Project: Golden Badger
#1
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 1,472
Likes: 5
From: San Antonio, TX
Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L H.O.
Project: Golden Badger
Ok, to summarize... My first XJ was a '92(dubbed Honey Badger by the kids) that I sold and immediately regretted that decision. Always wanted a '99 so I bought one recently, a really nice red Sport, Honey Badger 2.0, lol. Low miles, meticulously maintained. Perfect start to an awesome project.
After a couple weeks of happiness, I was rear-ended bad, she's a loss, but still drives good, still have her at the shop.
So, I scoured Craigslist, and picked this up a few days later.
'99 4.0/auto/4X4
COMPLETELY rust free, shockingly clean underneath.
188K miles
Perfect headliner!!!
Goodies;
Budget lift(1.5")
Black Soft8s
Trimmed wheelwells
33X12.5 Mickey Thompson MTZs
Trucklites
Rusty's 1/4 armor
Orfab front bumper
Nice tint
Brand new AC system
Cons;
Tan interior(I'm a mechanic)
Base cluster with dummy lights
ABS so it has the weaker rear-end
Front end is somewhat sloppy
No carpet, rhinolined floors
Not a big deal, but NP231 TC
Plans;
Switch to 33X10.5 A/T tires, she's a DD/weekend trail runner.
Install 2" pucks as I plan to add a winch eventually. I love the stance, not planning to go taller.
Matching rear bumper
Rock sliders & skid plates
Custom interior cargo areas
Roof rack
To be swapped from the Sport;
Black interior
Gauge cluster
Possibly the NP242
8.25 rear, add trusses later
Entire front end(fewer miles, and in much better shape), axle, steering, all the brand new suspension I'd just installed days before the wreck. Long side will be trussed later as well.
I'll update as she comes together!
After a couple weeks of happiness, I was rear-ended bad, she's a loss, but still drives good, still have her at the shop.
So, I scoured Craigslist, and picked this up a few days later.
'99 4.0/auto/4X4
COMPLETELY rust free, shockingly clean underneath.
188K miles
Perfect headliner!!!
Goodies;
Budget lift(1.5")
Black Soft8s
Trimmed wheelwells
33X12.5 Mickey Thompson MTZs
Trucklites
Rusty's 1/4 armor
Orfab front bumper
Nice tint
Brand new AC system
Cons;
Tan interior(I'm a mechanic)
Base cluster with dummy lights
ABS so it has the weaker rear-end
Front end is somewhat sloppy
No carpet, rhinolined floors
Not a big deal, but NP231 TC
Plans;
Switch to 33X10.5 A/T tires, she's a DD/weekend trail runner.
Install 2" pucks as I plan to add a winch eventually. I love the stance, not planning to go taller.
Matching rear bumper
Rock sliders & skid plates
Custom interior cargo areas
Roof rack
To be swapped from the Sport;
Black interior
Gauge cluster
Possibly the NP242
8.25 rear, add trusses later
Entire front end(fewer miles, and in much better shape), axle, steering, all the brand new suspension I'd just installed days before the wreck. Long side will be trussed later as well.
I'll update as she comes together!
#2
CF Veteran
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 6,098
Likes: 248
From: DE
Year: 1988
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I6 4.0
Looks like a really nice start. I must say though, that is definantly higher than 1.5" with those 33s unless they are very bald. Looking more like 3 front and up to 4-4.5 rear to be honest. Too bad the flares are gone so you can't do a quick measurement. I love my np242, just locked the rear but only complaint is locking the front is an expensive option.
#3
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 1,472
Likes: 5
From: San Antonio, TX
Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L H.O.
Looks like a really nice start. I must say though, that is definantly higher than 1.5" with those 33s unless they are very bald. Looking more like 3 front and up to 4-4.5 rear to be honest. Too bad the flares are gone so you can't do a quick measurement. I love my np242, just locked the rear but only complaint is locking the front is an expensive option.
Look at the wheel center caps in relation to the rockers.
Same lift, but with 2" pucks.
Though the leafs on this one sag a bit more.
#7
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 1,472
Likes: 5
From: San Antonio, TX
Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L H.O.
I do want to keep the height roughly where it's at, but I'm going to be adding considerable weight to her with the future mods, so I may end up going with a 3" eventually so I don't lose altitude.
Articulation is going to be a primary goal over just max height. Ruts and rocky trails are far more common than deep mud for me. Extended lines, discos, etc, and very likely a long arm conversion somewhere down the road.
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#8
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 1,472
Likes: 5
From: San Antonio, TX
Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L H.O.
Got the gauge panel swapped in. Started laying in the carpet, and really digging the tan interior now against the charcoal carpet. Still might do the full swap, but for now I'm liking it.
Started soaking brake fittings, u-bolts, etc with Aerokroil.
All things being equal, the 8.25 rear should get swapped in this weekend.
Started soaking brake fittings, u-bolts, etc with Aerokroil.
All things being equal, the 8.25 rear should get swapped in this weekend.
#10
Seasoned Member
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 373
Likes: 1
From: North Louisiana
Year: 1994
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO
It is lifted more than 1.5"
The wire size of your coil springs is larger than factory,
Possibly coils from a/ for a V8 Grand Cherokee.
Your leaf packs have an add-a-leaf in them as well.
You can see the leaf that I pointed out, it doesn't match the others, it also doesn't match the arch where the leaf below it contacts.
Unidentifiedbomb was spot on ab the lift height, he has the all knowing eye.
Looking like a great build though, will be watching.
The wire size of your coil springs is larger than factory,
Possibly coils from a/ for a V8 Grand Cherokee.
Your leaf packs have an add-a-leaf in them as well.
You can see the leaf that I pointed out, it doesn't match the others, it also doesn't match the arch where the leaf below it contacts.
Unidentifiedbomb was spot on ab the lift height, he has the all knowing eye.
Looking like a great build though, will be watching.
Last edited by Constantine; 05-03-2016 at 07:53 AM.
#13
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 1,472
Likes: 5
From: San Antonio, TX
Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L H.O.
You guys are right, I stand corrected. I noticed the coils size today when doing the control arms.
Five leafs in the back, shackles and blocks... LOL.
"Just a little lift... Ok maybe a little more..."
Not sure what direction I'm going with the rear yet, debating the C8.25 from the Sport(though I might have her sold), a Super35 upgrade, or build one of the 8.8 Ford rears I've got at the shop. So rear suspension will stay as is for now.
Pretty well settled now on pulling everything for a proper 3" setup once I've got a solid plan for the rear.
I like the 1/4 armor, but considering stripping it down smooth and painting to match the jeep(except for the bars).
Five leafs in the back, shackles and blocks... LOL.
"Just a little lift... Ok maybe a little more..."
Not sure what direction I'm going with the rear yet, debating the C8.25 from the Sport(though I might have her sold), a Super35 upgrade, or build one of the 8.8 Ford rears I've got at the shop. So rear suspension will stay as is for now.
Pretty well settled now on pulling everything for a proper 3" setup once I've got a solid plan for the rear.
I like the 1/4 armor, but considering stripping it down smooth and painting to match the jeep(except for the bars).
#14
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 1,472
Likes: 5
From: San Antonio, TX
Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L H.O.
33x10.5 BFG KOs, and a quick repaint on the grille & front bumper.
Got a bunch of new parts waiting for me to overcome my laziness long enough to install them, lol.
Ball joints, u-joints, hubs, rotors, calipers & pads.
All in good time...
Got a bunch of new parts waiting for me to overcome my laziness long enough to install them, lol.
Ball joints, u-joints, hubs, rotors, calipers & pads.
All in good time...