4.5" but they ended up being 3" HDs. My fault for not checking them when I bought them, but in the end I think the stance is just about right. Might end up adding a .75" spacer once it gets a winch and bumpers.











And the rear jacked up to approximate ride height. I'm guessing the front is about 5.5-6" lift. It doesn't sit as tall as I thought it would, 71" to the drip rail, 29" bottom of the door and 23" to the bottom of the frame at the tranny crossmember.

[jkl]

Today I trimmed some more on the front fenders and pulled most of the dent from the drivers door. Just a small area left at the lock that i'll have to work from inside the door panel.











The other day I got the drag link on. It's pretty close to the oil pan so it looks like it needs more lift, replace the waggy pitman arm with one with more drop or maybe both.

[jkl]

Ripped out the rear carpet and pulled the rear bumper




Approximate rear axle location, more fender hacking Yeah!






Might build the inner fenders and raise the tank like this





Think I might be able to use the corner gaurds from the scrambler and modify them to fit on the cherokee. More to come on that later......

[jkl]

Picked up the 52" Chevy springs this morning, so out with the old




And in with the new to me, going to remove the overload spring later




The exhaust tailpipe was interfering with the pass side shackle so off it came




I'll address the shackle angle later




Swaping out the 33's




A little cut and fold for just enough clearance




4Ds on all four corners

[jkl]

Today's progress.....folded the rear lower quarter panel.

[jkl]

Had a busy day today, this morning I picked up a bunch of free cabinets and workbench for my garage :thumbsup:




And then made the drive to pick up the Dana 300

[jkl]

Pushed it outside so I can start cleaning up the garage. Also fired it up for the first time in a while and let in run a bit. Now were up to date.

[Twisty]

Cool build!

Just wondering, whats the clearance like between the driveshaft and the starter? My friend put a Chevy 60 in a TJ with a 4 cyl, and his shaft hits the starter (at close to full bump). Wondering it it's the same way with an XJ.

[andrewmacc]

Been following this on jeepforum. Good to see it posted here.

I was going to ask the same question as Twisty - I forgot you were using Chevy axles and keeping the D300 unflipped.

[86cherokeek20]

hey man love the xj, sucks about the scrambler though...still lovin it though

[ashmanjeepXJ]

How wide is your front with the drw d60 and H1s? looks like 86in?

[WAD357]

This things sweet but why not do away with the Hi steer arm so you can keep it a little lower?...



Im Right about 4" of lift 2" coil and the axle has to add about 2" over stock and Had no issues with the oil pan untill I lost a bump stop...

[jkl]

Originally Posted by Twisty

Cool build!

Just wondering, whats the clearance like between the driveshaft and the starter? My friend put a Chevy 60 in a TJ with a 4 cyl, and his shaft hits the starter (at close to full bump). Wondering it it's the same way with an XJ.

Did a quick mock up the other week and I THINK it should clear. I remember flatlander757 had issues in his TJ with the chevy axles but he was much lower than mine.

Originally Posted by 86cherokeek20

hey man love the xj, sucks about the scrambler though...still lovin it though

Thanks!

Originally Posted by ashmanjeepXJ

How wide is your front with the drw d60 and H1s? looks like 86in?

Close 85.75"

Originally Posted by WAD357

This things sweet but why not do away with the Hi steer arm so you can keep it a little lower?...

I have thought about your setup as a backup plan but would like to keep the hi steer so the tierods stay more out of harms way.

[ky scrambled]

Originally Posted by jkl

I have thought about your setup as a backup plan but would like to keep the hi steer so the tierods stay more out of harms way.

Id imagine the Jeep being a little taller in the mud would only help.