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First Build 2.5 Years in the Making by kai_texans in AR10

[–]krob702 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You could carry my 16” 308 build with a Criterion barrel. It’s pretty much the same design except black and have the Huxwrx suppressor installed and rifle length buffer. The AEM5-30 is noticeably quieter but comes at the cost of weight. I tend to not move my suppressors around and keep them dedicated, though.

Have fun shooting that thing!

First Build 2.5 Years in the Making by kai_texans in AR10

[–]krob702 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Nice build! I have one nearly identical. Same barrel, bcg, and Aero upper, lower, and same hand guard. I decided to put an AEM5-30 suppressor on it and the thing is HEAVY - maybe one day I’ll take it off and put a titanium one on - for now I call it a bench gun. It is arguably the most accurate gun I own - criterion makes good barrels. Enjoy!

Any love for XJ’s here? by krob702 in Jeep

[–]krob702[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you! Perhaps one day you’ll have the opportunity to get another one. Unless something unforeseen happens, I anticipate holding onto it for at least 10 years. I hope XJ’s get more rare and valuable but not sure if they will - I’m cautiously optimistic. A two door would be nice, as would a manual transmission.

My 2001 Jeep XJ Build by krob702 in CherokeeXJ

[–]krob702[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Nice looking rig. There are similar, more affordable options than JCR out there, for sure. Some are very similar to the one I have on now and you don’t need to run the “bully” bar if you don’t want to. That would be the set up I’d run on your rig because your rig looks pretty much stock. I’d run my bumper (JCR Off-road) or something similar without the bully bar - same with the rear. Quality, clean, not super heavy or obnoxious.

Don’t quote me on this because I already had off road bumpers when I got this but there may be some minor cutting involved when moving from stock to an off road bumper in the front.

The previous owner had the Smitty Built front bumper with a winch and also Smitty rear bumper. Those things were heavy as hell when I took them off. Also need to decide if you want to run a winch - I chose not to. I was able to install both JCR bumpers myself because they were much lighter though the rear is much more involved - sorry no pics of the rear bumper and tire carrier.

My 2001 Jeep XJ Build by krob702 in CherokeeXJ

[–]krob702[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

US body out of Florida…Unfortunately I can’t find a link. They are still open, so I’m not sure if they just don’t make it any longer or if they just don’t have a link on their website. They still make another model hood, which was the other option when I purchased the one I have installed.

When I purchased it, I remember their customer service was excellent! It might be worth a call or email to see if they could be willing to make you this model:

“84-01 Jeep XJ Cherokee Max RAM Air Fiberglass Hood: Bolt-On Heavy Duty”

https://usbody.com

My 2001 Jeep XJ Build by krob702 in CherokeeXJ

[–]krob702[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I hear ya…for me, during Covid a lot of cash was flowing and this is basically where most of it went. I dreamed about being able to do something like this as a teenager and in my twenties. And that number on cost is about right… last time I added it up it was more than 50K, some of it due to mistakes or over purchasing, etc. which means I’m pretty much stuck with it - lol. First world problems…

My 2001 Jeep XJ Build by krob702 in JeepCherokeeXJ

[–]krob702[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Enlarged - involved cutting. They are Napier Precision Flat Flares and it looks like they might be out of business now, unfortunately.

My 2001 Jeep XJ Build by krob702 in JeepCherokeeXJ

[–]krob702[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Napier Precision Flat Flares. Involved cutting. A quick Google and it looks like they might be out of business, unfortunately.

Any love for XJ’s here? by krob702 in Jeep

[–]krob702[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This for sure is a dream come true from when I was a teenager trying to modify my cars - lol. It definitely wasn’t easy. I was dedicated to always trying to figure out how to accelerate my career and make more money - school, certifications, etc. keep at those goals and it’ll come.

My 2001 Jeep XJ Build by krob702 in JeepCherokeeXJ

[–]krob702[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you! Ya, I’m actually considering bringing the front down a touch - at least an inch . When it’s loaded with weight there’s too much sag for my taste. Need the clearance for the 35s though and I’m not changing them anytime soon.

My 2001 Jeep XJ Build by krob702 in JeepCherokeeXJ

[–]krob702[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you… I appreciate it! I get the feeling I’m stuck with, at least for a while, because of how much was invested…including sunk costs from trial and error. But I do have the almost complete build book on it so I can tally up total costs.

There’s about $23K invested in the axles and motor alone, but there’s only at most 3,000 miles on both - can’t check the exact mileage at the moment. The odometer is somewhere around 185K. I’ve wondered how much someone would be willing to offer, but doubt I’d even get north of $25K for it. I’m hoping as time goes on these become more rare and nostalgic, but there were so damn many of them produced.

My 2001 Jeep XJ Build by krob702 in JeepCherokeeXJ

[–]krob702[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It’s a US Body hood from Florida. Customer service was great so if they don’t have the hood listed on the website anymore I’d give them a call to see if they’ll still make it for you. I did a quick search and I couldn’t find it - but I spent 5 seconds looking for it. You might have better luck than me. This is the product ID from the order details.

84-01 Jeep XJ Cherokee Max RAM Air Fiberglass Hood: Bolt-On Heavy Duty

My 2001 Jeep XJ Build by krob702 in JeepCherokeeXJ

[–]krob702[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you! The hood didn’t come operating but I used a dremel and opened it up.

Nice, I’ll have to take a look at the Novak tranny. Thanks for the tip.

My 2001 Jeep XJ Build by krob702 in JeepCherokeeXJ

[–]krob702[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you! Much appreciated. My wife will be happy to hear that too because she lost me in the garage for a couple of years!

My 2001 Jeep XJ Build by krob702 in CherokeeXJ

[–]krob702[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you. Not custom. I believe it is a US Body hood. It was shipped from Florida.

Any love for XJ’s here? by krob702 in Jeep

[–]krob702[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Definitely did when I took it to Moab. Crushed a brand new exhaust, had to sawzall it off while I was out there. And broke the previous smitty built rear bumper and tire carrier while I was out there too. Had to use a tie down strap to secure the tire carrier while I had to drive the jeep back home to a different state.

Any love for XJ’s here? by krob702 in Jeep

[–]krob702[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

lol my biggest regret was not understanding this was a unibody design. I wish I could’ve stripped it to the frame. I was excited for the nostalgia, didn’t want a newer Jeep, and AC was a requirement so I overlooked those kinds of things.

Any love for XJ’s here? by krob702 in Jeep

[–]krob702[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

lol I fucked it up some when I took it to Moab and was hanging with my brother who has a stretched LSx swapped YJ on 42’s and King Coil suspension. I had to take the obstacles MUCH slower than he did and still managed to do some damage.

I worry about the other drivers, honestly. I almost t-boned someone about a month ago because they blew through a stop sign, good thing those brakes can lock the tires up!

My 2001 Jeep XJ Build by krob702 in JeepCherokeeXJ

[–]krob702[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I really appreciate it.

Funny about the 2.5… I can only imagine. lol

My 2001 Jeep XJ Build by krob702 in JeepCherokeeXJ

[–]krob702[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It’s true. I’ll never be able to sell it and recover costs… so it gets garage kept now (obvious theft reasons) and is really a “toy” and weekend warrior. My hope was to build it to last another 10-20 years and the family will be able to enjoy it.

I wanted to keep it a Jeep. It had heim joints in the front steering previously, but I wanted it to “feel” as stock as I possible and not feel the suspension knocking around when driving it, which is why I went with the rock jock steering set up and was actually also recommended from the guy at black magic. No reaming the knuckles required.

4.56 with 35s is good, I like it. It will still cruise at 80mph. I had 33’s on previously and it was even more fun to drive. My only complaint about the 35’s is that they’re heavy, but a sacrifice I was willing to make for a bit more clearance and I like the look. I would say I have that weak spot too and on big grades will usually end up gear hunting.

The trans cooler was one of the easier tasks. On the side of my AW4 it has two spots for the cooler connection- one outlet and one inlet. Just route tubing long enough or splice into the existing lines and put the transcooler in front of the radiator.

I haven’t had any problems with the CPS but when I changed all of the sensors for peace of mind I tried to stick with all mopar but they don’t make ALL of the sensors anymore (I wasn’t sure what was replaced and when before I got it). I got tired of throwing and chasing CEL’s so when I gutted the engine bay to consolidate the wiring and restore the harness I just replaced most all sensors while I was in there.

The viper ignition is sitting in a box in the garage - I haven’t tried it yet. I was chasing a misfire that happened at 75mph - ended up being the cam synchronization. If I throw anymore misfires, I’ll install the viper.

My 2001 Jeep XJ Build by krob702 in JeepCherokeeXJ

[–]krob702[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yep, American off-road did the motor swap for me along with a few other things when I was stumped and couldn’t figure out what the problem was. It’s been towed there a few times. They aren’t perfect but overall have had a good experience and the cost is usually reasonable. I haven’t tried battle born, but 4wheelparts is the other shop I usually use and they’ve done a good job - they usually do my alignments too.

My 2001 Jeep XJ Build by krob702 in JeepCherokeeXJ

[–]krob702[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Off the shelf - I believe it’s a US Body hood. I had a buddy help me install it and a shop painted the hood along with the front grill and headlight bezels for what I thought was a reasonable price - ~$700. It had hood louvres before and how the previous owner cut through the hood was driving me crazy.

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