The 1K XJ

[size=4]I just got my first Jeep a couple of weeks ago, so TheDarkSide (Andy) and I have been working on getting it trail-worthy. Our goal was to spend 1K or less, and have it able to ride on the highway and easy-ish trails. When I bought it from his younger sister, it had 276K miles and 235/75/15 tires, no window in the back hatch, and a singular, though unfortunate rust hole. Andy previously replaced a piston in it, but that's basically all that had been done to it.[/size]

[size=4]Since we got it, we've done this: added a couple leaves from a YJ spring pack to the rear (adding 1.5" lift over stock), [/size][size=large]wheel adaptors, new (to us) JK wheels, 255/75/17 tires, 1" coil spacers to the front, used 1 hockey puck on each side to the lower coil spring bucket to extend the bump stops, and removed the fender flares and trimmed the wheel openings to fit, replaced the back hatch with one that actually has glass in it (and the rear wiper works!!!). We had a mystery issue of it not wanting to start on occasion, so we added a flip-switch start which works great when the key doesn't (the girls at work said, "hey, it's like a Prius now!" ...no. Just no.)[/size]

[/size][size=4]Before, with Andy's little sister driving:[/size][size=large]

[/size][size=4]After, much improved, sans teenager, with the extra jeep skin laying in front:[/size][size=large]

[/size][size=4]Below, is the transformation in stages:[/size][size=4]Looking doofy with JK wheels and tires that have no room:[/size][size=large]

[/size][size=4]Installing spacers and bump stops:[/size][size=large]
[img width=675 height=1200]http://i393.photobucket.com/al…13_132901_zpsxxtvvmbf.jpg[/img]

[img width=675 height=1200]http://i393.photobucket.com/al…13_133918_zpsxbmzccfx.jpg[/img]

[/size][size=4]After the fender flare came off, gross:[/size][size=large]

[/size][size=4]My man cutting stuff up:[/size][size=large]
[img width=675 height=1200]http://i393.photobucket.com/al…13_151215_zpstb2ylrzs.jpg[/img]

[/size][size=4]Looking even doofier, without the back cut:[/size][size=large]

[/size][size=4]A lot less doofy here, but still before Andy cut the front bumper: [/size][size=large]

[/size][size=4]Close-up of the cut in the front:[/size][size=large]

[/size][size=4]We came pretty darn close to our 1K budget, and we have a couple of other things we want to do first. So far, I'm pretty happy with it! Excited to take it to Rausch in April![/size][size=large]

Quote from whatevah

You can take off and throw away the rear swaybar if you haven't yet. With those extra leaves, you don't even need it. Looking good!

Thats the plan. And use the brackets that go on the U-bolts as BPE's

Quote from MrSimon

I've got a hatch off a 99 in your color sitting in my shed.

You can have it if you come get it. I'm in Glenmoore, PA.

I'll take it! I'll PM you when I get off work. Thanks!