brdavis9

Finished my rear leaf project; the XJ has a new-and-improved rear suspension. Yaay.



The driver side was a lot easier to do (the passenger side was the "learner" side). The OEM shock bolts came right out (nope, I didn't break any of the four upper bolts, so no horror story thank gawd); I did replace the factory grade 5 bolts with grade 8's on reassembly as a precautionary measure though (for "next time"). Actually, I didn't have any issues with anything, really; even putting the leaf on was tons easier (knowing what you have to do helps lol). Pretty much anti-seized everything, and greased bushings, etc., to beat the band. And yeah, I'm a bit **** with cleaning stuff I have to work on: the rear didn't start out looking like that ....

I did use the polyurethane front & rear spring bushings; I'd paid for 'em months ago, and the ease of install was too much to resist. I greased the crap out of them ...might help long term, and certainly can't hurt. If I hate 'em, well, the factory ones are still in great shape: I can press them out and re-use 'em. In the meantime, it's the poly's.

The driver side center axle-to-flare distance is 19 inches ...which is 2 3/4 inches more than the 16 1/4 inches I started from, and 1 1/2 inches over stock. Yeah. Strange, that. I'm wondering if I'm going to have to use a 3/4 or 1 inch spacer in the front now, to bring things level (the new coils are supposed to provide 1 inch or so of lift: we'll see).

With the 1 1/2 inch lift, the JK Rubi's are a decent fit, at least.

A short drive around town proved two things: driving butt-high is very ...disturbing ...in the Cherokee. And with the rear suspension actually working now (the old leafs & shocks were totally worn out), it's obvious the front is totally worn out too (that's next weekend's project).

...can't really judge on ride "quality" yet. It's better than it was though (even with those JK shocks lol). I'll post before-and-after pix when I get the front done (the hot-rod slant looks like crap to my eyes).

89xjrocker

Was American made almost everything foreign most trannys are jap imports sierras are made in Mexico and "assembled" in the us same for camaros but in Canada according to my neighbor retired marine and mechanic of 40 years gm started outsourcing in the 80s to Mexico he bought a brand new Chevy cranked it up 2 weeks later engine was smoking like mad the valve guides/seals were no good come to find out his motor was completely Mexican most companies have foreign trannys etc its a damn shame

Tom95YJ

That's why if you want an American car today you buy Toyota or Honda. 90% of them Are made here in the USA. Buy Americans.

89xjrocker

Sad part is your actually right though I'm not big on anything past a 2004

SergSobe

Black 99 XJ Sport
New Black Paint
Clear Head Lights
Black Moab Wheels
Maxxis MT 33s
4.5" X-Series N2 R.C.

Basslicks

Help us out man... did you paint it, lift it, give it new headlights, and new tires and rims or did you sell it and get the black one?

FrankDaTank182

Did a lot this weekend. Sanded sande

d and sanded. Pulled off my bumper and straightened it out some. Removed a bracket for what i assume was for a front tow package. Removed the plastic trim on the bottom Put it all back together. Taped up and primed. Didn't get a pic with it all primed due to phone dying.

Before any work.


After


Primed up

91XJMudMan

Damn thats sexy... Blacked out XJs always look really good, but not quite as much as a white XJ

theyammieguy

Sweet donk in the back ground.

bobsxj

Did this the other day. Love it.

Reddskie

I would love to do that...how where what and how cheap can I do it???

sycoglitch

Superbrightleds.com and its like a 20 min mod

Ps even ebay is great. Get the 10 pack for cheap of t5 bulbs

Bretts2000XJ

Looks good.

bobsxj

Thanks! And yeah so easy cost me 18 bucks for gauge cluster and shift area s bought the wrong bulbs for HVAC controls plus I did my foot well on passenger side

sycoglitch

Its the t4 bulbs for hvac controls isn't it. T5 was to big iirc.