My 1st build (hunting rig/DD)

So I'm new to the forum and this is my 1st jeep I've owned so please bear with me on my build thread. My plan after getting my jeep was to build a rig that was capable of getting me to those hard to reach hunting and fishing spots and would also be road worthy. This is going to be my daily driver also.

My ride:
96 XJ
4.0 auto
198k
30x9.5 firestone destination m/t
2" budget boost
Clean interior

So far the jeep seems mechanically sound and has no real problems ( other than the rusted floors that I failed to check before I bought it
Heres a pic the day I bought it

I knew I wanted a roof rack because I hated having the spare in the trunk so the day after I bought it I found a con-ferr on craigslist

Also had some stereo system stuff laying around so I cut out rhe cargo panel and pushed the speaker box in as far as I could. System sounds great

Also found this winch bumper on craigslist a few weeks later. Not sure what kind it is or if it's a home brew. It definetly had some modification done to it.

I made some changes to it shortly after. There was these weird tabs that were halfway welded and bolted through the holes where the fairlead goes. So I cut them off and welded the holes I didn't need. I also removed the angles up top and welded them on the front. I cut slots in the bumper and put them in through the backside and welded inside and out.
Before:

After:

And then:


I still plan on doing a little work to the front bumper

Now for the lift. I just ordered the iron rock 5.5 long arm kit and the hack n tap along with the refurbished driveshaft. My parts should be here Saturday. I can't freakin wait to get started on this. I already started spraying everything with pb blaster a week ago


Future plans are:
Custom rear bumper
Winch
33x12.5 tires ( not sure what ones yet)
Stinger for front bumper
Roof rack mods
Sliders
And much more as money permits

Very nice. I can't wait to start mine.

Does the bumper mount to the factory 3 mounts or have tie in plates? If it's the factory 3 don't plan on pulling on it... needs tie in plates to the unibody.

whitexj98 said:

Does the bumper mount to the factory 3 mounts or have tie in plates? If it's the factory 3 don't plan on pulling on it... needs tie in plates to the unibody.

Click to expand...

Yea the bumper is tied into the unibody with 1/4" plate. It's super sturdy. I think this thing would take out a tree!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!

I decided to paint some of my parts yellow. I think it will look sweet under a black jeep. I didn't paint everything I think that would have been too much yellow. I only painted the long arms and the track bar. So far I'm very impressed with iron rock. These parts are very well constructed and are super heavy duty. I can't wait to start the install!!!!

you rattle canned over powedercoat??

whitexj98 said:

you rattle canned over powedercoat??

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Looks like he prepped with either gold scotchy or 800 grit so he should be fine.

you can get decent waterbourne rattle can paints now that have decent coverage and application now.

Keep us posted, I'm considering the IRO long arm and would really like to see one in action!!

Yea yea I know I painted over the powder coating. But yes I prepped the parts very well and used a good amount of paint and matte clear coat. I've had pretty good luck with rustoleum. I will keep you guys posted on the install.

I also recently did my whole boat in camo.

Are those iron rock leafs also? How much lift?

Yes they are iron rock leafs. The lift is a 5.5 but the leafs are 3.5 with shackles. I'm starting the install today.

Looks good! Get that stuff on there and get some pictures!

Well I got rhe front pretty well finishes today other than the brake lines. I still need to soak them with pb blaster for a couple more days. They didn't want to come apart. All in all it wasn't a total nightmare. Other than some of the bolts being really stubborn ( even after soaking them in penetrating oil every other day for almost 2 weeks) I got it all done. All the parts from iron rock were awesome. I would say the best tool I had was the torch to heat up the bolts that wouldn't come out. I did destroy 1 bolt that I needed to reuse and just went and picked up a grade 8 to replace it.
I'll be working on the rear tomorrow.

Looks good! But I'm pretty sure your JKS discos are on wrong, I think everything goes under the sway bar, and then just the bolt / washer part go on the top. Unless you put them together the way you did for some other reason...

Either way, it looks good, good luck with the rear!

Are you planning on leaving the stock control arm mounts on the chassis? or just havent cut them off yet? Surprised the arms clear them!

Voteban said:

Looks good! But I'm pretty sure your JKS discos are on wrong, I think everything goes under the sway bar, and then just the bolt / washer part go on the top. Unless you put them together the way you did for some other reason...

Either way, it looks good, good luck with the rear!

Click to expand...

They're on right. Although probably at the limit of their height.

Yea I still have to cut the mounts off just havnt got around to it yet

Your working backwards! It won't be fun cutting those mouts off with the long arms installed, unless you drop them out to do it... I was at all kinds of angles getting mine off.

I would of guessed those discos were installed incorrectly also , but that indeed is the correct way.. Wonder how many people do it wrong?
http://jksmfg.com/support/install_pn_2000-2001-2002.pdf

Well the rear isn't going as well as the front. Basically today sucked! I broke both front leaf spring bolts in the unibody and both upper shackle bolts had to be cut out because they were frozen in the bushings sleeve. 1 bolt still had a nub on it so I was able to weld a bolt to it and heat it with the torch and wrench it out. The other one actually broke the nut inside the unibody so I'm just gonna pick up a grade 8 nut and bolt for that side. I finally got everything out and now I have to source a couple bolts. So I'll be back at it tomorrow.