T&T's Project "Budget" XJ

After building top shelf Jeeps, we decided it was time to build something closer to a reasonable budget.

We started with a 1994 Jeep XJ ($2600)which is the daily driver for one of our team members, here at T&T Customs.
Total estimated price of this build was $7200 which I know it isn't the "cheapest build" but is a jeep that can do 75 down the highway and wheel any place you want besides the mall :laugh3:, Also the price may vary depending on the deals you score on parts.

Specs:
Dana 44 high pinion
Ford Truck 8.8
4.1 Teralow
37x12.50x15 Old style MTRs
"Home" made beadlocks
T&T Customs Trusses
Both axles are equipped with Detroit lockers and 4.88s
T&T Customs Rock-Tek 5.5 suspension system
T&T Customs front winch bumper
T&T Customs rock sliders
T&T Customs uni-body stiffener
T&T Customs uni-body stiffener extensions

Stock XJ


Ready for teardown



Rear axle is out and the new leaf springs are in with the T&T customs UBE ready to find their way under the truck 8.8 we are swapping in.



8.8 under the XJ



I figured showing you how to hook up brake lines and shocks is not really necessary so here is how the back of the XJ looks.



Funny picture because race car



Removal of the front Dana turdy(30)



Time for Uni-body Stiffeners and Extensions.



Installing our T&T Y link on the axle that was truss! Remember we make axle swaps easy


Axle installed now checking for bumpstops and trimming.



All done!



William!

Wheeling it like a sir!



William!

Great build! When are you guys going to make a rear bumper/tire carrier?

Here is a video of the XJ in action..

Budget XJ

jro780 said:

Great build! When are you guys going to make a rear bumper/tire carrier?

Click to expand...

We have some ideas for a rear bumper and a inner tire carrier but nothing to be release just yet. I will try to post some pictures but I cant promise you anything just yet

William.

Is that 8.8 a full size one or is it a narrow one like most of them? What's the width difference the front and rear?

What axle shafts are you running?

jeepfreak1020 said:

Is that 8.8 a full size one or is it a narrow one like most of them? What's the width difference the front and rear?

Click to expand...

We are running a truck 8.8 and the difference is about 1 inch total in width.

XJRN said:

What axle shafts are you running?

Click to expand...

front or back?

William

Why an 8.8 with drums? How much more would one with discs be if any?

Aw bummer I was hoping it was a narrow one. Cuz I have a xj 44 rear, and 44 front that's narrowed, but i want to put in a full width front 44, but I'm scared there will be a huge difference in wms to wms

Makes me want 37s lol, looks good!

iluv83vettes said:

Why an 8.8 with drums? How much more would one with discs be if any?

Click to expand...

We already had the axle and we wanted a very close width to the front axle, and we can stop the jeep on 37s with no problem.

jeepfreak1020 said:

Aw bummer I was hoping it was a narrow one. Cuz I have a xj 44 rear, and 44 front that's narrowed, but i want to put in a full width front 44, but I'm scared there will be a huge difference in wms to wms

Click to expand...

You can run the same front axle but you will need to add wheel spacers to match it, and most likely get new wheels or you will have a mismatch set of wheels...

William

i just have one question. does that price include labor or just parts since labor was free to you basically

rockthrasherxj said:

i just have one question. does that price include labor or just parts since labor was free to you basically

Click to expand...

We didn't include labor in the price, just parts.

William

The front would be full width and rear would be stock but with 2" spacers/adapters. Would it would out ok you guys think?

jro780 said:

Great build! When are you guys going to make a rear bumper/tire carrier?

Click to expand...

I am working on a matching rear bumper to our Rock Runner front winch bumper. I've got one on my Jeep and have been testing the design for awhile now. Watch for the production release in Jan 2013. As for the tire carrier, still sorting that out - stay tuned.

Bob

iluv83vettes said:

Why an 8.8 with drums? How much more would one with discs be if any?

Click to expand...

Truck 8.8 were drums only...

Rock Yacht said:

I am working on a matching rear bumper to our Rock Runner front winch bumper. I've got one on my Jeep and have been testing the design for awhile now. Watch for the production release in Jan 2013. As for the tire carrier, still sorting that out - stay tuned.

Bob

Click to expand...

Sweet! I'm running your rock runner now and have been waiting for a matching rear bumper. Will the tire carrier be an add-on to the rear bumper or something completely separate? Thanks for the heads up!

Truck 8.8 are drum but explorer 8.8 are mostly 31 spline and disc brakes. An they are only 3/4" smaller then most F-150 axles.

I think you've been misinformed about the width difference lol