Balling on a budget 96 xj build

Bindigo · Nov 26, 2016

I'm starting a build thread, This has been a slow but fun process. Thanks to a few really good friends of mine. Hjpcummins and John Roberts.

I've already have came a long was with this build. Started with a 96 xj with a 3 inch lift and 34x10.50 TSL. A few of you have probably seen this pile of **** bouncing around Morris from time to time. Here is a few pictures along the way.

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Bindigo · Nov 26, 2016

After wheeling this thing for a year like it sits I was very pleased with how well it did. So after bending the steering arm twice I decided to go with the Iron rock off-road 1 1/4 solid over the knuckle steering system. During the process of installing the new kit I came across a 6.5 rustys long arm kit for cheap. Well it was only the front so of course you have to match the rear to I had to buy 5.5 inch rear leaf springs. So while I was going through the process of once again installing all of this I picked up a 231/231 doubler kit for $250. I ended up buying solid dif covers for the Dana 30 in the front and a solid dif cover for the 8.8 in the rear. After two months this what I ended up with.

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Bindigo · Nov 26, 2016

After going on a test run I realized the tcase needed some kind of support so this is what I came up with.

It's not pretty but it works great. I made it out of a piece of cold roll 3/4 thick. Milled it out and matched all the surfaces.

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Bindigo · Nov 26, 2016

Next on the chopping block was the rear 8.8 flange adapter that keeps breaking. So when you don't have $$$$$$ you find scrap piece of steel and make your own lol. This is what I came up with. I know it's a little over kill but can you really ever have to much.

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Bindigo · Nov 27, 2016

Now that it is installed and working great I finally took it out to Morris mountain for a good hard day of beating the piss out of it. It did great well other than the fuel cell I installed the outlets where turned to the front of the buggy and when it got down to half a talk going up hill it would die. So I need to turn it around the other way. I rolled it a few times with no cage and decided that now would be a good time to cage it.

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Bindigo · Nov 27, 2016

The cage is currently within a week or so of being done.

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Bindigo · Nov 29, 2016

Got a little bit more done tonight

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Bindigo · Dec 3, 2016

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94xjsport94 · Dec 3, 2016

You must live near me... I've seen these pics and work on FB. Looks good!

Zjman · Dec 4, 2016

Like the lines on the cage

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The Luke · Dec 4, 2016

Looks good man. I dig it.

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clemsonjeep · Dec 4, 2016

Gotta make one recommendation...from past experience. Please take a little time and pull the front links back out and add a piece of strap around the rod ends and tie them into the link tubing. Can't find the picture I had, but I've got a video of a friends cherocar on Valve Stem at Harlan when the same front lower links split at the rod ends and let the front axle escape.

If I remember correctly it looked almost like the tubing they used to encase the rubber bushings was split seam and the way it was welded at the link tubing allowed it to separate. After it happened the rubber bushings were still in the link mounts but one lower was completely pulled away from the axle and the other was hanging on by a thread. We had to rig up a way to get them removed and drive back to camp in Evarts to heat them up, bend them back into shape and re-weld including a piece of flat stock for a strap like I recommended above. It's just not worth having that happen to you and it's a simple thing to do.

Otherwise...keep at it! BTW...what front shafts are those?

Bindigo · Dec 7, 2016

clemsonjeep said:
Gotta make one recommendation...from past experience. Please take a little time and pull the front links back out and add a piece of strap around the rod ends and tie them into the link tubing. Can't find the picture I had, but I've got a video of a friends cherocar on Valve Stem at Harlan when the same front lower links split at the rod ends and let the front axle escape.

If I remember correctly it looked almost like the tubing they used to encase the rubber bushings was split seam and the way it was welded at the link tubing allowed it to separate. After it happened the rubber bushings were still in the link mounts but one lower was completely pulled away from the axle and the other was hanging on by a thread. We had to rig up a way to get them removed and drive back to camp in Evarts to heat them up, bend them back into shape and re-weld including a piece of flat stock for a strap like I recommended above. It's just not worth having that happen to you and it's a simple thing to do.

Otherwise...keep at it! BTW...what front shafts are those?

RCV knockoffs but they have a lifetime warranty, unlimited hp unlimited tire size. $500 for both. I'll look them up and see where I bought them. They are chromoly.

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Bindigo · Dec 7, 2016

Thanks for the feed back guys. I haven't checked the post in a few days just because no one has commented on it. Clemsonjeep I see what your talking about. I'll see what I can come up with.

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Bindigo · Dec 7, 2016

Hjpcummins aka James p. designed and made my front bumper it looks awesome. Got my 5.3 prp harnesses in the other day.

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