1988 XJ, Caged/Chopped/Boatsided

[Zebaru]

A few of you guys have seen it in action, and know that it basically is a well armored XJ on 33's, and not a whole lot more. But, it turns heads, and is solid and reliable... There is a build thread on here somewhere, but most of the pics are probably gone by now.

• 4.0, AW4, 231
• D30, D44, 4.88, lock rights F/R, stock shafts
• 33” MTRs on 15” MRW beadlocks
• Approx 3” lift, Rusty’s springs
• Custom crossover steering and track bar
• Fully caged, hybrid interior/exterior built into the body lines. Mostly 2” .120 HREW
• Boatsides – up to major body line, covered with ½”UHMW plastic.
• Rear seat removed, stock gas tank put in its place.
• Summit 9k winch under pass seat, 7/16” Crystalyne (polyester over Vectran)
• Tons of spares – front shafts, track bar, rear driveline, etc.

I built this thing back in 2005/2006 with the intention of leaving it at stock height but still run 33’s. I did that, but didn’t really like it, so I scrounged up some springs and now it sits around 3” or so. The 231 is clocked flat, and the stock crossmember replaced and raised to be flat with the rails – leaving a basically flat belly. Leaf mounts are pushed back a couple of inches, and tied into the cage directly. Front suspension is mostly stock length arms with a few tweaks.

It hasn’t been used hard, or abused. There are a few scrapes and dents, but nothing serious. It was built to be a moderate trail rig that I didn’t have to worry about, and it has done that well for the last five years. Solid reliable rig, but not an extreme crawler by any stretch…

In Fernley, NV – not far outside Reno. Looking for around $5k…

I have plenty of pictures of the build for anyone seriously interested, and I can get pics of any specific details if necessary as well.

 

[Zebaru]

I have had a few folks ask about the front fenders, so I dug out the pics that I could find...

First, I pulled all the sheetmetal from the coil buckets forward. Inner fenders, outers, header panels, everything...

Then I plated the frame back to the coil buckets, mocked in my tube fender, and ran another tube along the front of the coil support out to the fender tube. That tube got tied back to the a-pillar tube with another tube.

After the tubework was done, I rebuilt the inner fender area quite a bit bigger than before. The stock airbox no longer fits, and the battery had to be relocated.

I added the bars out the front after the initial build, and honestly, I cant remember exacly how I tied them into the tubework. I think I just ran them directly to the support tube that runs back to the frame.

Travis

 

[Zebaru]

Just throwing it back up there in case anyone is looking...

It does have all the stock emissions crap still in place except the cat, and I have the one that I pulled - it should go back in pretty easily if necessary. I cant say for sure that it would pass emissions, but I would guess that it will - and will work with someone on it if that is a sticking point.

Im open to offers, and maybe partial trades for a solid stocker...

 

[Phil]

How much to rent for three days for Sierrafest Rubicon?

 

[JeepFreak21]

No way man! This is one of my favorite XJs ever! I hope whoever buys it appreciates it! Sorry to see you selling it.

Billy

 

[blondejoncherokee]

i like the build specs and i think the owner is a cool dude to wheel with in reno so someone buy this awesome jeep so it can get wheeled...

 

[Zebaru]

For whatever reason, my interests have turned to other things, and I just don't wheel much anymore. If I was still going out every other weekend, I wouldn't be trying to get rid of it, but i dont think that I have taken it out since late last year.

If anyone is on the fence, but doesnt quite like the price, dont worry about throwing a lower (reasonable) offer at me - the worst that will happen is that I will say no...

 

[jmaxj]

if there was anyway i could get it street legal here in utardiland i'd be all over this. i just don't want 2 trailer queens, and this would take quite a bit to make it street legal here. :flamemad:

 

[xjmonkey]

wow cant believe this hasnt sold!!! i watched this little xj put bigger guys to shame!!

 

[Zebaru]

Any interest at $3.5k?

 

[Letterman]

Any interest at $3.5k?

I am very interested . . . but I think my wife would kill me if that followed me home.

Someone is going to get a great deal for only $3,500!!

A photo from SierraFest 2010:

 

[xjmonkey]

bump for ya!

 

[Zebaru]

okay, I've had this out the last couple weekends, and it still gets the job done. Even in the 20 degree cold this morning, it wasnt that bad with the heater cranked and a few extra layers on... And, it still drws a crowd, if that is your thing.

But, the pass side rear axle seal is leaking a bit now, so maybe I can get rid of it instead of tearing into it again (its maybe a $50 fix, and I'll do it, but I wont like it...)

My best offer - $3k - no less.

Come spring, if it isnt sold, its going back into the garage, getting updated, and staying here.

 

[Starboard M]

And, it still draws a crowd, if that is your thing.

I can attest to this.

Just sitting there, not even being wheeled at Moonrocks, people were just walking up and asking questions. And Ill admit, I was one of them.




And pictures dont do this thing justice. The amount of body work that went into getting the cage tied into the body is amazing. But boatsides are dumb. :thumbup:

 

[Ben H]

I've always admired your build, very cool xj man. Where is this place? It looks like the back country on the ranch I grew up on in Santa Barbara County.

 

[JOSEJALAPENO]

I've always admired your build, very cool xj man. Where is this place? It looks like the back country on the ranch I grew up on in Santa Barbara County.

That looks like here in reno.:cheers:

 

[Zebaru]

That looks like here in reno.:cheers:

That is the exit to Upper Bronco. Eric, Bryan, and I ran it a few years back for something different. It is a lot like Bronco, but of course it is an in/out trip unless you have a buggy.

 

[JOSEJALAPENO]

That is the exit to Upper Bronco. Eric, Bryan, and I ran it a few years back for something different. It is a lot like Bronco, but of course it is an in/out trip unless you have a buggy.

Well chit, we will all have to run it when I have my junk back on the street..

 

[Ben H]

Nice, I'm gonna have to get up there next year.

 

[ocean_jet]

• Rear seat removed, stock gas tank put in its place.

Would it be possible to relocate the gas tank back to the "bed", or near the stock location, and put two small seats in the back? Or is the cage in the way?

Also, has the entire frame rail been reinforced.. front to back?