Morticon's '00 XJ Limited "SuperStock" Build

[WagoneerSX4]

Nice to see another person from southern ontario! That's a great looking XJ. It's hard to find them up here looking that good anymore. I'm usually not a fan of chrome either but I've honestly never seen an XJ with that chrome grille, really unique!

I'm interested in what trails you visit around here. I just joined OF4WD but it'd be nice to get some personal input on where to find some fun trails closer to the GTA or even further west. PM if you don't want your build thread cluttered.

 

[Morticon]

I hear you on shipping, especially after customs. I'm originally from Montreal, so I know how that goes.

If you ever get tired of replacing failing tail gate shocks (like I did) give one of these a try, they do a good job of holding the tail gate up.
http://www.amazon.com/Universal-Charged-Lift-Support-Clamp/dp/B002D3PSJK/ref=pd_sim_sbs_hi_2

Hey that's really cool! Maybe ill pick one up just to have it on hand! Thanks

 

[Morticon]

Nice to see another person from southern ontario! That's a great looking XJ. It's hard to find them up here looking that good anymore. I'm usually not a fan of chrome either but I've honestly never seen an XJ with that chrome grille, really unique!

I'm interested in what trails you visit around here. I just joined OF4WD but it'd be nice to get some personal input on where to find some fun trails closer to the GTA or even further west. PM if you don't want your build thread cluttered.

Yeah when I saw the XJ or the price it was on auto trader I couldn't believe it. And then when I saw it in person and realized how nice it was I really couldn't believe it! I'm a member of of4wd, but most of my wheeling has been rather hardcore up in bobcaygeon and minded in my other jeep.

 

[deniz merdano]

I went with the medium duty. I usually have the bottom part of the front seat folded forward with my recovery gear there full time. I'm I'm hitting the trails I'm usually pretty loaded down with camping gear and a 70lb dog in the cargo area. As well ill usually have my bike rack with 2 bikes on it so it adds up. Unless you've got a rear bumper and other stuff out back all the time I wouldn't go with the heAvy duty, I think it would be to stiff. Depending on how long until you buy ill be able to give you my opinion of the med duty.

There is very little information regarding the spring rates for OME packs.
They seem to claim that heavy duty packs have a loose long AAL that only engages under heavy payload. So when the truck is empty the heavy duty pack acts as a medium duty pack. I will be driving across the continent in a fully loaded truck(2 people and a 50lbs dog) through backroads so I may be better off with the heavy duty setup.
my worry is heavy duty pack may lift the truck up more than 2" and cause driveline vibes.

Love the look of your truck. We found our 1996 on Kijiji and couldnt believe that it was a rust free Montreal truck for that price and low milage..

 

[Morticon]

There is very little information regarding the spring rates for OME packs.
They seem to claim that heavy duty packs have a loose long AAL that only engages under heavy payload. So when the truck is empty the heavy duty pack acts as a medium duty pack. I will be driving across the continent in a fully loaded truck(2 people and a 50lbs dog) through backroads so I may be better off with the heavy duty setup.
my worry is heavy duty pack may lift the truck up more than 2" and cause driveline vibes.

Love the look of your truck. We found our 1996 on Kijiji and couldnt believe that it was a rust free Montreal truck for that price and low milage..

Thanks for the comment, a lot of people like my chrome grill but I am still unsure.


Yeah there is very little info on these lifts. I guess if you find the HD leafs to much you could always remove the loose leaf. Or get the MD leafs and if is not enough get the Add-a-leaf

Here is exactly what I got:
1 ome-2930 light front coil pair - The light front coil and the heavy front coild are the same thing, they just state with over 110lbs you get less lift

2 ome-cs034ra 2.25 rear med load springs - These are the shorter of the two medium duty springs, and only give 2.25" of lift the other set gives you 2.75 ( it is too bad they do not apply a load rating to these as they do with their front coils)

2 ome-60052 nitro sport shocks

2 ome-60053 nitro sport shocks

4 ome-u60 u bolts

1 ome-xjgk01 t case drop kit - I went with this because it was only an extra 40 dollars and if I dont need it thats fien but if I do, the place I buy from only ships for free over 100 dollars so my cost would rise rather quickly. Plus I am not rock crawling this, thats what my jk is for. This suspension lift was more so about replacing stock worn suspension then the actualy lift, hence why I spent more for a heavier duty 2" lift then some 3" lift that wouldnt hold theweight as well and sag a lot sooner with the weight I will be putting in it

There is this... but it can be kind of confusing as well(the one on their website is missing the CS034RA Leafspring(which is the one I got) But I contacted ARB USA and they sent this updated one to me:

It does however show the intended lift amount depending on what leaf spring you go with.

Hope it helps

 

[deniz merdano]

This is the table of parts list I got from Ouipack in Quebec.

I think 2.25" will give the right lift with a fully loaded truck.

 

[Morticon]

Lift.... INSTALLED!!

Here is a teaser while I do the write up.

 

[duckhunter71]

Very nice! Can't wait to see it!

 

[Morticon]

Alright here we go.



I can't remember the exact numbers from before and after but I gained 5" in the rear and 2" in the front.

It rides amazingly well! Tested it up to 130km/h and absolutely ZERO vibrations. It just soaked up all the bumps!

The rear sits almost an inch taller but as soon as my dog is back there and it's loaded down with gear and a bike on a bike rack of the hitch it sits level.

And the bonus. With my 225/75R16 tires (one up from stock 225/70R16). It looks stock, if not a little more aggressive.

Now for the pictures and details people are looking for...



Before: Loaded down for camping. But it pretty much sat like this all the time. You could not fit your fingers between the bottom of the fender and the top of the tire

Parts comparison:

Here you can really see the difference

Me slaving away:

Parts in....

And for this one, just a note. Don't mess around with double nutting the studs. Couple tacks in the middle of the nut when it's on the bolt and it'll back off nice and easy!

Me so happy it's done!

We did have some trouble with bolts getting seized in the bushings and two broken bolts we had to drill out. Both were in the rear shock mounts up in the body of the jeep. Just old and rusty. We got lucky and didn't have to tap them. We also did the rear lift gate supports (it's so nice now that they work) and the thermostat. (No pictures of these)

Anyway what you've been waiting for the finished pictures:

And next to my brothers Xterra for reference:

I did the lift with my brother, we struggle and it took us quite a while to do but we weren't in a rush. The shop we use is his inlaws. Without it and the hoist the whole thing would of been miserable.

Over all I am extremely happy, next up is new spark plugs, front tow hooks, some lights up front, and lots of adventures.

 

[duckhunter71]

Looks great, man! I tried to pull the trigger on a 99 Sport in the same color as yours last week, but it was sold before I called the guy. I'm anxiously following your progress!

 

[Morticon]

Looks great, man! I tried to pull the trigger on a 99 Sport in the same color as yours last week, but it was sold before I called the guy. I'm anxiously following your progress!

Thanks man I appreciate it!

Front tow points are probably next and then maybe some auxiliary lights. I also want to get weathertech mats for the front and cargo area. The heated seats also need new mats in the seat as the old ones are so worn out that they no longer work.

I am also looking into buying one of these...
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Titan-Poly-Wheel-Well-Truck-Tool-Box/19418410
But this one is too big(even the smaller size). I want to mount it and cut a hole in the back side to gain access to the cubby that is already there. We will see if I can find one the right size.

If (like everyone is saying could happen) they come out a a Deisel Wrangler Rubicon, I'll probably be selling this and my other Jeep to buy one... Especially if they come in a Pickup variation.

Honestly a Diesel Rubicon Pickup is exactly what i would want. Not that it'll happen but a guy can dream right?

 

[Chi-Town]

Very nice start to your build! You may want to think about some extended bump stops to help keep the shocks happy when you're loaded down for camping.

 

[Morticon]

Yeah I think you are right. Good thing about the rears is they are easily accessible. Should of done the fronts when lifting it.


Might get this soon as well....http://www.omix-ada.com/ignition-tune-up-kit-4-0l-99-00-jeep-cherokee-xj.html

 

[Chi-Town]

Yeah I think you are right. Good thing about the rears is they are easily accessible. Should of done the fronts when lifting it.


Might get this soon as well....http://www.omix-ada.com/ignition-tune-up-kit-4-0l-99-00-jeep-cherokee-xj.html

Becareful, I bought one of those from Accel and found out it had the wrong reach plugs in it after I noticed a hard start issue. I picked up a set of NGK's for it and noticed the Accels were almost an 1/8" shorter.

 

[Morticon]

So I havent posted much since I completed the lift. The truck has sat alot. Went to move it 2 weeks ago, and the alternator is seized... great... its getting fixed todaty.. 315 installed taxes in... not bad.BUT I just noticed a small leak under where the rear main seal is and a way bigger one under my transfercase... not what I wanted to see... Anyone have experiences with these?

Ive also been noticing a loss of coolant lately... really hoping its just the seals on the water pump, and not the head gasket or a cracked head as is my year is famous for, as I have not noticed any discolouration in the oil. Any Suggestions let me know.