Nikson's '01 XJ Build

[Nikson]

My love to overlanding / exploring / Jeep-ing or whatever you want to call it has always been my "cup of tea".

Born/raised in Russia (first 15 yrs of my life), I've seen some adventurous outdoor times, considering where I am originally from in Russia.

3+ years back bought my first Jeep (1986 XJ) - $500 closed the deal. Fun ol' thing... 2.8L w/5spd. For another $500 did a budget 2+ lift and threw some SuperSwampers on it...

thats where it all started...



Then it got to some back road driving, and my favorite - WHITE SNOW...

Fresh - Fluffy - Powder - Snow...

Following picture is from 2009 Winter storm in the NorthWest part of Oregon.
Plowing throw 2-3 feet of snow in some spots...



Then it went this way and that way,
View to Mt. Jefferson from Sisi Butte Lookout...



and this how I sold him

[Nikson]

So... to shorten ones and may be express others expectations...

- so far in my hands currently -

2001 Jeep Cherokee XJ CLASSIC
-------------------------------
4.0L / AUTO
D30/CHRY 8.25LSD
-----
RC 4 1/2 ShortArm lift (full leafs)

33x12.50R15 BFG MUD KM2 tires

Incubus 15x8 wheel

WARN M8000 (receiver mount)

ARB Snatch Block

SuperYanker Kinetic Rope

2nd Battery (rear)

3 Vision 100W Bumper Mount lights

Vision Headlamp unit / DDM TUNING HID 55W L/H beam

Home-brew roof rack

Home-brew Front/Rear bumpers

Overland Navigator (laptop) GPS

Garmin nuvi GPS


------------------
Upcoming Changes:


3 Vision 100W Bumper lights are going onto the roof rack +2 more
HID kits install into the Rack lights
Possible upgrade to RIGID LED lighting (40-50" size)
-----
4.56 gears
Front - Eaton ELocker (selectable type)
Rear - Detroit TrueTrac (LSD type)
-----
SYE kit w/rear drive shaft upgrade
-----
CB Radio station w/home base
-----
Jotto Desk Laptop Mount
-----
Bumpstop F/R axles (adjustable)
-----
Rear Axle airbags
-----
Rear Disc Brake conversion
-----
Long Arm Suspension
-----
Rear Bumper Tire Carrier (w/Jerry Cans & Hi-Lift)
-----
Skid plate armor (transmission/transfer case/gas tank)
-----
Rock sliders
-----
Frame Stiffeners
-----

As it sits right now, XJ is very capable.

[SWbySWesty]

looks niiiiice.

[Nikson]

looks niiiiice.

Ty...

Will fill this up slowly (but surely) with some of the build info. I've learned a lot from other's work, and I think my thread will be usefull to others...

[Nikson]

This is how I got this one...
Purchased at an insurance auction, paid $1400 (not including the fees).
Bid on it based on the following pictures, without knowledge of the actual mileage.




Damage was pretty "simple". During the Winter Storm 2008, owner slid against curb, damaging front suspension (passenger side) & both wheels on that side,
bent front axle tube, LCA & UCA.



Home after 4hr drive from Seattle

[Nikson]

So what did we get for about $2000 (after all the fees & expenses)...

2001 Jeep Cherokee CLASSIC with Chry 8.25 (LSD)...
Key was "missing" at the auction, once we got home, lucky "LOOK" around and we found the original key taped to back of the rear tire. Inserting the key, I've verified it to be the working key, but battery needed to be replaced.

What the better option then a RED TOP?



checked all the fluids to be at proper levels, and good battery in place, this was the result when I turned on the ignition...



ODOMETER showed 45426 in original miles...
Engine ran great, transmission shifted as it should on a truck with 45k miles.

Was I surprised - Yeah... Was I happy - HECK YEAH!!!
in all the honesty, i've expected to see something in the range of 90-130k on the odometer.
=======================
Few "negatives" on the condition...

Previous owner obviously had a dog, which seemed to have lived inside the Jeep (judging by the amount of nasty hair amount in the interior). Rear seat had couple of tears on some seems where "the dog" spent most of its time.




The right side of the front axle got pushed back (into the wheel well) some what a lot, as you can see on the picture...



what seemed to be minor rust & some "wet & greasy" areas...

[Nikson]

bent axle resulted also in damaged (kinked) oil pan. I am sure it was fine even in that "shape", being that non of the engine components got damaged during the accident.

$35 at a local junkyard & few extra bucks for new gasket...
Oil change needed to be done anyways (as anyone should upon acquiring a car without a "known" owner).





Under engine didn't look all that pretty... Fresh oil is just what the doctor ordered...

[Nikson]

Rough Country
4 1/2
Full spring pack in the rear
Upgraded steering stabilizer
Amount of damage: $700 (including shipping)



How LCA looked after the accident...



Dont know if you can see it or not... but "she" is bent...



33x12.50R15s...
WILD COUNTRY RVT (mud version 65-75% tread)
Tires/Wheels set - $700 from local Craigslist ad



STOCK MEASUREMENT



REAR END LIFTED



Trust me... its a lot more fun then it might look on the pictures...



I dont know, but I think everyone got to try driving it that way... Feel the "real" difference in the lift... I had a little fun...

[Canadian Moose]

Nice build so far! You got a wicked deal!

[Nikson]

FRONT SPRING DIFFERENCE



TRANSFER CASE DROPPED



WORKING ON THE FRONT



DAY 2 - Little help is always nice..



Ahhh... The "FRUIT OF YOUR LABOR"... isn't that just a pleasant view???



Guess who is going to say "Daddy, can I get a pink JEEP?"



===================

So, after 2 evenings of work in the garage (6-8 hrs)... that came to be the result. Didnt really think of it to be complicated, for a 1st timer as a lift kit installer I thought it was all like a LEGO... Instructions helped here and there, but COMMON SENSE works a LOT better...

===================