Welcome!

Dec 18, 2005 Update: Parts gathering has begun!

Since I've only had it for a week I don't have much here yet. Just a handful of pictures I grabbed from the dealers website ad for it. So far I have done a basic tune up with new plugs, wires, and distributer cap and rotor. The check engine light came on during the trip home from the dealer, the code says it's the rear O2 sensor, so I will be swapping both sensors in the next week or so. With 79,000 miles it's due anyways. I also went over the black bumper ends and side trim with Mother's bumper black, and it did a great job. I'll let you know how it holds up after a couple of car washes.

Right now I am figuring out how to lift it enough to fit 31/10.5/15 BFGoodrich AT tires. My initial thoughts are to use Rusty's 3" add a leaf kit as a starting point and order a Skyjacker transfer case drop and track bar relocating bracket to install during the initial lift. I've considered using shackles and blocks in the back for the rear lift to keep it from being too stiff, but I don't have a lot of confidence in that working out very well. Later I can swap on an adjustable trackbar without messing up the front end alignment if necessary. One of my biggest concerns going into it is that a lot of the people in the forums say the 97 and newer XJs are more prone to driveline vibration and tire clearance problems than the previous models, so I guess I have to do it and expect to spend some time tracking down issues. I'm using the Skyjacker transfer case drop for this reason, as they have a 1.25" drop kit for the newer models while other vendors sell the same 1" kit for all years.