98 SE Build Thread

[stomperxj]

Well I have finally bought/gathered/built most everything I need to start my build up. First off, its a 98 SE with about 78k on the clock. GSA auction ex Gov. vehicle so it has a no frills interior... it does have gauges though...

Parts list:
RE 6130 with 3.5" front springs and full rear packs
RE HD trackbar and bracket
RE Steering stabilizer
JKS quicker discos
.75" spacers
TerraFlex 2Lo conversion
HD SYE
Bilstein 5150 fronts
Bilstien 5100 rears
High Tec Retreads 31" OTR Muds
Cragar 397 15x8 4" BS with custom fitted Jeep logo center caps

Smittybilt XRC8 8k Winch
Pics located HERE (http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=924784)

[Nullifier]

Nice! you will be happy with the R.E. kit. I have installed probably 25 R.E. kits on various jeeps in the past few years. THey make great stuff. WHy not resi shock all the way around. Do they not make them to fit the cherokee?

[stomperxj]

Nice! you will be happy with the R.E. kit. I have installed probably 25 R.E. kits on various jeeps in the past few years. THey make great stuff. WHy not resi shock all the way around. Do they not make them to fit the cherokee?
Thanks Null - I'm pretty happy with the quality so far... As far as the shocks, I didnt feel the rear needed the 5150s on the back. A lot of guys had posted about how well the 5100s were for the rear so I just ordered those..

[stomperxj]

Well, all thats left is the drive shafts, do a quickie alignment and re-check all the bolts. I would like to kill someone at Bilstein though. My 5100s havent shown up yet and I paid for Next Day Air on thursday the 12th http://www.naxja.org/forum/images/smilies/flamemad.gif So I have to borrow a car to get to work on monday..

The tires gave me about 1.5" over the stockers and I put the 3.5" springs in this thing. My stock springs must have been worn out or something because I got 5.5" of lift out of this package; 7" including the tires

[John90XJ]

That's about right for RE components. I put 4.5" coils in the front with 3.5" leaf packs and 1.5" shackles. Two years later it still sits at 6.5" front and rear. I had added spacers to the front coils to get it level with the rear hoping they would come out again once it settled but no luck. It still sits as high as when I installed it.

Do you have plans for a SYE or did I miss that piece? I set mine up with a custom yoke and measurement so I can run the stock front shaft in the front or rear position, leaving me to carry only one spare.

[stomperxj]

That's about right for RE components. I put 4.5" coils in the front with 3.5" leaf packs and 1.5" shackles. Two years later it still sits at 6.5" front and rear. I had added spacers to the front coils to get it level with the rear hoping they would come out again once it settled but no luck. It still sits as high as when I installed it.

Do you have plans for a SYE or did I miss that piece? I set mine up with a custom yoke and measurement so I can run the stock front shaft in the front or rear position, leaving me to carry only one spare.
Yes John- I did an HD SYE kit and did the front driveshaft trick too... I also threw in a Terra 2Lo kit while I had the xfer case apart...

[PhulesAU]

I would think 4.56 would put you in the high end of the sweet spot. It'll be torquey???? down at the bottom end when crawling along a trail.

[John90XJ]

I also threw in a Terra 2Lo kit while I had the xfer case apart...

The Tera 2Low is one of the best things I did for my 231 t-case. That coupled with an ARB in the back and I spend more time tooling around the trails up here in open 2 low. It's really nice in places like Moab.

[John90XJ]

I would think 4.56 would put you in the high end of the sweet spot. It'll be torquey???? down at the bottom end when crawling along a trail.

I'm running 4.10s and 33s and should go to 4.56s. For 31 or 32 inch tires the 4.10s are about perfect, especially if you spend any time on the road. It's a nice balance between highway and trail effectiveness.

[riverfever]

That looks really good Stomper. I love the way the BPE's turned out.

[stomperxj]

I would think 4.56 would put you in the high end of the sweet spot. It'll be torquey???? down at the bottom end when crawling along a trail.


I'm running 4.10s and 33s and should go to 4.56s. For 31 or 32 inch tires the 4.10s are about perfect, especially if you spend any time on the road. It's a nice balance between highway and trail effectiveness.

Yeah the 4.10 31" combo is within 1% of stock 3.55s and 27" tires... its just a squeek better in the RPM range... This will be a daily driver with a 35 mile round trip to work every day so the 4.10s should be just right...

Thanks for the nice comments.. shocks should be here on tuesday 17th so I'll actually get to drive it on wednesday.. I cant wait to feel the 5150s :wings:

[stomperxj]

Rear shocks came in today... got them installed and went for a quick test drive...

All I can say is awesome... :wings:

http://206.206.61.30/jess/pics/98%20XJ%20Buildup/SM_0608.jpg
http://206.206.61.30/jess/pics/98%20XJ%20Buildup/SM_0614.jpg
http://206.206.61.30/jess/pics/98%20XJ%20Buildup/SM_0616.jpg

[XJxplorer]

Looks great stomper! I had the same lift on my old xj and loved it...

[kcowyo]

Nice XJ, love that shade of red.

How come your BFG AT KO's look like BFG's MT tread pattern?

[OverlandZJ]

Very nice looking rig Stomper...i like how you retained the Jeep center caps with the Soft 8's...unique.

Are the Bilsteins everything you had hoped for? I'm thinking about them as a replacement for my Rancho 9010's.

[stomperxj]

Nice XJ, love that shade of red.

How come your BFG AT KO's look like BFG's MT tread pattern?

They are High Tec Retreads. BFG casings with a recap mud terrain pattern.
www.high-tec-retreading.com (http://www.high-tec-retreading.com)


Very nice looking rig Stomper...i like how you retained the Jeep center caps with the Soft 8's...unique.

Are the Bilsteins everything you had hoped for? I'm thinking about them as a replacement for my Rancho 9010's.

Yeah I like how the caps look too, they turned out nice. The Bilsteins are pretty sweet. I havent put them through their paces yet but they feel great. I've gone over a few rough roads and went out to the desert for a quick spin and they seem firm but not "harsh" you know? Pretty plush...

[stomperxj]

I've been busy over the last few months...

Overhead console with temp/compass and new bitchin camo upholstery for OHC and Visors:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v236/stomperxj/Overhead%20Console%20and%20Visors/sm-00010-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v236/stomperxj/Overhead%20Console%20and%20Visors/sm-00093.jpg

Toyota 4-runner leather knob and custom AMC Jeep logo by me:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v236/stomperxj/Interior/sm-00014.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v236/stomperxj/Interior/sm-00017.jpg

ZJ Seats. I am trying to find a reasonably priced ZJ rear split bench too... no luck yet though:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v236/stomperxj/Interior/sm-00013.jpg

Original dome light installed in cargo area with separate switch:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v236/stomperxj/Interior/sm-00011.jpg

I got the Dana 44 done. No money for a locker right now though so I'll have to slip an Aussie in it later...

D35 coming out:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v236/stomperxj/Dana%2044%20Install/sm-00035.jpg

D44 installed with 4.10's and clearanced shock mounts:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v236/stomperxj/Dana%2044%20Install/sm-00056.jpg

And I'll post another tool I made. A bearing separator I made for about $5 of scrap to remove carrier bearings. I saw the Yukon Gear version but couldnt justify spending $400 to use it maybe 3 times...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v236/stomperxj/Bearing%20Separator/sm-00001.jpg

And a movie of it in operation:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYHFCJy6DPw


In the next 2-3 weeks I'll get the gears and ARB in the D30 and then its on to OBA plumbing and then external tire carrier, rear cargo rack, front lights, rocker sliders, yadda yadda... Who got me into this anyway? Oh thats right, it was me... :wavey: