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Project: Golden Badger

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Old 04-23-2016 | 10:40 PM
  #1  
TwistedWrench's Avatar
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From: San Antonio, TX
Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L H.O.
Default 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!

Old 04-23-2016 | 10:52 PM
  #2  
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From: DE
Year: 1988
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I6 4.0
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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.
Old 04-23-2016 | 11:30 PM
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From: San Antonio, TX
Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L H.O.
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Originally Posted by unidentifiedbomb
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.
Optical illusion, it LOOKS taller due to the tire height, the front bumper, and the trimming of the wheelwells. 1.5" pucks up front, 2" lift shackles out back. All OE springs.

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.
Old 04-24-2016 | 06:36 PM
  #4  
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From: DE
Year: 1988
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I6 4.0
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Must be the black paint. Looks awfully close to how mine sits with 33s and measured to 4" front and 4.25" rear.
Old 04-24-2016 | 08:15 PM
  #5  
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From: San Antonio, TX
Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L H.O.
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Ya she definitely looks taller than the lift actually is.

Pucks


Shackles
Old 04-24-2016 | 08:34 PM
  #6  
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Year: 1988
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I6 4.0
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Nice! Looks like you'll be replacing that and selling the BB for cheap soon. Maybe 2.5" OME lift to keep the same height?
Old 04-24-2016 | 09:22 PM
  #7  
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From: San Antonio, TX
Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L H.O.
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Originally Posted by unidentifiedbomb
Nice! Looks like you'll be replacing that and selling the BB for cheap soon. Maybe 2.5" OME lift to keep the same height?
Not entirely sure yet, still largely in the planning stages, lol. First step is to get everything swapped over from the Sport.

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.
Old 04-27-2016 | 07:38 PM
  #8  
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From: San Antonio, TX
Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L H.O.
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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.




Old 05-02-2016 | 05:44 PM
  #9  
Tough Luck off Road's Avatar
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From: Tempe, AZ
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
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Really nice Jeep man! I will be watching your build.
Old 05-03-2016 | 07:49 AM
  #10  
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From: North Louisiana
Year: 1994
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO
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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.

Last edited by Constantine; 05-03-2016 at 07:53 AM.
Old 05-03-2016 | 11:47 AM
  #11  
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Model: Cherokee
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I thought there was something up with the springs because even with trimming not many rigs can fit 33s with room to spare on 1.5 inch lift. It also looks taller than 1.5 inch.
Old 05-03-2016 | 09:47 PM
  #12  
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From: San Antonio, TX
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
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woo more builds in SA!
Old 05-03-2016 | 11:33 PM
  #13  
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From: San Antonio, TX
Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L H.O.
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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).
Old 05-15-2016 | 01:23 PM
  #14  
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From: San Antonio, TX
Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L H.O.
Default

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...
Old 05-15-2016 | 01:38 PM
  #15  
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From: DE
Year: 1988
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I6 4.0
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Tires look great!


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