2001 XJ All Purpose build

[jscusmcvet]

It has been a while since I last posted. I bought, then sold a 1997 Land Rover Discovery through this site. In the meantime, I have begun the build of the 2001 XJ that I mentioned in previous posts. I originally bought it for my daughter, then gave it to my son, then gave my son the 2000 TJ. Blah blah blah... There is a ton more to this story, but let's say, I could not keep the Land Rover and the cherokee due to financial concerns. Those concerns are still there, but I have been able to begin my build up of the Cherokee over the last couple months. Here is where we are today:

2001 Cherokee, 83,xxx miles
AW4 auto
NP231 tcase
d30 front
d35 rear.

Mods so far:
3" Rough Country with full spring pack
33x10.50 tires (bought used, but nearly new) BFG MT (old style)
Roxolid Front and rear bumper
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In recent days I have added:
Crane Front Diff cover (ebay)
Warn xfer case skid
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Trailer Wiring harness
Pacer Flexi Flares (to cover up my butcher fender cutting job...)
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Future plans include further skid plating, rear spartan locker, Chromo shafts, winch and rocker guards of some sort.

We'll be using this as my DD, work around the property, pull the pop up and weekend wheeler.

John

[jscusmcvet]

Ordered a Ruff Stuff Rear Diff cover today. This seals my commitment to try and build the 35 and make it last. With my grandpa driving style it should be fine with the cover, spartan locker (in a while), Chromo shafts (also in a while) and perhaps a truss or sleeve, after I learn how to use the welder my awesome son dropped on my doorstep at Christmas.

After that it is: oil pan/tranny skid, rock rails of some sort (trying to figure out somethign a little different) and then a winch and I will be done!.... yeah, ummmm right...

John

[Mr. D]

Nice low mile cherokee

[Stumpalump]

An aftermarket gas tank skid should be #1 on an XJ. If the tank does not rupture it gets pushed up pinching off the fuel line. The next is rocker skids. If they get hit it interferes with the way the door opens or worse when jams them closed. It's also so a very difficult type of body work to do. Next on my list would be to pick up and carry a few stock axle shafts and the tools to swap them. Put Grand Cherrokee tie rod on it and make sure your steering box stays tight to the unibody. XJ's work great off road but they need lots of mods. Good luck and have fun with it.

[Logans91XJ]

save your money and pick up a Chy 8.25 or Ford 8.8 ---- If I wasn't pretty much handed a free 8.25 with a locker I would have bought a Ford 8.8 with disk brakes. I have AJ's Super Square Rock Rails and I just tested them today on some rocks and they worked perfect. Honestly I love the looked of the square and the step that they provide but I would think that round rock rails would slide easier though. Also when I was articulating on the trails and rocks the Rock Rails added so much more strength to the uni body. Best Mod I have done in the added strength and protection. If I was gonna do it over again though I would buy frame stiffeners and then mount the rock rails.

Good luck on the build and will be watching

[Logans91XJ]

Just saw the post on buying Ruff Stuff Diffs for the 35 you should pick one up for the D30. I have them and they work great plus they don't leak at all. I put some RTV on the Drain Plug Threads to make sure it doesn't leak.

Honestly don't abuse the 35 on super hard terrain esp rocks and Im sure it would last you a long time.

[Stumpalump]

The Dana 30 really needs the Ruff Stuff cover. The thin housing flexes seperating the ring and pinion. They strip teeth when that happens. A stiff cover reduces the flex and makes the 30 a better axle. Don't use silicon on axle covers but instead use a stock type gasket. Silicon will squirm allowing the housing to flex even more. Most people don't know that but it's true for all diff covers.

[jscusmcvet]

Thanks for the input guys!

I already have a Crane diff cover on the d30 up front. Scored that one for cheap off ebay. I have been using Lubelocker gaskets for a few years and love them... mostly cause it's just so darn easy. I did not know the issue with silicone, but that adds to why I like the gaskets!

You guys are right, rocker skids are on my list for sure. I am looking at different options and with the new welder, this may be something I give a shot myself. I am moving away from the concept of a kick out rail or tube, since this is my DD, on my previous jeeps I would always get my pants dirty heading into work... always a compromise.

I also already have, but have not installed, a ZJ gas tank skid... also a score off ebay. I have to work out some nutstrips to mount it and also to finish mounting my rear bumper properly. One frame rail already has the nuts, although I cannot figure out the correct bolt... but the other has the holes and no nuts.... go figure...

On the d35 - I know there are better axles. I figure that with the mods I plan to do, the way that I wheel, I can get away with it. I am fully versed in swapping out axle shafts and do plan to keep spares in the jeep while wheeling. I already have a spare for the d30.

I spent a little time this weekend (during breaks from building my wife's greenhouse) under the jeep trying to figure out modifications to my old Skid Row engine/tranny skid, to make it fit an XJ.... I've got some ideas brewing...

Thanks again for the replies.

[Warn Industries]

Should be a great project. I hope that skid plate serves you well.
- Andy

[jscusmcvet]

Should be a great project. I hope that skid plate serves you well.
- Andy

Thanks Andy! I have re-used the warn steering box skid from my 2003 Rubicon on my son's TJ and have also recovered my HS9500 winch from that fire. I need some help getting it working again. I am going to PM you with details.

John