2 door Cherokee XJ

[Overland.jeep]

Hi all, just became a member / ordered my membership & emblem! #12702.

I’m not too good at build threads so bare with me.

I’m restoring & modifying a 1998 Jeep Cherokee XJ with 55K miles
Specs 4.0 engine AW4 transmission
Axles Dana M30/181MM Front Axle
Corporate 8.25 Rear Axle.
Paid $0

Backstory: When I picked it up it had been sitting for 2 years or so, with front end damage from hitting a tree. Got it towed back to my fathers house & fixed the accident damaged had to cut out a fair amount of damaged/twisted frame.

















Got it home & started to get it down to the bones
The A pillar was slightly bent up so I decided to take the roof skin off to be able to bend it back down.
While I have it off I’ll be adding sun/moon roofs most likely from a Jeep commander





Now I’m just waiting on the frame stiffeners, the rear is getting some custom body work as well, I’m planning on doing a split tailgate with a MJ Comanche tailgate & the top section of the XJ lift gate.

Something like this but with the roof & top half of the XJ lift gate






Scored this MJ tailgate for $50 rust free & straight for the most part these are hard to find under $200



Also scored a early model tire carrier which is stronger than the later mode bumper mounted one, I’ll see if I can work that on might have to do some fabrication work.



The frame is getting a full set of Hooligan off-road
Frame stiffener kit, I’ll also be playing the inside of the frame for added protection.

For paint I’m going with white monstaliner for the exterior & chassis saver for underbody as well as a good coat of fluid film to protect against rust, the floors will get chassis saver as well then lizard skin sound & heat control.

For axles I’ll most likely go with 05+ ford super duty axles that I’ll build separately while I’m driving around a bit with military Humvee bead lock rims.

Haven’t decided Lift just yet. Most likely around 4.5 I want to keep it as low as I can with still having enough clearance.

Interior is getting a bunch of work custom switches with heated/power limited ZJ seats

 

[Marman]

Great project, can't wait to watch this progress....

 

[Overland.jeep]

Great project, can't wait to watch this progress....

Thanks! Finally at the point where I can start adding stuff I’ve been posting on my Instagram before here @Overland.jeep

 

[TerryD]

That little pickup is cool! I had a 98 2dr SE and loved it. The unibody rotted out over the rear axle and I didn't have the time to fix it properly so it got sold off and replaced with a K2500 pickup. I wish I had kept the Jeep to use all the good parts I had on it on a 4dr for family travels but that's the way of things.

 

[Overland.jeep]

That little pickup is cool! I had a 98 2dr SE and loved it. The unibody rotted out over the rear axle and I didn't have the time to fix it properly so it got sold off and replaced with a K2500 pickup. I wish I had kept the Jeep to use all the good parts I had on it on a 4dr for family travels but that's the way of things.

Yea I feel you, I got lucky with this one & little to no rust & it’s getting a full set of frame stiffeners as well, this definitely won’t be my long time overland vehicle that would probably be a square body suburban but you gotta start somewhere!

 

[Anak]

I look forward to seeing that tailgate project.

Having both XJs and Suburbans (including a square body), I have to tell you I prefer the XJ for overlanding. The size and wieght of the Suburbans becomes a challenge.

 

[Overland.jeep]

I look forward to seeing that tailgate project.

Having both XJs and Suburbans (including a square body), I have to tell you I prefer the XJ for overlanding. The size and wieght of the Suburbans becomes a challenge.

I’d probably keep both either way, XJ id go further off-road & suburban would more likely be a road trip tow rig slight off-road use would be a resto-mod with a newer engine & gearing that would be perfect for highway & a little dirt road / trail stuff