'98 XJ fullwidth Build up - pics

[Ken Carter / BRUISER]

Well after doing a few upgrades to my XJ I decided I was going to update my post I started a long time ago and to my surprise it has been lost in last server update (per Lance)

So I am gonna post up a quick overview of what I did with a lot less pics but you will get the gist.

Specs:
1998 Jeep Cherokee
chopped back half
with exo cage

Engine/Drivetrain:
• 4.0L, I-6 engine
• 4-speed automatic transmission
• NP231 t'case w/ 2 low kit
• Dana 44/Ford 9" axles (front/rear)
• 4.88 gears

Suspension:
• Rockkrawler 6" coils in front
• Tomken 2" blocks / Rusty's 4.5" Leafs in rear
• Custom made shackle mount in rear
• Ford custom Radius arms
• Rusty 6" Shocks
• 6" steel braided brake lines.
• Custom Belly up skid

Wheels & Tires:
• 38" TSL Swampers
• 15x10" Alum Rims's w/ welded rock guard
• Inner Air Lock Beadlocks

Armor:
• Custom built Front High Clearance Winch Bumper
• Custom built Rock Guards
• Rusty's OffRoad steering box brace
• Skid Plates (front, transfer case, and rear gas tank)
• Exo Cage

Accessories:
• Suspension seats
• 5 point harness
• Redneck Ram Hydro assist steering
• custom made driveshafts
• Warm 9000i Winch
• Radio Shack CB
• 2 fire extinguisher
• 48" Hi-Lift jack
• Full set of spare shafts fro front and rear
• 10LB CO2 tank in back

Well when I decided to do this fullwidth build up I was running 35's on stock axles and I wanted to go bigger So I sold my axles and got under way.

1st pic is most current pic after last project update


2nd pic is how it sat before I started the Full Width build up

[Ken Carter / BRUISER]

First thing I did was take out 30/8.25 and get rid of them

then I found a 9" local and a 44 on ebay
tore them apart and rebuilt them
and slapped the 9" under rear of jeep

[Ken Carter / BRUISER]

then started build up of front 44

[Ken Carter / BRUISER]

front pic

[Ken Carter / BRUISER]

front pic 3

[Ken Carter / BRUISER]

then I took the radius arms cut them up added control arm bushings to them/braced them.

I also made my own driveshafts

[Ken Carter / BRUISER]

made new rear shackle hanger

[Ken Carter / BRUISER]

made rear shock mounts

[Ken Carter / BRUISER]

finally got it rolling

[Ken Carter / BRUISER]

pic.

[Ken Carter / BRUISER]

then it was onto the steering.

decided I wanted Hydro assist... so I enter the Rednceck x-mas drawing and son of a b*itch I WON

Yes I won a full asssit set up

So I got a J-20 steering box had it tapped and set up REDNECK RAM steering
using Posion Spyder inserts to make all my own steering

[Ken Carter / BRUISER]

I also made a diff guard for the 44

Peace sign part was just for looks the protection is the tampoon behind it

[Ken Carter / BRUISER]

pic

[Ken Carter / BRUISER]

After wheeling it a few times I decided 36's were not big enough so I found a guy on drugs and bought his 38 TSL on rims for $400 ( always looking for a deal ).

but then I needed beadlocks

So I made my own.. here is first attempt

[Ken Carter / BRUISER]

and here is finally design on the Jeep

[Ken Carter / BRUISER]

and then getting it on the trail this past weekend.

I did learn that I should have trusted my beadlocks and aired down a lot more.. oh well there is always next time.

[Ken Carter / BRUISER]

and now the next thing on the list is the cage...

I just started drawing up what I want and have decided to do an internal with some exo bracing... I hope to have it in and done by end of summer.

[MossMan]

Looks good. What trails ya on there?

[Ken Carter / BRUISER]

Originally Posted by MossMan

Looks good. What trails ya on there?

Last pics was at the club Beginner ride at Uwharrie in Troy , NC

but last year was at Tellico with the 36's

[yager]

looks god ken!! its come a long way...

[davidt]

sweet, keep the pics coming

[Puma297]

nice! maybe someday I'll learn to wheel something other than "begginers" uwharrie trails.

[XJ_ranger]

are you using the stock ford steering knuckles?

got any close up shots of them and how you worked the steering?

i am working on this swap (HP 44) and thinking out my steering setup and it seems that no one runs the stock ford knuckles...

send a boatload of pics to opiebennett@gmail.com if you fell the need...

thanks

[Ken Carter / BRUISER]

Originally Posted by Puma297

nice! maybe someday I'll learn to wheel something other than "begginers" uwharrie trails.

Yup every year we our club does 2 beginner rides to uwharrie to help educate the new folks that are just getting into 4x4ing.

Maybe you should come along and learn some stuff

[Ken Carter / BRUISER]

Originally Posted by XJ_ranger

are you using the stock ford steering knuckles?

got any close up shots of them and how you worked the steering?

i am working on this swap (HP 44) and thinking out my steering setup and it seems that no one runs the stock ford knuckles...

send a boatload of pics to opiebennett@gmail.com if you fell the need...

thanks

Yes I am using stock knuckles.
I drilled and tapped them and add a high steer arm to the passenger side so the draglink goes to high steer arm, and tie rod goes straight across on top of original knuckle location. (sorry no pics of it) if i get a chance I will take some pics..