I have been promising my Daughter that I would build her a killer wheeling rig since she was 5 years old. When she turned 16 years old on March of 2009 I started looking for a rig to build. My first thought was to build a Toyota but the area is polluted with them. I was surfing the net when I found a Jeep XJ site. I started scouting pictures and I couldn't believe my eyes. My mind was made up. She would get a Jeep XJ for her wheeler.
I found a decent specimen last winter and brought it home. My girlfriend and I decided that the whole family would pitch in on the build. We have three children together. Her son is 9. I have a son that's 18, and my daughter was 16 at the time.
We pulled the XJ in to the shop where it stayed for several months. Everyone of our five-person family had a hand in the build and it is documented on a popular jeep web site.
We went to cutting the fenders first. MY Daughter and i took the front and rear bumpers off. We then marked and cut the fenders.
Once we finished the body cutting we started building armor. First we built a wrap around rear bumper. It's built from 6 inch and 4 inch 1/4 inch tube steel. We mounted it to the stock locations and added frame bracing. Second, we designed and built our own rockslides. They are built out of 2x2x1/4 inch steel tube with angle iron frame attachments that are through bolted on the frame with stiffener plates on the inner frame rails. Third, we designed and built our own winch bumper all out of 1/4-inch plate steel. We built it for a lay down style winch but eventually added an upright 8274 winch required some additional steel reinforcement. While building the bumper we decided to make our own 1/4-inch plate outer frame reinforcements for the frame and steering. We also added 1/8-inch plates to the inner frame rails for extra support. When done we added a hoop to the bumper.
Next we add the 6-inch lift. I pieced the lift together so I do not know the makers. In the front, we installed Ironman adjustable upper and lower ca's, 6.5 inch coil springs, 29-inch long travel Extreme shocks. I then took a Grand Cherokee CV driveline and cut it down to fit our application. Then I added longer YJ brake lines. I started running short on money at this point so we built our own lift springs for the rear using a donor set of leafs. We gained around 3.5+ inches. we needed extra inches so we added new Ironman lift shackles. When done we added new long travel shocks and a new longer rear YJ brake line. We also installed a Rusty's frame stiffener, adjustable track-bar and drop mounting bracket. We installed full cross over steering with 1 1/8 solid stock tie-rod and drag link with 7/8 ballistic heims.
The XJ retains it stock Dana 30 and 35 axles, 4.10 gears, and open diffs. It has the stock 2.8 v-6, 5 speed manual trans, and the stock T/C as well.
My Daughter is very proud of her jeep. She loves it and drives it every where. All of her friends drive Big Toyota wheeling rigs. They give her crap every day at school for driving a jeep. They say jeep stands for "junk, each and every part". Our goal is to go crazy with the build and make it a road legal trail monster. So far it's only been on one wheeling trip and that was the local spring snow run called Jubalee Run. I drove it because she was out of town. It went very well. Once we get it built we plan on taking on trail runs across the North West, and the Moab as well. I'm going to be the Co-pilot lol. I can't wait!!
I've talked with my daughter and we are willing to trade advertisement for parts and possible paint. We will paste your banners or stickers in select visible locations on the jeep and fly your colors for your support. We'll go to wheeling events when possible to show your product on her jeep while she drives it. We are also willing to let you paint the jeep and put your name across the sides for a best cash offer sponsor. Have a better idea, If so let me know. We have even talked about her modeling her jeep and her with your parts in your teenage friendly magazine.
We are in need of New rear lift springs, and revolver shackles, 4.88 gears, electric lockers, or spools, axle upgrades Dana 44's or 60's. Fender flairs, bead lock rims and better tires, roof rack, off road lights, slip yoke eliminator kit and driveline. Drive train upgrades, stereo equipment, body, and interior upgrades, as well as paint. Honestly, we would take any cool and useable upgrade.
